Explore the world as a traveller, not a tourist, on a trip packed with inclusions. VIP experiences and first-class, insider encounters.
Cosmos is for those that adore the explore without breaking the bank. Hassle-free and flexible, you dream it and we create it.
You're a lone ranger but don't want to be completely alone. We'll help plan your itinerary and set you up with our friends. Less hassles, more amazing, that's Monograms.
Get personal. This is experiential river cruising, your way. From Europe to the Galapagos and Asia, Avalon is relaxed luxury with choices as many, and individual as you.
Get ready for tulips, bicycles and beautiful moments when you create your own adventure with Monograms in Holland. Nicknamed the ‘Venice of the North,’ you’ll want to spend most of your time in amazing Amsterdam. The best way to soak up this city is through a glass-roofed boat cruise down the canals, where our local experts will share the stories behind Amsterdam’s gable-roofed homes, houseboats and its many iconic sights. Visit the Anne Frank House, where you’ll learn about the Jewish history of the city, before admiring the works of Rembrandt at the world-renowned Rijksmuseum. Break up all the sightseeing with a coffee and a serve of poffertjes – delicious Dutch pancakes – as you enjoy getting lost in Holland.
"Holland's geography and geology are unique and have shaped its history and the character of its people. Named after the land's unusually low location above sea level, about 15% of Holland's 40, 000 square kilometres is reclaimed land. The Dutch were pioneers of dike building and drainage canals, and the country's development has always been influenced by its contagious struggle with the sea.
Wherever you are in the country, you are always reminded that you are never far away from a large expanse of water; enormous clouds and moisture in the air cause special effects. The light becomes very mellow while the sun is setting, captured majestically by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh in their paintings.
The best pictures of the exuberantly decorated facades of the old city mansions are along the 17th-century canals of Amsterdam, the vibrant, friendly capital. Imagine the original gardens and hothouses where gardeners struggled to keep alive their prized exotic plants and flowers from overseas - small beginnings of one of the world's most important horticultural industries.
The official currency of Holland is the Euro. Bank hours are 9am - 4pm, Monday to Friday, with some branches staying open until 5pm on Thursday's. 1 Euro (€) = 100 Cents (c)
- Banknote denominations: €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500
- Coin denominations: 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, €1, €2
Credit cards are widely accepted (mostly Visa and Mastercard), and you should have no problems using them in larger shops and restaurants. Smaller shops may ask you to pay in cash or have a minimum amount required to use credit card.
Average costs:
Soft drink/Mineral water/Coffee = €2-3.50
Salad or sandwhich lunch with drink = €10-15
Dinner at a midrange restaurant = €30-40
- There are around 22.5 million bicycles in Holland
- Holland is the third-largest exporter of agricultural produce - after the US and France - even though only 3% of the Dutch population is employed in the agriculture sector.
- The Van Gogh Museum and the Kröller-Müller Museum of Holland house the largest Van Gogh collections in the world.
Monograms is independent travel that takes all the hassles out of planning and organising your dream holiday. We’ve done all the work to build just the right all-in-one package for you – your choice of the right hotels in the heart of the action, sightseeing, transportation around cities, a Local Host at your destination and much more. We handle all the details so you can enjoy your destination like a local.