The Netherlands Travel Tips and Insider Guides
Click a city or region to browse our insider travel tips and guides about The Netherlands.Read Our Insider's Guide To The Netherlands
The Netherlands is one of the smaller countries of continental Europe, but the largest of three countries comprising “Benelux” (the others being Belgium and Luxembourg). Much of the country is below sea level and the country’s lands have been reclaimed using complex waterworks projects (canals) over the years. The Dutch are known for their relaxed lifestyle, including... [Read the full story]
Our Insider's Articles about The Netherlands
These surprising facts touch upon the most famous icons of the Netherlands—from tulips and Van Gogh to windmills, clogs, and... [Read the full story]
Visiting the famous windmills of the Kinderdijk is a truly moving experience. These windmills were originally built to pump... [Read the full story]
Even though the Netherlands isn’t famous for its food and even though the country appears to be populated by skinny,... [Read the full story]
Okay, so we all have heard of sleeping in coffins, hyperbaric chambers and even 6 x 6 pods…but this may be a new idea..sleeping... [Read the full story]
The Netherlands is a coastal nation, with the entire western side of the country boardering the sea. Dutch beaches are characterized... [Read the full story]
Just for fun, here is a link to a product page for the HEMA Department Store in the Netherlands. When you click on the link... [Read the full story]
About The Netherlands
The Netherlands, aka Holland, is home to easily accessible national parks, 280 miles of coastline with hundreds of dykes, the infamously hedonistic city of Amsterdam, and numerous cities that are worth exploring. The famous artists Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and M.C. Escher are from the Netherlands, and their works are proudly displayed in the country’s world-class art museums, such the Rijks Museum, Mauritshuis Museum, and the Van Gogh Museum. In short, the Netherlands offers the chance to tour some of Europe’s most amazing cities and a highly unique coastline. Here are some tips to help guide you on your trip to the Netherlands.
The Netherlands is a small country about twice the size of New Jersey. It is bordered by Belgium and Germany. Leaving Amsterdam by car, you can drive to either Essen, Germany, or Brussels, Denmark, in a little over two hours. Some of its most fascinating cities include Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, and Groningen, each of which features a mix of gothic and modern architecture. The Hague has some of the most stunning architecture in all of the Netherlands. The coastal cities have the added sight of windmills and dykes, and the largest collection of windmills can be found in the town of Kinderdijk.
Amsterdam’s famous drug and sex culture overshadows a lovely city full of great restaurants, stunning canals, museums, outdoor markets, parks, and sailboat-filled harbors. The city is absolutely full of bicycles, and renting one is a great way to tour the city. The Dutch people are famous for two things: being exceptionally tall and exceptionally friendly.
The northern part of the Netherlands is home to the Wadden Sea, which offers an unusual activity: adventurers can hike the muddy sea floor while the tide is out. The Hoge Veluwe forest reserve, located in central Holland, has miles of bicycle trails that wind through the forest; bicycles are provided for free.
As of January 2012, U.S. travelers visiting the Netherlands do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. The official currency of the Netherlands is the Euro. You can enter the Netherlands by ferry from the UK, and the country’s primary international airport is the Schiphol airport in Amsterdam. Dutch is the official language, and English is commonly spoken.
