Netherlands

General

The Netherlands is one of the most appealing destinations of Western Europe. It is the European part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, which also includes the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba. The country is famous for its windmills, tulips, bicycles, cheeses, canals and social tolerance. The Netherlands is well known for its liberal polices towards drugs, prostitution, gay rights, euthanasia and abortion. More than that though, the Netherlands is a country with unique beauties and open minded people, a fact that makes it an appealing destination to all visitors. Hotels in The Netherlands preserve the local architectural style, with cozy rooms and beautiful inner decoration. Especially, hotels in Amsterdam, despite the highly tourist character of the city, are known for their warm atmosphere and view to Amsterdam's magnificent canals and bridges.

History

The first who conquered the local tribes that lived in the area were the Romans, in the first century BC. Other historic tribes that succeeded the Roman rulers were some German tribes and the Franks (300 AD), who converted all local tribes to Christianity. During 9th and 10th century Scandinavian Vikings had a strong presence in the coastal parts, and actually were the first that realized the trade possibilities that this area offered due to its geographic location. In the centuries that followed the area became an important trading center that brought wealth and power to its citizens. By the mid-17th century the Netherlands was the foremost commercial and maritime power of Europe. This is the well-known period of Dutch "Golden Age". The centuries that followed the Netherlands expanded all over the world, colonizing countries such as South Africa, Indonesia, Caribbean Islands and others. Today the country is part of the EU and has one of the strongest economies in Europe.

Art and Culture

The economic bloom of the 17th century had a major impact on Dutch art as well. This was the era the country emerged as a political entity and developed a distinct culture. This was the time that the greatest figure in the history of Dutch art emerged. It was the era of Rembrandt van Rijn, one of the greatest painters the world has ever known. During this period the Netherlands will also meet the excellence of two other significant painters, the exquisite Gerard Ter Borch and Jan Vermeer. The years of artistic decline that followed will come to an end in the second half of the 18th century. This is the time that the outstanding genius Vincent van Gogh painted some of the most important pieces of the postimpressionist school. Today every visitor can admire the work of these splendid artists in the famous museums of the country such as the Rembrandt House Museum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum

Gastronomy

The main ingredient of the traditional Dutch dinner is potatoes, usually accompanied by boiled vegetables and meat. However, the always international oriented Dutch have integrated in their diet flavors and gastronomic propositions from all over the world. Once in the Netherlands you can expect meals from Italy, Greece, Turkey, China and the former colonies of the country such as Surinam and Indonesia. However, there are also some traditional dishes. Sweets like Vla, which is a thick sweet milk pudding, Poffertjes, which are small pancakes and Drop, liquorice sweet that comes in many forms and tastes, comprise Dutch pastries that all visitors should try. Moreover, some traditional meals include Stamppot, consisting of mashed potatoes with varying ingredients such as vegetables and pieces of meat especially the locally famous rookworst sausage; Pea Soup, a delicious full meal with vegetables and chunks of sausage and bacon; Kroket and frikandel, which are rolled-formed fried snacks and of course for those that like fish, the popular Dutch Haring, a typical Dutch delicacy that can be found in all street markets of the country. In general, the consumption of dairy products is very high in the Netherlands, a fact that according to some scientists accounts for the high average height of Dutch people.

Places to Visit

Amsterdam is the main tourist destination of the Netherlands and of course one of the places you do not want to miss. It is not surprising that Amsterdam is often called Venice of the North. This extraordinary city is separated by 100 kilometers of canals, linked by about 400 beautiful stoned bridges. Once you are there you should have a canal cruise and discover the city from another point of view. Amsterdam, famous for its coffee shops and red light district has to offer more than that to its visitors. Splendid museums such as the Rembrandt House Museum, the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and a number of art galleries make Amsterdam a centre of culture and art by all means. If you plan to reserve a hotel in Amsterdam, you should book a hotel in Amsterdam's canals. The unique beauty of the surroundings will capture your imagination. The city of Amsterdam offers an amazing night life as well. Trendy clubs and bars and a great variety of restaurants of any kind promise long unforgettable nights. Thousands of tourists visit Amsterdam every year, a fact that places it among the most popular tourist destinations of the world.

There so many beautiful places in the Netherlands, that makes it really difficult to choose among them. Some must destinations though are highlighted here. Visit Rotterdam, the city with the biggest port of Europe, a place with vivid lifestyle and international culture. Rotterdam is a centre of art and education with the University of Erasmus to host thousands of students from all over the world. Hotels in Rotterdam are very comfortable, being the most modern and luxurious hotels of the country. The Hague is another important city that you must visit, as is the institutional capital of the country. Places you should see in the Hague are the International Courts and the Dutch Royal Palace. The city has a very chic lifestyle and intellectual atmosphere. Hotels in The Hague are particularly elegant as well, ressembling the french style and architecture. 

Other Dutch cities you should visit include Maastricht and Scheveningen. Maastricht is located in the south of the Netherlands and is the city where the famous Treaty of Maastricht was signed. Scheveningen on the other hand is a major holiday destination as it is located near the coast. Many cozy beach bars attract thousands of visitors, especially during the summer. If you seek a place for alternative summer holidays, it is then recommended that you reserve a hotel in Scheveningen. Other suggested destinations are Hoofdorp, Utrecht and Groningen, a cheerful  and perfectly preserved town in the north of the country. Hotels in Groningen are not as prestigious as the hotels in Maastricht or the hotels in Hoofdorp and the hotels in Utrecht, but are friendly and popular among students and casual visitors.