The Little White Church on the Hill | De Terp van Leidschenveen, Den Haag | The Mound of Leidschenveen, a Unique Outdoor Art in The Hague, the Netherlands
High on a green mound, sandwiched between the hustles and bustles of a highway, a railway, and a new neighborhood, stands a small, austere white chapel as a beacon in the landscape. The clock in the tower echoes the time in its own way, creating a serene ambiance amidst busy city life.
De Mooiste Plekken in Nederland in De Herfst | Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands during Autumn | Top Things to See and Do in Fall in the Netherlands
I've always been intrigued by the fascinating season of autumn. To me, autumn is a grand manifestation of the ultimate reality on earth that one day everything has to perish just to be reborn again. And as the tree leaves turn into vibrant shades of orange, yellow, and red, one last time before they return to Mother Nature, the mushrooms start emerging, chestnuts lay all around, and soft rays of the sun kiss your face as you take a leisurely walk on the rustling dry leaves, autumn shows us that the end can also be beautiful. And during this beautiful season in the Netherlands, what are the things you can see and do? That's precisely what I'm going to tell you today. So let's begin!
The Purple Hills of Posbank | The Heather Fields of Veluwezoom National Park, Hoge Veluwe, Gelderland | The Best Place to See Heather Bloom in the Netherlands
Veluwezoom, a part of Hoge Veluwe (but not the Hoge Veluwe National Park), is the first National Park in the Netherlands, located close to the Hoge Veluwe National Park in the province of Gelderland near the cities of Arnhem and Apeldoorn. It has a hilly landscape with an area of 55 square kilometers, comprising heathlands and sand dunes created during the Ice Age.
7 Best Things to See and Do in Giethoorn | A Dutch Fairytale Village without Roads | Little Venice of the Netherlands | Small Venice of the North
Giethoorn is an enchanting Dutch fairytale village with centuries-old picturesque thatched-roof houses, a myriad of canals and numerous quaint wooden bridges situated in the province of Overijssel amidst the Weerribben-Wieden National Park - a vast nature reserve. Since the old part of the village has no car roads and hence the only means of transportation are walking, cycling and boating through a network of small canals, it has earned the title of 'Little Venice of the Netherlands' or 'Small Venice of the North.'
Monument De Pyramide van Austerlitz | The Dutch Pyramid of Austerlitz located in Woudenberg (Utrecht), the Netherlands
Did you know there is a ‘Pyramid’ in the Netherlands? And that too, the only pyramid in the world with an obelisk on top of it? If not, then you ought to visit this place. It’s located in Austerlitz, a small village in the municipality of Woudenberg, in the Dutch province of Utrecht. So with no further delay, let me share with you the intriguing story of ‘De Pyramide van Austerlitz.’
Kunsttuin Nederlands Kremlin | The Dutch Kremlin | A Unique Sculpture Garden by Ger Leegwater in Winkel, the Netherlands
Did you know there is a ‘Kremlin’ in the Netherlands? If not, then you ought to visit this place. It’s located in Winkel, a small village in the Dutch province of North Holland, built single-handedly by one man who kept faith in his dreams for 40 long years. So, with no further delay, let me take you along with me to this fantasy world named ‘The Dutch Kremlin!’
Discover Friesland | 9 Best Places to Visit in Friesland, the Netherlands
Friesland, historically called Frisia, is the northernmost province of the Netherlands. Friesland has a long coastline that stretches along the IJsselmeer (the largest inland lake of Western Europe) and the Wadden Sea. It is mainly located on the mainland but also includes several small Wadden islands. The Frisians (as they proudly call themselves) consider themselves separate from the rest of the Dutch and hence have their own flag and language named Frisian.
The Mummies of Wiuwert | The Mystery of the Mummiekelder (Mummy Cellar) in Friesland, the Netherlands
Before we begin our story today, let me ask you a “Did you know?” question. Did you know there are Mummies in the Netherlands? That, too, naturally mummified? If not, then you ought to visit this place. It’s called the Mummiekelder (Mummy Cellar) and is housed in the crypt of a small church in Wiuwert, a tiny village in the province of Friesland. It is still not scientifically proven how the bodies may be so well preserved since 1609. The crypt is a mystery and houses the secret of Wiuwert. Today I’m here to share with you the riddled story of Wiuwert's ancient mummies.
Best Places to Find Lavenders in the Netherlands | Best Lavender Fields in the Netherlands
When you think of the Netherlands, the first thing that comes to your mind is an endless ocean of vibrant flower fields. That’s why it has been very aptly dubbed as the ‘The Land of Flowers’ though it’s often equated to ‘The Land of Tulips.’ But to be honest, this beautiful country has a lot more to offer beyond just tulips when it comes to horticulture. Being the largest exporter of flowers in the world, the Netherlands makes up around two-thirds of the world’s total floral sales. And it goes without saying that they aren’t all just tulips.
De Mooiste Bloemenroutes van Nederland | 4 Best Road Trip Flower Routes around Tulip, Daffodil, and Hyacinth Bulb Fields in the Netherlands
When you think of the Netherlands, the first thing that comes to your mind is an endless ocean of vibrant flower fields. Soon after the first tulip was planted on the Dutch soil in the mid-sixteenth century, the country saw a tremendous floral revolution and the founding of a horticultural industry that later converted their lowland country into the global hub of flower trade.
Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) 2025 | Celebrating the Advent of Spring at Kersenbloesempark (Cherry Blossom Park) in Amstelveen, the Netherlands
Literally meaning 'Flower Viewing,' the Hanami Festival is a Japanese tradition of celebrating the advent of spring. Flowers and nature, in general, have a symbolic meaning in Japan. To the Japanese, the cherry blossom represents a new beginning and hence the festival of Hanami Matsuri, most often referring to Sakura Matsuri ('Cherry Blossom Viewing') is a means of appreciating the transience of life.
6 Best Places for Snow Photography in the Netherlands | Top 6 Winter Photography Spots in the Netherlands
The Netherlands is not known as a popular winter destination, as characteristically, the country receives a few days of snow every year. With climate change, the number of days is reducing with each passing year, and the day’s not far when we will narrate our grandchildren about the merry times we spent with our friends, ice-skating over the frozen lakes and canals.
Netherlands Off The Beaten Track | 43 Best Hidden Gems in the Netherlands
Being Dutch citizens ourselves living in the Netherlands since 2013, and having traveled to 100+ cities, towns, and villages across all the 12 provinces of the country, we’ve discovered many hidden treasures that are not featured in any travel brochures or websites, and many of our Dutch friends aren’t even aware of them, making them perfect for crowd-weary travelers.
Instagrammable Netherlands | 39 Best Photography Locations in the Netherlands | 39 Top Photo Spots in the Netherlands
Being Dutch citizens ourselves living in the Netherlands since 2013, and having traveled to 100+ cities, towns, and villages across all the 12 provinces of the country, discovering many hidden treasures on the way that are not featured in any travel brochures or websites, I can safely proclaim that we’ve seen this country more than many of the locals.
The Christmas Markets of Stockholm | Top 5 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Stockholm | 5 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Stockholm, Sweden
Christmas in Stockholm is a time of coziness, shimmering lighting, copious amounts of food and drink, and a few unique traditions ranging from solemn to hilarious. Stockholm's Christmas markets await exploration, with a million Christmas lights adorning the streets and a chill in the air filled with seasonal cheer.
The Christmas Markets of Helsinki | Top 6 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Helsinki | 6 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Helsinki, Finland
While the sun may be reluctant to rise as winter settles in on Helsinki, the aroma of mulled wine, or glögi, and shop window decorations warm the heart as the holiday season approaches. People take advantage of pikkujoulu, or "little Christmas," when they celebrate in pubs and restaurants, because Christmas is normally a quiet family affair. Despite the fact that the temperature drops below minus 10 degrees Celsius at this time of the year, the atmosphere still remains one of warm conviviality. Even when the temperature drops, shops and restaurants gleam with a warm glow, and Finnish structures are known for their ability to withstand the worst frost. When you add carol concerts in churches to the mix, it's hard to believe Helsinki wasn't built for the sole purpose of celebrating Christmas.
The Christmas Markets of Tallinn | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Tallinn | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn's medieval Old Town takes on a particularly romantic look in the winter, when a new dusting of snow covers its rooftops and candles cast a flickering glow across its cobblestone alleyways. Tallinn is at its most enchanting during the winter, despite the dark nights. From ice skating on the Old Town's outdoor rink to sipping mulled wine on the ancient Town Hall square at one of Europe's best Christmas Markets, it's a true winter wonderland!
The Christmas Markets of Riga | Top 8 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Riga | 8 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Riga, Latvia
With a strong pagan and Christian streak, Latvians commemorate Christmas (or the Winter Solstice) with zest and fervor. And since the world's very first ever Christmas Tree was put up in Riga back in 1510, Latvia has as much right to the title of ‘The Home of Christmas’ as the North Pole. At Riga, even if it's not a white Christmas, you can easily enter the seasonal spirit by simply following the aroma of gingerbread and mulled red wine and charming stalls selling hand-knitted shawls, mittens, socks, fragrant candle lights, artisanal spoons, and other woodwork in the Christmas Markets in the center of the Old Town. And don't forget to give yourself some rest from shopping with authentic delicacies like grey peas and bacon, best on a chilling winter day.
The Christmas Markets of Vilnius | Top 7 Things to See and Do during Christmas in Vilnius | 7 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in Vilnius, Lithuania
December in Vilnius is a unique time as Christmas and New Year draw closer and bring the associated festivities. Vilnius got extremely popular when ‘The Guardian’ listed Vilnius’ Christmas Tree amongst the most gorgeous ones globally in 2015. Its appeal increased with the Christmas Trees of 2016 and 2017. In 2019 when we visited, Vilnius set up a 27 meters (around 90 feet) high metal Christmas Tree made with 600+ branches and over 5 km of lighting themed on the Queen of Chess (ranked as finest Christmas Tree in Europe that year), surrounded by stalls offering well-crafted distinct handmade products, a wide variety of dining establishments open till midnight and youth choirs shouting Christmas carols all around. Certainly, Vilnius is a must-visit Christmas location.
15 Best Iconic Murals of Berlin Wall East Side Gallery | Top 15 Most Famous Graffiti and Street Art of Berlin Wall Memorial
For over three decades, Berlin, the present capital of Germany, was a divided city, with a wall running through its center. The Berlin Wall divided the city into East and West Berlin from August 13, 1961, until November 9, 1989. Today, the East Side Gallery, the Berlin Wall Memorial in Bernauer Strasse, the Berlin-Hohenschönhausen Memorial, a former Stasi remand jail, and the green Mauerpark are all places where you can find traces of the Wall, its remains, and memorial sites, with The East Side Gallery, formerly a part of the original Berlin Wall being the most famous one. Today I’m going to take you along with me on a journey across the 15 most iconic murals of the Berlin Wall East Side Gallery. Let the journey begin!