Netherlands: Overview
Liberal Holland, the most important region of the Netherlands, is located northwest of the European continent. Netherlands, flat only geographically speaking, limits with Germany to the east, with Belgium to the south and with the waters of the North Sea to the west and the north.
When to go
The finest moment to visit Holland is during summer, since in this season visitors can enjoy to sit down next to the channels and have a drink while they contemplate the beautiful show offer by blooming tulip bulbs. Of course, spring, time of narcissus (April) and, also, tulips (May) is a great time to spend in this colourful region. Rains fall regularly throughout the whole year and winter can be very cold, although it is ideal to skate in the frozen channels and plains.
Important Information
Citizens from Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, the European Union, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, the USA and Venezuela do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days.
The official currency is euro (EUR), although the main credit cards are accepted. Traveller’s cheques are also valid as payment, although, to avoid commission charges when changing them, they must be in euros, pounds sterling or dollars. Traveller’s checks and foreign currencies can be changed in banks and official exchanging offices (shown by the letters GWK).
Tips are generally included in the bill, although it is custom to tip a 10% to taxi drivers and waiters.
There is nor health neither vaccination requirements to travel to Holland, although it is always a good idea to hire a medical insurance for the trip. Medical care level is very high and there is an agreement with other countries of the EU, so if you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), you can get medical emergency care at a lower cost.
Security level in Holland is good, although it is recommended to take some basic cautions such as not circulating in little frequented streets at night and to be careful with pickpockets, especially in Amsterdam and the Central Station. Several assaults have been reported by tourists travelling in train from Schiphol Airport. Besides this, tourists should be attentive in public places, since security measures have been increased in the country due to a threat of terrorist attacks. In Amsterdam tourists should be aware of the possibility of being approached by bogus false policemen with fake identification who will said to be investigating credit cards and money frauds and will ask you to show him/her your money and credit cards. If this happens you should request the policeman to go with you to a police station where you will show him the money and cards.
In Holland are some customs which may seem quite strange to visitors, for example, using marijuana is allowed in some "coffees" in the main cities, but drugs traffic is forbidden outside the specified places and possession of soft drugs in public places can put you in prison. From the age of 14 everyone must carry identification and show it when requested by law enforcements.
Where to go
In Amsterdam, the bustling and attractive capital, past and present converge while you enjoy a triply distilled beer elaborated by monks in the great cafeterias. In this city that combines the rustic charm with all a modern metropolis can offers, you can see interesting art exhibitions and samples of the XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries’ architecture, walk by the channels and cobbled streets of the Old Town; go to the famous The Wallen (District of the Red lights) or to the best cinemas and theatres, located in Leidesplein and Rembrandtfplain.
Groningen, an old city, is the most important urban centre north of Holland. For its student great population, this city has a young and cheerful atmosphere reflected in a crazy night life, art exhibitions and exotic museums going from the Groningen and the science Museum to a comics and tobacco Museum. From downtown you can follow Herestraat, the pedestrian avenue, full with all kinds of shops, coffees and restaurants. Next to a church in the main square, Grote Makt, Martini Tower rises up; from its top you can enjoy a spectacular view of the whole city. One of the most important buildings is Stadsschouwburg, the city theatre, a Renaissance construction of rosy colour and beautiful interior decorations.
Randstad which means “urban mass”, is the name of a populated region in Netherlands which includes Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, Utrecht, Haarlem, Leiden and Delft. Here the most outstanding landscapes are the bulbous tubers fields (in all their glory between March and May), and Keukenhof, south of Haalem. This last one is the world’s largest garden and it is open only eight weeks a year. Besides this, you can see the royal mansions, embassies and art galleries of The Hague.
The Hoge Veluwe National Park, where the Kröller Müller Museum and the garden of the sculptures are another place worthwhile visiting in your trip to Holland.
Maastricht, the oldest city in Netherlands, dates from 50 B.C. and stands out for its walls and 10 kms of tunnels. Nowadays, this city has been transformed into one of the best places to enjoy the different flavours of the neighbouring cuisines and of the carnivals of February.
Festivals
Among the main celebrations you can enjoy in Holland are the Elfstedentocht, a skating on-ice marathon; the carnival that takes place in February; Koninginnedag, Queen’s Day; Holland Festival celebrates in the end of June in Amsterdam and The Hague; and the North Sea Jazz Festival in July, also in The Hague.
