The Benelux Countries
By: More articles by linker456

Benelux is an economic union of three neighbouring monarchies Belgium the Netherlands and Luxembourg. Despite longstanding ties each countrys capital exudes its own unique charms.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is a freewheeling open city with splendid architecture lovely treelined canals wonderful shopping and friendly people.

Transport:getting there and getting away:

Schiphol airport is one of the worlds biggest and offers extensive connections. Buses are economical and the train is very pleasant with direct connections to the UK. There are also ferries the UK and Norway. Cycling is the best way to get around Amsterdam. Walking is fine too as the city is compact. However Amsterdam offers an efficient public transport system covering most of the city. Trams are good for the inner city. Central Station is the citys transport hub where tram bus train and metro lines converge.

Climate:

Amsterdams delightful summers transforms it into a city of outdoor living. Winters in contrast are utterly miserable with cascading rain. Spring is wet but a time when the citys flora spring into colourful life.

Accommodation: from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range location and cost of Amsterdam hotels

Events:whats on and whats hot

Events Overview

* The Silent Procession in March is a festival in which Catholics walk along the Holy Way in commemoration of the Miracle of Amsterdam. *Queens Day on 30 April sees a free market street parties live music. *National Windmill Day is in May. *The the countrys biggest arts festival is the Holland Festival which runs throughout June. *September is the time of the Flower Parade *Traditional Dutch Christmas is held on 6 December.

Brussels

Brussels is best known for its status as main headquarters of the European Union and NATO. But theres much more to the city than meeting halls and bureaucrats. Brussels radiates a vibrant sophisticated feel reflected in its museums and art galleries. Its a hedonistic city too with a propensity for seafood waffles chocolate truffles and foaming steins of good beer.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Brussels main airport is Zaventem. A train makes the 25minute run into the city every 15 minutes. Buses and taxis and also available.

Brussels has two main train stations: Bruxelles MidiBrussel Zuid to the south of the city core and Bruxelles CentralBrussel Centraal which is right next to the city centre. High speed Thalys trains connect Brussels with Cologne Paris and Amsterdam.

Eurolines offers bus travel to Brussels from London Victoria.

Getting around Brussels is easy. The city has 3 metro lines many buses and several tram lines. Brussels also introduced shortterm CycloCity rentals in 2006. But bear in mind that Brussels has many hills.

Climate:

Brussels is prone to grey rainy weather. The warmest months are July and August then the temperature averages 22C. Summer can be the wettest season though. Winter from November to March is a miserable time with the temperature around freezing and lashings of slush and sleet.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range location and cost of Brussels hotels

Events:whats on and whats hot

* Ommegang in July is a medievalstyle procession within the illuminated Grand Place. * August (evennumbered years) sees the flower carpet. * The city swings at the annual Brussels Jazz Marathon (last weekend in May). * The Grand Place together with the Sablon and Place Ste Catherine feature free al fresco concerts throughout the summer.

Luxembourg

Luxembourg seems a fairy tale kingdom with its quaint hamlets green countryside and silver rivers. A landlocked country between Belgium France and Germany Luxembourg is the worlds only Grand Duchy and one of the worlds smallest countries.

Transport:getting there and getting away

Luxembourg International Airport is about four miles outside the city. Flights connect with London Paris Amsterdam Zrich and Frankfurt.

You can reach Luxembourg by train from Paris Metz Brussels and Trier.

Motorways from Metz Brussels and Trier connect to the ringroad around Luxembourg City.

The city has a bus service most of which include the central bus station Hamilius and the Station in their routes. Bus tickets are bought from the driver. Luxembourg is well suited for biking.

Climate:

Winters are relatively mild in Luxembourg though January and February can get very cold. The summer tends to get very hot with the mercury in July and August reaching around 35 C. Spring and autumn are delightful though rain is frequent.

Accommodation:from cheap stays to luxury resorts

Check on the internet for the range location and cost of Luxembourg hotels.

Events:whats on and whats hot

*The birthday of the Grand Duchess on 23 January 23 is celebrated with parades and fireworks. *Burgsonndeg on 28 February celebrates the end of winter. *National Day on 23 June celebrates the grand dukes birthday. *Liberation Day on 9 September commemorates liberation by the Allies in 1945.


Alistair White has been in the travel industry for over 20 years and is the founder and CEO of Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers Cheap Amsterdam hotels