Netherlands Flag
Why visit the Netherlands?
For travelers seeking to enjoy architecture, art, beer breweries, canals, castles, cheese, culture, cycling, diamonds, festivals, historical sites, horseback riding, museums, open-air street markets, palaces, roller skating, shopping, stamps, tulips, water sports, and windmills.
Amsterdam, Netherlands. Pixabay: millionairemob/Pixabay
At a Glance
- Souvenirs to Buy: Cheese, chocolate, decorative tile, Delftware pottery, diamonds, licorce, tulip bulbs, and wooden shoes.
- Local Cuisine to Try: Beemster (cheese). Bitterballen (meat stew). Bossche Bol (filled pastry). Edam (cheese). Gouda (cheese). Hutspot (mashed potatoes). Leerdammer (cheese). Leyden (spiced cheese). Oliebollen (donut pastry). Poffertjes (traditional pancake). Rookworst (sausage). Stroopwafels (syrup waffles).
- Local Drink to Try: Advocaat (alcohol). Beerenburg (alcohol). Boerenjongens (brandy). Bokbier (beer). Bruidstranen (alcohol). Chocomel (chocolate). Citroenbrandewijn (gin). Grolsch (beer). Hertog-Jan (beer). Jenever (gin). Koffie Verkeerd (coffee). Korenwijn (alcohol). Oranjebitter (liquor). Schelvispeke (brandy). Verse Munt Thee (mint tea). Vieux (alcohol).
De Haar Castle (Kasteel de Haar) Utrecht, Netherlands. Photo Credit: Ellen/Pixabay
Fun Facts
- Home to the oldest (1500s) standing European armies.
- During the 17th Century (1601 - 1700) the arrival of tulips (from Turkey).
- Dutch language classes are mandatory for newcomers.
- Home (Amsterdam Hilton) to the "Bed-In for Peace" press conference protesting (1969) the Vietnam War with John Winston Ono Lennon (1940-1980), English Musician and Yoko Ono (1969–1980).
- Port of Rotterdam is the busiest European seaport.
- Rearview mirrors on residential canal exterior windows are used to see knocking visitors.
- Keukenhof Gardens (Lisse) is one of the world’s largest flower gardens.
- By nationality considered the tallest people in the world.
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is the third busiest European airport.
- Roodharigendag (Breda) is a 3-day gathering of redheads from all over the world.
- Gold is kept below canal levels against thieves.
- Has over 400 rail stations.
- Kingdom of the Netherlands are Lesser Antilles Islands of the Caribbean territories: Aruba, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten.
- Estimated to have 18 million bicycles.
- Considered amongst most liberal in the world legalizing: abortions, euthanasia, LGBT Rights, prostitution, and recreational drugs.
- Has several Belgian exclaves.
- Max Emilian Verstappen, Belgian-Dutch Motorsports Race Driver currently was the first Dutchman to win a Grand Prix.
- Home to the largest fleet of active historical ships in the world.
- Largely exports apples, chilis, cucumbers, floral bulbs, and tomatoes.
- Ranks as one of the most bike-friendly countries.
Spring Tulips. Photo Credit: Nick115/Pixabay
Special Holidays/Occasions
- Annual Events: (January) Jumping Amsterdam, Rotterdam International Film Festival, Tulip Day, (February) ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, (March) Boekenweek, Silent Walk, The European Fine Art Fair, (April) Bloemencorso, Koningsdag, Rotterdam Marathon, (May) Holland Festival, Theater Na de Dam, Vereniging de Hollandsche Molen, Vondelpark, World Press Photo Exhibition, (June) Amsterdam Roots Festival, AnimeCon, Bosch Parade, Dutch Music Festival, Festival Classique, George Mosse Fund, Holland Arts Festival, Holland Festival, Incubate Festival, Maand van het Spannende Boek, Oosterpark Festival, Pinksterlanddagen, Parkpop Music Festival, Pinkpop, Terschelling Oerol Theatre Festival, (July) Amsterdam Gay Pride, Cannabis Cup, North Sea Jazz Festival, Over Het IJ Festival, Rotterdam Summer Carnival, (August) Amsterdam Canal Festival, Bicycle Tour, Bloemencorso Vollenhove, Canal Run, De Parade Theatre Festival, Festival of Early Music, Haarlem Jazz, Jazz in de Gracht, International Fireworks Festival, Mosseldag, Pluk de Nacht, Sail Amsterdam, Scheveningen Fireworks Festival, Stichting Grachtenfestival, (September) Bloemencorso Zundert, Jordaan Festival, National Restaurant Week, Netherlands Film Festival. Roodharigendag, Step In The Arena Graffiti Festival, (October) Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), Amsterdam Marathin, (November) Amsterdam Sinterklaas Parade, Campzone, Crossing Border Festival, GLOW Festival, International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, International Horti Fair, International Vocal Competition, Leather Pride, Le Guess Who, Museum Night Amsterdam, (December) Amsterdam Light Festival, Gouda by Candlelight, Winterland Maastricht, and World Christmas Circus.
- Holidays: New Year's Day, Good Friday, Easter Sunday, Easter Monday, King's Birthday, Liberation Day, Ascension Day, Whit Sunday, Whit Monday, Christmas Day, and Second Day of Christmas.
(Windmill) Groningen, Netherland. Photo Credit: Thelma/Pixabay
Good to Know
- Boasts in world-class art.
- Not a good beach destination.
- Some areas offer nude swimming.
- Speed limits are strictly enforced by radar.
- Not a good mountain destination.
- Largest cities: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht.
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol (AMS) is one of the largest duty-free shopping centers in the world.
- Seat belts and child seats are required.
- In the Red Light District prostitutes are known to throw photographing on-goers into canals.
- Permissible blood alcohol level is .05% and .02% for driver’s holding a license for less than five years.
- Avoid public demonstrations.
- Native mannerisms are often direct with a no-nonsense attitude.
- High-speed rail line is available between the Amsterdam metropolitan area and the Belgium border; trains running from Paris and London.
- Beware of bicycle stoplights at busy junctions.
- Avoid walking on designated bike paths.
- Tulip Season is April - May.
- A damp destination, so packing a raincoat and umbrella are necessary.
- Ferry service connects to Great Britain.
- Tourists are known targets for bag snatchers, pickpockets, other petty theft.
- Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague is prone to road congestion.
- Parking spots are scarce and expensive.
- U.S. credit card containing only a magnetic strip is not usually accepted. A chip and pin card is recommended.
- Keukenhof Gardens (Lisse) is open between March - May.
- Largely offers bicycle parking facilities in city and train stations.
- Vehicles are not allowed in parts of the city center.
- South offers festivals that never occur elsewhere throughout the country.
- Lanes in the center of two-way streets are reserved for buses, taxis, and trams.
Alkmaar, Netherlands. Photo Credit: Evgeni Tcherkasski/Pixabay
This international destination requires:
- A valid passport with three months of validity and two blank page for entry stamp.
- Currency Restrictions for Entry/Exit: $10,000EUR.
Volendam, Netherlands. Photo Credit: Mel/Pixabay
- Best Time to Visit: May - October
- Coldest Months: December - February
- Hottest Months: June - September
- Peak Season: July - August
Amsterdam, Netherlands. Photo Credit: Rudy & Peter Skitterians/Pixabay
Your Must-See & Do
- UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Colonies of Benevolence, Droogmakerij de Beemster (Beemster Polder), Dutch Water Defence Lines, Frontiers of the Roman Empire – The Lower German Limes, Historic Area of Willemstad Inner City and Harbour Curaçao, Ir.D.F. Woudagemaal (D.F. Wouda Steam Pumping Station), Mill Network at Kinderdijk-Elshout, Rietveld Schröderhuis (Rietveld Schröder House), Schokland and Surroundings, Seventeenth-Century Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam inside the Singelgracht, The Wadden Sea, and Van Nelle Factory.
Groningen, Netherlands. Photo Credit: Rudy & Peter Skitterians/Pixabay
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