Overview of the Netherlands

Whatever images come to mind when you think of the Netherlands—windmills, tulips, wooden clogs, traditional costumes, good beer, etc.—that is just scratching the surface of this small country with a big personality. A vibrant culture pervades every small town, no matter how rural or how traditional and once you get a taste of how friendly and approachable the Netherlands are, you won’t want to leave. Located in a delta that’s right at the convergence of three major rivers, it is a country that is built on and survives on water. Canals, coasts and lakes are never far from view and in many of the major cities, like Amsterdam, a large part of life relies on the water. Holland is also an exceedingly cosmopolitan country where museums house work from some of the most famous artists and where festivals pack almost every weekend. Discover the many secrets of the quietly beautiful country and settle into a welcoming and exciting life in the Netherlands.

Things to See and Do

Peddle Through Amsterdam

No trip to the Netherlands is complete without a trip to Amsterdam. The most famous and emblematic capital of Holland is overflowing with charm, romance, culture and fun. The first thing you’ll notice about Amsterdam is the overwhelming number of bicycles—they even have a bike parking garage near the train station. So, do as the locals do and rent yourself a pair of wheels. It’s the best way to see the city and the entire city is peddle-friendly so you can bike through the historic narrow streets, along the canals or past the many museums and factories in Amsterdam.

See the Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer (the Flower Auction)

Get up really early to witness something unusual—a flower market near the Schipol airport. Bloemenveiling Aalsmeer is where auctions and trading for flowers take place and there are so many vendors, traders and customers that the auction takes place throughout five halls in the world’s largest commercial building. For the best view and experience, be sure you arrive before 7am and avoid Thursdays as they are the busiest mornings.

Visit Holland’s Cheese Markets in Gouda

As you may expect, the town of Gouda in Holland is where the delicious cheese got its name. Beyond its cheesy name, Gouda is a historic city and with the help of the Cheese Map, you can create your own walking tour of the town. There are various landmarks, though two highlights are the Weighhouse Museum and the cheese markets on the weekends. The Weighhouse Museum takes visitors through the cheese-making history of Gouda and is well worth the visit. The cheese markets are a spectacle to behold as well. Every Friday from mid-April through mid-September, thousands of wheels of cheese are lined up for display and passer-by can taste-test and guildsmen can purchase the wheels for their own purposes.

Tour Historic Maastricht

Get ready for an architectural overload in Maastricht. Located in the far southeast of the Netherlands, Maastricht is Holland’s oldest fortified city. Here, you’ll find all sorts of medieval buildings including the basilica churches of Our Lady and St. Servatius. If buildings aren’t your favourite, head to the hills and explore the spectacular caves in the hills surrounding Maastricht. The city itself may be centuries old, but the vibe from the city is much younger. Maastricht is a big university town and modern shops and restaurants can be spotted tucked among the cobblestone streets and historic buildings.

Traipse through Tulips at Keukenhof Gardens

Just south of Haarlem, lies the Keukenhof Gardens. Here, there are over 4.5 million tulips and over 15km of walking paths for tourists to walk through. Your pupils will need a second to adjust to the millions of blooms and intense colours all through the gardens. Tulips are Holland’s famed flower and a visit to Keukenhof Gardens will surely convince you of their beauty and diversity. The bulb fields burst into full bloom and full colour from the end of March through mid-May.

Seasonality

In general, the Netherlands have cool winters and mild summers, though wind and rain are factors year-round. Typically, March is the driest month, July and August are the hottest (and wettest), and the wind consistently comes from the southwest. Like a majority of Europe, the high season in the Netherlands is from June to August. July is probably the worst time of any to travel unless you like heat, rain, crowds and high prices. Instead, opt for the shoulder seasons of March-May and September-October. You’ll have more room to move, shorter lines and more affordable accommodation options.

Travel Tips

• No jabs are required to travel to the Netherlands.
• A vast majority of the Netherlands is safe, though caution is advised in bigger cities like Amsterdam and Rotterdam which require normal precautions.
• If you are travelling in summer, be sure to bring plenty of mozzie spray as mosquitoes are a total pain in the warmer months. They breed in stagnant parts of the canal and swarm during warmer months.
• If you are new to a bicycle-centric transportation method, do your best to stay aware. Remember when crossing the street to look for speeding bikes and cars—accidentally walking through a bike lane without looking both ways is a big faux-pas.

In the Netherlands, there is a concept of gezelligheid, which is a sense of cosiness and conviviality that shows itself in its citizens’ desire to share their enjoyment of life. To ensure you can completely relax and give in to the full enjoyment of life in the Netherlands, purchase an international travel insurance policy from youGo. Then, settle into a lively pub full of locals and embrace the Dutch way of life—you won’t regret the decision to do so.