135

Information on Schengen tourist/business (type C) visas

The theory is this: the visa should be issued from either the country which is the

• arrival point
• main destination

Any traveller would understand that the second thing (main destination) is difficult to enforce as there are no scheduled border checks in the Schengen zone.

After many threads on the topic whether one can enter from say Germany even if their visa was issued from say Switzerland. In other words, if one can enter the Schengen zone from country A even if their visa was issued from Country B.

The simple answer is yes, there's no restriction because a Schengen tourist visa is valid for is valid for the enttire Schengen zone. I don't know about transit visas, though.

Refer to these threads:

• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2216784
• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2216323
• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=2066315

136

Cycling events in the Netherlands

Especially in July and August
Recreational character
Various distances, 1, 3 or 4 days

http://www.nederlandfietsland.nl/fietsevenementen/fietsevenementenkalender
(use Google Translator)
For details just post on the Forum or send a PM.

Some recommendations:
-Drentse Fietsvierdaagse, 4 days in Drente, depart in Meppel, 24 July *)
-Achterhoekse Fietsvierdaagse, 4 days, departure Doetinchem, 24 July-28 July. This region has been chosen the best cycling area in the Netherlands 2012.
-Zuidlimburgse Fietsvierdaagse, Heerlen, 30 July- 32August
-Ronde van de Twaalf Provincies, Nijmegen , 3 days. 9-11 August

*)More info on the biggest cycletour in NL here

137

If you're a citizen of a country which requires its passport holders to obtain a Schengen visa before travelling, these links should be your first port of call:

IN INDIA:
France Sweden
Italy Belgium
Germany Netherlands
Spain Greece
Austria DenmarkHungary
Switzerland Portugal

IN CHINA
France Italy
Belgium Spain
Austria Sweden Denmark

IN UK
Italy Germany
Switzerland Austria
Spain Denmark Hungary Sweden

138

Iconic houses (website)
http://www.iconichouses.org/

'A unique resource for travellers and lovers of 20th century houses is now online at iconichouses.org '

NB. houses, world wide

Edited by: arizona due to construction error

139

Netherlands/Belgium connection by train

• Starting 9 December 2012 a Fast train will be operating between Amsterdam and Brussels, also stopping in Rotterdam and Antwerpen.

-Starting 8 April 2013 also a Fast train between Breda and Antwerpen, only stopping at station Noorderkempen (Brecht)
On this connection normal fares and no need to book in advance!
This is giving a better connection from Belgium to southern and eastern Netherlands, e.g. Eindhoven, Den Bosch and Arnhem.

Added 22 December 2012:

This Fast Train (Fyra, not Thalys!) can be booked for a Supersaver fare `a Euro 25 till one day before travelling in the period till 29 April 2013, NS is writing in a Newsletter.
Boekt u liever vroeg om te profiteren van de voordeligste tickets? Dan is er goed nieuws voor u! De tijdelijke periode van boeken van het Supersaver-tarief tot 1 dag voor vertrek, is verlengd tot eind april 2013.
https://mail.google.com/mail/?shva=1#inbox/13bbf34131ef415b

Edited by: arizona

140

No more queensday on 30th of April in Netherlands.

Due to Queen Beatrix´ abdication there will be no Queensday in 2012. This date the inauguration of Willem-Alexander will take place.
Next year, 2013, king's day will take place 26th of April, a Saturday.
Starting 2015, this tradition will be on the 27th of April.

141

Thanks to a hint: dates are wrong:
No Queensday in 2013.
Inauguration King Willem-Alexander 30 April 2013.
2014: 26 April
2015 etc. 27 April.