Netherlands Travel Information | Trip to Holland | Netherlands Guide

Think of the Netherlands and the first things to come to mind are yummy cheeses, beautiful red tulips, and traditional windmills. The Kingdom of Netherlands as it is formally called is located in Western Europe, and is a country that takes great pride in its culture and heritage. It would be wrong to call the Netherlands, ‘Holland’, as the kingdom itself is made up of more provinces than Holland alone. Today its economy ranks among the top 20 economies in the world. The discovery of gas and coal reserves, has contributed to making the economy richer. Some industries such as cheese and pottery are well promoted by the government.

It is the Dutch who make up around 80% of the population. The rest 20% comprise of Europeans from other countries, Turks, Indonesians and even people from Morocco.  Dutch is the official language spoken by the people here. The Dutch have a keen eye for art. It is not surprising then that some of the best artists in the world came from here. Rembrandt, Vermeer and Steen are some famous names. However the most famous Dutch artist, arguably is Vincent van Gogh, whose paintings are each considered masterpieces. The magic of the Dutch can be seen even in literature. Erasmus and Spinoza were two important philosophers. Writers of the 20th century include names such as Harry Mulisch, Jan Wolkers and William Hermans.

The Netherlands has always captivated people from around the world, for its European charms, simple ways of living, beautiful varieties of flora and fauna, and for the many other things one can get to see there. A tour beginning with the capital city is very enriching in itself. s

Amsterdam – One of the first things you notice is that a network of canals and waterways runs through the entire city. One of the best ways to see the city is to take a canal tour. Many 17th century houses, with ethnic Dutch ornamental work can be seen in plenty.  This city has more than 50 museums in total. The Rijksmuseum, is one such art gallery home to many famous artists. The Van Gogh Museum, full of many Van Gogh works, should not be left out. A museum, with a difference is Anne Frank’s house. This is the house where Anne and her family went into hiding, to escape from the Germans during the Second World War. The Direntuin Artis is a popular zoo, with many sections, and is worth a visit. The Heineken Brewery, open to the public should not be missed out. This brewery although it was in operation from 1932- 1988, is one of the most visited tourist spots in Amsterdam today.  There are many parks and gardens here too, with varied flora. A botanical garden called the De Hortus, and the botanical garden near the University of Amsterdam, are two parks that are worth a visit. There is even a Madame Tussauds, here full of historical figures and other personalities. Amsterdam has some of Europe’s best nightclubs and restaurants too, so, you are assured of a great nightlife too.

Rotterdam – It is the hub of the Dutch economy, and is one of the largest ports in Europe. The Het Schielandhuis, is the place to go to, if learning about Rotterdam’s history of art and culture is on your agenda. The Euromast & Space Tower, located here is the highest point in the country and gives one a great view also. The Maritime Museum has more than 1 million maritime objects, which include navigation instruments, ship models, pictures and so on. The Museum Boymans van Beuningen, has a unique ensemble of paintings, sculptures and other artefacts, that date back to the 14th century. Artists such as Ruben and Rembrandt can be seen here. The Rotterdam zoo, with its Oceanium section and the Gorilla Island section, also draws a huge number of tourists each year.

Hague – This is the seat of the Dutch government and is home to many foreign embassies too. There are so many attractions worth seeing here. The Het Binnenhof, as the seat of power is called, is worth visiting. The Ridderzal or Knights Hall, built in the 13th century, lies in the centre of the Binnenhof. Do ensure you see the world’s most unusual painting- it is cylindrical in shape and is more than 14 meters high and 120 meter in circumference. It is called the Panorama Mesdag and is one of the hallmarks of Hague. Many famous choreographers have staged their recitals and shows at some time or the other at the Nederlands Dans Theatre. It is worth watching a show here. A museum of importance is the Royal Picture Gallery Mauritshius, which is full of Dutch classics from the 17th century. Leiden, in the northeast is famed for being the birthplace of Rembrandt.

Almost every part of Netherlands has something different to offer. Aalsmeer is famous for a flower auction that takes place there, whereas Broek op Langedijk, is reputed to be the oldest vegetable auction hall in Europe. Kinderdijk, south east of Rotterdam, is the perfect place to go to, to see the famous windmills of Netherlands. Delft, is well known for its blue hand painted wares and is the heart of the pottery industry. A popular cheese market can be visited at Gouda, which is also host to the annual Candlelight Festival. If you are a person who likes combining exercise and sightseeing, then you are in luck. The cities have many biking routes, which make touring all the more enjoyable. Some of the best biking routes are through the Hoge Veluwe to see the woods and route through the forests near Oisterwijk.  The bike routes, near the fields of Haarlem and Sassenheim to see flowers in bloom, and through the Betuwe region, to see fruit orchards are also recommended.

Famous for its blend of both culture, and modernity, Netherlands has long been a favorite tourist destination. With so much to see in every place, you will feel the urge to visit again.

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