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The Dutch aren't bogged in their clichés, even though bikes,
dykes, windmills and blazing flower fields are pretty much the
norm outside the major cities. Do as the locals do - grab a
bike and explore. It's a very big small country, and full of
salutary surprises.
One of the chief pleasures of the place is its lively contrast
between pragmatic liberalism and the buttoned-up just-so primness
of a culture founded on Calvinist principles. In Dutch society,
ostentation is anathema and fuss of any kind is regarded as
undignified.
Main Places to Visit
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the world's best hangouts, a canny blend
of old and new: radical squatter art installations hang off
17th-century eaves; BMWs give way to bicycles; and triple-strength
monk-made beer is drunk in gleaming, minimalist cafes.
The city seems to thrive on its mix and, despite hordes of
tourists, still manages to feel quintessentially Dutch. The
old crooked houses, the cobbled streets, the tree-lined canals
and the generous parks all contribute to the atmosphere.
Rotterdam
The Netherlands' second-largest city, Europe's busiest port
and a showcase for modern architecture, Rotterdam is far more
than Amsterdam's smaller cousin. The nightlife is good, the
cultural mix gives it a spark and there are some excellent museums.
You won't find the classic Dutch medieval centre in Rotterdam
- it was swept away along with the other rubble and detritus
of WWII. In its place is an architectural aesthetic that's unique
in Europe, a progressive perpetual-motion approach to construction
that's clearly a result of the city's postwar, 'anything goes'
philosophy.
It has a crackling energy, with superb nightlife, a multicultural
community, a gritty arts scene, a clutch of excellent museums
as well as a long-standing rivalry with Amsterdam, reflected
in most aspects of culture. When local football team, Feyenoord,
meets Ajax of Amsterdam, the fur always flies.
The Hague
The Hague today is a stately, regal place filled with palatial
embassies and mansions, green boulevards and parks, prestigious
galleries and museums, and throbbing nightlife; it even has
mouthwatering Time! The seaside suburb of Scheveningen attracts
the crowds with its kitschy beach.
When to go
Hordes of tourists snap their way around the Netherlands in
summer, but this is still the best Time of year to sit picnicking
by the canals. August is a great month for all sorts of events.
Spring is a good Time to visit for daffodils and tulips. Easter
is busy in Amsterdam, but if you can visit during Koninginnedag
it's worth fighting the crowds. Early October with its Indian
summer can be an excellent Time to come. In winter the museums
are quiet, and if everything freezes over, there's great ice
skating on the canals and flood plains.
Facts of Netherlands
Full Name
Kingdom of the Netherlands
Capital City
Amsterdam
Area
41,526 sq km
16,033 sq miles
Population
16,254,900
Time Zone
GMT/UTC + 1 ()
Daylight Saving Start
last Sunday in March
Daylight Saving End
last Sunday in October
Languages
Dutch (official)
Frisian (official)
Religion
Christian (51%) (Roman Catholic and Protestant), Muslim (5.5%).
Close to half (41%) of the Dutch say they have no religious
affiliation.
Currency
Euro
Country Dialing Code
31
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