The Netherlands unfurls like a living watercolor—an exquisite interplay of radiant tulip fields, shimmering canals, and stately gabled mansions that whisper stories of a golden age. Here, elegance is not an indulgence but a way of life: from the gentle glide of boats beneath Amsterdam’s arched bridges to the quiet grandeur of royal palaces and world-class museums where masterpieces by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh glow beneath soft gallery lights. The air carries a sense of refined calm, as if the entire country were composed with an artist’s deliberate, delicate brush. Every cobblestone, every windmill turning languidly against the northern sky, every elegant boutique and riverside café creates a tableau of understated luxury.
Beyond its beauty lies a land where sophistication and simplicity intertwine seamlessly. Michelin-starred dining rooms coexist with heritage cheese markets, avant-garde design districts flourish beside medieval town squares. In the Netherlands, even the everyday feels elevated—whether you are cycling along serene dike paths bordered by emerald meadows or drifting through Delft and Utrecht, where candlelit evenings unfold beside tranquil waterways. The country invites you into a world crafted with precision, culture, and effortless charm, leaving you wrapped in a feeling of refined serenity long after you depart.
The Netherlands is a country that invites you to slow your pace and surrender to its gentle charm, where the simple act of moving through its landscapes feels like a privilege. Here, bicycles glide gracefully along silken paths, uninterrupted by haste or chaos, allowing travellers to experience the country as the Dutch do—harmoniously, thoughtfully, and close to nature. Tulip fields blush beneath the northern sun, museums cradle centuries of artistic genius, and intimate cafés spill the comforting aroma of fresh brews into cobbled lanes. From its celebrated cheese boutiques to its serene beaches, every corner of the Netherlands feels curated for delight.
Wanderers are equally rewarded on foot, for the Netherlands reveals its most poetic details at a walking pace. Meander through its national parks, where quiet trails invite birdwatchers and dreamers alike, or lose yourself in the ethereal blooms of the legendary Garden of Europe. The historic windmills of Kinderdijk rise like sentinels of time, their silhouettes mirrored in still waters—an enchanting UNESCO-listed marvel. Cheese farms offer indulgent tastings, while those who prefer simpler pleasures will find bliss in crisp, golden “patat,” the Dutch homage to the beloved fry.
Families find a world drenched in whimsy and imagination. Children and adults alike are dazzled by the timeless enchantment of De Efteling, where folklore and fantasy take shape in evergreen forests. Then there is Madurodam, a mesmerising miniature city that condenses the spirit, architecture, and stories of the Netherlands into an interactive, captivating wonderland. These experiences, among many others, can be woven seamlessly into a bespoke Netherlands holiday crafted by Flying Squirrel Holidays.
In the Netherlands, every season brings its own palette of enchantment, yet the country is at its most mesmerising from April to October. Spring, from April to May, unfurls endless carpets of tulips and blossoms, transforming fields into living paintings. Summer, stretching from June to August, bathes canals and coastlines in golden light, perfect for leisurely bike rides and alfresco evenings. As September and October arrive, autumn drapes cities in warm amber tones, offering a quieter, richly atmospheric charm. Whenever you choose to venture here, the Netherlands greets you with a season that feels tailored to your desires.
Travellers from the UAE enjoy effortless access to the Netherlands, with direct flights connecting major emirates to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport—one of Europe’s most refined and well-connected gateways. The journey is seamless and swift, and from Amsterdam, the country opens like a beautifully bound book. High-speed trains, scenic routes, and immaculate public transport ensure that every destination—be it a tulip field, a medieval town, or a modern design enclave—is easily within reach.
For UAE Nationals, visiting the Netherlands is beautifully straightforward, as Emirati passport holders can enter the country visa-free for short stays. UAE Residents of other nationalities may require a Schengen visa, which is commonly processed through the Netherlands’ official visa centres. The procedure is organised and efficient, making it easy for travellers to step into a world of Dutch elegance whenever they desire.
Dubbed often as the Venice of North, Amsterdam is dotted with canals crisscrossing the city. They say that the best way to explore the city is via a boat or a cycle, both of which have the option of a tour with a guide. Three main canals run through the city, Herengracht or the Gentleman's canal, Keizersgracht or the Emperor’s canal, and the Prinsengracht or the Prince’s canal. It takes around 75 minutes at most to explore the city via the canal route.
Aside from the beautiful canal rides, Amsterdam is home to two renowned museums, valor immortalized in time, the house of Anne Frank with the annex, converted into the Anne Frank Museum in the 1960s, and the Van Gogh Museum, housing perhaps one of the largest collections of Van Gogh’s paintings.
Rotterdam is the second biggest city and the “Architecture Capital” of the Netherlands. During WWII the city center had been turned into rubble, being the prime target for the German bombs, but it has risen from the ashes to now celebrate the best in art and architecture. Here you will find world-famous Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas’ De Rotterdam (The Rotterdam), the three-linked towers on the Rotterdam waterfront, the famous Rotterdam Cube Houses, a quirky architectural gem, the Kunsthal or the Art Hall, designed by the famous Koolhas that hosts temporary exhibitions displaying artworks and installations. Besides architecture, Rotterdam has a thriving nightlife and shopping centers, and great food culture. The perfect place to visit for some mouth-watering food and architecture would be the Market hall. With a horseshoe-like appearance of the roof and the various colors sewn across the tiles, one can easily spend hours altogether in this spot.
This is an interactive city in the Scheveningen district of The Hague in the Netherlands. This is the perfect place to discover all that makes Holland so unique – this includes the canal houses, flower-bulb fields, windmills, and cheese markets. The best thing about the city is that it is so interactive that you can try your hand here at loading containers on a cargo ship at the Port of Rotterdam, let an airplane take off from Schipol Airport, or buy a bunch of flowers from the flower markets. Visitors get a smartphone specifically for exploring the miniature city along with maps/guides. All the revenue that the city gets is donated to children in need. The park is open throughout the year usually at 09:00 am inwards.
Take a boat ride in the Venice of North and take in beautiful sights of Amsterdam
Bike to the museums of Van Gogh and Anne Frank
Visit the market hall to get a taste of exquisite local food as well as glimpses of the beautiful architecture
Visit the market hall to get a taste of exquisite local food as well as glimpses of the beautiful architecture
Visit the 15th-century church in Rotterdam to get a view at some of the old Gothic monolith like structures.
Explore the Netherlands National Park and bike through the scenic routes for some excellent photoshoot opportunities and epiphanies.
Visit the Efteling amusement park with your family
Visit the local cheese or chocolate making factory and take a few goodies back home with you.
Visit the Lindt factory
Covering over 55 square kilometers, this is among the largest national parks in the country. An enclosed and privately owned park, it is safe for people to ride a bike or hike through predetermined routes. Animals ranging from a rare type of sheep called mouflon to deer can be seen grazing the park alongside different kinds of birds.
For a park that spans over 55 square kilometers, it has quite a bit of range to it, from a rich dense forest area to dunes and lakes even. The park is tourist-friendly to the point that there are viewing stations available at multiple points along with a guide-map provided at the entrance.
For those that are not fond of biking or long walks, there is a cafe in the park to take a breather and have a good cup of tea. Bikes are given free-of-cost at the time of admission into the park, with special seater bikes for families with kids.
Apart from the wildlife that it boasts, the park is also home to Kroller-Muller Museum, an art gallery that contains 4,275 art pieces comprising drawings, paintings, and sculptures. Several were created by the likes of masters such as Van Gogh, Picasso, and Manet.
To fully grasp what you’re in for with the park, be sure to drop by the visitor center. It provides information on how to explore the area. In case you’re coming with kids, there’s a little something for them as well, ranging from special films to playgrounds.
Side note: There’s a zoo nearby called the Royal Burger’s zoo which houses more than 2,000 animals.
Being an hour away from Amsterdam one can choose to travel by car quite easily. But you can choose to cycle in if you’re coming in from Rotterdam, this way ensures you can take in the sights on the way which is renowned to be picturesque. If a cycle or car isn’t what you’re looking for, you can always access Kinderdijk by water, using a waterbus. Looking like something straight out of a windows wallpaper, the windmills against the backdrop of the scenic landscape is something to look out for.
Part of the UNESCO world heritage site, Kinderdijk consists of a total of 19 windmills which were built during the 18th century to fend off the chances of a flood and for better water management. You can observe how the Dutch have mastered the way of utilizing water and managing it here as well. You can learn more about this at the three museums present in the area, Museummolens which explains the operations behind the windmills on multi-screens.
Subject to many Bollywood films over the years, Garden of Europe has the largest collection of flowers in the world, boasting a count of over seven million flower bulbs over 79 acres of land. Considered to be a photographer’s paradise, this is an essential part of a Netherlands tour package, representing the city of Amsterdam.
The garden as we know it today was officially opened during the 1940s. It is usually open for a few weeks a year, from March till May. Restaurants serving a multitude of Dutch cuisines are available in the area, serving waffles to smoked sausage. WIFI is freely available in the garden, and so are ample spots to relax at.
A theme park based on four themes of fantasy, this is a must-visit. Fun for an individual or even for the whole family, the park has a lot to offer. One of the oldest and biggest theme parks, it has an assortment of roller coasters plus rides that would be enough to keep you entertained for a few days.
You can explore the park in multiple ways and it's not just restricted to walking. You can explore it on a boat or even a train. Explore the adventure realms that contain haunted houses to roller coasters or take a walk through the fairy forest. If you feel like you've run out of energy to explore, rest in one of the many restaurants in the park. You can also stay at one of the hotels nearby that are very much in tune with the theme of the park.
Day 1
Welcome to Amsterdam! Our assigned guide will be there at the Amsterdam airport to welcome you. You will be taken to your hotel to check-in and relax for the afternoon. Taste the local fare and get ready for a private sightseeing tour of the canals Amsterdam for the afternoon and evening. You will be taken to one of the local cafes to have a nice warm cup of hot chocolate or tea to freshen up a little after which you will be dropped back off at the resort.
Day 2
Bike tour to the museums Grab a non-disposable bottle of water and a tiny towel. You will be given a rental bike to use along with the guide, you can opt for the non-bike option as well. The museums of Anne Frank and Van Gogh are quite close to each other and after a great day of exploring art and history, you can stop at a café for a drink.
Day 3
Visit the Kinderdijk windmills You will be taken to Kinderdijk on a train which should take about an hour and 50 minutes to reach. You will love the sights of the Dutch countryside. Once at Kinderdijk, take a tour of the museum there as well as the windmills themselves. Take a break and visit the bakery nearby which specializes in Dutch waffles and smoked sausages. Once the tour is done with, you will be taken back to the resort to unwind and explore the main city out of your own accord or with the guide.Day 4
Visit the miniature city of Madurodam and have fun at the amusement park Take an hour or two to explore the city of Madurodam. Interact and learn about the local history as well as some of the major landmarks of the Netherlands here.Day 5
Visit Keukenhof, the Garden of Europe in Lisse. This is the worlds largest flower garden. This popular attraction features more than 7 million flower bulbs, which are planted in the garden each year over 32 hectares of land. Take in the beautiful sights of rows of tulip fields and even other flowers depending upon the season you visit. You will be taken to Rotterdam after this where you can explore the gothic churches as well as the market hall. Famous structures such as the cubic houses and the likes can be observed as well.Day 6
Explore Amsterdam. You have this day to explore the city of Amsterdam as you wish. Do some shopping and just walk around.Day 7
Say goodbye to the Netherlands Bid adieu to your guide. You will be taken back to Amsterdam airport with a bag of goodies and hopefully a bunch of good memories as well.Please email me a copy of the sample itinerary
How can I go to the Netherlands from UAE?
Direct flights are available to major destinations like Amsterdam, with average flight durations of 7 hours.
What is the Netherlands famous for?
The Netherlands is famous for several things: cheese, chocolates, wooden shoes, tulips and windmills.
What is Netherlands' famous food?
The Netherlands is famous for the Dutch Stroopwafel (waffle/pastry), Kroket (deep-fried meat roll), Kaas (Cheese), Patat (Dutch version of French fries), and of course the world-famous Lindt chocolate.
Do UAE travellers need a visa for the Netherlands?
UAE Citizens do not need a visa for short stays in the Netherlands or other Schengen countries (up to 90 days within a 180-day period)
For UAE Residents (Non-Citizens), a Schengen visa is required. Applications must be submitted through VFS Global centers in Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
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