"BICYCLES RULES!" Netherlands by pieter_jan_v

Netherlands Travel Guide: 31,780 reviews and 86,416 photos

Entrance of the Netherlands - Netherlands

Where the Queen entered her country after WW2.

Daar bij die molen: My home Country

Holland Promotion Album

The picture (made by Jan van Hengel) is the cover of an old tourist record (Philips 632007RL).

You're welcome to visit this beautiful land, which was handcrafted by the people themselves. Remember, a great part of Holland was painfully gained from the sea and nowadays manmade dikes are the only assurance we can live here.

More Info of Holland.

Current Dutch Weather

General information on the Netherlands

Visit the OFF THE BEATEN PATH for adresses of Dutch Record Shops outside Amsterdam.
More record info.

Bicycles really rule the Netherlands. There are 19 million bicycles in usable state. 84% of the Dutchman owns one or more bicycles. On average a Dutchman cycles 2.5 kilometers per day or around 900 kilometers anually. Each year 4,500.000.000 bicycle rides are made; 200,000.000 are for recreational trips.
The total length of Dutch bicycle paths is 17,000 kilometers and on top of that there's 65,000 kilometers of city roads open to cyclers.

There is more

A Holland "tegeltje" (tile)

The classic Dutch image is one of windmills, dikes, cheese, tulips, flat lands, bicycles and so on.

These symbols are still used to promote my country, but not all of them are related to the present Dutchies.
So, don't be surprised exploring a modern country, with the classic characteristics only being present at touristic attractions.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Flat and green
Cons:Lack of space
In a nutshell:More than tulips and windmills

Last visit to Netherlands: May 2013
Intro Updated May 1, 2013
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Reviews (39)

Nearing the Dutch coast over the Northsea - Netherlands

Travelling by Airplane to the... Transportation (10)

Most people will arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport; see my Schiphol page for all details. Other Dutch Airports... more travel advice

Dweilorkest Local Customs (3)

A "Dweilorkest" is a small walking orchestra with at least 2 drum players and some trompet players. Bigger "orchestra's"... more travel advice

PROCESSIERUPS - WARNING - CATERPILLAR - Netherlands

EIKENPROCESSIERUPS Warnings and Dangers (7)

Be aware of trees with a red/whire striped ribbon with the wording: PAS OP EIKENPROCESSIERUPS. These ribbons warn you... more travel advice

Stilte Coupe: SILENCE Warnings and Dangers (7)

In many Dutch trains there are sectection called "Stilte Coupe", a part where you are required to be silent, so people... more travel advice

Favorites (4)
See All The good cause
Hotels (5)
See All Special hotel addresses
Things to Do (2)
See All Gardens in the Netherlands
Restaurants (3)
See All Dutch Biologic Restaurants

Travelogues (4)

1 - 4 of 4

Comments (61)

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RoscoeGregg Feb 20, 2011 at 10:03 AM

What a trip!! What a ship!! Nothing like wood, wind and water. Randy
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breughel Dec 7, 2010 at 10:53 AM

Pieter Jan, I much liked your warnings and dangers tips with the crime maps because in Belgium this is politically not correct. When a police officer is shot with an AK47 in Brussels the "bourgmestre" says it's a "fait divers"!
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hunterV Oct 19, 2010 at 9:49 AM

Hello, Pieter, and thanks for your nice valuable tips! Very special things to do! Greetings to NL from UA!
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icesblu Jul 22, 2010 at 3:57 AM

ive been in Nijmegen a week, im moving from the us, and this has very much proven to be my much needed comic relief!! EXCELLENT ;)
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Nemorino Apr 30, 2010 at 6:16 AM

Me again, coming back to look at your updates since November 20, 2007 -- and it turns out you have updated just about everything! Thanks especially for all the useful links for us bicycle tourists!
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northeast80 Feb 15, 2010 at 4:46 AM

Your road signs page comes up 2nd on the google search. A very useful page. Thank you Pieter.
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appleseed81 Jun 8, 2009 at 4:14 AM

Haha... Why would Claus be with me? He doesn't make it as scarely as the mafia like little kids I saw along the streets... !!
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mumymama Apr 24, 2009 at 6:33 AM

Hey, Pieter! Can you give me a tip about a large food supermarket in Amsterdam? or a food market near Watergraafsmeer:)
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jumpingnorman Apr 13, 2009 at 10:23 PM

Hi Pieter! Hoe gaat het ermee? Enjoyed reading about your country and I am amazed how well you have organized the links...truly useful. Thanks for sharing -- I love the crime map, hehehe...
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Arkeolog Apr 10, 2009 at 11:59 PM

Hi Pieter, your tips are useful and photos are nice. Great page for a great country.