Netherlands tourist information with details about
travel to and around the country. Where to stay and what to see is made easier with
insider tips and hand-selected Holland links, by dedicated editors and visitors to
TravelNotes.org - The Online Guide to Travel.
Holland is officially called the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The Netherlands, or Nederlanden, in turn forms part of the Benelux
countries; along with Belgium and Luxembourg.
Countries neighbouring Holland are: Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany.
Weather in Netherlands
View a graphical weather forecast for the week ahead in places around
Netherlands.
Amsterdam
Weather, Assen
Weather, Dordrecht
Weather, Eindhoven
Weather, Groningen
Weather, Haarlem
Weather, Hook
of Holland Weather, Leeuwarden
Weather, Leiden
Weather, Maastricht
Weather, Rotterdam
Weather, The
Hague Weather, Tilburg
Weather, Utrecht
Weather.
The Low Countries were ruled by Philip II of Spain, until the late
16th century, when the Protestant Dutch in the northern provinces rioted against the Roman
Catholic church.
The Spanish measures to put down the revolt, only encouraged William I
of Orange to lead a fight for Independence.
William the Silent was assassinated in 1584, but the British defeat of
the Spanish Armada in 1588 was a major setback to the Spanish war mobility.
The Dutch Republic was officially established in 1648, but fell to
France in 1795.
The Kingdom of the Netherlands gained statehood when Napoleon suffered
defeats in 1814-1815. Belgium was also a part of the new
kingdom, until it seceded in 1830, to form an independent country.
Much of the north and west of the country lies below sea-level.
The Dutch have managed to increase their land area by up to one fifth,
due to an elaborate system of water drainage dating back to medieval times; using dykes,
canals, dams sluices, and windmill- powered pumps.
Nature almost always wins in the end, and much of The Netherlands
still suffers from flooding.
Holland
in Miniature:
Miniature city, Madurodam, is now open all year round. Windmills turn, ships sail, and the
most modern trains enter and leave the train stations, while traversing the city on the
world's largest miniature railway.
The Netherlands:
Official tourism site of The Netherlands; where cycling is a way of life.
Amsterdam Tour Ideas
While many visitors head to the canals, coffee houses,
and red light district of Amsterdam, it is also interesting to view the coastal
sand-dunes, and the reclaimed province of Flevoland.
Amsterdam:
You can explore the capital of Holland from the station. Choose whether to go on foot or
by tram, and watch the city unfold through someone else's eyes.
Amsterdam
Card:
The I amsterdam Card comprises a transportation ticket, a chip card (for free admission to
the museums) and the 'I amsterdam Guide'; a multi-lingual voucher booklet for discounts at
restaurants and attractions. Collect the card and free guidebook upon arrival at Amsterdam
Schiphol Airport, or in the city center, and you're ready to explore - for free.
Amsterdam City Tours:
From guided city tours to the Red-light District and canal boat trips. If it's a part of
Amsterdam, you'll get to see it. Any tour can be tailored to your personal needs.
Amsterdam Escape:
As an alternative to hotel accommodation you could rent an apartment in Amsterdam and live
like a real Amsterdammer during your stay, with the keys to your own luxury apartment or
canal house.
10% discount to Travel Notes members.
Amsterdam Fact
Sheet:
A handy little page to print out and actually use when you're in Amsterdam and away from
your computer.
History of
Amsterdam:
From its humble beginnings as a 13th century fishing village on a river bed to its current
role as a major hub for business, tourism and culture, Amsterdam has had a strong
tradition as a centre of culture and commerce.
Amsterdam Travel Tips
Visitors to The Netherlands should consider taking a hotel, hostel, or
B&B in Haarlem rather than Amsterdam. Haarlem is less than 20 minutes by train (6 per
hour) from Amsterdam making it especially convenient for rail pass holders. The tourist
information office is just outside the Haarlem station, on the south-west corner.
Travellers will save significantly on hotel rates and enjoy a beautiful city with even
friendlier Dutch people.
Sent in by: John Bermont.
If you are going to spend more than three days in Amsterdam, it is
cheaper to buy a strip card to use on Amsterdam's public transportation system.
Sent in by: Rafa Veiga.
Boogaard's Bed and Breakfast:
Located in a quiet residential neighbourhood, a mere five minutes stroll from Amsterdam's
Leidseplein; where you'll find a wide range of restaurants, bars, clubs and cinemas. Also
close to the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedlijk (Modern Art museum), the
Amsterdam Concertgebouw (Concert building) and the most visited area, known as the
Jordaan.
Hotels
in Amsterdam:
Find hotels in Amsterdam with special online rates.
Sort Amsterdam Hotels by: Hotel
Price, Hotel
Rating, Hotel
Name.
Dutch Railways:
Plan your journey on the rails in Holland at the home of Netherlands Railways (NS).
Schiphol Airport:
It's always a breeze to transfer through Amsterdam with KLM. Now the Schipol airport site lets you check all
the arrivals and departures online.
The Hague
The Hague is not the capital of Holland, although it is the seat of
the government and has some wonderful architecture; including the Houses of Parliament.
Den Haag Tourism:
Discover for yourself some of the attractions in and around The Hague. The Hague Visitors
and Conventions Bureau also offers suggestions of where to stay, eating out and things to
do around the capital of Holland.
Historical Den
Haag:
The centre of The Hague has a great many buildings which have played a role in the history
of this city, or of Holland. Here's a brief description of the most interesting historical
sights.
The Hague Accommodation
Hotels
in The Hague:
Find hotels in The Hague with special online rates.
Apeldoorn
Apenheul Primate Park:
Situated within the woods of the Park Berg en Bos, Apenheul harbours over thirty species
of primates, many of them ranging freely among the visitors. Open every day from 1st April
to 1st November.
De Hoge Veluwe:
Located between Arnhem, Ede and Apeldoorn, National Park De Hoge Veluwe is one of
Holland's oldest and largest national parks. Some 2,000 white bicycles are available to
help visitors get around the 5,500 hectares. The entrances to the Park are in Hoenderloo,
Otterlo and Schaarsbergen. Public Transport Buses run from the railways stations in Ede
and Apeldoorn.
Paleis
Het Loo:
Located in Apeldoorn (bus 102 and 104 from Apeldoorn Central Station), the palace and
gardens are open all year round from Tuesday to Sunday (10:00 to 17:00). Closed on New
Year’s Day and Mondays, unless it's a Dutch public holiday.
Apeldoorn Accommodation
Hotels
in Apeldoorn:
Find hotels in Apeldoorn with special online rates.
Delft
Another interesting location is the historical city of Delft, founded
in the 11th century, on the River Schie.
Delft Accommodation
Hotels
in Delft:
Find hotels in Delft with special online rates.
Schoorl
Together with Groet and Camperduin, Schoorl forms an area of small
village centres, boasting excellent facilities, great pavement cafes and delightful
churches. Located on the coast of the province of North Holland, close to Alkmaar.
More detailed travel destination information for:
Amsterdam.
Books
on Netherlands Travel:
Browse Amazon's best-selling list of books on travel in The Netherlands.
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