Netherlands Travel Guide

The Netherlands is a smaller European country that is nonetheless packed full of many sights, and has many stereotypical images associated with it (clogs, windmills, tulips). The capital of Amsterdam has some outstanding museums such as the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum, each with countless numbers of treasured paintings. Amsterdam’s vices (Red Light District and hash bars) also attract many people, even if only to look around. Many people seek out the party atmosphere that Amsterdam is reputed for. Despite the attention that Amsterdam receives, there is certainly much to interest people in the rest of the Netherlands. The country is small, so getting around to various sights is fairly quick. Biking is a popular means of transport and is an option for getting around. You can head out to the countryside to see the traditional windmills and the massive Aalsmeer flower auction, or visit one of the many nearby cities, each of which has its own attractions for visitors. 

For example, Utrecht has a massive 14th century cathedral with a 365 ft. tower. The Hague is the seat of government for the Netherlands (although not the capital due to the Dutch constitution) as well as the home of the United Nations' fledgling International Criminal Court. It is a cosmopolitan city that has some excellent palaces such as the Mauritshuis. Delft is a very pretty and quaint town with many old buildings. It is also known as being the home of the blue and white Delftware china. Rotterdam is a large and bustling port town with an atmosphere that is quite different from the rest of the Netherlands. Haarlem is a small town close to Amsterdam that has a wonderful old town center.   

Haarlem's name, in New York City (which was originally called New Amsterdam), reflects Holland's unique colonial past, in which a European people grew wary of the excesses of colonial power, administration, management  and ultimately, guilt.  This was the seed of Dutch liberalism and and intellectual integrity enjoyed by few nations today.  

Much (over half) of the Netherlands is below sea level, so the country is protected by a series of dikes and coastal defenses. They have been much upgraded since flooding in 1953 killed thousands of people.  The flood defenses are perhaps the best in the world now and add to Dutch awareness and belief in the value of land, resources and life.