The Netherlands is known for much of the country being at or below sea level. The country is also known for their windmills, tulips, gouda cheese, canals, wooden clogs, and bicycles. The country loves bicycles as a means of transportation so much that in the city of Amsterdam there are more bicycles than people. Read below to learn more about the country.

The Basics:

• Languages: Dutch is the official language, and spoken by nearly every citizen, although about 90% of people speak some level of English, and 70% speak some level of German

• Currency: Euro, Click here to see the current exchange rate

• Timezone: Central European Summer Time (summer months, UTC+2), Central European Time (winter months, UTC+1)

• Visas: The Netherlands is a part of the Schengen Area. Tourists from other Schengen Area countries, along with many North American, South American, and Eastern Asian countries can also visit the Netherlands visa free for up to 90 days. Starting in 2022, tourists outside of the Schengen Area will need to obtain an ETIAS waiver to enter the Schengen Area for up to 90 days

• Driving side: Right

• Tipping: Small amount is expected for good service, typically around 5%-10%

Places to Visit and Things to Do:

• Amsterdam: With 2 million people, the Amsterdam metro area is the most populous city in the Netherlands, and is home to many great museums, such as the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, and Rijksmuseum. A visit to Amsterdam is a great base to stay in the Netherlands, with many day trips a short train ride or drive away. A city full of canals, Amsterdam is known as the Venice of the North

• Bicycle Tour: Many bike tours operate out of Amsterdam, and allow you to get the feel of the city or countryside via the most popular method of transit in the Netherlands

• Zaanse Schans: Only a short train ride away from Amsterdam, this small town is home to plenty of windmills, a cheese shop, several small museums, boat tours, and more

• Canal Tour: A canal tour is a great way to experience the cities of the Netherlands. Some of the best places to take a canal tour are Amsterdam and Giethoorn, which is a Dutch city without any roads

• Keukenhof: One of the world's largest flower gardens, this is a short drive or bus tour away from Amsterdam. With millions of tulips planted, this is know as one of the best gardens in the world. Keep in mind Keukenhof is only open from March through May

Travel Tips:

• Book some activities in advance. Popular attractions such as the Van Gogh Museum and Ann Frank Museum can sell out months in advance, so make sure to buy tickets ahead of time

• As mentioned above, about 90% of citizens speak some level of English (the highest level of citizens speaking English as a second language in the world), and 70% of citizens speak some level of German. If you have a question, chances are that anyone you go up to will be able to answer it

• Know the difference between cafes and coffee shops. Cafes are the stores which sell actual coffee, while coffee shops sell cannabis

• Watch out for bike lanes. Most cities in the Netherlands have dedicated bike lanes, which are meant for bicycles, not pedestrians

• Take day trips from Amsterdam. The cities of Rotterdam, Utrecht, and The Hague, along with the smaller towns of Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn are great day trips from Amsterdam, accessible by the train network