The
Netherlands, a small monarchy, is located in the Northwest of Europe on the
Baltic Sea, between the North Sea, Belgium and Germany and is known for
cheese, windmills, tulips. The country is over thousands of years old where
Amsterdam is the biggest and most popular city and undoubtedly one of the
world's greatest cities. The canals, outdoor cafes, museums, windmills,
great nightlife, exciting outdoor activities make it a ‘never miss
destination’ for travellers. The countrys' transportation system is one
of the best in the world because of its tree lined canals, bridges, and
waterway transportation make it like no other place in the world. Its
museums, markets, side walk cafes, coffee houses and vibrance make it a
thrilling visit – The country also houses the Van Gogh Museum and world
famous artists. All in all its the best place for spending a great holidays.
Fact File
Official name : Kingdom of the Netherlands
Government : Constitutional monarchy
Nationality : Dutchman(men), Dutchwoman(women)
Ethnic groups : About 83% of the population are Dutch (Germanic and
Gallo-Celtic stock); most of the rest are Indonesian, Surinamese, Moroccan,
Turkish or Antillian.
Location : Western Europe, bordering the North Sea, between Belgium
and Germany
Continent : Europe
Currency : Euro; 1 Euro = 52.443 Indian Rupee = 1.2047 US $ =
0.678141 GBP(subject to change)
Capital city : Amsterdam
Population : 16.25 million
Languages : Dutch, Frisian
Religion : Christian (52%) (Roman Catholic and Protestant), Muslim
(5.3%). Fully 40% of the Dutch say they have no religious affiliation
Area : 41,526 sq km
Famous for : Designer boutiques and placemat designs
Major
cities : Amsterdam; Rotterdam; The Hague; Utrecht; Eindhoven; Tilburg;
Groningen.
Clothing : Summer : cotton, Winters
: woolens. Rainwear is recommended throughout the season.
Major events : Elfstedentocht (Eleven Cities Race), Koninginnedag
(Queen's Day) is on April 30 The Hague's North Sea Jazz Festival in July,
Vierdaagse (Four Day March Zomerfeesten (Summer FestivalSinterklaas (Saint
Nicholas Zwarte Pieten (Black Peters).
Things to Buy : diamonds, decorative tiles, wooden shoes, licorice,
cheese, chocolate, and tulip bulbs
Things to do : shopping, sightseeing
Cuisine : Non Veg : meat, chicken, fish ;
Veg : patata, national fast food, vegetables, dairy
products and sweets; Beverage : Dutch gin (jenever) is
sometimes drunk with a beer chaser; the combination is known as a kopstoot
('head butt')
Visa Permit
Tourists from Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore,
South Korea, USA and most of Europe only need a valid passport - no visa -
for a stay of up to three months. EU nationals can enter for a stay of three
months with just their national identity card or a passport expired less
than five years ago. If one has a Schengen visa for one of the countries
that is a member of the Schengen Agreement, it may be valid for the
Netherlands also.
Culture
The
cultural life in The Netherlands is varied and lively. Dutch painting and
crafts are world-famous, and Dutch painters are among the greatest the world
has ever known. Indeed, the long-enduring tradition of Dutch freedom of
expression has undoubtedly played a remarkable role in the flowering of
Dutch culture through the ages.
Among the influential Dutch figures of that time were jurist Hugo Grotius,
scientists Christiaan Huygens and Antoni van Leeuwenhoek, cartographers
Willem Janszoon Blaeu and Jodocus Hondius, writers Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft
and Joost van den Vondel, philosopher Baruch Spinoza, and numerous
theologians. The Dutch artistic tradition continued to be vigorous in more
recent centuriesproducing famous and influential painters such as
Vincent van Gogh, Piet Mondrian, and Karel Appeland lives on today,
particularly in Amsterdam, where artists from many countries work.
When to go
Hordes of tourists snap their way around the Netherlands in summer, but
this is still the best time of year to sit picnicking by the canals. Spring
is a good time to visit for daffodils and tulips. In winter the museums are
quiet, and if everything freezes over, there's great ice skating on the
canals and flood plains.
Climate
Mild, maritime climate where summers are generally warm with changeable
periods but its never too hot. Winters can be fairly cold with the
possibility of some snow. Rainfall is prevalent all year.
Getting There
By Air : The Netherlands has just one main international airport,
Schiphol, about 10km southwest of Amsterdam.
By Trains : Amsterdam's Central Station has regular and efficient
rail connections to all neighbouring countries, but the bus will always be
cheaper unless you've got a Eurail pass or equivalent.
By Road : Long-distance Eurolines buses connect Amsterdam to most
European cities, as well as to North Africa. Eurolines and Citysprint buses
travel across the channel to Britain, usually through France (make sure
you've got a visa if required).
By Sea : Most travellers go overland through Belgium and France to
pick up a boat to England, but ferries also run between Hoek van Holland
(Edge of Holland) and Harwich, UK; Europoort (near Rotterdam) and Hull, UK;
IJmuiden (near Amsterdam) and Newcastle, UK; and IJmuiden and Kristiansand,
Norway.
Getting around
By
Air : KLM Cityhopper (WA) operates between Amsterdam and Eindhoven.
Transavia Airlines (HV) (part owned by KLM) also run scheduled flights.
Martinair Holland (MP) operates passenger and cargo charter services.
By Sea : Ferry services go to the Wadden Islands, Ameland,
Schiermonnikoog, Terschilling, Texel and Vlieland, across the Ijsselmeer
(former Zuyder Sea) and Schelde Estuary. There is also a ferry service to
the Frisian Islands across the Waddenzee.
Boat Tours runs excursions from Amsterdam, Arnhem, Delft, Giethoorn,
Groningen, Maastricht, Rotterdam and Utrecht.
By Trains : The highly developed rail network is cheap and
efficient, and connects all the towns. Both Intercity and local trains run
at least half-hourly on the main routes. Rail and bus timetables are
integrated, and there is a common fare structure throughout the country.
NV Nederlandse Spoorwegen is the state-owned rail company and operates all
lines within the Netherlands.
Major attractions in Netherlands
Amsterdam, the capital city : Amsterdam is one of the finest cities
in Europe as it is beautiful, modern, laid back, with lots to do and lots
to see, with many pubs, excellent food from all over the world and friendly
people. A visit to this splendid city gives a feeling as if the city is
still placed in the 17th century. The center of Amsterdam has a lot of
charming architecture dating from this period. Here the center of the city
is shaped like a horseshoe, surrounded by four famous canals called the “Singel’,
“Herengracht”, “Keizersgracht are lots of interesting small
shops for browsing and bigger shopping centers in one of the passages for
example in the old post office, which is right behind the central Dam Square
on which one can find the Dam Palace. Amsterdam is famous for canals lined
with beautiful town houses. It is a dream destination for experiencing
marvellous holidays where one can enjoy the unique charm of the 17th century
and the enigma of the present.”
Hoge Veluwe : Hoge Veluwe is the country's largest national park
and owns the wonderful Kröller-Müller Museum. The park covers 5500
hectares (13,500 acres) and is an exciting mix of forests and woods,
shifting sands and heath moors that provide a sense of isolation found
nowhere else on the Dutch mainland. Red deer, wild boar and mouflon (a
Mediterranean sheep) are found here. The Kröller-Müller Museum
has 278 works by Van Gogh, as well as smaller collections of Picasso and
Mondrian. Hoge Veluwe is accessible by bus from Arnhem. White bicycles are
available free of charge once you're inside the park
Delta Region : The province of Zeeland falls in the Delta region. It
was once a solitary place where isolated islands and medieval towns but
after the 1953 flood, Zeeland was protected from the sea by the monumental
Delta Project, but it's still a bit of a wild spot.
Other Attractions :
Red Light District
Wadden Islands
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