Documents
To travel to the Netherlands you will need the following documents.
Driving:
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Speed limits:
In urban areas: 50km/h
Outside the village: 80km/h
Freeway: 100km/h
Highways: 120 to 130 km/h depending on the road.
On some roads the speed limit can be determined by means of the visible center line. If it is a double white line then the speed limit is 80km / h. If there is a green line between the 2 white lines then the speed limit is 100km / h.
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In the Netherlands you are allowed to drive after drinking 2 glasses of beer or 1 glass of wine. The allowable alcohol limit is 0.5 %. For beginning drivers it is 0.2 %.
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You are required to have a warning triangle in your car. For your own safety, it is also wise to have a fluorescent safety vest with you at all times.
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In the Netherlands there are a lot of cyclists, especially in the city. In many places there are separate bike paths beside the road, but there are also bicycle paths on the road. These are identified by a red pavement containing the symbol of a bicycle.
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On some roads the speed limit can be determined by means of the visible center line. If it is a double white line then the speed limit is 80km / h. If there is a green line between the 2 white lines then the speed limit is 100km / h.
If you want to take your faithful friend to the Netherlands you must consider the following points.
Pets must have a European pet passport which states which vaccinations your pet has had.
Pets must be identifiable by means of a chip (since July 1, 2011 a tattoo is no longer sufficient)
In the Netherlands your pet must at least be vaccinated against the following diseases:
Make sure that your pet has been wormed prior to departure.
Plan ahead and contact your vet for vaccinations and a pet passport.
For more information, please visit the website: http://www.dogsincluded.nl/invoer/nederland.htm
To go on holiday in the Netherlands with your pet is not difficult. You do not need to meet special conditions. However, we advise you to bring a pet passport. In this case, if anything happens with your pet and you need to visit a vet, there will be no problems.
When you go on holiday to a different country, it almost always means that you will encounter a different language. Therefore we’d like to introduce you to the conversation basics. It’s always appreciated if you know a few words in the foreign language.
Dutch has some difficult sounds and some are pronounced in the back of your throat. You can use the pronunciation of the vowels and letters below with the pronunciation in brackets behind the words.
a - is a British “a” like in can’t
aa - is a longer and more open “a”, like the last a in area
au - is like “ouch” without the ch
e - is an American “a” like in the word can
ee - is a long American “a” like in the word cane
eu - as the first “e” in nerve
g - pronounced in the back of your throat, as if clearing it
i - is the “i” in hint
ie - is “ee” in Greece
ei or ij - English doesn’t have this sound but an “ai” as in five is closest.
o - is the “o” like the first o in hollow
oe - as the “oo” in good
oo - is a longer more open “o” as in locomotive
ou - as in ouch without the ch or as in house
r - pronounced in the back of your throat, as if clearing it
u - as the “u” in blunt, within a word. In other forms it is pronounced "uu"
ui - there is no such vowel in English, ou like house is the closest
uu - is a sound that does not exist in English but the “u” in utopia, without the j that is pronounced before it, is the closest
Good Morning - Goedemorgen (goodemorgen)
Good Day - Goedendag (goodendag)
Good Evening - Goedenavond (goodenaavond)
Hello - Hallo (hallo)
Goodbye - Tot ziens (tot zeens)
Here you are/Please - Alstublieft (alstubleeft)
Thank you - Dank u wel (dank u well)
Sorry - Sorry
Supermarket - Supermarkt (supermarkt)
Bakery - Bakker
Butcher - Slager (slaager)
Restaurant - Restaurant
Apothecary - Apotheek (Apothake, with a long o like locomotive)
Hospital - Ziekenhuis - (zeekenhouse)
Doctor - Dokter (docter)
Dentist - Tandarts (tandarts)
Swimming pool - Zwembad (zwembad)
Beach - Strand (strand)
One - Eén (ane, like cane without the c)
Two - Twee (twa, with an a as in cane)
Three - Drie (dree)
Four - Vier (veer)
Five - Vijf (vaif)
Six - Zes (zas, American a)
Seven - Zeven (zaiven)
Eight - Acht (acht, British a)
Nine - Negen (naigen)
Ten - Tien (teen)
When you visit the Netherlands you will be dealing with another culture. The culture of a country is determined not only by the construction of its houses, clothes and language, but also by the mannerisms of the people, which may be quite different. In addition, body language is also very important. We hope to assist you in this by means of this bit of insight into the Dutch norms and values.
Dutch are known for their directness. If you ask a question you'll get an honest answer as they will tell it exactly like it is. With questions and comments you'll find that the Dutch don't beat around the bush.
Dutch are very focused on time. When they have an appointment they are more likely to arrive a few minutes early rather than too late. Arriving late is therefore disturbing.
The Netherlands is a beautiful country and the Dutch work hard to keep the streets and other areas clean. It is therefore desirable to properly dispose of any waste in the appropriate bins and do not throw anything on the streets or ground.
In shops and at the market everyone patiently waits his or her turn. There is not always a clearly distinguishable queue, so it is common that you take notice of who preceded you, then you will know when it is your turn.
In the Netherlands it is impolite if you pick up your phone when you are being helped in a shop or are at a counter.
If you want to visit someone, it is customary that you call first and ask if it is alright that you come. Just dropping in on someone is not common.
In the Netherlands there are generally fixed times for everything. Coffee time is around 11 am, tea time in the afternoon is around 3 pm, dinner is at 6 and evening coffee is at 8 pm. There are also certain times that you are expected when invited. Always take along a little something for the hostess.
During dinner is not a good time to call on people. Do not call or ring the doorbell around 6pm.
On Sundays, all shops are closed with the exception of shops in tourist areas and those that have a special permit to be open on Sundays. Supermarkets are generally closed on Sundays, but it is becoming increasingly common for some to remain open on Sundays.
If you bring a pet, you must be careful where you walk your pet. There are dog-walking areas but you must bring a pooper scooper. Your dog is not allowed to relieve itself on the street.