Maastricht

It was in Maastricht, the oldest and most southerly town of the Netherlands, that was signed the Treaty of Maastricht, the agreement which is so fundamental to the future of the European Union. The Town Hall: this typically Dutch building was erected to a design by Pieter Post in the middle of the 17th century. The strangest feature of this building is the double landing. The reason for this was the city's curious double rule: both the States-General and the Prince-Bishop of Liege hold sway in Maastricht. Desirous of avoiding their representatives having to literally bump into each other, city authorities specially designed the construction of the double ceremonial staircase. 

general information

Kingdom 

Capital: Amsterdam

Area: 41.500 km2

Population: 16,7 millions

Population density/km2: 402

Member of the EU since 1952

National holiday: April 30

National anthem: Wilhelmus van Nassau

• With 480 people per km2, the Netherlands have the highest population density in Europe after Malta. 

• In January 1995, 250 000 Dutch people had to be evacuated after the rising flood water weakened the dams.

• There are over 19.000 km of cycle paths in the Netherlands. 80% of the population of the Netherlands owns a bicycle. 

• Aalsmeer has the world's largest auctions of cut flowers, with 12 billion flowers sold a year. 50% are exported.

• More than half the area of the Netherlands lies below sea level.

• The Netherlands has around 1000 working windmills.

• 65% of Dutch people go on holiday at least once a year. They are the Europeans most likely to go on a trip during their free time. 

Officially the flattest country in Europe and the place where you can see windmills and canals around every corner. The best way to discover the Netherlands is by bicycle which is the main mode of transport in downtown Amsterdam. Most backpackers stay around the red-light district which is famous for its window shopping and coffee shops that serve cakes that might be a little different to your nana's recipes. Check out Rotterdam's clubs and party in Maastricht's vibrant streets. Perhaps some fresh cheese from the city of Edam will help you get over your hangover before you head down to Den Haag and Haarlem.

Hoorn

Hoorn is a typical town in the former Zuiderzee. The pretty Doelenkade houses testify to Hoorn's once prosperous overseas trade and fishing activities. Their crow-step gables are decorated with maritime patterns. The Hoofdtoren is a semi-circular tower built in 1532 to defend the entry into the port. Willem Schouten was the first to reach the southern most tip of America and gave it the name of his home town: Cape Horn.

Kinderdijk

Holland, the land of water and windmills. The mills of Kinderdijk were built around 1740. Their main purpose was not the milling of grain (as in the case in Belgium, for example), but rather for drainage. Now their function has been taken over the electric pumps. 

Orvelte

Real farmers are hard to find in this oldd Drentish Esdorp. For twenty years or so, Orvelte has been a museum village which transports visitors back in time to a rural past. Stroll past rows of old Saxon farms and on through seven centuries of life and toil on the land. In this museum village, you can find the Bruntingerhof and workshops like the village smithy and the clogmaker's. Esdorp ("ash village") is derived from the word Es (ash): a collection of little strip-like fields surrounded by an impressive hedge.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam in the 17th century was a promising commercial centre, which not only attracted wealthy southern Dutch merchants, but also Portuguese and German Jews and French Protestants. Thanks to the fabulous wealth they earned from trade, a ring of canals was built within the relatively short space of 50 years and these canals are today Amsterdam's proudest heritage. Amsterdam can boast more than 1000 bridges, while Venice has only 700.

You can party through the weekend at Amsterdam's infamous coffee shops and bars but there is also a cultural side to this exciting city that you may want to explore including the canals (there are more here than in Venice), the Van Gogh museum and the colourful flower market. Hire a bike to experience the city like the locals. If you are feeling flash, check in to the ultra-cool Dylan Hotel, or if you don't want to splash out, try Hotel V, one of the city's hippest low-budget hotels.

From the airport

There are seven trains an hour from Schiphol airport to Centraal Station. The journey takes 20 minutes.

To visit

Anne Frank's House

Anne Frank was condemned to living in secret from July  1942 until August 1944, beginning just 3 weeks after her 13th birthday, the day she received her diary in which she recorded her two-year long story

Beguinage

It is perfectly possible to pass through Spui Square a hundred times without noticing this small carriage porch on top of which is the effigy of Saint Ursula.

Bijbels Museum

The museum's permanent exhibition displays archaecological relics from the Middle East and Egypt even though the main focus is the Bible and its story.

Brilmuseum

In the Nine Streets district, Mijke Teunissen welcomes you into his boutique which has passed through four generations of opticians. A multitude of frames from fashion eras cover the last 100 years.

Carre Theatre

Renovated with great pomp in 2004 in its original Neo-Renaissance style, the Koninklijk Theatre Carre borders the Amstel. This former Winter Circus, built in 1887, is now one of Amsterdam's most glamourous

De Appel Boy's School

De Appel Boy's School. an exhibition space and arts centre in Amsterdam, was founded in 1975 with the aim of finding new artists and presenting them at regular exhibitions. 

De Wallen, Red Light District 

The Red Light District or De Wallen in the native tongue is well known to tourists worldwide. The district of brothels, sex shops and infamous shop-fronts fires the imagination

Museum of Photography, FOAM

This 19th century facade on Keizersgraat conceals an ultra-modern architecture, a setting which is perfectly suited to the Museum of Photography

Museum of Amsterdam History

This Dutch institution has a rich collection of works of art, objects and archaeological items which recount the glorious history of Amsterdam from its founding to the present day.

Money Tower

Known as the Munttoren (Money Tower), this old medieval gate was built in the 15th century. The original defensive system was made up of two towers and a guard house but was destroyed in 1618. Only the western tower was completely rebuilt.

Magna Plaza commercial centre

Amsterdam's formercentral post office, Magna Plaza is now a shopping centre with forty luxury boutiues spread over the five floors. Open seven days a week, it attracts Dutch people and tourists alike.

Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge)

Opposite the Carre Theatre, the Magere Burg straddles the Amstel. Legend has it that the bridge was built and named for the Mager sisters, each living on opposite sides of the river. to allow them to visit each other.

Madame Tussauds Amsterdam

The concept needs no introduction: Amsterdam's Madame Tussauds wax museum opened in 1970, the first to be built outside of London. It is situated on Dam Square in the city centre.

Leidse Square, Leidseplein

With its restaurants, nightclubs, cinemas and coffee shops, the Leidseplein is one of Amsterdam's major nightlife scenes. Residents and tourists gather on summer evenings to enjoy the cafes etc

Hortus botanical garden

De Hortus is the oldest botanical garden in the world, created in 1638, and it has more than 4000 varieties of plants.

Hermitage Amsterdam

Set up in the Amstelhof, a historical complex in Amsterdam, the Hermitage Amsterdam is the leading branch of the prestigious Russian state museum, the Hermitage in St Petersburg

Heineken Experience

The most famous beer in the world still bears the name of Geraard Adrian Heineken who took over the Hoolberg (haystack) brasserie in 1864.

Filmmuseum

Founded in 1946, the Amsterdam Filmmuseum is the only museum in the Netherlands focusing solely on cinema. Several thousand films, photos, posters and scripts are ehibited, all tracing the story of the seventh art.

Amsterdam State Museum, Rijksmuseum

The Rijksmuseum was built in 1885 to a design by Pierre Cuypers.

Amsterdam Royal Zoo

Opened in 1838, the Amsterdam Royal Zoo houses no less than 8000 species in various environments which closely resemble their original ones: african savana, planetarium, aquarium, zoological and geological museum etc

Amsterdam Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is one of the three monumental buildings used by Queen Beatrix. It is a prestigious reception venue used for State visits, during the Queen's New Year's celebrations as well as the Erasmus Prize.

Amsterdam musical theatre, Opera

Surrounded by canals, the Muziektheater or the Amsterdam Opera houses the National Ballet and National Opera of the Netherlands. 

Amstelpark

Amstelpark is a beautiful botanical garden. Within you can admire n ocean of beautiful floral specimens, enjoy attractions and rides for younger visitors, a labyrinth and much more. In the summer, children can ride ponies.

Ajax Experience

Tempted to learn all about the legendary Ajax Amsterdam club? Discover the Ajax Experience, an interactive museum that traces the club's eventful history.

Museum of Judaism

The Museum of Judaism celebrates the Jewish religion, history and culture in the Netherlands and ts former colonies hrough a rich collection.

Museum Our Lord in the Attic

Visiting this museum is a real voyage in time, going back 350 years, through the labyrinth of stairs, corridors and various rooms, guiding you to the secret of this building: a church concealed in the attic.

Nemo

At first sight, this building by the architect Ranzo Piano is surprising: the bow of a disembowelled ship plunges into the waves and houses a very comprehensive science museum that will fascinate young and old alike.

Netherlands Theatre Institute

This magnificent building in neo-classical style and designed in 1638 by the famous Amsterdam architect Vingboons houses a surprising collection of costumes, scenery and theatre puppets.

New Church

Dating back to the 15th century, the Amsterdam Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) is one of the largest and most prestigious exhibition and reception venues in the Netherlands. It is just a few steps away from the Royal Palace.

Old Church of Amsterdam

Preceded by a little wooden chapel, the construction of the church was undertaken from 1309. Today, it is the oldest church in Amsterdam and it is still located at the vry heart of the city. 

Rembrandt House Museum

The house where Rembrandt lived between 1639 and 1658 became a major museum in 1911 at the initiative of Queen Wilhelmina. Located in the east of the city.

Sarphatipark

Sarphatipark is not Amsterdam's biggest park but it does have really beautful English-style landscaping on the edge of a working-class area and is named after a 19th century philanthropist.

Stedelijk, Municipal Museum Amsterdam

The Stedelijk Museum is the most important modern and contemporary art museum in the Netherlands.

Municipal Museum Bureau Amsterdam or SMBA

In the centre of the city, the SMBA is a branch of the Stedelijk Museum. The aim of this institution is to place the Modern art exhobitions in a Dutch context.

The 9 streets

9 Straatjes or Nine streets, is an intimate and friendly Amsterdam neighbourhood where you are sure to find something to satisfy your spendthrift passions. Known as 9 Straatjes because of its small streets.

The Hash, Marihuana and Hemp Museum

It is entirely possible to educate and initiate oneself in one of the city's most known cultures without having to partake of the infamous substance. The museum is a little cramped and a tad chaotic.

Tropenmuseum Amsterdam

Located in the Oost neighbourhood, the Tropenmuseum or Tropical Museum is a part of the Royal Institute for the Tropics.

Tuschinski Theatre

Polish immigrant Abraham Tuschinski built this theatre in the district of Duivelshoek (corner of the Devil). It was a sensation at its inauguration in 1920 and is currently a cinema.

Van Gogh Museum

This museum's collection includes 200 of the 300 paintings by Vincent Van Gogh and 500 of his 1200 drawings, as well as more than 700 letters, particularly from his correspondence with his brother Theo.

Vondelpark

Commonly known as the "green lung" of the city by Amsterdam residents, this park was laid out in the middle of the 19th century (1890) on the initiative of the wealthy bourgeoisie.

Westerkerk Church

Opened in 1631 for Pentecost in 1631, the Westerkerk Church in Amsteerdam is the largest Protestant monument in the country.

Amsterdam Botanic Garden

A garden in the town centre. During its four centuries of existence, the Hortus Botanical Gardens (one of the oldest in the world) slowly ceased to be a medicinal garden for the doctors and pharmacists.

Amsterdam City Swim

In early September, the Amsterdam canals are open to swimmers for the Amsterdam City Swim.

Exploring the Amsterdam flower market

A rainbow of colours. This is the last surviving floating market in Amsterdam. Nowadays the boats are tethered to the quay but the floating flower stalls are a stunning sight.

Holland Festival

A cultural high note.

Houseboats Museum

Home and afloat. In Amsterdam, houseboats are living space just like any other (although being shorter than 1m80 is a requirement for living comfortably within. This form of dwelling is so particular to Amsterdam that a visit to a houseboat is am absolute must. It is instantly impressive when you notice how suited to habitation these boats are. 

Julidans Festival

The Julidans Festival in Amsterdam has its finger on the pulse of the contemporary dance scene, showcasing all the latest trends.

Willet-Holthuysen Museum

A house preserved in time. This building, built in the late 17th century, was the residence of Mrs Willet-Holthuysen, who bequeathed the house and its collections to the city of Amsterdam.

As its name implies, Bierkoning (The Beer King) sells a lot of beers, more than 3000 to be specific. It is near Dam Square behind the Royal Palace.

If you are in town for more than two days, it is worth buying a Strippenkaart to use on public transport. It will save you plenty of money.

Head to the Rembrandtplein for a good choice of bars, clubs, restaurants, cafes and cinema entertainment.

Oude Zuid, just south of the city centre, is Amsterdam's up-market neighbourhood with large estates, trendy cafes and shopping boutiques.

Day trip

Maastricht. This city, about two hours from Amsterdam, has the best shopping available for miles around. As one of the oldest cities in the country, it has an attractive, old city centre with plenty to see and many restaurants and cafes to enjoy. 

Den Bosch. Vibrant lively town with a historic city centre, offering many museums and fine restaurants. Be sure to visit the old Sint Jan (Saint John) church and Noordbrabants Museum. It is a one-hour train ride from Amsterdan Centraal Station.

Alkmaar

In 1582, after Alkmaar had ousted the Spanish troops, the former Chapel of the Holy Spirit and its hospital were transformed into the Pesee (symbol of Municipal freedom). The Latin inscription on the facede still recalls those turbulent times: Courage and strength have given back to the Government and the Citizens their lost Weighing Right. Since 1983, the building has housed the Dutch Cheese Museum. The 17th century Excise Tower, where excises taxes used to be levied, has a decorative open-work clock tower.

The traditional Cheese market has been held in the Waagplein since the 17th century. Wearing traditional costume, the famous cheese-bearers hump the cheeses (160kg) towards the square, where they are tasted, compared and sold.