Ecokathedraal (Eco-Cathedral) | An Art Project and Natural Monument by Louis le Roy in Mildam, Heerenveen, the Netherlands
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Ecokathedraal (Eco-Cathedral) | An Art Project and Natural Monument by Louis le Roy in Mildam, Heerenveen, the Netherlands

A Dutch visual artist, philosopher, and landscape architect (who liked to call himself ‘Ecotect’) Louis Guillaume Le Roy (1924–2012) is credited with coining the term ‘Eco-cathedral.’ The name is made up of two elements, ‘Eco’ standing for the natural world, and ‘Cathedral’ for the culture. He intended this to convey the idea that culture and environment should coexist. They are interdependent; their relationship is symbiotic.

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Experience Waterland | 11 Most Charming and Beautiful Authentic Dutch Villages of Waterland | The Wet Back Garden of Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Experience Waterland | 11 Most Charming and Beautiful Authentic Dutch Villages of Waterland | The Wet Back Garden of Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The lush countryside immediately north of Amsterdam is known as Waterland. Waterland is both land and water, as its name implies. With thousands of little canals, brooks, rivers, and lakes, this landscape is almost entirely covered by water. It's known as "Amsterdam's wet back garden." This rural area boasts a scenery that is genuinely representative of the Dutch landscape: it is flat, abundant with historic "polders" (reclaimed land tracts), lush green pastures, twisting dikes, and functional windmills. In a nutshell, Waterland is the Netherlands, and it's only a short distance from the hectic metropolis. Nevertheless, this area is absolutely distinct from Amsterdam. It is a place where "the clock ticks more slowly," as we like to say in the Netherlands!

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37 Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands Beyond Amsterdam | 37 Most Beautiful Dutch Cities, Small Towns, and Villages in the Netherlands that aren’t Amsterdam | 37 Best Day trips from Amsterdam
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37 Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands Beyond Amsterdam | 37 Most Beautiful Dutch Cities, Small Towns, and Villages in the Netherlands that aren’t Amsterdam | 37 Best Day trips from Amsterdam

While it's well known that Amsterdam, the lively capital city filled with canals and coffee shops, is frequently the first (and, let's face it, sometimes the only) stop for tourists in the Netherlands, there are a plethora of other, less-visited locations throughout the nation that are equally as worthwhile. Travelers will be surprised by how diversified the Netherlands' landscapes are for such a small nation.

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42 Best Places and Attractions to Visit in the Netherlands in Summer | 42 Amazing Things to See and Do in Summer in the Netherlands | 42 Top Summer Hot Spots in the Netherlands
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42 Best Places and Attractions to Visit in the Netherlands in Summer | 42 Amazing Things to See and Do in Summer in the Netherlands | 42 Top Summer Hot Spots in the Netherlands

Summers in the Netherlands can be a genuine celebration with the sun, sea, beach, festivals, music, overnight stays, lovely pavement cafés, delectable food, and fine wine! The longest day of the year, or the Summer Solstice, which occurs on June 21, marks the beginning of summer, according to the astronomical calendar. June, July, and August are regarded as the summer months by meteorologists. As a result of its maritime climate, which is influenced by the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, the Netherlands experiences a variety of weather conditions throughout the summer, including a few hot days with temperatures considerably over the 25-degree threshold.

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Complete Guide to Durga Puja 2024 in the Netherlands | All Durga Puja Celebrations in 2024 by Bengali Communities of the Netherlands | Locations, Dates, Opening Hours, and Latest Updates
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Complete Guide to Durga Puja 2024 in the Netherlands | All Durga Puja Celebrations in 2024 by Bengali Communities of the Netherlands | Locations, Dates, Opening Hours, and Latest Updates

Durga Puja, also known by the names Durgotsava or Sharodotsava, is a major annual ten-day Hindu festival that is celebrated in the Indian states of West Bengal, Bihar, Assam, Odisha, Tripura, and the nation of Bangladesh during the month of Ashwin on the Indian calendar (which falls between September and October on the Gregorian calendar), to commemorate the victory of the Hindu Goddess Durga (who is regarded as ‘Adi Shakti,’ the primordial cosmic energy) against the shape-shifting demon Mahishasura after a ten-day war.

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The Dutch Cheese Markets 2025 | The Cheese Market Cities of the Netherlands - Alkmaar, Edam, Gouda, Hoorn, and Woerden
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The Dutch Cheese Markets 2025 | The Cheese Market Cities of the Netherlands - Alkmaar, Edam, Gouda, Hoorn, and Woerden

Since before the advent of Christ, the Dutch have been associated with cheese. Researchers have uncovered pieces of cheese-making machinery that date back to 200 BC. Due to the Netherlands' lush environment, which was ideal for cattle rearing, cheese-making had become an integral part of Dutch culture by the Middle Ages. Markets for cheese grew briskly, and communities with weighing privileges were able to construct ‘Weigh Houses’ and enjoyed unique status.

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8 Best Activities during Illumination Week Event 2025 at UNESCO World Heritage Windmills of Kinderdijk | 8 Beste Activiteiten tijdens Kinderdijk Verlichtingsweek Evenement 2025
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8 Best Activities during Illumination Week Event 2025 at UNESCO World Heritage Windmills of Kinderdijk | 8 Beste Activiteiten tijdens Kinderdijk Verlichtingsweek Evenement 2025

The UNESCO World Heritage Windmills of Kinderdijk shine like bright beacons against the dark evening skies during Illumination Week (which happens every year around the first or second week of September), when they literally shine a spotlight on each of the nineteen mills. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for photographers looking for truly unique photographs. This year it will even be the 50th edition. During this week you can follow various workshops, visit windmills and go on a boat tour.

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10 Most Beautiful Sand Dunes in the Netherlands | 10 Best Dutch Dunes National Parks and Nature Reserves
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10 Most Beautiful Sand Dunes in the Netherlands | 10 Best Dutch Dunes National Parks and Nature Reserves

The Dutch Dunes are ever-changing landscapes as a result of the water and the wind's ongoing effect, extending for hundreds of miles and comprising lakes, woods, and hills that contribute significantly to the Dutch environment. The dunes are home to a diverse array of wild flora and fauna. The dunes provide an essential barrier against the occasionally untamed and rising North Sea because nearly a third of the nation is below sea level. In addition to storm surge protection, these exceptional habitats can deliver a number of amazing experiences right from swimming in the natural freshwater lakes, to a peaceful trek appreciating wildflowers and unusual fauna to biking across rolling hills and conquering windswept vantage points that give breathtaking views in a flat country like the Netherlands.

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24 Best Beaches in the Netherlands | Top 24 Dutch Coastal Towns for a Summer Holiday in the Netherlands
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24 Best Beaches in the Netherlands | Top 24 Dutch Coastal Towns for a Summer Holiday in the Netherlands

Being a maritime country with a 450 km coastline, the Netherlands is famous for its beautiful beaches. Since the Netherlands has a lesser number of sunny days in the year, with the arrival of the summer, beachgoers, wildlife lovers, and watersports enthusiasts visit the splendid Dutch coastal towns to enjoy some fresh air on the beach, have a drink at a beach club, take a stroll down the promenade or through the dunes, watch the seagulls steal french fries from a scared couple, or ride the giant waves on a windy day!

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Top 15 Exciting Things to See and Do in Valkenburg aan de Geul on a Day Trip | 15 Best Activities and Sightseeing Attractions of Valkenburg, the Netherlands
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Top 15 Exciting Things to See and Do in Valkenburg aan de Geul on a Day Trip | 15 Best Activities and Sightseeing Attractions of Valkenburg, the Netherlands

Located in Limburg, the southernmost province of the Netherlands, Valkenburg, a marlstone hamlet nestled amid moss-green hills in the heart of the 'Heuvelland' nature reserve, is the country's oldest tourist destination and one of the few places in the country with actual mountains. It has been a landmark for nearly 130 years with its undulating terrain and picturesque surroundings, as well as its two major attractions - the famed castle ruins and marlstone caves. Even though just the remains of Castle Valkenburg exist, it is nonetheless worth a visit because it is the country's only castle built on a hill and therefore offers a panoramic view of the city from its broken ramparts.

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First Timer’s Guide to Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Windmills of Kinderdijk | Tips on the Best Things to See and Do on a First Time Day Trip to Kinderdijk
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First Timer’s Guide to Visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Windmills of Kinderdijk | Tips on the Best Things to See and Do on a First Time Day Trip to Kinderdijk

In the gorgeous wetlands around Dordrecht, 25 kilometers east of Rotterdam, stands nineteen historic windmills, constructed between 1738 and 1740. The windmills of Kinderdijk were built to pump water out of the low-lying Alblasserwaard polder situated at the confluence of the Lek and Noord rivers, thereby preventing floods in the region. Today, they symbolize centuries-old Dutch engineering for water management. In 1997, they were included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites. The Windmills of Kinderdijk are one of the most photographed places in the Netherlands.

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9 Best Things to See and Do in Zaanse Schans Windmill Park (Zaandam) | All You Need to Know to Visit Zaanse Schans (Zaandam) on a Day Trip from Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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9 Best Things to See and Do in Zaanse Schans Windmill Park (Zaandam) | All You Need to Know to Visit Zaanse Schans (Zaandam) on a Day Trip from Amsterdam, the Netherlands

The Zaanse Schans is a small Dutch village on the Zaan river 20 km north of Amsterdam, in the neighborhood of Zaandam. It has an open-air museum feel that offers a peek into the Dutch life of the golden ages with its traditional wood houses, vibrant windmills, and workshops. The Zaanse Schans draws in almost a million visitors each year, and it's one of the Netherlands' best-loved destinations. Together with the neighboring city of Zaandam, famous for its wooden Zaan-style houses, it is a must-visit destination when you’re in the Netherlands.

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29 Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands in Spring | 29 Best Things to Do in Spring in the Netherlands | 29 Reasons to Visit the Netherlands in Spring
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29 Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands in Spring | 29 Best Things to Do in Spring in the Netherlands | 29 Reasons to Visit the Netherlands in Spring

Spring is undoubtedly the most fascinating season in the Netherlands and therefore, the best time for tourists to visit this beautiful country. After dull, grey, and cold winter months, as the sun starts peeping through the clouds, the sky turns blue and the days get longer and warmer, you know spring is in the air. And during these spring months of mid-March to mid-May, being the largest exporter of flowers globally, the whole country transforms into a vast ocean of flowers. It starts with cherry blossoms, crocuses, daffodils, and hyacinths between mid-March and mid-April, followed by the famous tulips between mid-April and mid-May. This makes it a great time to explore the Dutch countryside.

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Landgoed Clingendael en Japanse Tuin in Den Haag | Clingendael Country Estate Park and Japanese Garden in The Hague, the Netherlands
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Landgoed Clingendael en Japanse Tuin in Den Haag | Clingendael Country Estate Park and Japanese Garden in The Hague, the Netherlands

Clingendael is one of the most beautiful country estates in the Netherlands. The estate, which is located halfway between The Hague and Wassenaar, has a colorful past. Several aristocratic families have resided on the estate since the 16th century, and various garden and landscape architects have contributed to the look and feel of this country estate since the sixteenth century. In the nineteenth century, garden architect Zocher modified the garden's original French design with the popular English landscape style of the time. Later, the garden was transformed into an old Dutch park with the addition of a Japanese garden.

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21 Best Things to Do in De Efteling | Top 21 Attractions in Efteling Theme Park, the Netherlands
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21 Best Things to Do in De Efteling | Top 21 Attractions in Efteling Theme Park, the Netherlands

‘De Efteling’ is a one-of-a-kind fantasy-themed amusement park in Kaatsheuvel, the Netherlands, with a fairytale ambiance, natural settings, and a variety of thrilling and captivating attractions derived from ancient myths, legends, fairytales, fables, and folklores, making it a perfect short-break destination for children, adult, and families who need a little magic and thrill now and again!

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Viva la Frida | The Life and Art of Frida Kahlo | A World Premiere Exhibition at Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands
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Viva la Frida | The Life and Art of Frida Kahlo | A World Premiere Exhibition at Drents Museum in Assen, the Netherlands

The Mexican painter Frida Kahlo (1907-1954), is without a doubt one of the most well-known and renowned artists in the world today. Her remarkable works of art, turbulent life, and unconventional lifestyle made her a global icon and cult figure. She suffered severe agony as a result of a tragic bus accident and had to endure multiple surgeries throughout her life. Her passion for art, her love for her husband, Diego Rivera, and Mexico's indigenous culture gave her the fortitude to persevere.

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Bezoek het Nationaal Militair Museum in Soesterberg, Utrechtse Heuvelrug | Visit the National Military Museum at Soest, Utrecht, the Netherlands
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Bezoek het Nationaal Militair Museum in Soesterberg, Utrechtse Heuvelrug | Visit the National Military Museum at Soest, Utrecht, the Netherlands

The National Military Museum at Soest, in the Dutch province of Utrecht, is a defense museum with the largest military collection in the Netherlands. Stichting Koninklijke Defensiemusea (Royal Defense Museums Foundation) oversees it along with the Marine Museum in Den Helder, the Military Police Museum in Buren, and the Marine Museum in Rotterdam. From flying an F-16, driving a tank, or picking up some NATO lingo, the National Military Museum offers a variety of activities for both children and adults.

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Anne Frank House Museum Amsterdam Virtual Tour | The Story behind the Diary of Anne Frank
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Anne Frank House Museum Amsterdam Virtual Tour | The Story behind the Diary of Anne Frank

‘The Diary of a Young Girl,’ popularly known as ‘The Diary of Anne Frank,’ is one of the most well-known books of the twentieth century, that has inspired countless plays and films. Written between 1942 and 1944, it paints a vivid picture of a maturing young woman rising to the challenge when thrust into an incredible situation, and exposes the plight of individuals who suffered at the hands of the Nazis during their occupation of the Netherlands.

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Remembering the Fallen | 3 Historic World War II Memorials and Cemeteries in the Netherlands
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Remembering the Fallen | 3 Historic World War II Memorials and Cemeteries in the Netherlands

During the World War II endgame period of 1944 - 45, significant battles erupted in the Netherlands as the Allies pushed through from the country's south and finally succeeded in liberating the Netherlands from German control. Thousands of troops from the Netherlands and from other countries were martyred. The Netherlands has around 3,900 World War II memorials and cemeteries, the biggest absolute number, and density in Europe. Today I’m going to talk about the 3 most historic World War II memorials in the Netherlands.

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The White Village of Thorn | 7 Best Things to See and Do in the White Town of Thorn in Limburg, the Netherlands
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The White Village of Thorn | 7 Best Things to See and Do in the White Town of Thorn in Limburg, the Netherlands

Situated in the Southern Dutch province of Limburg near the Belgian border, the city of Thorn, popularly dubbed as 'The White Village,' 'The Tiny White Town,' or 'Het Witte Stadje' in Dutch, is a fascinating place to visit, thanks to its history as an Imperial Abbey ruled by women and the turbulent aftermath of the French invasion in the 18th century. Today I’m going to take you along with me on a ride across the 7 best things to see and do in this beautiful town. Let the journey begin!

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