Tulips, windmills, and wooden shoes are not the only Netherlands attractions. This northern European country located 9,150 km from Bangkok features more than its fair share of North Sea islands, forests, cycling paths, and sophisticated cities within its small area. From Bangkok it takes roughly 12 hours to fly to Amsterdam, the biggest Netherlands city.
Don’t MissSpring, the season when the tulips are in full bloom, is often described as the best time to come to the Netherlands. Over seven million tulip bulbs are planted at Keukenhof, the biggest flower park on Earth, each year. Summer is more crowded, but lovely and warm with average 25°C temperatures. Winters are fairly mild and outdoor Christmas markets appear in every city during December.
Approximately 90 islands, 400 bridges, and 7,000 registered historic buildings stand in Amsterdam's city centre, part of which dates back to medieval times. The 300- year-old Magere Brug (“skinny bridge”) is one of the oldest and best preserved of the many white drawbridges around Amsterdam's 17th century Canal Ring. Tourists can learn more about some of Amsterdam's most famous residents at the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and Rijksmuseum. The Rotterdam Zoo has been one of this bustling port's main attractions since 1857. The Hague is home to the Dutch Parliament, International Court of Justice, Mauritshuis Museum, and Scheveningen seaside resort.
Restaurants and BarsBread with cheese, butter, Nutella, or even chocolate sprinkles is a typical Dutch breakfast. Later meals consist of heartier fat food type fare like kapsalon consisting of french fries, shawarma (doner meat), melted Gouda cheese, and dressed salad greens served at snack bars across the country. Most Dutch cities also feature restaurants which serve a combination of Chinese and Indonesian food. De Wallen is Amsterdam's notorious red light district, but Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein contain plenty of places to party, too. Nieuwe Binnenweg is Rotterdam's leading nightlife district.
ActivitiesPedalling along the 22,000 km of Dutch cycling paths is a favourite local pastime, but water sports are also popular during the warm summer months. The Frisian Lakes boating season peaks in August, while Scheveningen is the busiest of the beach resorts along the 1,245 km long Dutch coastline. Eco-friendly campgrounds and even converted canal barges can be found everywhere in this environmentally friendly country.
ShoppingAbout 25,000 shoppers search for bargains at the Hague Market, the continent's biggest outdoor market, each day. Blue and white Delftware products are among the loveliest souvenirs tourists can find at Amsterdam's Fashion and Museum District or Rotterdam's Hoogstraat and Lijnbaan shopping districts.