Travel To Netherland

The Netherlands, is a lively mix of tradition, in the form of windmills and tulips, and fast-paced modern European life.

The Dutch are an affable race, with a good sense of humour and a keen sense of how to enjoy themselves, whether it be relaxing in the countryside or partying hard in the big cities. Despite their country's puritan past, they are known for tolerance, or at least turning a blind eye.

Known as being

largely flat (much of the country lies below sea level, and another great swathe is made up of 'polder', or land reclaimed from the sea), The Netherlands is an ideal destination for those who enjoy pursuits like cycling or walking without over-exerting themselves. But it is a cultured land as well, as the seemingly endless list of great Dutch artists testifies. The Netherlands' roots in the arts stem from the 17th century, the so-called 'Golden Age', which placed this tiny but rich country at the forefront of European culture.

The Dutch are enthusiastic Europeans, and the European Union is the main focus of Dutch foreign policy. Their country is full of interest, heritage and fun for the visitor.

Food and Drink in Netherlands

'Typical' Dutch food tends to be wholesome and hearty, rather than elegant. Large towns, however, have a wide range of restaurants specialising in international dish

es. Indonesian cuisine, a spicy legacy of Dutch colonisation in the East Indies, is particularly good in the Netherlands.

Regional specialities:

• A Dutch breakfast usually consists of fresh bread, cheese, cooked meats and sausage, butter and hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles), jam or honey and often a boiled egg. Lunch is generally similar.

• Broodjes (sandwiches) are a common daytime snack, served in the ubiquitous sandwich bars - broodjeswinkels.

• Poffertjes (pancakes) served with butter and sugar are a teatime favourite.

• Matjes (salted herring) is widely available from street stalls, and smoked eel is another seafood speciality.

• Holland is famous for its cheeses, among them the Gouda, Edam and Leiden varieties, also obtainable with flavourings such as caraway seed and cumin.Tipping:All hotels and restaurants include 15% service and VAT. It is customary to leave small change when paying a bill.

Hotels in Netherlands

Hotels:

The Netherlands has a wide range of accommodation, from luxury hotels in the big cities to modern motels along motorways and holiday villages in the

countryside.

Grading: The Netherlands Board of Tourism issues a shield to all approved hotels by which they can be recognised. Hotels are also graded according to the Benelux system, in which the standard is indicated by a row of stars from the highest (5-star plus) to the minimum (1-star).

Source: http://www.worldtravelguide.net

Travel To French

France is the most visited country in the world. It has everything that you could ever want to see on your holidays: a great city like Paris, good beaches, more monuments than any other country, lovely nature, incredible mountain scenery; need I go on? France is also a very pleasant place to stay. It has good food, great wines and people enjoy their lives. And the best thing is, maybe apart from Paris, living in France does not have to be expensive. The North of France consists of the flatlands around the town of Lille and the English Channel. This area will remind visitors in many ways of Belgium and the Netherlands. The Grand' Place in Lille for example is a lot like the one in Brussels.

Paris, the city of light and its surroundings are some of the most visited areas. Paris is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. With so much to see and do, renting one of the many Paris apartments is the perfect way to enjoy the city. Having the time to enjoy this fantastic location like a true Parisian is an unforgettable experience.
The West of France is facing towards the Atlantic Coast. In the north Normandy & Brittany have rolling hills, sandy beaches and quiet little harbour towns. Normandy & Brittany have a more rugged coast and many neolithic sites. It has quite a distinct atmosphere from the rest of the country; you can still sense the Celtic origin of the region in its inhabitants.

The eastern part of France consists of the Alsace, Lorraine, Franche Comté and Burgundy regions. The landscape has rolling hills and many beautiful cities, such as Metz, Strasbourg, Nancy and Dijon. This region produces many famous wines, including magnificent pinot noirs and chardonnays valued the world over, as well as the famous "Yellow wine" from the Jura mountain vineyard.

The Centre of France is in many ways the most quietest part of France. But the great treasure of this region is the Loire valley , with many great castles and beautiful towns. Chartres with its famous cathedral and Tours rates among the most beautiful French cities.

The Alps are great for skiing in winter and hiking in summer. Albertville, Grenoble and Chamonix have all hosted the Olympic games. But the Alps also have nice towns to visit, such as Chambéry, Annecy or Grenoble .

The South with its lovely nature, good food, Roman ruins and of course the Riviera which draws a lot of visitors every year. Towns like Orange, and Arles but also big cities like Marseille and Toulon are must sees. The Provence is dotted with pleasant small villages. In the South west of France the Dordogne is one of the most quintessential French regions. The valley is so pretty, the towns are so quaint and the food is so good, that it is hard to believe that the people who live here go somewhere else for their holidays. The Languedoc has its own language and culture. In the south of the Languedoc you find the Pyrenees, a great mountain range separating France from Spain, where you can hike and ski. The towns of Toulouse and Montpellier are nice and the medieval town of Carcassone is a top destination.

Bastille Day

The Bastille was a prison in Paris, known formally as Bastille Saint-Antoine, best known today because of the storming of the Bastille on July 14, 1789, which lead to the end of the country's monarchist rule and the establishment of a new French Republic. The event was commemorated one year later by the Fête de la Fédération and was declared a national holiday. Nowadays it's still a day of celebration for the French, and today the July Column and the Opéra Bastille are located in La Place de la Bastille.

Source: http://www.justfrance.org