Also known as the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Holland to
some, this country is located in Northern Europe. If you are
fascinated by the Dutch people or their culture, a trip to the
Netherlands is in order. It is one of the most densely populated
countries in the entire world, meaning it may not be the best
place to travel if you're trying to get away from the crowds and
people. That said, if you don't mind a little company, the
Netherlands have a lot of great destinations to offer travelers
from all over the world. Because of the landscape (low and
flat), biking is very big in the country.
Regions of the Netherlands
The Netherlands is split up into four main regions.
* Western Netherlands - This is considered the "heart" of the
Netherlands and is home to the four largest cities in the
country.
* Northern Netherlands - Unexplored territory fills most of this
region. If you are looking to get away from people, this is a
place to travel.
* Eastern Netherlands - Filled with forests and old cities, this
is a great place to get lost in the Old Netherlands.
* Southern Netherlands - You will feel the Catholic history in
this section of the Netherlands, which is different than the
rest, but still a good place to visit.
Must See Destinations in the Netherlands
Amsterdam - This city may
have a reputation around the world for certain things
(prostitution and marijuana being legal or tolerated), but
there are many other reasons to visit this wonderful city.
Rotterdam - If you are into
the nightlife or modern architecture, a stop to Rotterdam is
in order. It is also the largest port in Europe.
The Hague - This is
considered the judicial capital of the world, with many crimes
against humanity being tried here over the years.
Hoge Veluwe National Park -
With sand dunes and forests, this is the largest park in the
Netherlands. If you're into the outdoors, you're going to want
to check it out.
Things to do in the Netherlands
Sports - As with most other
countries in Europe, football (or soccer for the Americans) is
a very big thing.
Festivals - Especially in
the Southern Netherlands with its heavy Catholic influence,
there are many festivals and events throughout the year in the
Netherlands.
Shopping - While most
modern Dutch people don't wear wooden shoes, you can find them
for sale in tourist areas all over the country. There are lots
of other great shopping opportunities as well.
Food - The Dutch aren't
well known for their cuisine all over the world - at least not
as much as some other cultures, but that doesn't mean their
food is bland or boring. Those who like to eat new foods will
like a lot of the traditional dishes in the Netherlands.
Remember that some parts of the country is near the water, so
seafood may be heavily used in some places.
The Truth About the Netherlands
While they do have a lax or liberal policy on drugs and
prostitution, that does not mean the whole country is a big
party. There are quite a few places that may be considered racy
or even dangerous - especially in Amsterdam - but most people
traveling to the Netherlands have little or no problems. You
will find the Dutch people are very laid back and easy going
compared to people from other places in Europe. There are hot
topics (religion for example) that shouldn't be brought up, but
for the most part you're going to find the Dutch some of the
most accepting people on the planet. For a journey that's a
little different, the Netherlands may offer exactly what you've
been looking for on your next vacation.
