I've lived in the Netherlands for 15 years. These 4 cities have canals and culture — and fewer crowds than Amsterdam.

Zutphen is full of gorgeous architecture that always makes me feel transported back in time. Dana Marin I've lived in Amsterdam for over a decade, and I love it here — but it can get packed with tourists. When friends ask for off-the-beaten-path recommendations, I recommend four other Dutch cities. Utrecht is an easy day trip from Amsterdam, and Zutphen has tons of history and culture. I've loved Amsterdam since my first visit as a tourist — so much so that 15 years ago, I moved here. As so...