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.
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!
Amsterdam Light Festival 2024-2025 | 13th Edition | Dates, Opening Hours, and Free Walking Route Map
The annual Amsterdam Light Festival (ALF) fills the Dutch capital's canals with magnificent works of light art every winter. Designers, architects, and artists from all around the world submit hundreds of concepts each year, out of which 20 to 30 artworks are chosen for display in the festival by a selection committee.
Valkenburg Christmas Market | Kerststad Valkenburg | Christmas Town Valkenburg | The Unique Christmas Cave Markets of Valkenburg, the Netherlands
If you plan to stroll incessantly through gorgeous winter landscapes and enchanting Christmas decors, you need to be at Kerststad Valkenburg. Having seen a lot of Christmas Markets around the globe, I can safely proclaim that Valkenburg Christmas Market is hands down the best Christmas Market in the Netherlands and one of the most unique Christmas Markets on the planet. After all, it's not every day that you get to a Christmas Market within a marlstone cave!
The Dutch Christmas Markets | 9 Best Places to Visit during Christmas in the Netherlands | Top 9 Things to See and Do in the Netherlands during Christmas
While the whole world is already busy shopping in Advent Markets from mid-November, the Dutch have yet to set up a Christmas Tree! Strange but true, the country starts brimming with Christmas joy only from the second week of December when the town squares convert into grand markets selling food, trinkets, glühwein, oliebollen, and all kinds of gifts that bring smiles to the faces of your friends, family, and folks you care about.
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) | 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 | 39 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. Based on that experience, today, I decided to share with you 39 best hidden gems in the Netherlands.
Instagrammable Netherlands | 35 Best Photography Locations in the Netherlands | 35 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. Based on that experience, today, I decided to share with you the 35 best photography locations in the Netherlands that are shouting to feature on your Instagram.
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.