Travel guide – Netherlands
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Overview
This country of tulips, windmills and bicycles stretches out over a predominantly flat landscape of reclaimed land. Sophisticated urban centres and sleepy rural towns are contained within the expansive vistas broken here and there by canals, castle walls and dikes. Europe’s most densely populated region is located within an area of the Netherlands called the Randstad. This urban hub is spread in a circle from Amsterdam, and includes The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht and the smaller towns of Haarlem, Leiden and Delft. The metropolitan centres buzz with the activity of seasonal festivals, cultural activities, vibrant art scenes and excellent pubs and restaurants.
The cultural heritage that flavours much of Dutch life can be traced back through time. During the 1600s the Netherlands dominated the world both economically and culturally. The Dutch East India Company established trading links with the East and West Indies bringing back an abundance of merchandise and cultural influences. The Golden Age reached its zenith in the artworks of the Dutch Masters - Rembrandt, Frans Hals and Jan Vermeer. Today their paintings hang from the walls of the cities’ numerous museums and galleries.
Most people travelling to the Netherlands head for the unique experience of its capital city, Amsterdam. The other parts are largely unaffected by tourism, particularly the areas outside the Randstad. The southern parts of the country are transformed by undulating landscapes of shifting sands and heath moors, best experienced within the Hoge Veluwe National Park. Still south, tucked between the German and Belgian borders, lies the historical city of Maastricht.
Since the collapse of Napoleon's empire in 1814, the Netherlands has taken a neutral stance throughout most of the world’s conflicts, including the First World War in which it took no part. In spite of this independent stance it still suffered severely in World War II during the Nazi invasion of 1940. Its neutral political position, combined with its tradition of liberalism and tolerance has made the Netherlands the logical choice for the establishment of the International Court of Justice, which is situated in The Hague.
Regions and cities within Netherlands...
Amsterdam
Climate
The Netherlands has a fairly temperate climate, very similar to England; temperatures are variable and rain occurs throughout the year. Despite the hoards of tourists the best time to visit is over the summer, or in spring when the flowers are in bloom - the tulips come out in May.
Health
There are no health risks associated with travel to The Netherlands and no inoculations are required. It is safe to drink tap water. The standard of health care in The Netherlands is very high, but the necessary health insurance provisions must be made before travelling. A reciprocal agreement exists with other EU countries, which entitles nationals to free emergency medical treatment. A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is necessary for this purpose.
The basics
Time
Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from the last Sunday in March to the last Sunday in October).
Electricity
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin round European-style plugs are used.
Language
Dutch is the official language. English is widely spoken. Fries (as well as Dutch) is spoken by the people of Friesland province.
Tipping
Service charges are included in hotel rates, restaurant bills and taxi fares. Tips for good service are always appreciated but not necessary. It is customary to tip taxi drivers and waiters 10%.
Safety
Travel in Holland is fairly safe. Travellers should however always exercise caution in empty streets at night and be aware of pickpockets, particularly in central Amsterdam and at Central Station. There have been several incidents on trains from Schiphol Airport where heavily laden passengers have been targeted by thieves. There is a risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks and visitors should be vigilant in public places and tourist sites, particularly since extra security measures have been set up around the country in response to concerns about a possible terrorist attack.
Customs
In Holland, the use of soft drugs is allowed, and even sold at 'coffee shops'. This policy exists to prevent the marginalisation of soft drug users thereby exposing them to more harmful drugs. However the trafficking in hard or soft drugs outside licensed premises is illegal. From 1 January 2005 everybody from the age of 14 is required to show a valid identity document to law enforcement officers on request.
Communications
The international access code for the Netherlands is +31. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City codes are also required. Five local mobile phone operators have the Netherlands extremely well covered with GSM 900 and 1800 networks. Internet cafes are widely available.
Duty Free
Travellers over 17 years arriving from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g smoking tobacco; 1 litre spirits with alcohol volume higher than 22%, or 2 litres spirits or aperitifs made of wine or similar beverages less than 22%, or 2 litres of sparkling wines, liquor wines, or still wine; perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette; 500g of coffee; 100g tea; and goods for personal use to the value of €175. Prohibited items include the import of all birds. Providing goods are bought for personal use, there are no restrictions on carrying tobacco and alcohol between the 15 original countries of the EU (including the UK), with the exception of Finland, Denmark and Sweden.
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