This is the perfect time of year to write a post about Oliebollen or literally translated in to English - oil balls! These are best described as ‘Dutch doughnuts’ and are traditional eaten on New Year’s Eve. Basically they are a type of batter with raisins fried in oil and sprinkled with powdered sugar. A fabulous way to welcome in the New Year I think! It is nice to think that when you are eating an oliebol there is a sense of continuity with past Dutch generations – as these Dutch delights have been eaten for centuries here in Holland! Here is a painting from 1652 by the Dutch painter Aelbert Cuyp showing these treats back then they were known as ‘oliekoek' (oil cake -the old name for oilebollen) and look pretty similar to today’s oliebollen! They have also been mentioned in the 1667 Dutch cook book 'De verstandige kock' or  'The smart/responsible cook'.   So what are you waiting for – try some today! The branded 'K

Public transport service shops in the larger stations across The Netherlands offer customer service and a real person to talk to regarding your tickets and other train/public transport queries. In these offices you can check train times from the self service tablets, print your tickets, buy tickets or get help from staff. Perfect for those who are a little lost, need assistance or just have a question.  In bigger stations they offer international train advise these days they only stay open until 21.00 on weekdays and sometimes earlier on Sundays but you can find exact opening hours here

Back ground music for your train travels. What are your top train songs? https://harpers.org/2014/06/the-twenty-three-best-train-songs-ever-written-maybe/

NS (the Dutch Railways) promote a travel card called the Amsterdam Travel Ticket .  I have recent seen it promoted at Schiphol Amsterdam Airport.  For €17 you can get: 2nd class travel from Schiphol Airport to any station in Amsterdam (see stations below) travel on trams, buses, night buses, metro and GVB ferries also valid on the Amsterdam Airport Express (397) and Nitliner (N97) bus Advantages  It is great to have a one card for everything instead of having to buy each ticket along the way. So ease of use is the main advantage. It can be busy on public transport around Amsterdam and it is nice to have one card to scan in and out ( check in and out ) and not worry about having to buy each ticket along the way Disadvantage Given that a single ticket from Schiphol to Amsterdam Central for only €4.30 (€8.60 return) unless you plan to spend more than €10 on buses/trams and ferry travel in one day it is cheaper to pay as you go! If you are coming and going to the airpo

The train trip from from Amsterdam to London rivals air travel any day. Easter 2018 will also see the introduction of a direct service from London to Amsterdam which will make the whole trip shorter and much easier. At the moment the non direct route can take 5-7 hours hours depending on the trains you choose to travel with. 1. Amsterdam Centrall to Brussels Midi 2.Brussels Midi- London St Pancras 1. Amsterdam-Brussels  You can choose to travel with a high speed Thalys train direct on this route. This will have you in Brussels Midi in under 2 hours (1.51 hours). This train however can be quite expensive if not booked in advance. Unless I can find a deal with the Thalys train I usually take the regular cheaper regional train. This is a longer journey (2.50 hours) and sometimes can travel via Rotterdam (and possible Roosendaal and Antwerp too). Remember the station name Brussels Midi means Brussels South in English and it is called Brussels Zuid in Dutch. Don't get confus

The train trip from from Amsterdam to London rivals air travel any day. Easter 2018 will also see the introduction of a direct service from London to Amsterdam which will make the whole trip shorter and much easier. At the moment the non direct route can take 5-7 hours hours depending on the trains you choose to travel with. 1. Amsterdam Centrall to Brussels Midi 2.Brussels Midi- London St Pancras 1. Amsterdam-Brussels  You can choose to travel with a high speed Thalys train direct on this route. This will have you in Brussels Midi in under 2 hours (1.51 hours). This train however can be quite expensive if not booked in advance. Unless I can find a deal with the Thalys train I usually take the regular cheaper regional train. This is a longer journey (2.50 hours) and sometimes can travel via Rotterdam (and possible Roosendaal and Antwerp too). Remember the station name Brussels Midi means Brussels South in English and it is called Brussels Zuid in Dutch. Don't get confus

What better way to explore the Netherlands then by bike, after all with its flat picturesque landscapes this compact country is perfect for cyclists! It is very easy to rent a bike when in the Netherlands many tourist locations offer bike rentals or bike tours as it is such a big part of being in Holland. For example Mac Bike is one I see a lot around Amsterdam. Hostels such as the Stay Okay usually have biked for guests and typically it is quite cheap or free. If you are thinking of renting a bike for a few days then I recommend the OV Fiets (bike) scheme. OV means Openbaar Veroer in Dutch which translates as public transport. This is very handy as the OV bikes are typically in or near the train stations. Either in the bike parking area (fietsenstalling) or at a self-service centre. Many cities have a bike scheme like this but in Holland with so many cycle paths in the city and dedicated cycle routes through the countryside to follow, it is an excellent option for a day trip!