A collection of links on the Netherlands, its history and culture, what to discover, and how. With a special focus on the region just outside and south-east of Amsterdam, and on bicycle day trips. A bike being pretty ideal around here.
But of course, you can visit the places of interest by other means.
Links to sites that are (partly) in English, unless mentioned otherwise.
Obviously, in Dutch there is much more on the internet. Just try it ; pictures and routes tend to speak for themselves.
Practical sites for travelling in the Netherlands
The weather
- www.buienradar.nl : rain radar, actual and forecast.
- www.weather-forecast.com : actual, short and long term forecast.
Public Transport
- www.schiphol.nl : Schiphol Amsterdam Airport.
- www.ns.nl : official site Dutch Railways ; timetables, prices, information.
- www.9292ov.nl : all public transport in the Netherlands. In Dutch, but the excellent travel planner is not difficult to work with.
News
- www.nrc.nl : News in English version of Dutch quality newspaper.
- www.nisnews.nl : NIS News Bulletin - English-language Dutch News Service since 1965.
- www.netherlandspost.com : Dutch news form the WN network.
- www.radionetherlands.nl : Dutch world service news in English and other languages.
What's on - Agenda
- www.uitburo.nl : Very complete, but in Dutch only. Search on city and/or activity. (exhibition = tentoonstelling)
- www.museum.nl : Nationwide in Dutch, but 50 major museums also in English.
Information on the Netherlands
- www.minbuza.nl : Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, for general information on the Netherlands.
- www.holland.com : The Official Holland Tourism Site.
- www.tripadvisor.com : broad travel forum, reviews and loads of travel articles at TripAdvisor.
- Europe for Visitors : resource for research and preparation of travels in Europe with articles, practical tips and many links.
- DutchDirectory.com : Dutch Directory and resources provides all related link information and service in Netherlands.
- www.hollandportal.info : online web portal to the Netherlands.
- www.goudengids.nl : the classic Yellow Pages.
- www.detelefoongids.nl : telephone guide for the Netherlands.
General
- www.x-rates.com : Currency converter.
- Measurement unit converters : Temperature / Length / Distance / Weight / etc.
- www.timeanddate.com : Time and Date World clock.
- www.daylightmap.com : check day/night/time here before you call home.
- www.countrycallingcodes.com : Online tool ; Find the international dialing code or time zone for any country.
- This online dictionary can also come in handy.
Telephone number for all emergencies : 112. Police (non-urgent) 0900-8844.