Netherlands

Over the many years of researching and designing transport maps I have had the great opportunity and pleasure to visit the beautiful country of the Netherlands. Rich in variety – both in the kinds of towns and cities one can see and also the countryside. Often mistaken to be flat. Yes, in large parts of course it is. Even below sea level in many areas. There are also hills and some substantial dunes along the Western seaboard. Travelling by train throughout the country is made simple and comfortable with NS as the mainstay and also a number of private operators in some areas.

Along certain trunk routes – between Amsterdam and Utrecht and Amsterdam and Rotterdam / The Hague, for example, with almost 10 minute frequencies between services, this is a metro-style service delivered by a country operator. Possibly unheard of thus far.

With a great variety of towns and cities it is difficult to name a favourite. Amsterdam, of course, with its beautiful station as the arrival point and its unique Grand Cafe 1e Klass and its long-time inhabitant Elvis the cockatoo to keep you amazed and entertained.

An extensive network of trams and now two-line metro will take you to all the places you could wish to visit. More about that later.