Destination: The Netherlands

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Holland is serviced by an excellent train network, offering extensive transportation coverage across the country. The bus network is also very efficient, with services linking all the major towns and cities, as well servicing routes to rural areas and villages.

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Holland covers a total area of 41,543 square kilometres. Much of the country’s land has been reclaimed from the sea, with nearly a quarter of Holland below sea level. The country is almost entirely flat, with only the extreme south of the country having any significant elevation.

Holland has a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers and cool winters. Depending on when you intend to travel, check the weather reports and dress accordingly.

There are 10 sites in Holland listed on the World Heritage List. You can view the listed properties here: (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/nl). Holland’s listed properties include:

Defence Line of Amsterdam, the only fortification complex in the world dedicated to protecting a city from the sea
Rietveld Schröderhuis (Rietveld Schröder House), an outstanding example of the Modern Movement in architecture
Wadden Sea, the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world.

The vibrant culture of Holland is put on display through its many colourful festivals and events. One of the biggest events of the year is the King’s Day (Koningsdag). Held in honour of King Willem-Alexander, towns and cities across the country are decked out in orange with the occasion marked by parades, live music and festive revelry. Given that Holland is famous for its beautiful tulips and flowers, it should come as no surprise that the country holds an entire festival dedicated to them, namely the Keukenhof. The Keukenhof Holland largest garden festival, with thousands flocking to Middenmeer to see elaborate arrangements of countless flower varieties. The architecture of Holland towns and cities is not only commemorated but celebrated through events such as Open Monumentendag (Heritage Day) during which thousands of historical buildings and homes throughout Holland are made open to the public.

Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City, by Russell Shorto
A Concise History of Holland (Cambridge Concise Histories), by by James C. Kennedy
Tulipomania: The Story of the World’s Most Coveted Flower & the Extraordinary Passions It Aroused, by Mike Dash
The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age, by Simon Schama

Dairy products, in particular cheese, are a central part of the national diet, with the Dutch often consuming cheese as part of breakfast and lunch, or a snack throughout the day. The most popular varieties are Gouda and Edam, although many other types of cheese are produced and consumed throughout Holland. The former Dutch presence within Indonesia has left its mark on Dutch cuisine, with Indonesian dishes such as bami goreng (stir-fried egg noodles with garlic, onion, meat, egg and chilli) and satay (skewered meat served with peanut sauce) making their way onto Dutch menus in recent years. The Dutch are known for their sweet tooth, with sweeter offerings inclduing poffertjes (pancakes made from yeast and buckwheat flower), stroopwafel (layers of thin waffles sandwiching caramel syrup) and drop (licorice).

Traditional beverages in Holland include advocaat (a cocktail made from eggs, sugar and brandy) and jenever (Dutch gin).

Generally speaking, Holland is safe to travel in, though always exercise common sense while travelling.

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Holland runs at 230V and 50Hz. In Holland the Type C and Type F electric plug types are used, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.