Amsterdam is a vibrant, cosmopolitan and progressive city with a lot to offer—museums for art-lovers and history buffs, world-class cuisine for foodies, party-till-you-drop nightlife for young college students and a million pretty alleyways and canals for just about everyone else. Yet, while Amsterdam’s popularity is well-deserved, travelers who fail to venture farther afield are missing out on some of Europe’s most charming landscapes. Merely minutes from Amsterdam, the countryside is awash with lush green pastures, lopsided houses and quaint brick churches. These rural areas just outside the city limits, make for a perfect day trip from Amsterdam.  …