Netherlands Tour Packages

The Netherlands, a country rich in culture, history, heritage, and art, is in western Europe with overseas territories in the Caribbean Sea. A true jewel of Europe’s crown, this country is one of the most fascinating travel destinations.

About Netherlands:

The Netherlands is a beautiful country filled with canals, national parks, lakes, dunes, and other habitats. In the Netherlands, summers are moderately warm, while winters are cold and freezing. The changing weather creates beautiful dunes and landscapes, which attract tourists from all over the world. It is a magical place covered in ancient forests, hills, moorlands, and extensive pasture lands. The Netherlands has a strong connection with water. Approximately, 26% of the Netherlands is below sea level. The country's three major rivers are The Rhine, The Meuse, and The Scheldt.

Most Popular Netherlands Tour Packages:

We can also curate a Netherlands tour package according to your preferences and include cities of your choice. It will be inclusive of expenses on flights, meals, and stays. If you wish to go for a Europe trip, covering different cities in different countries, check our Europe tour packages.

Quick Guide for Netherlands

Best Time to Visit the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a year-round celebrated tourist destination as it has mild temperatures. But there are some months which are preferred more by travelers. The best month to visit the Netherlands is June. Many people also visit between September and November as it is the  time when beer and food fests begin. During this time, various activities take place all over the country. The balance of peacefulness, fun, and pleasant weather makes the experience memorable. The temperature at this time ranges between 8℃ and 19℃.

The Netherlands is a famous destination for tulip festivals and tulip gardens. April is the best month to visit the Tulip Gardens. During this time, it is slightly costly and crowded as well but that is because this is one of the liveliest times in the country that every nature-lover enjoys.

July and August are also peak months. Many tourists visit from North America and Europe since it’s their summer break. Tranquil weather and low-lying coastal land are safe from extreme temperatures.

December to March is the calm time to visit the Netherlands. In December, the footfall is low due to Christmas and New Year's Eve. During this time, trips are less costly. Visitors can enjoy freezing temperatures and various festive carnivals. The temperature at this time is around 5–9℃.

Some Special Events: You can schedule your visit according to these special events:

• Scheveningen New Year’s Dive on 1st January
• Carnival in Holland on 26th Februry 
• Easter in Holland on 17th April 
• King’s Day on 27th April
• Liberation Day on 5th May
• Sinterklaas on 5th December
• New Year's Eve 

How to Reach the Netherlands

The Netherlands is a fairly accessible place as it is well-connected by air, water and land travel mediums. The following are the various modes of transportation you can choose from to reach the Netherlands:

By Air: The Netherlands has five international airports: Schiphol Airport, Hague Airport, Eindhoven Airport, Groningen Eelde Airport, and Maastricht Airport. Schiphol Airport is near Amsterdam. Being the most prominent and the biggest airports in the Netherlands, it is the landing ground of flights from airline services all over the world, like Qatar Airlines, Air India, KLM, British Airlines, and Lufthansa.  Schiphol Airport is in reach of a well-interlinked railway network, that can ferry you to any major city in the country. You can catch a train that drops you right below the main airport hall, making travel easy with your luggage and time-saving. All Indians will need a Schengen Visa and a valid passport to enter the Netherlands by air.

By Road: There are also tourists who prefer reaching the Netherlands by road. India and the Netherlands are 7,685 kilometers away. If someone wants to give it a try, it takes 4 days and 10 hours of nonstop driving to reach the Netherlands, and the journey in between is wonderful and unique in its own way. If anyone has time, they should invest it in a road trip.

By Water: Only one Silver Whisper Cruise sails from Mumbai to Amsterdam. It reaches in 140 days, and takes you through 62 countries on the way!

From the UK, three ferries can take you to the outskirts of Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

When you are in the Netherlands, you can choose the water mode for inter-country travel as well. Water is one of the most famous modes of travel among tourists; you shouldn’t miss the chance you are here. A few modes of water travel are listed below:

Ferries: Ferry rides are easy to fall in love with. In Amsterdam, you can travel by ferry free of cost! You just need to find out the schedule of ferries to pick the one you need. The famous ferry rides ones are

from Central Station to Buiksloterweg, reaching the EUE Film Museum, and

from Amsterdam Central Station to Noord District of Amsterdam.

Water Bus: Water bus is a new experience for Indians but you will have to pay for this ride. Usually, a water bus runs from Rotterdam to Dordrecht. If you are cycling and want to take the water bus, you can carry it along on the bus.

Water Taxi: Many tourists love to travel in water taxis. The fare is dependent on the number of people and the distance. It's a unique experience and must be there on your list as well. You can get a water taxi to take you from Amsterdam to Rotterdam.

Keep the following things in mind for traveling within the country:

Cycling: The Netherlands is one of my favorite spots for cycling. If you love this activity and are a sustainability enthusiast, you would love to cycle here. The flat Dutch terrain is perfect for cyclists, who can reach almost everywhere on their bikes. Needless to say, you will find a high cycling traffic, so be careful while riding it.

Train: Railway network of the Netherlands is very strong and is the primary mode of transport, being one of the fastest routes to travel within the country. The Netherlands has three types of central railways: Intercity, Sneltrein, and Sprinter and all cost around $25.

The fast Intercity direct trains are more convenient when traveling to another city, but they could be slightly more expensive. In the western region, the frequency of each train is every 5 minutes, but when you go towards the countryside, you might have to wait for an hour to catch a train. The local lines are run by Arriva, Connexxion, Syntus, and Veolia, whereas Nederlandse Spoorwegen runs the main one. You will never be disappointed by their train services, which take you through different scenic locations of the Netherlands.

Bus: Buses are one of the standard modes of transportation and are one of the convenient ones for shorter travels but they are not so fast. If you plan for a more extended trip, you might have to change 2-3 buses to reach their destination but could be considered an economical option. Arriva, Connexxion, EBS, Qbuzz are the leading bus companies. For a better experience, it's always advisable to ask around once you reach the Netherlands as many cities have their own bus companies.

There are night bus services from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Hague.

Metro and Trams: The main cities of the Netherlands like Amsterdam and Rotterdam have large metro and trams. You will also find these in Hague and Utrecht.

Car: You can travel by car in two ways, either hire a taxi or rent a car. However, hiring a taxi could be slightly expensive and is usually not preferred. It is better if you drive a car than a taxi. 

Famous Places in the Netherlands

Best Honeymoon Destinations

The Netherlands has various landscapes, rich food, and is the epitome of history. It can be one of the best destinations to plan a honeymoon where the couple can experience a blend of adventure, calm, and tranquility. Below are the best places to visit for a honeymoon couple:

• Amsterdam: Scenic bike rides, beautiful canals, and some amazing cafes will help you spend some quality time with your partner. You can also get lost in the history of this beautiful place.
• Kinder Dijk: If you have seen the beautiful pictures of windmills all over social media and you want to experience it in real life, Kinder Dijk will never disappoint you. You will be enticed by the 19 monumental mills of this small village. People from all over the world come here, and it is included in the UNESCO world heritage site.
• Texel Island: Head to Texel Island for a cozy honeymoon during the summers. You will be mesmerized by the incredible sand dunes and salt matches covered with lavender. There are plenty of beachside resorts and honeymoon-friendly bungalows. This could be your best honeymoon destination if you love beaches and nature at its best blend.
• Hague: As beautiful as Amsterdam, this robust scenic city is a hub for all museum lovers and history buffs. So just spend some time here with museums, scenic beauty, and some good food. 
  
  

Places to Visit in Netherlands

• De Efteling: It is the oldest, and by far, the most famous tourist attraction in the Netherlands. It is one of the oldest theme parks situated in the town of Kaatsheuvel. Themed around culture, nostalgia, and romance, this park will take you on a fairytale-like trip!
• Rijksmuseum Amsterdam: Rijksmuseum is a Dutch national art and history museum with around 8,000 exhibitions of works of art and historical artifacts. It showcases the art of famous artists like Frans Halls and Rembrandt.
• Burger Zoo: It is one of the most prominent zoos in the Netherlands. It has a wide variety of unique flora and fauna. You can enjoy safaris and visit rainforests, mangrove swamps, indoor deserts, and aquariums. Burger Zoo houses exotic animals like Dusky leaf monkeys, hog deer, golden jackals, and many more. A visit to this zoo will make you appreciate the diversity in nature.
• Diergaarde Blijdorp: It is one of the oldest zoos in the Netherlands. Here, you can voyage under the sea in an oceanium. This zoo also has African Gorilla Island, Taman Indah, Crocodile River, and Ice Cave for polar bears. This place is a must-see for nature lovers and animal enthusiasts.
• Attractiepark Slagharen: It is an adventurous theme park located in Slagharen. It is sectioned into six themed sites—Indian, Yellowstone, New Orleans, Wild West, Jules Adventureland, and Mexican. It has around 40 different types of attractions.
• Cauberg: It is one of the prominent hills of the Netherlands and a major tourist attraction. It is famous for hosting cycling tournaments.
• Eyserbosweg Hills: These hills are also famous for their cycling-friendly terrain. If you love to cycle in picturesque locations, you should visit Eyserbosweg Hills.
• Scheveningen Beach: Being one of the major tourist attractions, this beach is famous for its beach bars, small shops, and pier. It is a palace that offers a beautiful blend of good food, drinks and scenery. The food and drink setup covers a vast area on the beach, so it never appears overcrowded.
• Zandvoort Beach: This beach is only 30 kilometers away from Amsterdam and is a favourite of young people. Here, you can explore sand dunes, food shacks and go surfing on ocean waves.

Famous Dutch Delicacies

Food is a thread that connects everyone. When you are in the Netherlands, you must try some authentic delicacies to satisfy your taste buds:

• Haring or Hollandse Nieuwe: It is one of the most famous Dutch dishes, and if you are a fish lover, it is something you wouldn’t want to miss. The raw herring is served with chopped raw onions and gherkins. There is a Dutch way to have it as well. You need to hold the tail and have it upwards and feel that you are in the Netherlands.
• Kroket: One of the famous Dutch snacks is the Kroket. They are originally made of beef or veal, but now they have different flavors like chicken satay, shrimps, and even vegetarian. It could be one of the options for vegetarians in the Netherlands. A Kroket is a deep-fried roll covered in breadcrumbs. The stuffing is lip-smacking and is usually accompanied by bread and mustard sauce.
• Poffertjes: They look like small pancakes but are much fluffier. They are made with buckwheat flour and yeast and served with butter and powdered sugar dollop. During winter, having fresh Poffertjes is quite common in the Netherlands.
• Stroopwafel: Stroopwafel is one of the most popular pastries from the Netherlands, and you cannot miss it once you are in the Netherlands. It is a unique cookie baked in the waffle batter and sliced horizontally. The two thin layers of Stroopwafel are filled with sweet and sticky syrup called Stroop. It is the specialty of Amsterdam. However, you can find it almost everywhere in the Netherlands.
• Patat: The Dutch version of French fries is Patat. It is thicker and has various ingredients like mayonnaise, ketchup, curry, or peanut sauce. This is comfort food for all travelers who want easy options.
• Kaas: Dutch and Cheese have a deeper connection. If you love cheese, then you must try it the Dutch way. They are the largest Cheese Exporters, and their cheese is the perfect match between hard and soft cheese. “Edam” and “Gouda” are popular cheese destinations. Dutch people can have cheese with their breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
• Stamppot: Stamppot is a traditional Dutch dish made with mashed potatoes, carrots, kale, endive, and many more vegetables. It is something people like to have during cold winters.
• Hagelslag: They are chocolate sprinkles over the sandwich. The Dutch love their sandwich, and the combination of chocolate and sandwich is something which everyone with a sweet tooth would like to indulge in.
• Indonesian Food: The Netherlands is a hub of Indonesians, you may find various Indonesian restaurants in the Netherlands.
• Kebbling: It’s dutch comfort food, and you can find it almost on every street in the Netherlands. It’s a deep-fried fish served with some mayo and tartar sauce. It is one of the most common snacks which fish lovers must try. 

Things to Do in the Netherlands

You can do some exciting activities in the Netherlands, such as:

• Cycling on the flat Dutch terrain: It is a popular mode of transport across the country,  about 36% Dutch people bicycle daily.
• Shopping: The Netherlands is popular for shoppping custom clogs, Dutch licorice, chocolate bonbons, handmade wallets, and much more.
• Trying Dutch Delicacies: Kroket, poffertjes, kaas and patat, among others, are to die for!
• Adventurous Activities: Kitesurfing Dutch Coast, canoeing, splash touring, bungee jumping from Scheveningen Pier are just a few of the things you can do.

Shopping in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is one of the most popular destinations for shopping. People from all over the world come to travel and shop. Below are the few recommended places you can think of while you go to the Netherlands to shop and enjoy the shopping spree!

• De Negen Straatjes: The nine shopping streets in Amsterdam give you a distinctive shopping experience with a view. These shopping streets straddle the Central Canal ring of the city. These streets are filled with vintage shops, boutiques, specialty shops, and cafes. When you are in Amsterdam, you must shop with a view!
• Van Oldenbarneveltstraat: This place in Rotterdam has a feel of Paris. With a wide variety of luxurious boutiques, fancy shoe shops, and delightful cafes. The finest leather products are available here. It has a variety of Dutch, Swedish, and French brands.
• Witte De Withstraat: This is one of Rotterdam's most popular shopping sites where you can spend all your day! They have a variety of High-end shopping products, décor, and a lot more. They also have art institutions and galleries to look up after your shopping.
• Passage: This is a perfect rainy day shopping place in Hague. The architecture of this shopping place will take you back to the 19th century. It is a paradise for retail shopping.
• Kalverstraat: This is the only pedestrian street in Amsterdam with a mix of clothing stores and several shoe stores. It has local as well as international brands for you to shop for. If you happen to shop here, many of your shopping requirements will be ticked off.

Taste of India in the Netherlands:

Few of us miss the Indian palate abroad. But when in the Netherlands, you don’t have to worry as there are good Indian places which will please your Indian tongue. A few of them are mentioned below:

• Shah Jahan: Shah Jahan is an authentic Indian restaurant that provides you with an amazing blend of Indian spices, fresh ingredients, and perfect portions. The dishes portray our India most humbly, and they look and taste delicious! It is in Amsterdam.
• 91 Spices: This place in Rotterdam is one of the best places that serves perfect paneer and chicken dishes. It is a perfect place to take your family when in Rotterdam. The staff is warm, and the ambiance is young and fancy. The spices used in the food will give you a feel of India.
• What’s Up India: Serving the perfect combo of kullhad chai and classic Indian snacks, this place in Rotterdam is a must-try. What’s Up India will give you an Indian feel, right from waiting impatiently for your food filled with ghee and lots of spices, soft and supple rotis, their food will also fill your heart and your stomach. They also have Indo-Chinese options that will make you greedy and numb your taste buds.
• Koh-I-Noor: Named after the great Indian possession Kohinoor, this place is just like one in Amsterdam. It’s a family-friendly restaurant with an extensive menu, and their chicken tikka is something you will fall in love with.
• Bay’s Dream: Located in Hague, this restaurant is perfect for some hot food. It is a small, comfortable place for all your food dreams to come true. This place is a “Yes, yes!” when in Hague. 

Some Thrilling Adventurous Activities 

Any vacation we take, we plan for at least one or two action-packed activities, which would give us an adrenaline rush. The Netherlands offers various activities that you can think of doing. Some of them are as follows:

• ZipLine in Rotterdam: Rotterdam’s Euro Mast reaches 100 meters at its peak and provides a panoramic view.  The Zipline takes approximately 15 seconds and is managed by professionals for safer execution.
• Bungee Jump from Scheveningen Pier: This seaside suburb or Hague gives you an opportunity to bungee jump in the Netherlands with a sea level of 60 meters. It is the only bungee jump in the Netherlands. 
• Ice Skating on the Canals of Amsterdam: When the temperature drops below one, the canals of Amsterdam freezes, making it perfect for ice skating. 
• Parachute Jumping: The Island of Texel in the north of the Netherlands is famous for parachute jumping. The organization offers several jumps after you are trained by professionals. All safety measures are taken care of by the authority. 
• Go Mountain Biking: Keeping aside all the gentle cycle paths, the Netherlands is home to thrilling tracks for mountain biking. The Hoge Veluwe National Park is well known for mountain biking and challenging terrains. This Park is in the center of an ancient glacier ridge formed during the ice age and has distinctive landscapes. Biking here is a combination of nature and thrill.

Some Interesting Facts about the Netherlands

• The Dutch are the tallest in the world.
• The Netherlands is the most densely populated country in Europe.
• Lowest-lying country in Europe, i.e., about 26% of its people live below sea level.
• 6th happiest country in the world.
• Dutch people are the healthiest globally and are the most physically active in Europe.
• The Dutch invented the first stock market in the world.
• There are more bicycles than people in the Netherlands.
• There are around 1000 windmills in the Netherlands.
• Tulips aren’t native to the Netherlands.
• The Dutch turned red carrots to orange.
• The Dutch eat more Licorice than any other nation in the world.
• King’s Day used to be called Queen’s Day. 
• Dutch Culture, Traditions, and Habits 

The Netherlands culture is diverse in different regions of the country. The Dutch take pride in conserving their cultural heritage, and the government also supports it. The popular symbols of Dutch culture are wooden shoes, lace caps, tulips, and windmills. Painting and sculptures are also major parts of their culture.

The Netherlands has a diversified religious population, including Chirstians, Muslims, and Hindus. Christianity is the most practiced religion in the region.

The famous Dutch festivals are the Spring Opening of Keukenhof Gardens, Flower Parade, King’s Day, Holland Festival, and many more. Dutch people are highly disciplined and hardworking. They consider their family as their foundation. They are tolerant and raise their children without gender bias. They are highly private and love their food. 

Visa Process for Indians

In order to travel to the Netherlands, all Indian citizens must have a Schengen Visa. Additionally, note the following for your Visa Application:

• You need to submit your passport or other travel documents issued within the last ten years.
• You need to fill out an application form. Each person traveling will have a different form.
• A consent form is required for a minor from their parents. 
• In the country where your visa processes happen, the Visa Application Center takes your biometrics and your digital photograph.

Usually, people apply six months in advance, and the center declares within 15 working days whether your application is accepted or rejected.

Buy Forex from Thomas Cook

It is very simple to buy or sell from Thomas Cook Forex. Euro’s are used in Netherlands and 1 Euro is equivalent to INR 83. Below are the easy steps to follow:

• Go to our official webpage and click on “Forex.”
• Choose your Euro as your currency and the amount you want to exchange.
• Enter traveler details and delivery options.
• Make an online payment.
• Save order confirmation receipt. 

Places You Can Think of Visiting from The Netherlands

1. France

2. Switzerland

3. Belgium

4. Germany

5. Denmark

6. Austria

7. The United Kingdom

8. Luxembourg

9. Ireland

10. Sweden

The Netherlands is just not a country; it's a feeling. With such a variety of landscapes, this country has a lot to offer. We at Thomas Cook constantly work to make your travel an unforgettable experience. With various Netherlands package options, we can always curate the best Netherlands Package from India exclusively and specifically for you. From your home in India to any destination, we are just a call or an email away to help you with your travel plans and suggest the best places to travel to. For more information about travels to the Netherlands, please click on our Thomas Cook Holidays and get a power-packed package.

So, what are you waiting for? Plan your happy holidays now with Thomas Cook India!