Adventures in Holland usually begin one of its main cities:
Amsterdam, Holland's capital, and you'll appreciate the range of museums and quirky shops the city has to offer, as well as its status as one of Europe's most cycle-friendly cities.
Rotterdam is one of Holland's most beautiful cities. A former European Capital of Culture, its stunning architecture and vibrant live jazz cafés make it a popular destination with cultural explorers in Holland.
Similarly, choose to explore The Hague and you'll find a city with an energetic international atmosphere that is the toast of Holland, with a stunning town centre and some of Holland's most famous sculptures.
Holland's other cities also offer much to explore:
Eindhoven, for instance, is known as one of the centres of fashion, design and technology in Holland, and is also famous for its football team, PSV Eindhoven.
Maastricht is one of Holland's oldest cities: here, you can explore ancient caves and enjoy the peaceful countryside of South Limburg. And take a river cruise in Maastricht, for a fantastic way to explore the sights and sounds of this beautiful town.
Visit the friendly city of Utrecht in Holland, and you'll be rewarded with a unique experience. Explore the 112 metre high Dom Tower and enjoy Dick Bruna Huis, a new museum dedicated to Bruna's 'Miffy' character.
The historic Dutch city of Delft is also popular with visitors to Holland; explore Delft's old market square and its traditional Dutch cafes for a taste of authentic Dutch culture in Holland.
Amsterdam is a special city with absolutely unique atmosphere attracting lots of visitors yearly. Its tolerance to light drugs and prostitution made it a popular destination among tourists from all over the world. The government’s policy probably is "Allow it so you can control and regulate it”.
The authorities were smart enough to realize that it was impossible to enforce the law in the area of what is called now the Red Light District. So an unofficial policy of tolerating this business was adopted. As long as the women worked inside they could do their business, they made potential customers aware of their presence through a small opening between the curtains. As the years went by the curtains opened more and more. The lights inside the rooms are red because women look at their best then - and because historically red lights have always been used to show potential customers where the action is. In the year 2000 prostitution was legalized. The main objective of this law is to prevent forced prostitution and exploitation of women.
Those of you, wanting to experience the adult Amsterdam, should of course visit it. The best time to visit is after dark, when the red lights create a special atmosphere. The girls stand behind red glass doors, dressed in fancy underwear, trying to attract the attention of passers-by. When men see a girl they like, they knock on her door, she opens it and they shortly negotiate on the price and other stuff. If they agree, the man enters, and the door and curtain close.
The Red Light District in Amsterdam is located in the heart of the oldest part of Amsterdam, covering several blocks south of the church Oude Kerk and crossed by several canals. The red light district is a network of alleys containing a little less than three hundred tiny one-room cabins rented by female prostitutes who offer their services from behind a window or glass door. The area also has a number of sex shops, sex theatres, peep shows, a sex museum, a cannabis museum and a number of coffee shops that sell marijuana.
So, whatever part of Holland you're keen to explore, travel via ferry to Holland and you're guaranteed to have a great holiday - as well as a great trip there and back!
