A collection of links on the Netherlands, its history and culture, what to discover, and how. With a special focus on Amsterdam and on the relatively rural region just outside and southeast of the city.
Links to sites that are (partly) in English, unless mentioned otherwise. For a bit of Dutch bicycle history see page " Why the bike became popular in the Netherlands ".
In this section also more general cycling backgrounds, links and tips.
Cycling in Holland - selected links
Bicycle parts : Handy ! Multilingual Bicycle's Vocabulary.
www.fietsersbond.nl : the Fietsersbond is the Dutch Cyclist's Union that campaigns for better cycling conditions in the Netherlands. (in Dutch)
BicycleDutch : all about cycling in the Netherlands. With loads of videos.
www.vriendenopdefiets.nl : "Friends on the Bike / Vrienden op de Fiets", thousands of addresses in Holland and Belgium providing very affordable Bed and Breakfast for cyclists and hikers only.
www.bootsnall.com : bicycling in Holland: What's the Big Deal? (practical information and traffic rules)
www.aviewfromthecyclepath.com : bicycle infrastructure, history and statistics. Loads of background information on the Dutch situation, also compared to other countries.
A different way of travelling north : Eilandhopper (Island Hopper).
This small company operates ferry services with traditional sailing ships like the one below. Between Amsterdam, northern ports and Frisian Islands (or Wadden).
You can take your bike along for half the price of a passenger ticket.
Nice way to travel !