If you get a chance to visit The Netherlands go outside Amsterdam. Even though it has much to offer, including beautiful museums, we all know that most people come to spend some time in the red light district and inside coffee shops to smoke. Nevertheless, people sometimes do not know that both prostitution and smoking marihuana is legal in the entire country. Therefore, if you want to escape the most traveled path go outside Amsterdam and get away from the tourist focused Amsterdam. Beautiful medieval cities are Den Bosch (a.k.a. 's Hertogenbosch), Groningen en Maastricht scattered around the country. Another beautiful, though smaller city is Leiden which is worth a day trip as well. When you plan to stay for a bit longer than a few days a 'voordeelurenkaart' voor public transport is advisable. It gives you a 40% discount on all trains in the Netherlands outside rush hours. When traveling inside the Netherlands please use the trains; roads tend to clutter tremendously and will cost you several hours a day which can be spend more wisely. Trains go everywhere, are reliable, and safe (also during the night). Night trains between the major cities also go frequently.

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posted @ 6/9/2006 4:26:35 PM