1936 On the Continent

Apeldoorn, Lake of Uddel, Nunspeet, Harderwyk, Amersfoort, Baarn, Laren, Amsterdam.
12.
To G UELDERLAND , including the Achterhoek.
12
a
.
A Tour of the Castle district.
13.
To the Z UIDERZEE enclosing dam, to F RIESLAND and back again.
Amsterdam, Zaandam, Alkmaar, Sneek, Bolsward, Harlingen, Leeuwarden, Drachten, Olterterp, Heerenveen, Steenwyk, Giethoorn, Zwolle, Amersfoort, Amsterdam.
13
a
.
Groningen, Assen, Zwolle, Amersfoort, Amsterdam.
14.
To G RONINGEN , D RENTHE and O VERIJSSEL .
Amsterdam, Amersfoort, Apeldoorn, Deventer, Zwolle, Meppel, Heerenveen, Olterterp, Groningen, Zuidlaren, Assen, Gieten, Emmen, Coevorden, Ommen, Raalte, Almelo, Delden, Lochem, Zutphen, Arnhem, Amsterdam.
    B.—F ROM T HE H AGUE
15.
To D E K AAG , A LPHEN and L EIDEN .
The Hague, Den Deyl, Sassenheim, De Kaag, Alphen, Leiden, Voorburg, The Hague.
16.
To D E K AAG , A LPHEN and G OUDA .
The Hague, Den Deyl, Sassenheim, De Kaag, Alphen, Gouda, Moerkapelle, Zoetermeer, Leidschendam, Voorburg, The Hague.
    Owing to Holland’s situation at the cross-roads of the Western European Continent, as well as on account of its position as a centre of international trade, shipping, finance, transport and traffic of all kinds, the Dutch are very cosmopolitan-minded, and this is impressed upon all their activities in the field of tourism. In the large cities, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Arnhem, as well as in the well-known seaside resorts like Scheveningen, Zandvoort, Noordwijk, there are up-to-date hotels that are second to none in the world’s large towns, offeringtheir patrons all the comforts and conveniences they may reasonably demand at extremely reasonable rates. Thus, for instance, a first-class hotel at Amsterdam, on the river Amstel, charges a maximum of 5 to 6 florins (12s. to 15s.) for a room with bathroom. Second-class—but also very good and fashionable hotels—charge 3.50 florins (8s. 6d.) for a room and bath, while very satisfactory rooms in perfectly good small hotels may be had at 2.50 florins (6s. 6d.). Breakfast is included in all cases. And what a breakfast! The British are known for their elaborate breakfast, including porridge, smoked haddock, ham and eggs, toast, and marmalade or jam. Now, owing to the international atmosphere in Holland, which also extends to the culinary domain, there is no difficulty at all in getting a real English breakfast in practically any place in Holland. But you ought to try a Dutch breakfast, which consists of bread and butter, real Dutch rusks, cheese, eggs, ham and smoked beef, honey, jam, rye-bread, currant buns, and the like. If you partake of this meal with the same heartiness as it is offered, in nine cases out of ten you are sure to forget about lunch altogether, and perhaps you will not be ready for another meal till dinner time. However, if you insist on having a midday meal, all restaurants serve luncheon at an average price of 1 florin (2s. 6d.) to 1.50 florins (4s.). A very popular light meal at noon is the so-called Dutch “koffietafel” (“coffee meal,” because in most cases coffee is drunk with it), consisting of bread and butter and a great variety of meats and cheese.
Eats, Eats, Eats
    This satisfactory light meal may be had in every town and village at prices ranging from as little as 40 cents (1s.) to 1 florin (2s. 6d.). The food in Holland is very good and pure, guaranteed to be so by the very strict food laws. The cuisine is frequently modelled on the French pattern. Since the “cafeterias” or “quick-lunch counters” started their triumphal march through Holland one can choose from an endless list of dishes at any hour of the day at extremely low prices. Many of these establishments are run on the no tips system, while in some others 10 per cent. is added to the amount of the bill at the pay desk. For 25 to 40 cents (8d. to 10d.) youmay have a hot dish, such as thick pea soup with sausage, or hotchpot with mashed potatoes and smoked sausage, both national winter dishes.
    Dinner, in the international style, is served at the good class hotels at 1.50 florins to 2.50 florins (4s. to 6s. 6d.), and at the first-class hotels and luxury restaurants at 3 florins to 5 florins (8s. to 13s.). But even the first-class hotels in the large towns and the luxurious “palace” hotels in watering places like Scheveningen, Noordwijk, etc., quote very attractive terms for full board and lodging. At Scheveningen, for instance, the most expensive “palace” hotel