Travel Packages All Inclusive from our Advisors
We recognize that vacations are not just an investment, but often the highlights of our lives, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to ensure you have the best vacation experience. Interested in a job in travel? Click here to learn: How to Become a Travel Agent
Categories: Aalsmeer
Categories: Alblasserdam
Categories: Alkmaar
Categories: Apeldoorn
Categories: Arnhem
Categories: Bergambacht
Categories: Bruinisse
Categories: Château Neercanne
Categories: Cuijk
Categories: Delft
Categories: Delfzijl
Categories: Delta Works
Categories: Deltawerken
Categories: Den Helder
Categories: Deventer
Categories: Dordrecht
Categories: Enkhuizen
Categories: Epe
Categories: Flevoland
Categories: Friesland
Categories: Giethorn
Categories: Gorinchem
Categories: Gouda
Categories: Groesbeek
Categories: Groningen
Categories: Haarlem
Categories: Haarzuilens
Categories: Harlingen
Categories: Hellevoetsluis
Categories: Het Loo
Categories: Heusden
Categories: Holland
Categories: Hoorn
Categories: Huizen
Categories: IJssel River
Categories: Ijsselmeer
Categories: Kampen
Categories: Keukenhof
Categories: Kinderdijk
Categories: Kroller-Muller Museum
Categories: Kröller-Müller Museum Hoge Veluwe
Categories: Kruiningen
Categories: Leiden
Categories: Lek River
Categories: Lisse
Categories: Maastricht
Categories: Makkum
Categories: Middelburg
Categories: Netherlands American Cemetery Margraten
Categories: Nijmegen
Categories: North Sea Canal
Categories: North Sea Channel
Categories: Nuenen
Categories: Oosterbeek
Categories: Oosterschelde
Categories: Ouwerkerk
Categories: Reichsburg
Categories: Rotterdam
Categories: Santpoort
Categories: Scheveningen
Categories: Schoonhoven
Categories: 's-Hertogenbosch
Categories: Staphorst
Categories: Terneuzen
Categories: The Hague
Categories: Tiel
Categories: Utrecht
Categories: Veere
Categories: Venlo
Categories: Villssingen
Categories: Vlissingen
Categories: Volendam
Categories: Wadden Islands
Categories: Walcheren
Categories: West Frisian Islands
Categories: Wijk bij Duurstede
Categories: Woerden
Categories: Zeeland
Categories: Zutphen
If you think of the Netherlands solely as a tranquil still life by Vermeer, you may be in for a surprise. Much of its countryside—with cows grazing in fields near canals and old windmills—does suggest the timeless serenity captured by so many Dutch painters, but in its cities you'll find a more unexpected sort of harmony—one that balances tidy traditional architecture with a very modern point of view.
Amsterdam, for example, has lovely gabled houses, priceless paintings and cheery, multilingual people. It also has coffee shops selling cannabis and window prostitutes touting their wares. The Dutch are nothing if not practical about sensual needs and desires, and the Netherlands is as well-known for its tolerance as for its tulips.
The Netherlands' broad and urbane tastes stem from its history as one of Europe's major trade and transportation centers. The present-day Netherlands didn't become a formidable power until the late 16th century, when Dutch explorers and merchants brought back valuable commodities from around the world and greatly increased the nation's wealth. The Dutch East India Company established a network of trade that included western Africa, the Cape of Good Hope (in present-day South Africa), India and the Spice Islands (in present-day Indonesia). Buoyed by its wealth and status, the Netherlands experienced a Golden Age (1580-1740) during which the arts flourished. Such extraordinary painters as Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals enjoyed the bounty of their country's heyday.
The Netherlands' status as a world power began to erode in the late 18th century and finally came to an end when the French invaded in 1795. After Napoleon's collapse in 1814, the Netherlands united with Belgium and Luxembourg to form the Kingdom of the Netherlands, although Belgium and Luxembourg later separated from the union and became independent. The Dutch remained neutral through many European conflicts, but they couldn't avoid World War II: Germany bombed Rotterdam to ashes in 1940 and occupied the country for the next five years. Dutch Jews were especially devastated, even by the Holocaust's cruel standards: Less than 20% survived the war.
After the war, the Netherlands emerged as one of the most socially progressive countries in Europe, passing laws to protect the homeless, and legalizing gay marriage, euthanasia and the use of some recreational drugs. As part of a recent and controversial law designed to help immigrants integrate into Dutch society, Dutch language classes are now mandatory for most newcomers. The Netherlands is a member of the European Union and home of the United Nations' International Court.
The Netherlands' main attractions include museums, historical sites, contemporary culture, Amsterdam, windmills, cheese, dikes, shopping, tulips and other flowers, castles and palaces, art, bicycling, cruises on canals, festivals and diamonds.
The Netherlands' appeal is universal, and ultratolerant Amsterdam is especially attractive to young people. But don't go looking for mountains or good beaches (there are far better stretches of sand elsewhere in Europe).
On 1 January 1986, the Netherlands officially got bigger, not by annexing land from its neighbors, but by actually growing. New land was reclaimed from the sea in one of the country's largest hydraulic engineering projects in the 20th century. The land was used for the 12th and newest province of Flevoland.
In 1670, the Dutch traded New Amsterdam—it's called New York City today—to the British for Suriname.
The Amsterdam Hilton was the site of John Lennon's and Yoko Ono's 1969 "Bed-In for Peace." The couple checked into one of the hotel's suites, removed all of the furniture except for the bed and then called a press conference protesting the Vietnam War. The room is now a luxury suite with decorations that memorialize the event.
Confused about the capital of the Netherlands? Amsterdam is the official capital, but the queen, the Parliament and most of the ministries reside and work in The Hague, the seat of government. Most foreign embassies are located there as well.
The tulip actually arrived from Turkey in the 17th century.
A country that is about the size of the U.S. state of Maryland, the Netherlands boasts a disproportionate amount of world-class art. There are more than 1,000 museums in the country, 50 in Amsterdam alone, exhibiting the works of some of the most famous artists in history.
You may notice what appear to be rearview mirrors outside canal-house windows. The mirrors allow residents to see who is knocking on the front door before they climb down the steep staircases.
Most canal houses had to be the same width, so the only way for their owners to distinguish their homes (and show their wealth) was to add a gable to the roofline. Some of the more popular types and shapes you'll see are bell, step and French gables.
Flooding is extensively used for security purposes; some 80% of the Netherlands' gold is kept below canal level so it can be flooded if thieves threaten.
If a car rolls into a canal, there's a hefty fee for pulling it out. If a person is in the car, however, there's no charge because it's a rescue mission. People have been known to jump into their cars as they roll toward a canal.
The population of the Netherlands is the tallest in the world, with an average height of 6 ft/1.83 m for adult males and 5 ft 7 in/1.7 m for adult females. The average American is 2.5 in/6.5 cm shorter than the average Dutchie.
Vincent Vacations - Authorized Netherlands Vacation Planner
Questions? Call us at
1 (888) 883-0460
For Groups of 10
or more rooms, or 8 or more Cabins, please use of Group Form
Click Here for our Group Department
Vincent Vacations is an award winning travel agency. We serve clients all over the US.
Learn more about:
How to become a travel agent!
We are an IATAN, CLIA, ASTA, IATA Accrediated Travel Agency
See all awards & certificates.
3/12Europe’s rail system is often regarded as one of the most efficient, extensive, and scenic in the world. Whether you’re planning to travel between cities, explore charming towns, or take in the breath...
Read more
7/17Summary Tips of our anniversary trip to Ireland, Netherlands, & Belgium *Do pay for an upgrade in seats if you are able to. This makes a long flights more bearable *Do make the first d...
Read more
2/10If you thought that travel is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, think again. Air traffic is about 70% of pre-pandemic levels globally and tourism has rebounded with travelers regaining t...
Read more
7/28Holland and Belgium River Cruise… Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go on a European river cruise? I had a preconceived notion thinking this was an old person’s vacation. Although r...
Read moreClick on a location below to learn more. We recognize that vacations are not just an investment, but often the highlights of our lives, and we take that responsibility seriously. We want to ensure you have the best experience.
All of these are signs that you are a great fit to become an independent travel agent, and turn your love of travel from passion into profit!
Learn MoreOur motto at Vincent Vacations is, we go so you know! We want to ensure you have the BEST experience, whether it's a river cruise, or a corporate group incentive trip, we want to ensure your vacation is a success.
Many of our travel agents have been in travel since 2002! With Vincent Vacations, all travel components are taken care of - this includes accommodations, air, transfers, tours, activities, insurance, contracts, EVERYTHING.
Destination weddings, Anniversaries, vow renewals, honeymoons, engagements, elopements, retie the knot, babymoons, proposal trips and more
Corporate group retreats and incentive trips, seniors-only river cruises, friends & family getaways, special group anniversary celebrations and more
All-inclusive resorts, Hawaii, cruises, Europe, African Safaris, exotic Fiji and the islands, there are so many travel options for families
Adventures by Disney, Disney Cruise Lines, Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Resorts, Aulani, Universal, MyDisneyExperience, Disney Genie, characters dining, and more
We know Europe! Paris, London, Rome, Florence, Barcelona, Swiss Alps, Prague, Amsterdam, Venice, Athens, Vienna, Madrid, let's go!
Ocean cruising, river cruising, yacht charters, expeditions, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Viking, Lindblad, there are so many options when it comes to cruising
We create custom travel itineraries and trips, and we know travel - Whether it's Universal, river cruises, safaris, yacht charters, Australia, Thailand and more!
Get A Free QuoteWe serve customers all across the USA
Debt free and in business since 2013. Vincent Vacations has agents in Dallas, Kansas City, Houston, Shreveport, Little Rock, Roswell, Oklahoma City and more locations.
Travel agents can help save time and stress by doing the research and handling all your bookings for you. An experience travel agent is best at finding great deals and packages, as well as providing you with helpful information and tips. They can also help you plan special activities and experiences that you may not have thought of on your own. All in all, using a travel agent can be a great way to make sure you get the most out of your trip.
In travel since 2002, and in business since 2013, our travel team serves clients all over the US! Planning a vacation away from home takes a great team. We have taken the time to build a team of dedicated, smart, hard-working personnel who are each committed to excellence and service. We work side-by-side, creating and ensuring INCREDIBLE vacation experiences for you and your group. Our store front in-office team, and our travel consultant independent contractors, work all around the US.
In business since 2013, we are your #1 source for travel!
Free Vacation Package Quote
