Netherlands holiday guide

Pictured below is a midnight silhouette of the Royal Palace which overlooks the Damrak in central Amsterdam.

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In mid-2005, prices for a one night shared bed and breakfast hostel in Amsterdam varied from US$18 to US$67. The cheapest price for a one night private bed and breakfast hostel room in Amsterdam was US$34.

The Netherlands has a very modern railway network covering 3,060 kilometres and each day there are about 4,200 passenger journeys, almost every train departing and arriving exactly on time.

Most train staff speak English and most Netherlands routes have departures at least every half hour. There is a 24 hour express train connection between Amsterdam Airport Schipol and most major cities in the Netherlands.

A short-term one way airline flight from London to Amsterdam can be purchased on the internet for as little as US$60.

The KLM Royal Dutch Airlines comprises more than 115 modern aircraft. In 2005, the KLM route network covered more than 400 cities in 85 countries.

If you've booked an airline flight from and to any other country in the European Union, there are no restrictions on the quantity of articles such as tobacco and liquor that you are allowed to import to the Netherlands.

Dutch taxis have blue license plates with black characters, and cab reservations aren't cheap.

The easiest, cheapest and healthiest way to travel around the Netherlands is to do as the locals do: ride a bicycle.

In 2004, bike rental was about US$7 per day for a standard model, along with a deposit of anything between US$24 and US$61. Bike rentals are available in just about every Netherlands town and village, and at railway stations, and you don't have to wear a helmet.

A Netherlands bike tour is great fun.

The country's various cities - Haarlem, Delft, Leiden, Rotterdam, The Hague and Utrecht - are all a short train trip from Amsterdam on the punctual and simple Dutch inter-city train system.

For Netherlands tourist information about train, bus, tram, metro and ferry public transport or holiday travel reservations, telephone 0900 9292.

Summer days in the Netherlands are mostly sunny and warm, although occasional showers mean it's still sensible for tourists to pack a light raincoat in their holiday travel suitcase.

Summer is the peak season for tourists. Spring can be a better season to book flight reservations to the Netherlands if you want to holiday in pleasant weather with smaller crowds, and if you want to see the country's famous bulb flowers in full bloom.

The mercury hovers around zero during winter and the Atlantic winds are bitterly cold, so come prepared.

The casual and liberated lifestyle of the Dutch is reflected in their clothing formalities - there are none and tourists can wear whatever they want to most places during their Netherlands holiday.

The Dutch nowadays use the Euro instead of the guilder. Budget travellers in the Netherlands can survive on about US$40 per day for food and accommodation, but it's not easy.

Plan to spend at least US$80 a day so you can enjoy yourself. A Netherlands holiday isn't particularly cheap unless you've got accommodation with friends or relatives.

Citizens of most western countries don't need a visa for Netherlands travel up to 90 days. European Union citizens just need their EU paperwork.

Information about Dutch and foreign embassies and consulates can be found at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs..

Valued Added Tax is included in all bills and tipping is usually not expected in the Netherlands, except for waiters and taxi drivers who usually enjoy a tip around 10%.

It's not necessary to have any vaccinations before travel to the Netherlands and the quality of the tap water is excellent.

Amsterdam travel tips

Holland tourist tips

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