The Netherlands
With a population of approximately 16.7 million residents, the Netherlands is a busy yet relaxed place to visit. With 20% of the country now below sea level, a holiday to the Netherlands is like no other. Like Ireland, the Netherlands currency is the Euro, making your holiday planning process much quicker and easier. With so much to do and see, especially in terms of art, museums and architecture, a trip to the Netherlands is bound to be a culturally rich holiday.
Attractions in the Netherlands
With it's maritime climate of cool summers and mild winters, a trip here would be ideally suited for a person who want's an awful lot more from their holiday than just sun. With its diverse cultural history and spectacular architecture, a trip to the Netherlands is no ordinary holiday. Some places and attractions, which are worth visiting, include:
- Amsterdam
- Rotterdam
- The Hague
- Dutch masters of art such as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh
- Canals of Amsterdam
- Leiden canals
- West Frisian Islands
- Delft city hall
- Keukenhof gardens.
Dutch history
If you happen to be visiting the Netherlands in June, check out the Holland Festival which takes place in various venues across Amsterdam. It is the largest drama event in the country and showcases over 40 productions from opera and theatre to dance and music.
The Netherlands used to be part of the Low Countries which included Belgium and Luxembourg, but it was not until the late 16th century when the Dutch broke away from their Spanish Hapsburg masters and entered the Golden Age. It was here where trade prospered, the arts flourished, and banking and investment grew to enormous heights.
As with all good things, it did not last and the Netherlands saw a massive decline in fortune during the 17th and 18th centuries. However now the country is a force to be reckoned with and has a capital city that is a centre for business and international finance. This has a lot to do the Dutch seeming to have a natural talent for languages, and English, regarded as the international language, is spoken perfectly by most of them.
Flying to the Netherlands is easy with an international airport at Amsterdam. Flying BudgetAir is easy because the company offer great deals at low prices. Take the time to explore the Netherlands without having to blow your budget by flying BudgetAir.