The Netherlands is a small and easy to travel in country. The locals are friendly and speak excellent English. They are very liberal and believe that people should be free to do whatever they want as far as it does not inconvenience others. The country is lively with the towns surrounded by canals and castle walls. Painting has always been high on the local arts agenda. The Netherlands achieved its independence on 23 January 1579. One of the main events held is Elfstedentocht which means Eleven Cities Race in January. It is a 200km skating marathon through the countryside of Fiesland.It was last held in 1997. The other event of the country includes Carnaval in February, Queen’s Day in April, Holland Festival in June and The Hague’s North Sea Jazz Festival in July. Carnaval is celebrated with people wearing silly costumes. In Queen’s Day, a huge party is organised in Amsterdam. The Hague’s North Sea Jazz Festival each July is the world’s biggest jazz junket. Christmas Day is celebrated for two days on 25 and 26 December.

The attractions of the country are Amsterdam, Hoge Veluwe, Maastricht and The Randstad. Amsterdam is one of the world’s best cities worth visiting. It has graceful bridges, eccentric churches, the air laden with carillon chimes. Hoge Veluwe is the country’s largest national park alongwith the wonderful Kröller-Müller Museum. The park itself covers 5500 hectares. It is a strange mix of forests and woods, shifting sands and heath moors where red deer, wild boar and mouflon - a Mediterranean sheep roam around. The Kröller-Müller Museum has 278 works by Van Gogh, as well as Picasso and Mondrian. Maastricht is the oldest town. Its history stretches back to 50 BC. The Keukenhof is the world’s largest garden. The Netherlands

cuisine mainly includes dairy products and sweet snacks. The national fast food is Patat which means chips served with mayonnaise. Beer is the staple drink.