Holland has a remarkably organized tourist organization. The Vereniging voor Vreemdelingenverkeer (Association for Tourist Traffic), known simply as the VVV (pronounced vay-vay-vay), has more than 400 offices around the country. VVV offices can book accommodations, help with travel arrangements, tell you what's going on where, and plenty more. The umbrella organization for the VVV offices is the Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions (NBTC), Post Box 458, 2260 MG Leidschendam (tel. 070/370-5705; fax 070/320-1654; www.holland.com).

Anywhere you travel in the Netherlands, you can expect to find a local VVV office, usually either near the rail station or on the town's main square. If you're driving, you'll see blue-and-white VVV signs posted along major routes into town to direct you to the office.

For tourist information when you arrive at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport and to make hotel reservations, go to the Holland Tourist Information desk in Schiphol Plaza (tel. 0900/400-4040), open daily from 7am to 10pm.

Money-Savers -- One way to save money, and not just on admission to museums and attractions, is to buy one -- or more -- of the visitor passes offered by some city and province VVV tourist offices, like the I amsterdam Card. Remember that many museums and other attractions offer reduced admission to seniors, students, and children.

If you're in Holland on National Museum Weekend (Apr 14-15, 2007; similar dates in 2008), you're really in luck. Many museums in Holland offer free admission over the weekend, and others charge reduced admission.