Travel guide to Netherlands

The kingdom of the Netherlands is a liberal country which offers the visitor some impressive cultural and natural wonders. A walk along the canals in Amsterdam offers beautiful buildings and impressive art museums with the great Dutch painters Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Holland is known as the land of tulips, with dashing natural beauty and colourful fields of flowers, windmills and dikes.

In order to get a view of the many flowers, Holland should be visited in the spring. However, it should be emphasized that the weather is very unpredictable.

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There is no problem getting on the internet anywhere in the country, as internet cafés are abundant all over.

In case of emergency call 112.

Tips are not expected in restaurants or hotels, and it is up to yourself if you want to give any money.

When it is 12.00 in England, it is 13.00 in Holland.

Length: metre Weight: kilograms

As a normal average photographer, there should be no problems in Holland.

The water is generally fine in Holland.

The following voltage is used in Holland:: 220 volts AC, 50Hz.

As in all other places, normal good behaviour will get you far.

Banks are open from 9AM to 4PM. In the big cities, opening hours are from 9AM to 8 or 9PM, while the shops are open from 9AM to 4PM in the rest of the country.

The different Dutch regions each have their own speciality. Fish is common in many dishes; different varieties of herring are particularly popular. Besides this Holland is rich in exotic restaurants with roots in the Dutch colonial past.

Holidays: New Years day, January 1st The Queens birthday, April 13th Day of liberation, May 5th Christmas day, December 25th

Any road-trip in Europe in the summer makes it obvious that the Dutch love to camp. Hence, the country has around 2500 camping grounds. However, camping outside the grounds is not allowed. You may save money by staying more than one night in a camping ground, which may be a good idea as the prices often are quite high.

Holland's hotels are of all kinds, and as there are many rooms, it should not be a problem finding a bed. The national tourist office has divided hotels into seven categories so that searching for the right hotel is easier.

Bed & Breakfasts are not common in Holland. However, you may ask for them at the local tourist office.

Holland's 34 hostels are mostly placed in areas of great natural beauty. Some are in modernized castles, while others are in more modern buildings.

Both KLM and a number of airlines fly domestic routes in Holland, although the short distances and high prices make it difficult for them to compete with the trains or buses.

There are a couple of intercity-buses, but the routes are not very extensive and they have a hard time competing with the trains. It is possible to combine trains and buses, and it is worth noting that the schedules between trains and buses are coordinated.

Trains are by far the most popular mode of transport in Holland. They are fast, cheap and punctual, and are therefore the best alternative to buses and planes. There are different kinds of discounts, so just ask about them at the stations.

All taxis have a taxi-meter, so there shouldn't be any discussion. It is most common to order a taxi by phone, though it is possible to hail one in the street.

All the biggest car rental companies have offices in Holland. Usually the easiest way is to rent the car through the offices of a given company in your own country, and you can get all the relevant details at the same time.

Many boats and ferries leave for some of the islands in the English Channel, as well as to many English cities.

If you don't bring your own bike, it is easy to rent one anywhere in Holland. Ask at a local tourist information office.