Liberation Day

📣 Traveler notes

The Netherlands is a modern European country known for its flat, reclaimed river delta landscape. It features picturesque villages, windmills, and tulip fields, alongside numerous historic and modern urban centers.

• During major international football tournaments, cities extensively decorate in orange and set up public viewing areas.
• Carnival celebrations, which take place before Lent, include parades and town festivities, primarily in the Southern Netherlands.
• King's Day (Koningsdag) is a major annual festival (April 27th or nearest Saturday); wearing orange is customary.
• The country is generally viewed as progressive and tolerant, particularly regarding LGBTQ+ rights.
• Dutch culture values directness and honesty, and confrontation is generally avoided. Avoid showing off personal wealth. Public displays of strong religious or nationalistic sentiment are often viewed with skepticism. Address the country as 'The Netherlands' rather than 'Holland'. Informal greetings include three alternating cheek-kisses, while formal greetings typically use a handshake.