LONELY PLANET'S OFFICIAL GUIDEBOOK INFORMATION
Dangers & Annoyances
Untitled Document
Much of the Netherlands is utterly safe, but caution is advised in the larger cities. Amsterdam and Rotterdam require a modicum of big-city street sense but nothing you wouldn’t normally do at home.
Cars with foreign registration are popular targets for smash-and-grab theft. Don’t leave things in the car: remove registration and ID papers and the radio/stereo if possible.
If something is stolen, get a police report for insurance purposes but don’t expect the police to retrieve your property or to apprehend the thief – put the matter down to experience.
Mosquitoes can be a pain in summer. They breed in stagnant parts of the canals and in water under houses. In parts of the country near lakes or canals people sleep under netting.
Bicycles can be quite a challenge to pedestrians. Remember when crossing the street to look for speeding bikes as well as cars; straying into a bike lane without looking both ways is a no-no.
Intensive urban development means there’s often little grass for dog dirt, and you may spend more time watching the pavement than the sights.
Scams
Big cities breed scams. Take special care in the train stations: someone might help you put your bags into a luggage locker, lock the door and hand you the key. When you return you find the key fits a different locker and your stuff is gone. If something feels wrong about a stranger who approaches you, chances are your instincts are right. Thieves sometimes pose as police.
Lonely Planet recommends World Nomads Travel insurance
