The kingdom Netherlands(often named after the historic heartland of Holland) is inWestern Europe. The country borders Belgium to the south and Germany to the east. The North Sea lies both in the north and in the west. The Netherlands is criss-crossed by numerous rivers and canals and some of them are below sea level.
The landscape is shaped by the Arnhem Forest, the numerous tulip fields in the west and the dunes in the coastal region. There are more than 50 seaside resorts on the almost 300 kilometer long beach on the Dutch North Sea coast.
One of the popular tourist destinations is the capital Amsterdam with its numerous historical buildings. The city is built around a network of canals and has more than 1,000 bridges. Many of the buildings and bridges date from the 17th century. A boat tour on the canals is an ideal way to get to know the city. These trips at dusk are particularly romantic.
Ideal water sports can be found in the north-west of the country in the province of Friesland.
There are numerous natural attractions in Holland and the Netherlands. This also includes de Hollandse Biesbosch, a landscape of rivers and swamps. The Keukenhof and the three national parks of the country you should visit at least once. You can easily spend 1-2 days here.
The Delta Works are an impressive structure, these are protective weirs that are supposed to protect against storm surges.
In addition to nature, there is almost always the culinary offer for visitors to the country of great importance. German travelers are in good hands in Holland. Because the kitchens of both countries are closely related. In addition to potatoes, sauerkraut and sausages in different variations, there is a lot of fried food here. The fries are also very tasty in the Netherlands one of the trademarks, but also very high-calorie Krokettjes so croquettes. A wide variety of local cheese products and matjes are also particularly popular.
Netherlands climate
According to Bridgat, the Netherlands has a maritime climate with cool winters and mild summers. Wind andrain can occur all year round. March is the driest month, July and August the wettest (and hottest). The wind almost always blows from the southwest.
Utrecht (Netherlands)
The municipality of Utrecht is located in the center of the Netherlands and for this reason it is also an important rail hub for the whole of the Netherlands country .
The beautiful city of Utrecht can look back on a very long history. As early as 48 AD, the Romans settled in what is now Utrecht. The location on the Lek, Waal, Nederijn and Merwede rivers was particularly important to them. In 690 a mission was built on the Roman ruins by Saint Willibrord. In the times of the Middle Ages, Utrecht was of great importance as a bishopric and therefore you can visit many old sacred buildings in the city. Utrecht was elevated to an archbishopric in 1559. In 1576 there was an uprising against the Spaniards, with the citadel Vredenburg was taken. The uprising ended with the decision of the Union of Utrecht in Utrecht. In the following years the city lost its importance.
This changed suddenly in the nineteenth century when Utrecht received a railway connection.
The University of Utrecht has existed since 1636. This is the largest in the whole of the Netherlands. With an overwhelming campus that houses some ancient buildings, it will be remembered by its visitors for a long time.
In addition to the venerable university, there is also a music college and a university of applied sciences in the city.
In the old former Monastery of Saint Catherine of Utrecht you will find the major museum for religious history of the city. You can imagine that there is a lot to learn about Utrecht there, especially about the former bishopric. Also the Dutch Railway Museum is very attractive for the tourists of the city, especially the railway fans among them will be delighted.
In the Middle Ages, Utrecht was a bishopric, which many churches still bear testimony to today. The oldest and most architecturally remarkable are the Nikolai, Jacobi, St. Petri and Buur churches. Utrecht’s Cathedral is the most important in the Netherlands. Unfortunately in 1674 the nave was destroyed by a storm. Since then, there has been a gap between the crossing and the 112.5 meter high west tower. The west tower is the tallest in the country and enchants visitors with the seventeenth-century Hermony carillon.
Those who have had enough of long tours of discovery of the city can relax in one of the many restaurants or quaint pubs and indulge in the culinary delicacies of the country.
