The Netherlands, also sometimes called Holland, is a Western European country with territories in the Caribbean. The kingdom of the Netherlands has four constituent countries out of which the Netherlands is the largest. In Europe, it has twelve provinces and in the Caribbean, it consists of three special municipalities, I.e, the islands of Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba. Its official language is Dutch. It’s a beautiful country with a lot of medieval heritage and a heaven for those who love cheese!
Airport, airlines and accommodations
The major airport of the Netherlands is Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. It is the most important and busiest airport in the Netherlands. It’s the fifth most trafficked airport in Europe. It is located in Haarlemmermeer, a municipality that borders the city of Haarlem. The other one is Eindhoven Airport. It is like the Dutch hub for numerous European low-priced and small airlines. Its location in North Brabant makes it relatively far from Amsterdam. The other airports include Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Groningen Airport Eelde and Breda International Airport.
The airlines that are available for a flight from India to the Netherlands include Jet Airways, KLM. Other airlines flying to the Netherlands are Emirates, Turkish Airlines, Austrian Airlines etc.
There are many luxuries and high rated hotels and accommodations out of which the most popular ones include Hotel De L’Europe, Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam, Hilton Amsterdam, Canal House Suites at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, The Dylan etc.
The average 7 day trip cost for a solo traveler to the Netherlands would be around INR 80, 000 TO INR 1,00,000.
Amsterdam and Rotterdam
Amsterdam city is an Instagrammer’s dream, with gorgeous 17th-century architecture and quaint cobbled streets, it is the most popular destination in the Netherlands. If you haven’t been here before, make sure you see the most visited sights including the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank’s House, and Van Gogh Museum.
Located on the Prinsengracht canal, the Anne Frank House is located in the Prinsengracht canal. It was named on the author Anne Frank, in her work ‘The diary of Anne Frank’, who was also a Jewish Holocaust victim.
During World War II Anne hid in a particular house from 1942 to 1944 until she was discovered by the Nazis. Her diary perfectly chronicles her life in the hiding.
And if it was a hell of a tour then do relax and take the time to soak in the laid-back vibes, wandering along the canals and sampling a craft coffee or craft beer at one of the many excellent cafe bars.
Amsterdam also bears the only floating flower market in the world. Make sure you do not miss out on this beautiful Bloemenmarkt on the Singel Canal. No flowers, are too many flowers!
If you’re with the eye of an artist, or well, even if not, do visit one of the most famous art museums in the world, the Van Gogh Museum. It features the most impressive collection of works by Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh.
Another one of the must-see Amsterdam museums is the Dutch national museum Rijksmuseum, which pays homage to Amsterdam’s arts and history. It is located near the Van Gogh Museum and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam in the Amsterdam South borough. You can have one whole day just for the museum’s haul!
Amsterdam boasts over 100 kilometres of canals, all constructed during the Dutch golden age.
Amsterdam’s nightlife is something you shouldn’t miss upon. It’s a wholly unique experience, running the gamut from hardcore Club NYX, or Progress Bar, which mixes socially progressive talks and events with epic club nights, or other clubs, its nightlife is always on beat.
Now, speaking of Rotterdam, it is the place to go for architecture aficionados.
It was rebuilt after the second world war as it didn’t fare well during it. The resulting post-war architecture and modernist skyscrapers make Rotterdam a treasure to explore and are a trove for design fans. Make sure to check out the Cube Houses, Nieuwe Luxor Theatre and the Van Nelle Factory. If you’re not satisfied and want more then have an insight into the artistic movements that inspired these buildings to head to the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen to see its exhibition on De Stijl and the Bauhaus, plus several centuries of Dutch and European art.
If you’re interested in military history, you’ll be interested in Arnhem for sure. The infamous Battle of Arnhem took place here in September 1944. Since then, it has become a place to visit by tourists often.
Gouda – A cheese paradise
Gouda is a cheese-lover’s paradise, of course, but did you also know the city is also famous for its pottery and waffles? Yes, it is! If you’re travelling to the Netherlands this is something you shouldn’t miss upon, especially if you love Cheese!
Also, the now ubiquitous-in-Starbucks stroopwafel was invented here in the 19th century.
Coming back to cheese, If you’re in town on a Thursday make sure you head to the cheese market held in the beautiful town square from 10:00 am-12:30 pm from April to August. The market is a full-on celebration of things Dutch like national costumes, clogs, huge wheels of cheese and traditional crafts, plus merchants and farmers traditionally clapping hands each time they agree on a deal.
Amsterdam to Leeuwarden
The journey from Amsterdam to Leeuwarden takes approximately 2 to 3 hours. The fastest services take 2 hours and the other ones take 2 to 3 hours, so choose wisely!
There are 55 trains per day running on this 109 km long route.
Visit Natuurmuseum Fryslân, which is among the largest natural history museums in the Netherlands and was established almost 100 years ago. The museum is currently housed inside a stunning 16th-century building that was renovated in the mid-twentieth century to create room for the large collection of fossils, skeletons and other biological specimens.
Another museum that you must visit is The Netherland’s principal ceramics museum. It is housed inside a former royal palace that dates back to the 15th century. It features an impressive collection of ceramics ranging from modern decorative items created by Dutch designers to ancient Chinese ornaments.
The Fries Verzetsmuseum also called the Frisian Resistance Museum presents stories and artefacts from World War II and critically examines what it was like to live under the German occupation of Friesland. The museum doesn’t shy away from showing the realities of war and retraces the difficult choices people in Friesland faced during this harrowing period.
Time travel into the medieval era in Maastricht
This city has a bit of everything, from cute cobbled streets, pretty parks to medieval monuments, it’s everything in one place!
It is ruled by French, Spanish, Prussian, and Austrian powers at various points in history, making it a distinct historical point in the country.
This city is the perfect destination for a casual day trip. Be it if you’re looking for a fun day out on the Maas river, exploring the mysterious Fort Sint Pieter caves, or just want somewhere pretty to walk around and get a coffee, this city offers it all.
The Markt’s central feature is the town hall, and major events in Maastricht take place here only, or in the nearest proximity.
The Wyck is a popular area in Maastricht. It has stylish art galleries, vintage boutiques, and upmarket restaurants. It’s one of the first areas you hit when walking towards the centre of the station.
Sint Servaasbridge, is quite possibly the oldest bridge in the Netherlands, dating back to the 13th century. It spans over the Maas river. This ancient beauty connects the two halves of Maastricht, whereby you can walk straight from Wyck into the old town. When the weather is good, this spot is perfect for taking pictures with the Maastricht skyline behind you, as it offers a great view of both sides of the city.
Are you a history bluff? Or a reader? Well, even if not, Boekhandel Dominicanen, which is a bookstore built into a church, is a great destination to explore in the city.
This 700-year-old Gothic church was converted into a bookstore in 2006, and what a marvellous bookstore it is! Over 50,000 books are packed in the stone walls and shelves. Here, timeless literature blends perfectly into the living history of the church. Books in English and other languages are also available, and a cafe is also there to cater to your appetite!
During medieval times, Helpoort was the city gate of Maastricht and it still stands remarkably well. It dates back to the 13th century, as many things in Maastricht do, this is the oldest surviving city gate in the Netherlands. Take a stroll through the gate and along the old wall for a scenic walk and admire the historical beauty.
Onze Lieve Vrouw Sterre de Basiliek, the iconic Catholic church, means “Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea”. This Roman Catholic church is still active today, which is impressive considering it dates back to the fourth century. Its beautiful Romanesque architecture is worth seeing, it might even leave the religious spirit inside of you in awe!
Lichtenberg ruins: the castle on the hill
Locals call the St. Pietersberg, the mountain of the Netherlands. There lie the ruins of Lichtenberg Castle.
The ruins overlook the Maas river and the walk up there leads to a scenic trail frequented by picnickers, dog walkers, and runners. As the oldest castle ruins in the Netherlands, this is a sight not to be missed by the history buffs.
The Dutch Cuisine
Located just 12 kilometres north of Amsterdam, Volendam is a delightful fishing village. This is among the most charming places to visit in the Netherlands other than Amsterdam. It is very famous for its local delicacies, fish, and cheese, it’s a must-visit for foodies. Leaving Volendam without sampling its tantalizing cuisine wouldn’t do justice to your trip.
Some dishes that you must not miss while on your trip to the Netherlands includes Bitterballen, Stroopwafel, Dutch pancakes, Raw herring, etc.
Bitterballen is a delicious, deep-fried crispy meatball traditionally served with mustard for dipping. They’re the ultimate in Dutch pub snacks and can be found on the menu at most Amsterdam drinking establishments.
If you try one Dutch sweet treat then make it a stroopwafel. Two thin waffles stuck together with a layer of sweet syrup, these delectable delicacies are best enjoyed hot and gooey from a street market or bakery.
When it comes to dutch pancakes, they’re nothing like the American ones; they have a thinner, crepe-like consistency with more surface area for delicious toppings. Order yours laden with fruit, cream and syrup from our picks of the best pancake restaurants around the city.
Jenever is not a food item but it holds an equally important role in Dutch gastronomy.
A precursor to gin, this spirit distilled from juniper berries has a malty flavour similar to whisky and was traditionally used for medicinal purposes before becoming one of the country’s signature drinks. It is served in a tulip-shaped glass, alongside a beer, a combination known as a kopstootje, meaning “head butt”.
Every visitor to Amsterdam should give Raw heeringa go. You’ll easily spot haringhandels (herring carts) serving up this Dutch speciality all over the city. You can ask them for a ‘broodje haring’ to get the fish served in a small sandwich with pickles and onions. The best time to try raw herring is between May and July when the herring is said to be at its sweetest.
If you’re not feeling quite daring enough to try raw herring, then you can still get your fishy fix from kibbeling. It is battered and deep fried morsels of white fish. They’re every bit as delicious as they look, and usually served with a mayonnaise herb sauce and lemon. To have the best taste try it hot and fresh from a street market or food truck and have the best kibbeling experience.
Trip summary
A trip to The Netherlands would be no less than a trip to the Dutch heritage. The way this country represents the dutch culture is phenomenal. The architecture, the medieval buildings, the food, the people, and all of the other things that this country has to offer to its tourists and citizens, will never be less. All in all, the experience would be great and the trip would be worth it, especially for those who have an artistic eye and love for cheese!
