Stories and tips
Writing about Netherlands
Longer reads, seasonal ideas and practical tips from the people who write this guide.
· 4 min read
Royal The Hague: Noordeinde Palace, Huis ten Bosch and the Binnenhof
A guide to the royal and political sights of The Hague, with what you can actually visit while the Binnenhof is closed for renovation until 2031.
· 4 min read
Zaanse Schans With Kids: A Family Guide to the Windmill Village
A practical family plan for Zaanse Schans: what children can see, how to get there from Amsterdam and how to avoid the busiest hours.
· 4 min read
Essential Dutch Phrases for Travelers, With Pronunciation Tips
The Dutch words and phrases that are useful on a trip to the Netherlands, how to pronounce them and when English is the better choice.
· 4 min read
An Evening in the Jordaan: A Walking Route for Couples in Amsterdam
How to spend an unhurried evening in Amsterdam's Jordaan, from a late-afternoon canal walk to dinner and a brown café, without the crowds of the centre.
· 4 min read
Cycling Zeeland Solo: Dikes, Delta Works and Coastal Routes
How to plan a solo cycling trip through Zeeland along its dikes and Delta Works, using the junction network, the ferries and the wind to your advantage.
· 4 min read
Van Gogh in Nuenen: A Winter Walk Through the Village of The Potato Eaters
How to follow Vincent van Gogh's two years in Nuenen on a winter day, from the village museum to the parsonage, the old tower site and the Opwetten watermill.
· 4 min read
Ice Skating on Frozen Canals
What you need to know about skating on natural ice in the Netherlands, from the Elfstedentocht and ice clubs to safety rules and year-round indoor rinks.
· 4 min read
Netherlands Safety Tips: Bikes, Canals, Pickpockets and Emergencies
The real safety risks for visitors to the Netherlands, from bike lanes and trams to pickpockets, canals and the sea, and the numbers to call when something goes wrong.
· 4 min read
Cycling the Bollenstreek Tulip Fields: Routes, Timing and Etiquette
How to plan a spring bike ride through the Dutch bulb fields around Lisse, with timing, starting points, routes and field etiquette.
· 4 min read
Photographing Keukenhof: A Spring Guide for Photographers
When to go, what to shoot and which park rules matter if you plan to photograph Keukenhof's spring bulb displays.
· 4 min read
King's Day in Utrecht: A Guide to the Vrijmarkt and Celebrations Along the Oudegracht
How Utrecht celebrates King's Day, from the 24-hour vrijmarkt that starts the evening before to music in the city centre, with rules and tips for visitors.
· 4 min read
The Hague vs Amsterdam
How Amsterdam and The Hague differ for visitors, and how to choose or combine them.