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Officially called The Kingdom of the Netherlands (which includes non-sovereign Aruba, Sint Maarten and Curaçao) and commonly (but mistakenly) referred to as Holland, the Netherlands is one of the most unique and fascinating countries in Europe. Its largest city, Amsterdam is its capital and is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world for its many museums and its lack of opposition to certain normally illegal activities. The Netherlands has much more to offer than Amsterdam, and if time permits, it is a remarkable country to travel through. Gorgeous green lowlands, magical architecture, centuries-old history, picturesque canals and friendly locals define this incredible country.

 

Getting There And Around
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is the main entry point for visitors arriving to this country via air. Amsterdam’s large and busy international airport, Schipol, is also a major entry point for long-haul flights arriving to Europe from the United States, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Citizens from the U.S., E.U., Australia, Canada and New Zealand are not required to obtain a visa before traveling to this country. Keep in mind, the Netherlands (only the European mainland) is a member of Schengen, so non-E.U. visitors are only permitted to stay within the Netherlands or the Schengen zone for 90 days or less.
Travel within the Netherlands, or to neighboring countries, is extremely easy with the country’s super-connected and efficient rail system. Trains connect major cities to small towns. Trams and metros within the cities run on extensive networks approximately every ten-fifteen minutes (during certain hours). If you plan on doing a lot of travel within a city, look into purchasing a day pass. It will save you money and it is very convenient to not have to wait in a queue to purchase tickets every time you want to travel. High-speed and luxurious train Thalys can get you from Amsterdam to Paris in just three short hours. Other international train information and prices can be found on the website of NS International (www.nsinternational.nl/en).
TransAvia, The Netherland’s budget airline, offers cheap flights within the country and outside. It is best to book these tickets in advance – it is common for flights to be full!

 

Money
The Netherlands is a founding member of the European Union; therefore, the currency used in the Netherlands is the euro. Eight coins belong to the euro, ranging from one cent to two euro. The smallest change is bronze coins. Ten, twenty and fifty cents are gold-colored metal coins. One and two euro coins are both silver and gold-colored metal. Banknotes for the euro come in denominations 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. The banknotes vary in color and in size, with the larger bills being the most valuable.
Tipping in the Netherlands isn’t really common or expected, as many places have already added a service charge into the bill. It is common, however, to round up the bill in restaurants, cafes and bars.

 

Language
The official language spoken in the Netherlands is Dutch. The Dutch language displays many English and German characteristics. Don’t worry, Dutch people speak some of the best English in all of Europe and they’re quite happy to show off their linguistic skills.
Hello – Hallo
How Are You? – Hoe Gaat Het?
Thank You – Danjewel
Goodbye (See You) – Tot Ziens
Yes – Ja
No – Ne

 

Housing
The Netherlands offers different types of lodging to suit the needs of every traveler. From hostels to five-star luxurious resorts, this country has it all. Generally, accommodations in the Netherlands are not cheap. Even a bed in a dorm room can be pricey. Also, make sure to shop around for the best deals. Companies like Hotels.com compare prices of hostels, hotels and more. It’s best to book in advance since prices will rise according to demand (especially in popular Amsterdam). Buyers beware – private accommodations in the Netherlands are often overpriced and located far outside of the city.

 

Food
“Go eat something Italian” is the phrase that my Dutch friends tell visitors who ask what local food they should try. It’s true; the Netherlands isn’t famous for its cuisine. Although this country isn’t considered a foodie capital, there are still many interesting Dutch dishes worth a try. Rijsttafel, a Dutch version of an Indonesian dish, is popular in Den Haag and is worth a try. If you’re enjoying some of the crafty Dutch beer, make sure to pair it with bitterballen (fried croquettes with either a meat ragu or potato puree filling). With its location near the ocean, seafood is also popular with locals and tourists alike in the Netherlands. Dutch Herring, which is usually served with onions, is a must try while visiting this country.
Some other notable dishes include snert (Dutch pea soup), slavink (minced meat wrapped in bacon), mosselen (mussles served with fries) and stampot (Dutch stew). Don’t forget to save room for a stroopwaffel!

 

Save Cash
The Netherlands isn’t a cheap country to travel to, but there are tricks to saving some cash while traveling here. Book accommodations that offer breakfast included. Having breakfast included is a great way to start your day, or kill your hangover. During the day, eat at the street vendors that are sprinkled throughout the city. The food is quality and delicious, plus it is much less expensive than eating inside a restaurant. If you do decide to dine at a restaurant, avoid the touristy areas. Everything is overpriced in these areas. By venturing a little farther outside of the tourist zone, you’ll be able to save and you’ll probably have a much tastier meal.
DO NOT TAKE A TAXI! Public transportation runs at all hours of the day in cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam – taking an expensive taxi is a great way to ruin your budget. Public transportation is always the cheaper option, and often it is quicker and more direct.
Alcohol is expensive in the Netherlands because it is highly taxed. By cutting back on drinking you will be able to save tons of cash, but Dutch beers are delicious.

 

Stay Fit
The Netherlands is one of the most bicycle friendly countries in the world. In fact, Amsterdam is considered to be the most bike friendly city of all time (there are more bikes in Amsterdam than people). Dutch people love their bicycles! The entire country is well connected with exciting and well-maintained bicycle routes throughout the cities and in the countryside. The best way to feel like a local and to stay fit is to rent a bicycle during your time in this country.

 

Stay Connected
If you need to stay connected 24/7, prepaid SIM cards may be purchased from local mobile carriers. Prepaid SIM cards in the Netherlands will only work on previously unlocked tri-band mobile phones. If you don’t need to be connected all the time, most accommodations, bars, cafes and restaurants offer Wi-Fi free of charge for customers.
The electrical outlets used in the Netherlands are the typical two-prong 220V type-C/F that are common throughout Europe.