The Holland Travel PlannerAre you planning to travel to Holland, but you're not sure where to go? You've come to the right place! On this page, you'll find the Holland travel planner, which provides helpful overview information that will help you plan your perfect trip to the Netherlands. Ready? Let's get started... Why would you want to go to... 1. Amsterdam? This is the capital of the Netherlands. This city has everything, so make sure you don't miss it. 2. Rotterdam? A very modern city that still has a lot of history. Features the largest seaport in the world, as well as many maritime-related attractions. 3. Maastricht? The most un-Dutch city in the Netherlands; has had many foreign influences and boasts a Mediterranean atmosphere. 4. Nijmegen? The oldest city in the country, founded by the Romans over 2,000 years ago. Rich in history. Close to Arnhem, so combine a visit to these two cities if you're in the east of Holland. 5. Arnhem? Site where World War II Operation Market Garden failed in 1944 ("A Bridge Too Far"). Has a wonderful open-air museum about the Netherlands through the ages, as well as a unique zoo that features several large recreations of Earth environments (jungle, desert, and ocean). Close to the Veluwe, Holland's largest National Park. 6. The Hague? Seat of the Dutch government, and home to most foreign embassies. Possibly the justice capital of the world, with many UN institutions. Boasts large parks and dozens of monuments are scattered throughout the city (many are within walking distance of each other). 7. Volendam or Urk? Towns that display traditional Dutch life as it was in the 19th century. See wooden shoes, cheese, and tulips. How many cities and towns could you visit in a short timespan? The great thing about Holland is that it is a very small country. You can travel from the north to the south of the country in three hours, and from west to east in less than two. As a result, many cities are relatively close to each other. The Netherlands boasts an excellent public transportation system, so you'll never have to wonder how to get somewhere. Some sample travel times (by train; approximate):
Below, you'll find more detailed (yet general) descriptions about what these cities have to offer. If you'd like to know more about any of them, just click the appropriate link to visit their page - you'll find everything you need to know on those pages. Depending on how much time you'd like to spend in the Netherlands, pick one or more cities and plan your travel accordingly. Enjoy! Don't miss Amsterdam! Everyone who travels to Holland seems to visit Amsterdam, and with reason. Make sure you don't miss this, the capital of the Netherlands as well as the world capital of "anything goes"! But when you're visiting, make sure you look beyond the coffee shops selling drugs and the "red light district", because Amsterdam has a whole lot more to offer. For example, in Amsterdam's world-famous museums you can find works of art of such Dutch masters as Vincent van Gogh, Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, Frans Hals, and many more. It was in Amsterdam that Anne Frank wrote her world-famous diary; make sure you visit the "Achterhuis", where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis for several years, and pick up a copy of the book in your language if you don't already own it. While you're in the capital of the Netherlands, feel free to experience some typically Dutch atmosphere in the Jordaan neighborhood; take a boat tour of the canals; take a stroll around one of the many fleamarkets; enjoy the unique architecture in the city; visit one of the many festivals the city hosts each year; relax in one of the parks; or do some shopping. Amsterdam truly has it all! Suggested minimum stay: 2 days For more information on Amsterdam, make sure you visit the Amsterdam page. Looking for history? Although many Dutch cities have a very rich history, the most unique experiences are without a doubt the cities of Nijmegen and Maastricht. Nijmegen is located in the east of the Netherlands and traces its origins all the way back to the Roman Empire, 2,000 years ago. During that time, "Noviomagus" was the northernmost outpost of this empire, set up to defend against the wild Germanic tribes that roamed the area. To this day, much of this ancient history is still visible in the city. A self-guided tour available at the tourism office shows you around Nijmegen's most interesting historic sites, from the Roman Empire as well as later time periods. And if you still haven't had enough, take a tour of the Valkhof museum, which offers a curious collection of both historic art and modern art and can give you detailed information about the history of Nijmegen. Suggested minimum stay: 1 day Maastricht is located in the southeastern corner of the Netherlands and is totally different from any other city in the Netherlands. In fact, this is most likely the most un-Dutch city in the country. Since its creation, Maastricht has been influenced by many cultures, from the Romans to the Spanish, French, Belgians, Germans, and of course the Dutch. As a result, this city boasts an impressive mix of architectural styles and feels more mediterranean than any other city in the Netherlands. Suggested minimum stay: 1 day Click here to read more about Maastricht. Traditional Holland If you'd like to learn more about Holland in the last 200 years, make sure you travel to either Volendam or Urk. Volendam is a quaint little town in the west of the Netherlands close to Amsterdam. It has cherished its heritage and therefore offers you a great opportunity to view Holland as it looked in the 19th century. Watch the townspeople as they dress up in traditional clothing (complete with wooden shoes!), dine in one of the many fish restaurants, visit a cheese farm, do some sailing on the water, or visit the museum. Urk is a fishing village located in the province of Flevoland. When you visit this village, you will feel as if you've gone back in time to 19th century Holland. You can take a guided tour, make an appointment to visit the lighthouse, take a walk through the nature reserves and enjoy the Dutch countryside, and much more. Art and culture listed by city Are you looking for art and culture? The list of museums, galleries, and festivals in the Netherlands is so long, it would impossible to list them all. Therefore, the list below contains just a few highlights and personal favorites that are well worth your time. When you're in Amsterdam, make sure you visit the Rijksmuseum, the Vincent van Gogh Museum, the Museum of Natural History, and the Anne Frank House. Also worth a visit: the Artis Zoo. If you're visiting Rotterdam, you might be interested in visiting the Maritime Museum, which boasts a hige collection of maritime objects, ranging from paintings and models of ships to cartographic collections and navigational instruments. After that, make sure you also see the Rotterdam Historic Museum, which shows the history of the city and its rise to become the largest seaport in the world. In Maastricht, you might want to take a tour of the Basilica of Saint Servatius, one of the oldest and architecturally impressive churches in the Netherlands, and climb the St. Jan's Church next to the basilica for a commanding view of this historic city. If you've got time left, take a tour of the St. Pietersberg caves. In Arnhem, make sure you visit the Open Air Museum, which will give you a first-hand look at life in the Netherlands through the ages. See how the Dutch lived, where they worked and how they performed their work, climb a windmill, drive a bike, and taste some traditional Dutch foods. Then, make some time to visit Burger's Zoo, one of the most innovative zoos in the world. Instead of just putting animals on display in cages, many of them roam free in this zoo, and you can see them in their natural environments: jungle, ocean, and desert. Well worth your time, and a great place to take the kids. Return to the Holland-Travel-Guide.com homepage
|
