Schiphol Airport

Amsterdam's Schiphol (pronounced similar to "skip-pole") is one of the busiest in the world. It is built on a former lake and is the home airport for KLM, the world's oldest continuously operating airline. 

For Americans Schiphol is a change from the usual airport procedures.  First of all, departure screens show both a number for the ticketing area where you check in as well as your plane's gate.  Also, instead of a single security check area before entering gate areas, most individual gates at Schiphol have their own security scanners.  So, one checks in, proceeds to the gate and then goes through security. 

Behold the Cheese

I love cheese, and the Netherlands is a cheese lover's paradise. Gouda cheese, however, has a special place in terms of Dutch identity. Wheels both small and huge of the famous wax-covered cheese are sold throughout the Netherlands.