Netherlands

1. You will find that it is easy to travel in Netherlands. The locals are friendly and speak excellent English.

2. The best way to get around is by bicycle. Most places in the Netherlands are linked by dedicated cycle paths and the terrain is wonderfully flat. Bicycles are available for hire from train stations and from rental services in larger towns.

3. The train and bus networks are reliable, comfortable but expensive. Driving within the Netherlands isn't much fun once you're off the highways: the roads are narrow and parking spaces are hard to come by and usually very expensive.

4. Driving a vehicle with foreign number plates is an invitation to having the car broken into, especially in Amsterdam: never leave anything valuable in your car.

5. Start off on a safer note, exercise caution particularly in central Amsterdam (especially Central Station). As in many large cities, pick pocketing is commonplace. Pickpockets often operate in gangs while one distracts you, another picks your pocket. Do not lose sight of your baggage or your belongings. Bag snatching is common, especially, heavily laden passengers, who, very obviously look new. Avoid carrying valuables and large sums of money, but it is important to carry copies of identification details.

6. In the event of theft, contact the nearest police station and obtain a police report. If your passport is stolen some carriers, in lieu of a passport accept a police report. A police report is required as part of the application for a replacement passport.

7. Check Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice before traveling.

8. Make sure you are insured.( Medical and Travel).

9. Have enough money for your stay.

10. Do not carry drugs. The Netherlands has a reputation for being tolerant on the use of so-called 'soft drugs'. In reality this exists in the major cities in designated premises; possession of prohibited substances carries a prison sentence. Netherlands has managed to combine liberal attitudes with one of the most orderly societies on earth, in a community that manages to be radical and sensible without being silly or staid.

11. The Dutch do delightful dairy products and superb sweet snacks, but traditional main course Dutch gastronomy gets a bit heavy and meaty. Thanks to the sizeable Indonesian, Chinese, Surinamese, Turkish and Italian communities there are plenty of spicy alternatives. Try them.

12. The Netherlands is not really a budget buy. If you're happy eating chips, sleeping in hostels and walking around, it is possible to hang in Holland with less money.

13. There are a lot of free activities to stretch your budget, especially in Amsterdam in summer.

14. Money-saving ideas include getting hold of a museum pass if you're an avid museum-goer, and getting hold of a bicycle so you can travel for only the price of body fuel.

15. Changing money in the Netherlands is a breeze. Any post office will change cash or travelers' Cheques, and change bureaus are as common as chip-shops in large towns. Banks generally offer the best exchange rates, but the service can be slow.

16. Cash-dispensing ATMs are all over the place: MasterCard is the most widely accepted credit card.

17. Tipping is not compulsory in the Netherlands, but rounding up the bill is always appreciated in taxis, restaurants and pubs with table or pavement service.

18. If you're eating out in a group, it is common to split the bill, but don't suggest 'going Dutch' as the expression is unknown here.

19. Don't bother trying to bargain, though the Dutch themselves sometimes manage to get away with it at flea markets.

20. If you happen to be a veggie, Vegetarians are not very well catered for, but most restaurants will have at least one meat-free dish.

 

The national fast food is frites (chips). If you ask for frites met (chips with), you'll get them with mayonnaise. Kroketten (croquettes) and other hot lumps of meat are dispensed by vending machines, à la the Jetsons. Beer is the staple drink, served cool and with a head of froth so big it would start a brawl in an Australian pub.

Contacts-Netherlands

 

TIME ZONE

GMT + 1 (GMT + 2 during the summer)

TELEPHONE SERVICES

Country Code: 31 (followed by 20 for Amsterdam; 10 for Rotterdam; and 70 for the Hague)
IDD: International Direct Dialling is available
Outgoing Code: 00

EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Dial 112 to reach the emergency services.

LOCAL TOURIST INFORMATION

Nederlands Bureau voor Toerisme PO Box 458; 2260 MG Leidschendam; The Nederlands Tel: (70) 370 5705 Fax: (70) 320 1654.

PASSPORT INFORMATION

Valid passport required by all except: Nationals of EU countries (except Finland and Sweden) who hold a valid national ID card. When required they must be valid for at least 3 months after the last day of the intended visit.

VISA INFORMATION

Visa required by all except: Nationals of Australia; Brunei; Costa Rica; Ecuador; El Salvador; Guatemala; Honduras; Jamaica; Malawi; Malaysia; Nicaragua; Panama; Paraguay; Singapore; and Venezuela for up to 3 months. Nationals who do not require a visa to visit a country which is a signatory to the Schengen Agreement. The following do not require visas for any of the Schengen member states. a) EU nationals; b) Andorra; Argentina; Brazil; Canada; Chile; Cyprus; Czech Republic; Hungary; Iceland; Israel; Japan; Liechtenstein; Malta; Mexico; Monaco; New Zealand; Norway; Poland; San Marino; The Slovak Republic; Slovenia; South Korea; Switzerland; Uruguay; Vatican City.

PROHIBITED ITEMS

Cats and dogs can not be imported; unless from Luxembourg or Belgium; without a health certificate and a rabies certificate. Firearms and ammunition can only be imported with a licence.

HEALTH MATTERS

Typhoid, Malaria, Yellow Fever.

FOOD AND DRINK

Water is considered drinkable; normal precautions should be observed with food.

CURRENCY

Guilder (Gld) = 100 cents. Exchange: Offices are indicated with the letters GWK. All major credit cards are accepted. Travelers cheques; in any major international currency; are easily exchanged.
ATM availability: Over 6000 locations.

MONEY WIRING SERVICES

MoneyGram: 0 800 022 3392 Western Union: 06 0566

CREDIT CARD EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Amex: +44 1273 696933
Diners Club: (32) (2) 5125793
Netherlands Visa: 0800 022 8498

TRAVELERS CHEQUES EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Netherlands Thomas Cook: 0800 022 8630 Netherlands

BANKING HOURS

Banking Hours 0900 - 1600 Mon. to Fri.

COST OF LIVING

Similar to other Western European countries.

LANGUAGES

Dutch, English; French and German are also spoken.

WEATHER

Mild, maritime climate. Summers are generally warm with changeable periods but excessively hot weather is rare. Winters can be fairly cold with the possibility of some snow. Rainfall is prevalent all year.

RELIGIONS

Roman Catholic and Protestant. Approx. 26% do not profess any religion.

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

2000: Jan 01. Apr 21-24; 30. May 05. Jun 01;11-12. Dec 25; 26
2001: Jan 01. Apr 13-16; 30. May 05; 24. Jun 04. Dec 25; 26.

POST

Approximately 5 days within Europe.

RADIO FREQUENCIES

BBC: 9.410 6.195 3.955 0.648 VOA: 9.760 6.040 5.995 1.197.

WOMEN IN SOCIETY

The women's movement is strong and has a firm foothold in society.

TRANSPORT

RAIL: The highly developed rail network is efficient and cheap.
ROAD: Excellent road system.
BUS: Extensive regional bus services exist. Long distance coach services operate between cities.
TAXI: It is less usual to hail a taxi in the street in Holland. They are usually metered.
CAR HIRE: Available from airports and main hotels.