A Travel Guide to Schengen Countries: The Netherlands Demystified

Van Gogh, windmills, waffles, blue and white porcelain miniature artifacts, and the happy color orange - all of these embody the Netherlands. The country's canal towns, reclaimed from the North Sea by Dutch dikes called Polders, are culturally rich and historically renowned. Needless to say, these are some of the famous holiday spots in Western Europe.

Why Visit the Netherlands

As sure as night follows day, you will come to love this beautiful land. The Netherlands with its rustic charm and amicable inhabitants is sure to leave you spellbound. The Netherlands caters to a diverse palate - whether you are an art buff or a champion of green energy, the Dutch country is sure to charm you.

If you are an art connoisseur, the Netherlands holds true treasures for you with the works of renowned artists such as Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Hieronymus Bosch, Jan Vermeer and Piet Mondrian, in addition to Van Gogh.

The Netherlands's travel menu comprises of a wide variety of blissful experiences; these include:

• Be mesmerized by vibrant tulip gardens
• Savor delicious cheeses like Gouda and Edam
• Get fascinated by functioning windmills
• Be spoilt for choice with exquisite artifacts like clogs and porcelain showpieces
• Walk the same ground as world-renowned painters
• Bask in the scenic beaches

When to Visit

Best time in the Netherlands
The low-altitude country best attracts tourists between the months of June and August. All tourist spots and lodgings are open during these months, so it is best to book your stay well in advance. The balmy weather makes it an ideal time to revel in the picturesque landscapes on bicycles.

November celebrations
In the Netherlands, Santa Claus, called Sinterklass, arrives in November. This is that time of the year when the country is alive with celebrations and shops are stocked with seasonal snacks and toys. You can join in the festivities and participate in town parades with little children dressed as Santa and his helpers.

King's Day celebrations
If you love the color orange as much as the Dutch do, the National holiday at the end of April is when you must be here. Music performances and flea markets are held across town centers, and everything and everyone turns orange, as a sign of respect to the royal family.

Holiday away from the crowds
To avoid the peak season crowds and mingle with the locals, you can choose autumn , from September to November. This is a great time to catch the colorful tulip gardens in full bloom. Prices are moderate, pubs less crowded and the weather becomes a moderate mix of rain and sun.

Schengen Visa for the Netherlands

Every tourist needs to possess a Schengen Visa to travel to the Netherlands. Considered as a boon for tourists, the Schengen Pact is the result of cooperation between 26 European countries.

These countries have eliminated individual Visa requirements, thereby minimizing border control. The Pact ensures tourists and citizens enjoy hassle-free movement within the member countries on a common Visa, called as the Schengen Visa. Simply put, a Schengen Visa lets one travel to any member country without applying for multiple visas.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa

To apply for a Schengen Visa, one needs to download the Visa Application Form, easily available online. Submit the duly filled form along with valid documentation to the destination country's embassy in India. Remember, the form needs to be filled carefully stating the reason for your visit. It also needs to be supported with your recent financial statement. Also, availing the right travel insurance plan is mandatory for securing a Visa approval for a Schengen country.

How to Travel

Getting to the Netherlands
The Schiphol Airport near Amsterdam is the country's largest international airport, well connected to most ports of the world. Most airports within the country are located outside the city and connected by the largest Dutch airline, KLM.

A well spread-out network of high-speed trains connects major city centers in Europe.

A few international bus services, such as from Poland, London, Milan, Brussels, etc., also exist and are the cheapest mode of transport.

Within the Netherlands
The country boasts of a well-connected organized public transport system connecting cities as well as most of the villages. The train network is the backbone of the transport system and is extended by a network of local and regional buses. Certain cities such as Amsterdam and Rotterdam also have metro and trams system.

All forms of public transport can be availed using a special OV-chip card with a validity of four to five years. You can also use the ferryboats to travel along the coastal towns.

The best way to connect with the local culture is to go cycling, as it is highly popular among the Dutch. Get your bicycle and join the many Dutch people along scenic countryside and coastal routes.

routes

Vacation rental homes / parks
Rental homes, owned privately as well as by large chains, are very popular in the country, especially in the rural areas. Some of these parks provide a great way to experience authentic, local Dutch lifestyle.

Hotel prices
Here is a comparison between hotels, to highlight the approximate costs one might bear for a one-night stay in the Netherlands.

Accommodation Details	Budget	Mid-range	High-end
Top Hotels	Ibis Styles Riga, Riga	Tulip Inn Amsterdam Riverside	Inntel Hotels Amsterdam Centre, Amsterdam
	Pullman Eindhoven Cocagne, Eindhoven	Sandton Hotel, Eindhoven	Hilton Amsterdam, Amsterdam
Approximate Tariff Range For One Night (excluding taxes)	Rs. 3,400 - Rs. 5,000	Rs. 5,000 - Rs. 9,999	Rs. 10,000 and above

Source: TripAdvisor and MakeMyTrip

Things to do

The Netherlands's travel menu is an enigmatic mix of the rustic and the contemporary. Here is a list of places you must visit to ensure a holistic experience:

Amsterdam
The capital city, the Dutch icon and the virtual heart of the Netherlands, the famous city of Amsterdam is known for its popular student lodgings for the shoe-string budget traveler, impressive architecture, lovely canals (grachten), museums and liberal mindsets.

Located on the banks of the river Amstel, the Hermitage Amsterdam houses the world famous works of Rembrandt, Van Gogh and many more.

Hoge Veluwe National Park in Gelderland and Efteling theme park in Autumn
The enchanting forests of the Hoge Veluwe National Park are covered with vivid purple-red and orange foliage. Don't forget to include the theme park in Efteling in your itinerary. It is based on fictional fairytale characters like dwarves and elves! Autumn could by far be the best time to visit, as the park takes on a more magical quality, and attracts tourists of all ages and nationalities.

Zuiderzeemuseum
This intriguing and famous museum consists of an open-air Buitenmuseum and an indoor museum. Buitenmuseum has over 130 rebuilt and resettled houses and workshops, while the indoor museum is devoted to the working community engaged in farming, fishing and shipping with cultural artifacts at display.

The open-air and indoor museums are separated by about 300 meters. Plan at least half a day's worth of unhurried sightseeing for both sections.

Springtime blossoms at the Keukenhof
The famous flower gardens of Keukenhof entertain more than 800,000 visitors each spring. It consists of several themed gardens producing a magnificent scenic beauty with over seven million colorful tulip bulbs.

City centers
The city centers are the best places to experience the local culture. Hague, Groningen, Utrecht, Edam, Deventer are beautiful towns with splendid architecture and lively cafes, where you can connect with the amicable Dutch people. Places like Rotterdam are modern and provide a unique experience of their own.

Do's & Don'ts in the Netherlands

Although the Kingdom of the Netherlands is an advanced and liberal country, it is in our best interest to be cautious of falling prey to avoidable dangers. Find below a few tips to ensure a pleasant stay:

• Although consumption is legal, possession of drugs is not. This means if you are seen taking drugs, you may be arrested for possession, but not for use.
• During summer, blue algae infestations are common, especially in open-air swimming areas; watch out for warnings set up by the concerned authorities if you are near one.
• Certain places in main cities like Amsterdam, Hague and Deventer are not safe and are notorious for pick pocketing and armed robberies.
• Stay off bikers' lanes while walking, as bikers have a right of way here.
• Bike thefts are a nuisance especially near train stations. Do double lock your rental bikes.

Stay safe and remember to contact emergency services on the number 112 for any assistance involving the police, fire brigade or ambulance. A comprehensive travel plan can financially secure you against most travel mishaps, allowing you to enjoy the Netherlands without worries;