The summers are cool here but the winters are severe with some
chances of snowfall. Rainfall can be expected in any month of the
year. Dutch is the official language here. English, French and
German are the other languages that are spoken, out of which
English is widely spoken. Incase of emergency call 112.
Culture
Handshake is the commonly practiced form of greeting. Although
tipping is not mandatory, but its better to pay rounds figure in
restaurants and taxis. A humble gift should be taken to the hosts
house always when invited for a meal. Informal clothes are worn on
a daily basis, but people are expected to turn up in formals at
social functions and smart restaurants.
Shopping
Pottery of Delft, Makkum and Workum is a must buy. Silverware
from Schoonhoven, crystals from Leerdam and diamonds from Amsterdam
are highly recommended.
Site Seeing
Apenheul Primate Park is a place to visit which is a home to
more than thirty species of mammals. It remains closed during the
winter. De Hoge Veluwe is the oldest and largest park of Holland.
Bicycles can be used to explore the 5,500 hectares of the park.
Paleis Het Loo is a magnificent Palace surrounded by gardens and
remains open year round except on public holidays.
Electricity
230 V and 50 Hz
Travel
The national airline that operates in Holland is KLM-Royal Dutch
Airlines. It connects to almost all the major cities of Europe,
North America and Asia. Amsterdam Airport is the hub for many
international and local flights. It is located at 15 km away from
the city and it takes 20 minutes to reach there by train. The
Airline, KLM, provides bus service every 15-30 minutes which takes
passengers to some of the famous hotels of the city. Public buses
can be availed too, to reach destination. Trains connect to
Amsterdams Central Station and Zuid Station. Taxis take tourists to
almost any location. The Airport features duty free shops, banks,
showers, business center, baby rooms, and car hire.
Rotterdam airport and Eindhoven airport are 8km away from the
city. Trains and buses operate every 15 minutes to transport
passengers to their hotels. Facilities such as duty free shops,
eateries, car rental, and internet can be availed at these
airports. No departure tax is implemented on passengers at any of
these airports.
The main sea ports are Hook of Holland, Vlissingen and
Rotteradm. Stena Line, P&O ferries and DFDS seaways provide
ferry service to get to Holland.
If traveling by railway, Eurostar provides the best service and
connects to all the major cities of Europe. It provides high grade
services. Good offers are provided on regular basis and to utilize
them they should be monitored from time to time. Unused tickets are
easily refunded. The Inter-Rail pass can be bought to avail the
unlimited second class train travel within 29 European
countries.
Top class road network connects Holland to majority of cities in
Europe. They are well maintained and signs are posted every where
for safe driving. 120kph is the speed limit while driving on
highways. Many car dealing agents exist if opting for car-rental.
Some of them are Avis, Europcar and Budget.
Cycling is also a major means of transportation in Holland and
is part and parcel of daily life. Tourists can hire cycles from the
airport or other service providers with some money-deposit.
Duty Free Items
1. 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of
tobacco
2. 50g of perfume and 250ml of eau de toilette
3. 1liter of liquor or 2liter of sparkling wine or liquor wines and
2liter of non-sparkling wine
4. 100g of tea or 40g of tea extract
5. 500g of coffee or 200g of coffee extract >
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