Holland Anyone??

BernadetteN

C_Ronaldo wrote: »

Can i just ask why not to rely on credit cards in holland

They are not as widely used in the Netherlands as they are in the UK. I would use a Nationwide debit card for cash withdrawals, in case you can't use your credit card.

hm71_2

I am visiting Scheveningen tomorrow with my football team as we are taking part in a tournament on Saturday-this will be our first visit to Holland with this team and we are really looking forward to it. having a night out in Amsterdam on Friday- so be back Monday to tell you what we thought.

gingerdad

Were off to center parcs in the summer in the Netherlands, have friends in the Hague i have never had any issues with credit cards in the Netherlands, and been a number of time, though do carryboth mastercard and visa because some only accept one.

The only issue i have had is in the 24 pertrol pumps.

We are going to france for a week and then up to the Netherlands for a week can't wait

Regards

GD

Gavioli_UK

Credit cards are not quite as widely accepted in Holland as in the UK, so it is best to check before assumung you can pay by them.

Many railway stations do not have a ticket office, and you can only use a Maestro debit card to get tickets. If you do use a ticket office there is a small extra charge. If you board a train without a ticket there is a 35Euro fine - with no exceptions.

rtw123

Thanks for the advice BernadetteN, sounds like there's a lot going on to keep the kids occupied.

Mrs7ones, glad you had a good holiday - we go this Friday and we can't wait!!!

However, I have a couple of concerns at the moment:

- the car journey from Manchester to Dover, especially the jouney on the M25

- my maestro card was swallowed by the ATM yesterday so have only got a credit card to take with me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Will be going to the branch on Friday (payday) to draw out rest of holiday money, but worried about running out of cash and only having a credit card as a back up as heard a few reports about problems using them in Holland?

RTW123

hm71_2

Arrived back from Scheveningen yesterday and what a holiday- considering I was accompanied by a squad of under 17s we had a fab time! can't recommend this resort more, lots of restaurants to choose from- not sure of its suitability for youngsters but duinrell is just up the road. People were all incredibly friendly and although I had a smattering of dutch did not have to use it as on the whole every one spoke excellent english.

Marsh_Samphire

I go to Holland at least twice a year (Mum's Dutch and all my relations are there) and was just there for 2 weeks at the beginning of May. Food in supermarkets is noticeably cheaper than here. C1000 is good, you'll find pretty much anything you need, but you won't find aisles full of ready meals as in UK supermarkets, although I have noticed more of them in recent years. The fresh meat and veg is all lovely so we always cook from scratch anyway. Prices are (depending on Euro/£ exchange) 75% to 80% of UK prices. If you smoke (give up!) prices in Lidl & Aldi are very good and their smoking ban in cafes and restaurants is not fully in force yet, I think it comes in sometime in the summer, so look for a non smoking area for your children. Watch out for speed limits and speed cameras if driving, they are not as easily spotted as ours. Eating out is much better value than in the UK, and many places will have english menus available too. If you want to have a nice meal out, we like the Van De Valk chain of hotels, their restaurants and food are good value and they have good childrens menus too. I'm sure you'll have a great time!

Marsh_Samphire

Re: credit cards, they are not accepted as much in Holland. If you run out of Euros you will be able to use your credit card at cashpoints, but that won't be very money saving.

yorkie3761

C_Ronaldo wrote: »

Can i just ask why not to rely on credit cards in holland

There generally isn't a problem with credit cards in the major cities such as Amsterdam, but away from the large cities you could have problems. Dutch Railways won't accept credit cards in Amsterdam, but will take them at Schiphol.

yorkie3761

Gavioli_UK wrote: »

Arnhem may be worth a visit Have a look at these sites to see if it interests your family:-
http://www.openairmuseum.nl/
http://burgerszoo.nl.colo2.netmasters06.netmasters.nl/

Public transport in Holland is the very best and very cheap compared with the UK. It is best to get a "strippenkarte" (can't find the link at the moment but ask at the tourist office, and I am sure the camp site will have details) before travel on buses and trams. Otherwise buy tickets from driver or conductor on trams, although much more expensive than strippenkarte.

Rail travel is unbeleiveabley fast and reliable and cheap walk on services (unlike the UK). The children will want to travel on the double decker trains. The only problem with rail travel is that you MUST board the train with a ticket, or face a large fine. Only the larger stations have a booking office. Other stations have ticket machines that ONLY take Maestro debit cards - no credit cards. I think there are famiky tickets, and offers on group travel from time to time.

Agree rail travel in Holland is excellent but do make sure you get the right train. The front and rear of trains quite often split and depart to different places at certain stations. They usually have an indicator on each coach giving its final destination. Make sure you know the final destination of the train you want