Netherlands - Prepare

Bring walking shoes for the cities, ice skates in winter, and don't worry too much about the language - almost everyone understands English, although learning the odd phrase will quickly make you friends.

Party on the streets in an orange outfit on Queen's Day (end of Apr) and join the multi-ethnic Rotterdam Carnival in late July. Take to the water during Sneek Week (Aug), a week-long sailing festival in the northern town of Sneek. Leave a carrot by the fireplace on 5 December for Sinterklaas, also known as St Nicholas. Play board games in a Dutch home on New Year's Eve, before going out at midnight to let off fireworks.

New Year's Day, Good Friday (Mar/Apr), Easter Monday (Mar/Apr), Queen's Day (29/30 Apr), Remembrance/Liberation Day (4/5 May), Ascension Day (40 days after Easter), Pentecost (7 weeks after Easter), Christmas Day (25 Dec), Boxing Day (26 Dec).

The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate with cool winters (average 8ºC) and mild summers (average 18ºC). Being a flat country, changes can sweep through rapidly. In winter, big freezes are not uncommon, and this is a good time to go ice-skating in the countryside.

220V AC, 50Hz, two-pin plugs are standard.

+31 (national).

Euro (€) is the currency.

GMT +1 (GMT +2 in summer).

Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions website

When you go to the toilet in a bar, club or large restaurant, you'll often find a surly old woman sitting by a table at the entrance, usually knitting. Always put some change (at least 50 cents) in her saucer. The tip is not optional. If you don't pay, you'll wish you had.