Netherlands

The Kingdom of the Netherlands is a country in the north-east Europe. It consists of the isles Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius and the continent. It borders Belgium and Germany. The Netherlands is washed by the waters of the North Sea. The capital of the country is Amsterdam. 

The country has a temperate maritime humid climate. The average temperate in July is +17°C and in winter time the temperate is +2°C. The best time for visiting the Netherlands is April and May.

The Dutch are the Christians. The official languages are the Dutch and the Frisian. 

Those who like to spend their holidays on the beach, we recommend going to Schweningen which is north-east to the city of Hague. In Schweningen, there is a large Duinrel Amusement Park. On the Texel island, there is a wonderful beach resort De Koog with all you need for a good rest. This place is considered to have the best ecological conditions in the entire country. There you will have all you need for windsurfing, kitesurfing and traditional surfing. A beach village Zandvoort has a reputation of the largest nude beach in the country. Zealand region is ideal for diving, snorkeling and surfing.

Country lovers should have a trip to such national parks as Veluwezoom National Park, National Park Dwingelderveld, Hoge Veluwe National Park, National Park Zuid-Kennemerland, Utrechtse Heuvelrug National Park. Sculpture Garden in De Hoge Veluwe is a must-see.

If you like shopping and city entertainments, go to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Delft, Utrecht and Maastricht which is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. 

Get in

By Plane

Aeroflot and KLM have the flights from Moscow to Amsterdam. Rossiya Airlines offers flights to Amsterdam from St. Petersburg. The tourists from the CIS countries can fly to the Netherlands by KLM.

There are also transit flights from the CIS countries: Air Baltic offers flights with a stop in Riga, Estonian Air with a stop in Tallinn, AirFrance with a stop in Paris, Austrian Airlines has a flight with a stop in Vienna and Scandinavian Airlines has a stop in Copenhagen.  

By Train

There is no direct train to the Netherlands from the CIS countries but you can get to the country by train with a transit in Paris or Berlin.

International trains run between the Netherlands and Belgium, France, Germany and Switzerland.  

By Ferry

There are regular ferry routes from Great Britain to the Netherlands: a ferry goes from Newcastle to Amsterdam, from Hall to Rotterdam and from Harwich to Hook of Holland.

By Bus

The tourists can get to the Netherlands by an international bus running through Germany. 

Cuisine

In traditional Dutch cuisine there is a lot of fish, poultry, meat and vegetables. World famous Dutch cheeses are the hallmark of the country.

Meat is not considered a staple food in the Netherlands but we recommend such trying national dishes as Hutspot (stewed or boiled meat with mashed vegetables) and Rijsttafel (meat, rice and vegetables).  Stamppot, beans with pork rind, stewed pork legs and traditional Dutch sausages gained popularity among the tourists. Bitterbalen are usually served with beer. The Dutch love soups very much. The tourists will enjoy the soup with celery, pea soup Ertwensoep with smoked sausage and pot-au-feu (savory broth with carrot and ham). 

Those who love seafood will especially like their trip to the Netherlands. In Amsterdam restaurants Haring, you should try delicate herring with onion and pickles. You will also be served the fillet of fresh herring with onions, smoked eel with eggs and lemon or a stewed perch. You will reveal such Dutch dishes as Matjes and Kroketten (fried fish balls with cheese). As a side-dish for fish, you will be offered Stamppot and lettuce.    

The Dutch cannot imagine their cuisine without hot sandwiches. The most famous and popular is Rausschmeißer . This is a hot sandwich with ham, bacon and eggs. The tourists should try Broodjes – balls with different fillings or tartine with cheese. In Rotterdam, try sandwiches with tomatoes and lard and apple Appeldoorn sandwiches.

Those who have a sweet tooth will enjoy the Dutch desserts such as Appeltaart met slagroom (apple pie with cream), Stroopwafel with caramel, fluffy crepes Poffertjes, the pie Vlaai, pudding Vla and black marmalade Drop (licorice).  

The beer lovers can treat themselves to Dutch beer Grolsch, Amstel, Heineken and gin Kopstoot.

The Dutch love Jenever most of all. This alcoholic drink is considered to be the ancestor of the English gin. In the Netherlands, they have Jong (dewberry or lemon-flavored) and Oud. 

Details of interest

Dutch Customs and Traditions

It is not accepted in the Netherlands to have meals in the streets (excluding drinking water). It is also prohibited to smoke in public places.

The Netherlands is the country where it is permitted to use light drugs in special Coffee Shops.

Sightseeing in the Netherlands

In the Netherlands, there are  sites inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

• The tourists interested in cultural and architectural monuments should visit the city of Kampen in the province Flevoland and see the island Schokland and its surroundings.
• In the province North Holland with Amsterdam as its biggest city, you can see old fortifications around Amsterdam.
• On the Curaçao island, you will see the city of Willemstadt and its harbor.
• In the province South Holland and its city Rotterdam, you can visit the Windmills in Kinderdijk-Elskhaut and Van Nelle Factory.
• Being on a trip to Lemmer in the province Friesland, visit the Wouda Steam Pumping Station.
• Anyone can visit a community Beemster in the North Holland.
• The world famous Schröder House is situated in Utrecht.
• The Wadden Sea will surely impress you with its tidal flats along the coastline of the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and the water area of the North Sea.
• Your trip to the Netherlands will not be complete if you don't see the Canal Ring Area inside the Singelgracht.

In the Netherlands there not only cultural and natural sites but many other interesting things to see and places to visit.

• Amsterdam is the most multinational city in the whole world. The tourists should visit the Dam Square, Museum of Amsterdam with the biggest collection of the Van Gogh works. Rijksmuseum is one of the biggest art museums in the world. Go to an excursion to the Rembrandt House Museum and the National Maritime Museum. Among the most popular touristic places are Madame Tussauds, the Royal Palace, Weeping Tower (Schreierstoren) and famous Red Light District in Amsterdam.
• Hague is the Royal residence and the seat of the Dutch parliament and government. This is the third largest city in the country and one of the oldest cities. In Hague, there is the Peace Palace where the International Court of Justice is located. The tourists can visit the Binnenhof Castle and Mauritshuis Palace, walk along the Hall Square. Take a picture of the Berlage building, Old Town Hall and the most famous church in the city Grote Kerk Church.  
• Rotterdam is the largest European port and the second large city in the Netherlands. You can see the Erasmus Bridge there and the first European skyscraper Witte Huis. We also recommend you visiting the amazing exhibitions and museums in Rotterdam such as Mauritshuis (exhibition of the masters of the 17th century), Madurodam, Museon and Gemeentemuseum.
• Maastricht is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. The tourists will see the bastions and the remnants of the line of defense Van du Moulin. 
• You will surely enjoy your trip to such amazing cities as Delft, Haarlem and Terneuzen.

Dutch Souvenirs

• Dutch wooden shoes Klomps are sold in Amsterdam.
• Miniature mills, keychains and clothes made of cannabis can be bought in Rotterdam.
• Holland tulips and souvenirs in the form of a tulip are sold in Zwolle and Zeeland.
• In Limburg, buy world famous Dutch cheese and dewberry vodka.
• From the city of Delft, the tourists bring porcelain and the Dutch gin Genever.