Since the early 1800s, the Netherlands has remained neutral on most of the world’s conflicts. Because of the country’s neutral political position, it’s only logical that the International Court of Justice is headquartered in The Hague. Leave your attitude and impatience on board the Netherlands flight – if there is one thing visitors know about this country is that the Dutch take their time and enjoy the day as it were intended.
When in the Netherlands, do as the Dutch do: start pedaling. Your flight to the Netherlands might be cramped, but once you're here you’ll have plenty of time to stretch your legs. The best way to see the country is on bicycle, so grab your helmet and head out into the country. Pedal past the windmills and through the flower fields and you’ll find yourself in the heart of the city enjoying a bit more modern lifestyle. What most travelers enjoy about the Netherlands is the laid-back nature of the country. Hop a flight to the Netherlands for a taste of Dutch culture and Puritan past.
If you’re looking for a place that can simultaneously rock and relax, book a flight to the Netherlands.
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The Netherlands’ climate is fairly temperate. It rains throughout the year and temperatures vary with the seasons. Summer is the best time to visit, even though tourist crowds might scare you away. The country’s famous tulips start blooming in May.
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Peak season:
The summer is when most travelers book flights to the Netherlands and when tourists throng the cities, but there is no bad time to see the Netherlands. Spring and autumn are also good times. Go in April for the daffodils and May to see the tulips at their colorful best.
Off season:
The winters are quite cold, but you can often find cheap flights to the Netherlands and discounts on accommodations.
Find cheap flights to the Netherlands
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Domestic air services connect Amsterdam Schiphol with Eindhoven, Groningen, Maastricht and Rotterdam airports. The major car-rental companies are represented at the airports. There is a good, efficient and affordable bus and rail network, but for getting around the Netherlands the Dutch way, take to the bicycle. There is an excellent bicycle network.
There are also ferries for “Wad hopping” or island hopping among the Dutch Wadden islands, which lie to the north of the country. It is a popular pastime during the summer months. It is possible to sail from island to island, and you can bring your bike on most ferries.
The following chart gives approximate journey times from
Amsterdam(in hours and minutes) to other major cities and towns in The Netherlands.
| | Air | Road | Rail |
|---|
| The Hague | - | 0.40 | 0.44 |
|---|
| Rotterdam | - | 1.00 | 1.00 |
|---|
| Groningen | - | 2.00 | 2.20 |
|---|
| Maastricht | 0.40 | 2.30 | 2.30 |
|---|
| Eindhoven | 0.30 | 1.30 | 1.25 |
|---|
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- Hoge Veluwe National Park is the Netherlands’ largest national park. It boasts marshlands, forests and sand dunes and the Kröller-Müller Museum, which is world-famous for its large collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh.
- The Keukenhof Gardens, south of Haarlem, is the largest garden in the world. Almost one million people visit it each year. Go for the endless fields of color that appear thanks to the hundreds of thousands of tulips and daffodils in full bloom.
- Even though the Rijksmuseum is undergoing a major renovation program until 2009, it is worth a visit. The “facelift” will restore the building to its original state.
- The Van Gogh Museum has about 200 paintings including The Potato Eaters and The Yellow House in Arles as well as paintings by Monet and Gauguin.
- Visit the Euromast in the port city of Rotterdam. Its observation area offers panoramic views over Rotterdam.
- Hotels in the Netherlands cater to all types of travelers. Amsterdam hotels range from hostels to luxury properties, Maastricht hotels offer travelers a little respite from the city center of Amsterdam, and Rotterdam hotels are frequented by students and parents visiting during the school year.
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Amsterdam (AMS) (Schiphol) is a major international air transport hub 9 miles southwest of the city (journey time by train - 15 minutes).
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Visitors to the Netherlands need a valid passport to enter the country.
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US citizens don’t need a visa to enter the country, but they do need a valid passport and proof of a return ticket.
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