Destinations/Netherlands

Even if the Dutch flag is red, white and blue, we often associate the orange color to the country, and we will see it being worn by sports teams and the everyone on national days. The orange comes from a long time ago when the original Dutch flag had this color in the middle stripe (instead of white), and although Dutch people tried several times to get this color back on the flag it never happened. Orange is as well the color of the Dutch Royal family and that is why you see people celebrating the King’s Day (Koningsdag) proudly wearing this color. This is one, if not the most important celebrations for Dutch people. The king’s birthday means gathering everyone in the streets singing, dancing, eating, and drinking, having free markets, boat parades, free concerts… all a royal birthday is entitled for!

There are over 1000 windmills in the Netherlands and although most of them are not serving their purpose anymore they are kept well preserved and on National Mill day, 600 windmills and watermills around the country open their doors to visitors. More than windmills are the 7 million tulips that cover the country during springtime! Either if you are a flower lover or not, you will be amazed by the long fields of Noordoostpolder.

The Netherlands is as well a place of art and gave to the world-famous names as Vincent Van Gogh and Rembrandt. Van Gogh is probably one of most famous painters in the world, leaving behind more than 900 paintings. MOMA (Museum of Modern Art) in New York is home for one of his most famous paintings – Starry Night and Musée d’Orsay in Paris home for his Self Portrait.

About 200 years before, it was Rembrandt who made the Netherlands known in the world of art, being his most famous work The Night Watch, painted in 1642 and you can see it in Rijksmuseum, the national museum in Amsterdam.

The Netherlands has a mild temperature thanks to its location along the North Sea, so can expect it to not be too cold or too hot. However, count on some rain to be present all year long and wind will definitely be present, specially in the coastal area.

During the summer, in the cities, you will see Dutch spending time in the canals since it is a pleasant walking area to enjoy the sun and do a picnic. For the summer vacations Dutch like to go to Scheveningen, the most popular beach destination in the Hague region, with long beach areas and activities for all the family. You will find as well in Noordwijk a great place to spend sunny days, it is located in Bollenstreek, the flower bulb cultivation region. Beach areas are popular winter destinations as well and Dutch like to spend their days there enjoying beautiful suns sets and relaxing.

But when rivers freeze the Dutch will immediately take their skis out from the attic and go happily slide! Every year they look forward to weather to be cold enough so Elfstedentocht can take place –   an ice skating tour through 11 cities in Friesland province.

There are people who think that walking in Amsterdam streets is dangerous, not because of the cars but the bicycles! Cycling in the Netherlands is part of Dutch culture and there are more bicycles than habitants in the country! Being a flat country and with a high population, Dutch find it easier and faster to move by bicycle and the cities are adapted to this reality. Bicycles have priority over cars! A cool thing to see will be the bicycles’ parkings, thousands and thousands of bicycles… can you imagine if you forget where you have parked?

Dutch are simple, happy people but very direct so you can expect them to be straight and tell you the hard truths that you do not want to hear! As well, being late is not an option! They are punctual and do not like unexpected visits.

Dutch like their traditions and there isn’t anything more traditional from the Netherlands than the wooden clogs! Wooden clogs have been the official shoes during centuries but nowadays Dutch prefer something more comfortable! However, the tradition keeps on, thanks to the million of tourists that love to take home a pair of clogs as a souvenir.

The Netherlands is becoming one of the top destinations for students looking for an international opportunity. It is centrally located in Europe, what allows European students to be not very far from home. The wide range of English-taught programs allow  international students to  feel home and welcomed and often they stay in the country after finishing their studies. One of the reasons, is the big career opportunities that both national and international companies based in the Netherlands give to both local and international students.

A great advantage for students are the competitive tuition fees when compared with other countries as, for example, the United Kingdom. Dutch universities are well rated internationally and most of the cities will have a considerable student population, what makes young people feel welcomed.

Dutch main food traditions start with the way they have their meals. You won’t find a Dutch having a full plate of meat, rice and vegetables by lunch. They like to eat light and cold by lunch time – a simple sandwich, salad or fruit. That is why you will find them having dinner from 5:30 pm!

Cheese is a huge thing for Dutch! It is even said that one of the reasons they are so tall is because of the calcium they get from all the cheese they eat! Truth or not, they are tall, and they are responsible for worldwide cheese types as Gouda and Edammer. The best way to try the Dutch cheese is getting a Cheese Tasting tour.

And what goes well with cheese? The wine right? But it is not about wine we will talk about, but yes about the Heineken beer! It was in 1873 when the first Heineken beer was made in De Hooiberg brewery in Amsterdam, the place that hosts today the Heineken Experience that every local and tourist like to visit.  Here they will learn how the beer is made, the Heineken story and of course, taste it!

For those who are sweet fans you can’t absolutely miss the “stroopwafel”, meaning syrup (stroop) + waffle. And that is what it is, a sandwich of caramel syrup pressed between two thin waffles, the perfect treatm we would say! Nowadays it is possible to find it,not only in the Netherlands but in several international supermarkets!

Shopping is something Dutch are into! One of the main pedestrian streets in Amsterdam counts with more than 150 shops and about 50000 shoppers every day! This street is called Kalverstraat and has about 1 km long and offers the traditional international brands of fast fashion (as Zara, H&M, Pull & Bear, etc). If you are looking for more selective brands you may head up to Leidsestraat, another famous street for shopping lovers.

Dutch like to have a good time so you will often find them in the clubs, bars or hanging out in the streets by night. You probably already heard about the famous Red-Light district in Amsterdam but do not limit the nightlife exploration there, since you will find areas like Leidseplein with iconic cultural and music centers with options for all ages and Rembrandtplein with clubs, cafes, and cinemas. Rotterdam and Utrecht are known as well for their nightlife.