HOLANDA

NETHERLANDS

Why visit NETHERLANDS?

Most travelers when visiting the Netherlands only spend a couple of days in Amsterdam, but Holland is much more than that, much more than cheeses, marijuana, and the red light district. 

It is a country that loves art, cosmopolitan, tolerant, surrounded by mills, canals and a beautiful flora and fauna. 

It is a small country with a huge heart, full of friendly people, romantic and picturesque cities, country of history mixed with modernity and beautiful architecture.

Tourist Attractions

Jordaan and Amsterdam's Canals

Canals are as much a part of Amsterdam's cityscapes - and charm - as the are in Venice, and some of the most enduring memories of any visit are of time spent exploring the city's wonderful waterways. While many of Amsterdam's best tourist attractions can be easily accessed by boat tour or water taxi - including most of the major museums and art galleries - nothing beats strolling along the smaller, quieter streets that line the waterways. Particularly charming is the Jordaan, a neighborhood built in the early 1600s to house workers and immigrants who came here seeking the city's religious tolerance. Along with its small canal-side houses, look for the neighborhood's many "hofjes," inner courtyards hidden behind the buildings.

Where to Stay Mid-Range 

In the heart of the Museum Quarter and just one street over from the Van Gogh Museum, the Hotel Fita is a family-run boutique hotel that offers not only a complimentary hot breakfast but free laundry service as well. Although the hotel is small, the guest rooms are quite spacious and have cute extras, like a rubber ducky for the tub.

Hotel JL No76 sits just across the street in an 18th-century mansion that has been carefully restored and updated with the latest technology, offering guests complimentary use of an iPad, an iPod docking station, strong Wi-Fi, and an extensive DVD lending library.

Tourists will enjoy the hip, sophisticated atmosphere of Hotel Sebastian's, where the well-appointed rooms offer standard amenities, like mini-fridges and safes, as well as tea and coffee. It is located at the northern end of the Canal Ring, just a few blocks from the train station and amid a plethora of boutiques and small restaurants

Where to Stay on a Budget

Although you will find that rooms tend to be on the small side, Amsterdam does have good budget options in a central location that allows you to get in more sightseeing. Hotel Nadia sits in the Canal Ring, near the edge of the Jordaan neighborhood, less than five minutes' walk to the Anne Frank House, yet is still very close to Dam Square and fun attractions like Madame Tussauds. Rooms are equipped with a safe, mini-fridge, tea and coffee facilities, and even a fresh vase of flowers picked from the hotel's small courtyard garden.

Just up the street, the Clemens Hotel has cozy rooms that are clean and updated and include breakfast, free Wi-Fi, and a mini-fridge. There is no elevator here, nor at Hotel La Boheme, an eco-conscious budget lodging, but staff members are happy to carry your bags up the steep stairs to your guest room. Rates here include breakfast, and the snug rooms are decorated and furnished in a way that opens up the space, including small balconies in most. This hotel is also located at the edge of the Canal Ring, close to both the Jordaan and Museum District neighborhoods.

Where to Stay for Families

For a luxury getaway with the family, the Kimpton De Witt Amsterdam is a great option that has plenty of family suites with fun design choices, like Escher-esque bathroom tiles and headboard lamps that look like birds. The hotel offers extras, such as a complimentary snack and beverage hour each day, and is convenient to popular family attractions, like the NEMO Science Center and the Anne Frank House.

The Hoxton Amsterdam has a hip but cozy feel, located waterside in the Canal Ring and surrounded by galleries, shops, and restaurants. Staff members are incredibly friendly, and guests can enjoy complimentary extras, like an hour of international calls each day and even "breakfast in a bag" delivered to the room each morning. Other amenities include a reasonably priced restaurant, as well as a lobby convenience shop with grocery store prices - especially handy for satisfying hungry kiddos at a moment's notice.

Where to Stay for Romance

Couples looking for a luxurious romantic getaway will fall in love with the decadent Renaissance-style rooms at The Toren. Its location in the Canal Ring, just a block from the Anne Frank House, makes it convenient to top attractions, while amenities like a Jacuzzi tub, mood lighting, and of course room service make this the perfect place for taking a break from sightseeing.

At the southern end of the Canal Ring, near Rembrandtplein, and well positioned to also reach Jordaan and Museum District attractions with ease, the Banks Mansion has a more contemporary feel with its Frank Lloyd Wright inspired décor. Couples have fewer things to worry about thanks to the hotel's "all-inclusive" rates that cover breakfast, beverages, and a generous afternoon spread of fine cheeses and meats.

THE CUSTOMS AND TRADITIONS

The customs and traditions of the country, which I will talk about next, say a lot about the character of the Dutch, which in general we could say that they are happy people who take their lives calmly, without stressing more than the account.

THE BICYCLE HAS A REAL MEANS OF TRANSPORT

The fact that the bicycle has become a widespread means of transport among the population speaks very well about the Dutch. 

So much so that it is estimated that there is more than one bicycle per inhabitant, so it is not surprising that the country's air is cleaner than the air of other countries such as Spain, where we are still not so clear that the best option to move around 

City is to take the bike.

HOMELESS CHILDREN, HAPPY CHILDREN

Did you know that Dutch children don't have homework until they are 10? 

Before reaching that age, they hardly have any tasks to do, and we could say that there is also no social pressure that does exist in other countries because of the subject of studying at the university. 

Since they can spend more time playing and being with their parents, they say that Dutch children are the happiest in the world. 

In addition, during the week many have the "Papa Dag", since many Dutch employees are fortunate to work 36 hours a week that are divided into four days instead of five.

NATIONAL SYMBOLS

Tulips are one of the most recognizable symbols of the Netherlands. 

There are all colors and you can see them in the best possible way in Keukenhof, a park simply spectacular.

More symbols? 

Undoubtedly the cheese, since Gouda and Edam are from there, although there are more varieties that are worth trying. 

The clogs are also a classic in Holland and the windmills, which can be seen throughout the country, also deserve our full attention. 

In Zaanse Schan you will see those that are probably the most beautiful of all. 

It is a lovely town.

QUEEN'S DAY

The day of the Queen is The day of the King, since right now it is King Guillermo Alejandro who is on the throne. 

It began to be celebrated in 1885 every August 31, which was when Queen Wilhelmina was celebrating her birthday. 

With the reign of his daughter Juliana, in 1948 it became April 30, while 2014 the date changed once again to be celebrated on April 27. 

It is a party that gathers all the Dutch in the street. 

These flock dressed in orange, which is the color of the monarchy.

BODY LANGUAGE AND PRESENTATIONS

The Dutch do not like to give the note as it happens with the Spaniards or the Italians, who sometimes seem to enjoy speaking out loud in public. 

They are rather reserved (and polite) and rarely talk to strangers. 

In addition, they usually wait for eye contact to start talking. 

On the other hand, you should know that if they place their index finger near the ear it is not to tell you that you are crazy, but that they do it to communicate that they have a phone call. 

Being unpunctual is very frowned upon, the same can be said about the fact of not showing up to someone we just met.

TYPICAL DUTCH MEALS

Typical Dutch food stands out for its strong presence of fish from the North Sea, and for having a strong influence of typical Indonesian food, with Rijsttafel being its most characteristic dish

THE RIJSTTAFEL

This typical food made of rice is a very characteristic dish of Holland's cuisine. 

Rice is served mixed with all kinds of legumes, meat and even coconut. 

This meal really was not part of the traditional cuisine of Holland, but of Indonesia, but due to the colonization of the country, the dish has been assimilated so much that it is now a typical Dutch dish.

BITTERBALLEN

You will find bitterballen in most bars and cafes in Holland. 

It is a salty snack covered by a layer of crusty breadcrumbs and stuffed with minced beef, beef broth, flour, butter, herbs and spices. 

They are usually served with mustard for dipping. 

We recommend trying bitterballen to accompany a beer in any Dutch pub.

STAMPPOT

This dish is the typical stew, if you are traveling during the winter it will be easy for you to find this dish in the restaurant menu. 

This Dutch stew carries all kinds of ingredients, although the most typical are cabbage, sauerkraut and smoked meat.

ERWTENSOEP

This is probably the most typical soup of Dutch cuisine. 

It is a soup made with peas and it is very typical to eat it at night for dinner. 

Green peas are a common element in traditional Dutch cuisine and are often the companion of many foods and dishes.

CHEESE OF THE NETHERLANDS

Without a doubt, cheese is the culinary element par excellence of Holland. 

The Dutch produce cheeses with a strong aroma and flavor. 

The best known are Gouda, Edam and Alkmaar. 

If you are going to travel to Holland, and you want to try the gastronomy of Holland, without a doubt you have to try their cheeses. 

In Holland you will also find markets dedicated exclusively to this product.

MUSIC

The Netherlands has a wide and varied musical tradition. 

The music that is heard today, the Nederpop is strongly influenced by the musical styles that emerged in the 50s, in the United Kingdom and the United States. 

This style is sung in both English and Dutch. 

Some of the bands that have gained more popularity with this style in recent years are Goleen Earring and Shicking Blue.

In the 50s in the rock scene, a Dutch duet, "The Melody Sisters" emerged, who in 1955 recorded the hit "Sh-boom".

During the years 1956-1957 a whole group of artists played humorous rock and roll like Johnny Hoes with “On The Beach Of Bali / Oh Oh Marie; 

De Jonkers & De Joffers with “Bellow’s Rock & roll” or The Bee Bee Sisters with “Rock And Roll Waltz / Dungaree Doll”, among many others.

In 1958 there was a change in the Dutch Rock music scene: teenagers took over the Rock & roll scene. 

Two local scenes grew in Holland: the “white” rock & roll of the original Dutch (“nederrock”) and rock and roll the “blue / black” created by the Indonesians living in the Netherlands (“indirock”). 

It was The Tielman Brothers who in 1958 as the first Dutch teenage rock band recorded their first single: “Rock Little Baby of Mine /“ You’re Still The One ”

It was not until the 1960s when the Dutch industry (Philips, Decca, Fontana, Omega, Delta, CNR, Imperial) realized that rock and roll was being established and that there was a market for it. 

This is how more rock bands like The Blue Diamonds (with “Ramona”), Harry Bliek (with the hit “Hello Mary Lou”), The Emeralds, The Shakin ’Hearts, The Four Sweeters, among many others.

In 1962 two teenage idols entered the scene: Rob de Nijs (Ritme Van De Regen ’63) and Jonnny Lion.

In the decades of the 70s and 80s there was a great boom of Dutch bands that sang in Dutch. 

Some that were representative of this period are: Doe Maar, Het Goede Doel, Frank Boerijen Groep and Toontje Lager, and during the late 1980s bands such as De Dijk, The Scene and Tröckener Kecks came out.

The 90s were dominated by Marco Borsato. 

Other known artists of this era were Jan Smit, Frans Bauer, Gerard Joling, Gordon, Guus Meeuwis and René Froger. 

Also in the early 90s, electronic music called, gabber was developed and made many Dutch DJs popular. 

Some of these are Armin van Buuren, Ferry Corsten and DJ Tiësto.

Finally, it should be noted that The Netherlands has also hosted Eurodance events several times, such as 2 Unlimited, Alice Deejay, Venga Boys, Two Brothers on the 4th Floor and Twenty Four Seven.

FLORA

Multicolored flower fields daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, etc. 

which extend between The Hague and Amsterdam, in the clayey grounds of the Haarlemermeer, not only constitute the great tourist attraction of the months of April and May, but also contribute greatly to the economic boom.

 The cultivation of bulbous root flowers was imported from the East in the 16th century when arable land was scarce and developed in the area of ​​the ancient dunes since the limestone and sandy soil was conducive to its cultivation. 

Among the bulbs, tulips and hyacinths stand out; 

There are about 300 varieties of tulips. 

On the other hand are rhizomatous such as dahlia or gladiolus.

 Other characteristic flowers are anemones, begonias, lilies, freesias and jonquils that grow in the wild. 

Flower enthusiasts will find interesting routes for the occasion in Holland.

 There are Bulbous Flower Routes between Haarlem and Leiden, north of Hoorn, around Den Helder, Anna Paulowna and Breezand.

The best period for these excursions is the month of April. 

There are also flower routes in the Betuwe area, with the city of Tiel in the center, and in the Province of Limburg April and May are the best months. 

In the provinces of Utrecht and Gelderland, between May and June, rhododendrons bloom in all shades of purple and pink.

WILDLIFE

 

As for wildlife, fish and birds abound. 

The most characteristic fish are herring, eel, smelt, mullet, bass, flounder and pike perch, among others fishing is another of the most important resources in the country.

The most common birds are the zurita pigeon, the laughing seagull, the common swift, the mallard, the heron, the common coot that nests in the vegetation on the banks of the canals, the black-eyed needle, the mountainous porrón, the typical lapwing 

of the wet meadows and the grasslands, as well as the swamp of the swamps, the palm scribe and the lavender soromuzo, among many others.

On the shoreline stand out the argumentative seagull, the oystercatcher, the royal zarapito, the white jar, the elegant avocet, the common lark, the small owl and the common carricerín.

 As for rodents, the gray mouse, the Nordic vole and the field rat stand out. 

Mammals like the bat also abound, which travels through the skies on warm nights. 

Other prominent mammals are the red fox, which lives in dunes and swamps, deer and roe deer.

 Thanks to its privileged situation and its particular climate, Holland is a very fertile plain of pastures that have enabled the considerable development of cattle and cattle breeding.