Netherlands
The Netherlands is a charming, compact nation with a rich and fascinating history. Bordering the North Sea, the landscape is adorned with numerous canals and waterways.
In Amsterdam, enjoy the scenic canals aboard a canal cruise, gliding beneath bridges while admiring the unique, slender canal houses that line the waterways. Stroll along the cobblestone streets, where you will surely encounter many cyclists navigating the extensive bicycle paths that crisscross the city.
Known for its art and history museums, the Netherlands offer an impressive collection of fine art. The masterpieces of celebrated Dutch artists like Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Vermeer are showcased at the Van Gogh Museum, Rembrandt House, and Rijksmuseum.
When envisioning the Netherlands, windmills, wooden clogs, cheese, and tulips come to mind. If you visit in spring, the Keukenhof Festival will delight you with a stunning display of colors. For a glimpse into the past, Zaanse Schans features preserved historic windmills, charming greenhouses, and artisanal workshops that highlight traditional customs.
Rotterdam, another city of canals, is known for having one of the largest ports globally, alongside a striking harbor, contemporary architecture, and a vibrant culinary scene.
The Netherlands is known as the “flower shop of the world,” but flowers are not by any means their only agricultural product. In fact, they are the largest exporter of agricultural goods in Europe, supplying products such as dairy, eggs, meat, and vegetables to other European countries including Germany, Belgium, and the UK. It may be surprising that such a geographically small country is one of the world leaders in agriculture, but this is due to innovative methods (hydroponics) where produce is grown in greenhouses with far less water and soil than would be required for traditional field farming.
The Netherlands is a wonderful destination for those traveling with children, and there are many family-friendly tour options like cycling on the well-marked paths, visiting an amusement park, or taking a canal cruise. Cities also offer many options to keep children amused, with interactive museums, imaginative playgrounds, and zoos.
Culinary
Friet and mayo: Dutch french fries. The classic topping for fries in the Netherlands is mayo, but you may also find other unique toppings such as peanut sauce or curry ketchup and onions.
Stroopwafel: These delicious cookies consist of a very thin layer of syrup, sugar, butter, and cinnamon, sandwiched between two thin wafers. This sweet treat is traditionally eaten with tea or coffee. To enjoy as locals do, place the stroopwafel on top of your cup, and let it steam for a few minutes so that the syrupy layer softens for a delicious, gooey snack.
Kroket: Similar to the classic French croquette, ingredients such as meat, cheese, or seafood are breaded and deep-fried until they have a golden-brown exterior. Originally served as a side dish, krokets are now a popular snack item.
Bitterballen: A round-shaped version of a kroket, bitterballen are balls of meat encased in a breaded and deep-fried outer layer. Traditionally made with beef, they can also be prepared with chicken, veal, or mushrooms and served alongside mustard for dipping.
Stamppot: This dish comes in several varieties, but the main ingredient is always mashed potatoes. The potatoes are combined with one or several vegetables such as kale, spinach, turnip, or sauerkraut. It is often served with smoked sausage or cooked meat on the side.
Speculaas: These spiced shortbread cookies are traditionally baked on the eve of St. Nicholas Day, celebrated on December 6th. The cookies are often molded into creative shapes such as windmills, snowflakes, floral motifs, or human and animal figures. Although these were originally considered to be Christmas cookies, you can now find them year-round.
Pannenkoek: This is a variety of Dutch pancakes that are somewhere between American pancakes and crêpes in terms of thickness. They are usually eaten for lunch, dinner, or dessert, but rarely for breakfast. Pannenkoek may be served with syrup, sugar apples, and cinnamon for dessert. For a heartier lunch or dinner, bacon and cheese may be added, resulting in a savory variation.
Poffertjes: These small, round, and puffy Dutch pancakes are commonly consumed as a snack. Traditionally, they are topped with melted butter and powdered sugar, and are a staple of most Dutch weddings, birthday parties, and various festive occasions.
Cheese: The Dutch are passionate about cheese – it is a staple of their diet, with each region having its specialty. Here are a few to get familiar with.
Gouda: A semi-hard cheese that has been naturally matured. It’s produced using cows milk and is flattened into a wheel shape. Young Gouda has a sweet, fruity taste, and as it ages it becomes a deeper yellow with a firmer texture and caramel or butterscotch flavor. Gouda pairs well with strong pale beers or a bold wine, such as pinot noir.
Old Amsterdam: A Dutch Gouda-style cheese which is matured at three stages, enhancing its flavor and texture; it is hard and smooth with tiny granular pieces, while flavors are sweet, rich, and nutty. This cheese is great for cooking and can be added to salads, shredded over soups, or used in sandwiches. It pairs well with a full-bodied cabernet or stout beer.
Edam: A semi-hard cheese with a mild, sweet taste. As it matures, its rubbery texture becomes firmer, and the flavor sharper. This cheese is made exclusively in the Netherlands and is one of the most successful cheese exports. It pairs well with dry white wines such as pinot grigio, riesling, Champagne, chardonnay, and shiraz.
Maasdam: A semi-hard cheese similar to the Swiss Emmental. It has a sweet, buttery, and nutty taste. When young, it is often eaten as a snack or used in sandwiches, although it can also be melted in soups or fondues. It pairs well with IPA beers and dry, fruity wines including Gewürztraminer, merlot, and Chianti.
Language
The native language in the Netherlands is Dutch, and you may notice that Dutch has some similarities to German. English is also widely spoken, and approximately 90% of the population is fluent. German is spoken by nearly 71% of the country’s population, followed by French at 29%.
Currency
The local currency in the Netherlands is the euro (EUR). Debit and major credit cards are widely accepted.
Electricity
In the Netherlands, the standard voltage is 220-230 V, and the frequency is 50 Hz. The plugs in the Netherlands are types C and F, which have two small round pins, and L, which has three small round pins. We suggest a multi-adaptor with different plug configurations.
The country code for the Netherlands is +31.
Films with scenes in Netherlands.....
Anne Frank ( many different series)
Diamonds are Forever
Black Book
The Fault in our Stars
Kidnapping Mr.Heineken
The Hitman's Bodyguard
Tulip Fever
Baptiste
Viking
Girl with a Pearl Earing
