Upcoming Event
Saint Nicholas Parade Amsterdam
14 Nov 2012
The Saint Nicholas Parade Amsterdam will be held on the 14th of November 2010. Sinterklaas will arrive on 12.00 AM at the docks of The Scheepvaartmuseum, whereafter he will continue to the Dam Square and The Leidse Square.
Welcome to The Netherlands!
Charming windmills, alluring flowers, dikes, lush meadows, canals, bridges, sidewalk cafes, quaint little churches, quaint Netherlands hotels, beautiful blue Delft pottery, bicycles, boats and sails are a few of the images that Netherlands brings to mind. This small, windy country in Europe, bordered by the North Sea, Belgium and Germany, is full of striking sights that stay in the mind long after you have left. But the visual aspect is just a part of what makes Netherlands, otherwise known as Holland, such an interesting and delightful place. Its topography, liberal culture, rich heritage and glorious history, artistic traditions and even the height of its people (men average 185 cm) are all noteworthy.
The Netherlands is one of the flattest countries in the world, which makes it perfect for leisurely walks and cycling - a Dutch passion. More than a quarter of the country lies below sea level, while a good part of the land area is "polder" - land reclaimed from the sea using an ingenious system of dikes and a lot of hard toil over many centuries.
Amsterdam, the capital city, is an ideal base to explore the country. An extremely attractive city that boasts numerous museums and art galleries, it also offers wonderful shopping, a buzzing nightlife and a wide range of Amsterdam hotels. A fast and efficient train network takes you in no time to the many notable cities around such as Rotterdam, Utrecht, Haarlem, Delft, Maastricht, Leiden, Groningen and many more. Use our Netherlands map to get your bearings and find holiday destinations throughout The Netherlands.
Known for their great zest for life, the Dutch are also a liberal and tolerant people. Homosexuality is looked at with an open mind here and gay marriage has long been legal. Euthanasia is allowed under strict conditions. Prostitution is decriminalised and the sale and use of cannabis in small quantities is tolerated. Small quantities of Marijuana and cannabis are sold at designated "coffee shops".
A reputed centre of art and culture, the country is known for the many celebrated artists it has produced - the likes of Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer, Frans Hals and Mondrian. In the 17th century, the Dutch were very much the torchbearers of European culture. The period was also a golden age in Netherlands' history - the glory days when it competed with England and Spain and set up colonies in Indonesia, parts of India, Africa and even in New York.
No account of the Netherlands will be complete without a mention of the country's long love affair with flowers and cheese. Tulips have been cultivated in large scale since the 17th century and flower bulbs are still one of the items most sought after by tourists. The country produces an assortment of delicious cheese. Varieties like Gouda, Edam, Maaslander and Leerdamer are hugely popular.
Netherlands' pastoral countryside, its beaches and islands, its delightful coffee shops and a range of other tourist attractions along with its rich traditions make it a country you would surely love to spend time in and take a Netherlands tour of. Good transport links from Europe and the outside world makes it easy to reach as well.
