Hotels in Netherlands

The Netherlands is often referred to as Holland. The country is bordered with Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and France in the Caribbean. With a population of 17.25 million, the European portion of the Netherlands consists of twelve provinces. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht (forming the Randstad megalopolis) and Eindhoven (leading the Brabantse Stedenrij) are the five largest cities in the Netherlands. The capital of the country is Amsterdam, while The Hague holds the seat of the States General, Cabinet and Supreme Court. referring to its low land and flat geography, with only about 50% of its land exceeding 1 metre, "Netherlands" literally means "lower countries".

Initially, Netherlands was largely shaped by the sea and the rivers that constantly shifted the low-lying geography. About 250,000 years ago,  the oldest human (Neanderthal) traces were found in higher soils, near Maastricht. From 800 BC onwards,  iron ore brought a measure of prosperity and was available throughout the country. This was during the Iron Age Celtic Hallstatt culture became influential. The migration of Germanic tribes from the North might be due to the deteriorating climate in Scandinavia around 850 BC. Around 250 BC, when the migration was completed, a few general cultural and linguistic groups had emerged.

It is due to the fact that the import of goods through the Netherlands proved essential to German survival that the country was able to remain neutral during World War I. However, when Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands on 10 May 1940, everything had changed. The Rotterdam Blitz forced the main element of the Dutch army to surrender four days later.

Most Dutch people speak English, especially in big cities like Amsterdam. It's almost impossible to find someone who does not speak and understand at least some English, so do not worry if you do not know to speak Dutch words. And also, Dutch are known as helpful people. You will surely enjoy travelling in the Netherlands without learning their language as preparation. Moving to the food, the pancake is a main Dutch food that is eaten all day in the Netherlands. Having a larger diameter and thinner as compared to American pancake style it usually has ingredients like bacon or cheese included in the pancakes. In Amsterdam, there are abundant great pancake shops, so be sure to try and enjoy at least a pancake added with unique and special ingredients.

Also, as a preparation to travel to this beautiful country, you need to be sure about the climate and weather, so you are prepared with some proper and suitable attire.  The Netherlands has a moderate and comfortable climate influenced by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. During winters, its temperatures vary from 2°C-6°C while in summer the temperatures are ranging from 17°C-20°C.

For Visa application, make sure you prepare the needed documents and apply from the High Commission of Malaysia. If you are Malaysia Citizens, you will need to apply for Schengen visa  if you plan to stay in the country for more than 90 days. However, for a short stay visit which is less than 90 days, you are exempted from obtaining a Schengen visa.

How to Get There?

By Flight

The easiest and safest transportation to get there is by taking a flight. There are various airlines offering flights to this country. You can choose whether to depart from Schiphol Airport or Rotterdam The Hague Airport. You are advised to book your flight tickets earlier to enjoy discounts and promotions offered by the airline companies.

By Train

If you are touring Europe, starting in London, you will likely choose to travel to the Netherlands by train. If you buy the train tickets earlier, you can get it at a lower price. Travelling by train, you will pass through and get to see a few cities.

By Bus

Similar to the train, travelling by bus allows you to see a few cities on your journey to the Netherlands. Compared to train and flight, of course, the bus is the cheapest mean of transportations to travel. However, it may be less comfortable as it takes more time to reach the Netherlands compared to train and flight.

What to Do There?

The Netherlands has always been a favourite country to travel to. There are various activities to do when touring the Netherlands.

Canals of Amsterdam

We have always watched in movies the beautiful waterways of Amsterdam. Also known as canals system, you can ride a boat tour or also called a water taxi that can take you to a range of locations. Another way to enjoy this vibrant waterway is by strolling along the banks.

Zaanse Schans

Travelling back in time to the previous centuries, Zaanse Schans is styled as an open-air museum where you can take a stroll around a traditional Dutch village and find out how ancient craftsmen would have worked. There is a shipyard, a grocery store, a pewter factory, and a range of dainty green wooden houses. You will also find some graceful windmills, an iconic sawmill, as well as an oil mill and you will find fun live demonstrations like a clog making session.

Garden of Europe

Garden of Europe which the Dutch say Keukenhof is the largest garden in the world, that covers an area of 70 acres, with so many types of blooming and colourful flowers. You can see a lot of colourful Tulips as Tulips are the signature flowers of this country.

The Rijksmuseum

This is the Dutch National Museum located in Amsterdam and is filled with an amazing collection of art and antiques which date from 1809. The building keeps over 7 million items and displays more than 5,000 paintings. Much of the museum focuses on traditional Dutch artefacts like ancient handicrafts and sculptures from the primitive period but you will also find exciting contemporary art.

The Hoge Veluwe National Park

This Hoge Veluwe National Park is a good place for you to stroll around on a lazy day leisurely. It spreads over approximately 55 square kilometres in area, consisting of heathlands, sand dunes, and woodlands. In every area, you will get to see many peculiar exhibits, old buildings, sculptors, wildlife such as red and roe deer.

Village of Marken

The little village of Marken is well-known as one of the prettiest spots in the Netherlands. It is famous for its traditional painted wooden houses and fishing boats. What further leads to this scenic view is its strategic location which is on the Ijsselmeer Lake. Every day, there will be a crowd of tourists flock to the town to take pictures and enjoy this memorable attraction spot.

Efteling

Efteling is one big amusement park located at Kaatsheuvel that is famous with the fast ride and lush garden. It is believed to be the oldest theme and amusement park in the world. The park is divided into a few zones that are known as realms and each zone focuses on a special ancient myth or legend.

Artis Royal Zoo

Calling out to animals lovers, you can have a visit at the oldest zoo in the Netherlands. Artis Royal Zoo houses more than 900 different species of animals and there is also an aquarium section that features various species like sharks, eel, and colourful tropical fish.

Where to Stay ?

INK Hotel Amsterdam

INK boutique hotel is a famous and one of the award-winning hotel in the Netherlands. Located in the middle of the city, this hotel offers luxurious stays for the visitors. With the amount of 149 rooms, this hotel provides comfortable accommodation and a lot of the latest facilities to the guest, such as free WiFi, tea and coffee-making facilities, and air conditioning. It also offers a babysitting service for the parents who need their own time together. If you don’t have time to go out and search for a restaurant, don’t worry as there is a restaurant that you can visit for lunch and dinner. Besides, it is located near to various tourist attractions like Amsterdam's iconic museums, such as Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum. You also can take a stroll end to enjoy the beauty of nature at the iconic Vondelpark that located just a stone throw away from the hotel. If you are interested, you can check on and book this hotel online by visiting their official website.

NH Atlanta Hotel Rotterdam

NH Atlanta Hotel is a four stars rated hotel which is located right at the heart of Rotterdam city. Conveniently stated just a few steps away from shops, restaurants and nightlife. This hotel is designed in an artsy and modern style which looks so welcoming. Other than accommodating standard rooms which are equipped with basic in-room amenities, it also accommodates 6 spacious apartments. For those who are travelling in a large group of family members, you can have the apartments for you utmost comfort while visiting the Netherlands. This hotel is also suitable for business travellers as it has a selection of meeting rooms ideal for any type of event as well as conference centres. This hotel also features a beautiful Art Deco style bar which is perfect for a quiet drink or dinner as well as a new gym which is best for a morning exercise. In addition, the NH Atlanta Hotel is awarded the Green Key certification, which is a globally recognized certification in the tourism sector, due to its environmental commitment.