HOLLAND TRAVEL GUIDE
Holland is the more commonly used name for the Netherlands (which consists of North and South Holland plus 10 other provinces) and is famed for tulips, clogs, windmills and for being a generally laid-back and liberal country (as evidenced in its policies on drugs, for example).
Amsterdam is one of the great cities to visit in Europe. As Holland is a compact country with excellent public transport, other destinations such as Rotterdam, Utrecht, Maastricht, Leiden and Den Hague can easily be visited as a day trip from Amsterdam – though an overnight stay in any of these places will help you experience more of the “real” Holland. Holland is a very flat country (much of it below sea level, protected by dikes) and cycling is very popular here – and easy! With friendly locals and English being widely spoken, Holland is an ideal destination for a convenient hassle-free holiday on mainland Europe.
* * * * * * * *
HOLLAND WEATHER - When To Go
Holland’s climate is best described as temperate and often likened to that of England. There are four fairly distinct seasons across which the rain can fall at any time, so choosing when to visit can be tricky if you want guarantees of dry weather. Typically summers are warm, winters are cold and spring and autumn are prone to unsettled weather.
A good day to be in Holland is the 30th April every year – Queens Day - a national holiday and party-time throughout the country and especially so in Amsterdam.
* * * * * * * *
HOLLAND HIGHLIGHTS - Places to Visit
- Amsterdam: For culture vultures, there are plenty of museums in Amsterdam that are of interest, such as the Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, the Rijksmuseum (State) Museum, the Rembrandt House Museum, the Amsterdam Historical Museum, the Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art or the Dutch Maritime Museum.
Adults looking for some more fun and adventure are catered for with the notorious (and touristy) Red Light District, the Amsterdam Sex Museum and the neighbouring Vodka Museum, the Hash Museum, the Heineken Experience for beer, or chill out in a Cafe or coffeeshop – and there’s plenty of “normal” nightlife as well.
Canal boat cruises are interesting and readily available, and children will enjoy Amsterdam’s Zoo, or do a bike tour together for a few hours – highly recommended.
- Rotterdam: with Europe’s largest port as its focal point, Rotterdam is one of the country’s most important cities and a destination that can be reached by train in just over an hour from Amsterdam. Top sightseeing attractions include the splendid old St Lawrence Church, the unique Euromast Space Tower and the historic Delfshaven neighbourhood. For culture and history enthusiasts, the Maritime Museum, Boijmans van Beuningen Art Museum and the Kunsthal are the most popular venues to visit.
- The Hague: the city that provides the seat for the country’s government can be reached by train from the capital in under an hour. The Hague is a city for the more refined visitor, offering a wealth of cultural attractions. Among the highlights are the Gemeentemuseum Den Haag (Municipal Museum), Museum Bredius Den Haag and the Hague Historical Museum. Come evening, the Dr Anton Philips Concert Hall with its renowned Residentie Orchestra is the top venue for cultural entertainment. For sightseers, the Binnenhof and Mauritshuis are among the must-sees.
- Maastricht: the city is notable for its aesthetic treasures, which include some magnificent old buildings and eye-catching locations. The city square, known as the Vrijthof, is an especially scenic area and one in which visitors can enjoy relaxing at a wealth of cafés and restaurants. Top sights to catch on a walking tour include the Gothic Sint-Jan’s church, the Romanesque Sint-Servaas church and the 17th century Stadhuis. A visit to the Stokstraat Quarter is also a veritable treat for the eyes. A train journey of 2.5 hours gets you to Maastricht from Amsterdam.
- Utrecht: just 42kms southeast of Amsterdam, Utrecht is easily reached by car, bus or rail from the capital and has plenty to offer those that make the short journey. Dom Tower and Dom Kerk, the 14th century Gothic cathedral is the city’s top visual attraction but by no means the only interesting church building on offer. Culture seekers can check out the Catharijne Convent Museum, the Central Museum and the Kasteel Sypesteyn, while the wharf along the city’s Oude Gracht canal is the place to head for shopping, dining and relaxation.
- Delft: an hour’s journey by train from Amsterdam, Delft is a historic city teeming with visual beauty of both the natural and manmade varieties. Architectural treasures abound and include the Old Church, the New Church, the Town Hall and the Botanical Garden. For a spot of culture try the Museum Lambert van Meerten, the Museum Nusantara or the Leger Museum. The city is best known for its ceramics and visitors interested in this part of its history should not miss out on a visit to the Royal Delft factory. Delf and Leiden are good bases if you want to see the picturesque Dutch bulbfields in springtime.
- Leiden: home to the country’s oldest university, Leiden is a scenic city that’s just 30 minutes by train from Amsterdam. Visitors with a penchant for museums will find an especially impressive selection within which are highlights such as the National Museum of Antiquities and the National Museum of Ethnology. There are plenty of interesting old buildings to check out on walking tours, or you can sit back and take in the sights during a boat trip down the city’s canals.
- Other places of interest: the historically rich cities of Groningen and Nijmegen, Gouda for its cheese market or head north to one of the islands off the north coast, such as Texel for some peace and quiet.
* * * * * * * *
HOLLAND HOSPITALITY - Eat, Drink, Sleep
- Food and Eating Out: Dutch cuisine is not generally considered one of the most exciting by gastronomic aficionados; however, the country has its fair share of ethnic influence which ensures that eating out can be an interesting experience. Indonesian and Greek restaurants plus Argentinian Steak Houses spring to mind.
- Entertainment and Nightlife: Holland isn’t all about Sex, Drugs and Rock’n’Roll. For a start, there’s not much Rock ’n’ Roll. Having said that, Amsterdam’s infamous ‘coffee’ shops are where visitors can enjoy the pleasures of cannabis if they so desire, while Amsterdam’s Red Light district can provide more physical pleasures. Beer culture is big in the Netherlands so wherever you visit there are sure to be plenty of pubs selling a wide range of quality domestic brews and some from neighbouring Belgium as well.
- Accommodation: accommodation prices are generally high but there are some cheaper hotels and hostels available for those on a budget. The big cities are home to popular hotel chains such as Hilton, Marriott and Best Western while rural parts of the country offer campsites and bungalows. Amsterdam accommodation can be very expensive, so book ahead when you can. Have a look at Booking.com or LateRooms.com for hotel accommodation options in Holland. Also try easytobook.com for great Amsterdam hotel deals.
* * * * * * * *
HOLLAND FLIGHTS - Flying from the UK
To compare flight prices from UK airports to Holland, try the useful Skyscanner website. KLM offers the most flight to Amsterdam from regional UK airports.
Also try travel sites such as ebookers.com or Netflights for flight deals to Amsterdam and Holland.
|
