Bathed by the North Sea, covered with flower fields, dotted with windmills, picturesque villages and cosmopolitan cities. Holland is like that, pretty, ecofriendly, progressive and ... small. Why more than a country, Holland could well be considered a great city.
A city rich in history, culture, nature and fun, a place of bicycles, colors, crazy about cheese and friendly, enterprising and smiling neighbors. If Holland were a city, it would be full of neighborhoods, large and small, each and every one of them unique and with its own personality: the neighborhood of Amsterdam, alive, outgoing and with a rebel soul; the neighborhood of Rotterdam, cosmopolitan, urban and with its infinite love for the sea; the neighborhood of Hague, elegant and institutional; or the neighborhood of Maastricht, of romantic soul.
And when we feel like relaxing, let's not forget the little jewels of “Holland-city”, like Zaanse Schans, where we can walk next to windmills; Volendam where to feel the protagonists of a story from another time; or Zandvoort, an ideal place to sunbathe and dip in the northern waters. The best thing about visiting a country-city is that the distances are short and can be saved in a short time.
Traveling to Holland is to travel to each of its corners, which makes the trip complete, different, full of experiences and cheap, if you can find an interesting flight offer!
If you still have not encouraged, we will give you 10 reasons to visit Holland.
1. AMSTERDAM
City of canals, bicycles, parties and culture, Amsterdam does not take long to enter the heart of the visitor and it is that this neighborhood, and I say city, Dutch is vibrant, colorful and tolerant as few. You can spend hours wandering its streets, venturing into the controversial Red Light District or soaking up art in one of its many museums (Van Gogh's is one of the prettiest we ever visited). You can visit their markets or have a picnic in one of its parks. One thing is for sure, Amsterdam conquers ... just don't stand there: keep exploring what Holland has to offer.
In reality they are not neighborhoods, but between how small the country is and the good transport network, knowing many of the Dutch cities and towns in one visit is something that can be done without problems.
If you are more urban we advise you to visit Amsterdam, Rotterdam Y Hague, if instead you are more attracted to small towns full of charm you can not miss a visit to Marken, with its black and green wooden houses, Alkmaar, to know your cheese market and Zaanse Shans, with its wonderful mills.
Obviously, our favorite combination contemplates a mixture of cities and towns, although if you are looking for something original, outside of conventional routes, we advise you to approach the region of North Holland: Friesland, only an hour and a half from Amsterdam. We already tell you: Everything is close to everything in Holland, And it's wonderful!
Holland has historically been the cradle of artistic and intellectual movements with great importance in the rest of Europe. His art is elegant, refined, avant-garde and the great masters of the past are his best business card. From 'La lechera' or 'La joven de la perla' from Veerne to the 'Wheat Field with Crows', 'Sunflowers' or 'The Bedroom of Arles' of Van Gogh, without forgetting about Rembrandt, the master of light, with some of his masterpieces as 'The round of night'. Visiting Dutch museums is a guarantee of beauty, quality and enjoyment.
But not only art of the past lives the Dutch culture: the streets of this small country are more alive and vibrant than ever and that is that Holland is a creative land, in constant evolution. The most obvious proof is in the Dutch design, famous and appreciated worldwide thanks to its simplicity, elegance and clarity. But never missing surprising touches so walking through the art galleries (and even clothing and furniture stores) is something fun, inspiring and very nice ... especially if you have a hipster soul.
Are you among those who would eat cheese at all hours of the day? If so, you are in luck: Holland will be your paradise. From the famous Gouda Y Edam even less known specialties (but just as tasty) as the Maasdammer (similar to the Swiss Emmental), the Geitenkaas (goat cheese), the Boerenkaas (a very creamy cheese), the Delft blue (a soft blue cheese) and a long list of cheeses made with spices and herbs.
Do not miss some of the traditional cheese markets of the country, such as Alkmaar, 45 km from Amsterdam, known as the 'cheese city'. Here, every Friday of spring / summer, you can attend the famous cheese market, an experience. In the Waagplein, the square where this curious market takes place, there is also the Dutch Cheese Museum, where you can learn more about making one of your favorite foods. An original and gluttonous visit.
5. PARTIES
Holland knows how to have funIf you want to witness the festive and cheerful atmosphere of this land, we recommend you to schedule your visit during one of the main celebrations. The April 30th for example the Queen's day, during which the Dutch take to the streets dressed in orange to pay homage to the family's last name ... Orange!
Another beautiful party is the Glow Eindhoven Festival, in which the city is transformed into a huge canvas. Artists just have to follow one rule: use light. So hundreds of buildings, parks, streets and squares come to life thanks to lights and bulbs ... absolutely wonderful. And what about the Carnival of Maastricht? Three days full of music, costumes and non-stop party.
Another very curious celebration is that of Sinter Klaas It has a certain analogy with our Santa Claus, but in its Dutch version it arrives by boat from Spain! If the kids have been good, on December 5 they will receive a great gift, if instead they have been naughty ... Sinter Klaas will take them to Spain as punishment.
Reds, oranges, yellows, whites, purples, pinks ... Holland's fields are the most colorful and scented fields in the world. There are many places to enjoy this beautiful spectacle of nature, although the area of Bollenstreek It is without a doubt the best known and fascinating. Seeing you surrounded by thousands of flowers will be one of the most beautiful experiences of your trip.
Tulips bulbs are also the best souvenirs: cultivating them will be like having a little Dutch soul in the garden of your house.
If you are among cycling enthusiasts you will find it easy to find yourself as a fish in the water: the country looks like a huge bike lane thanks to which you can discover all its attractions by pedaling in freedom. Bicycles are an icon in Holland: they are the most ecological, low cost and fun means of transport, they also allow you to go to your air and stop wherever and whenever you want.
You will cycle through flower fields, wild coasts, small and traditional villages, forests, windmills and you will have no problem even enjoying your biggest cities by bike: Holland moves on two wheels.
Windmills, tulips, gouda cheese, Delft porcelain, wooden souks, coffee shops in Amsterdam… Holland is not a country that leaves anyone indifferent, it has personality and a lot! And what to say about the Dutch? They are an open-minded people, accustomed to finding solutions rather than lamenting the problems, informal, welcoming, nature lovers and without taboos: not by chance Holland was one of the first countries to break down religious, sexual and racial barriers.
It is impossible to talk about Holland without talking about water, its most important and intrinsic element. To begin with, it must be said that the denomination of "Netherlands" is due to being below sea level ... so the Dutch had to manage to survive. The solution was to create a system of innovative dikes that contained the force of the sea beyond its limits. The most famous is undoubtedly that of Afsluitdijk which with its 32 km is an absolutely amazing work.
And how to forget the famous dutch canals? Sailing through them is an experience and if you travel in winter you may be lucky to enjoy them in an unusual way ... practice ice skating!
It is also worth a visit to the wild and coldNorth Sea, with some fantastic sunsets.
We could not finish without talking about one of the aspects that are most enjoyed on each trip: gastronomy. Dutch cuisine is not as famous as Italian, Indian or Peruvian, which does not mean that it is not worth it or that on a trip to Holland we have to take refuge in chains of fast food or ethnic restaurants, or of coña ! Cheese is not the only culinary pride of the Netherlands, the erwtensoep, a pea soup that is served with slices of bread and sausage sticks is a real treat. Other dishes to try are raw herring with onion, the rijsttafel, of Indonesian origin, which consists of rice accompanied by a few spicy meat, vegetables and fish dishes and the stamppot, a stew of smoked meat and vegetables that is to suck your fingers.
And for dessert the pannekoeken, some crepes covered by delicious maple syrup. How hungry!
Did you feel like visiting Holland? We do not see the time to return to this small country (or big city).
