Archive for May, 2011
De Hoge Veluwe National Park Posted by heather on May 31, 2011
If you have done any research on the Netherlands or visited here, then you are probably quite familiar with the cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Den Haag. You may even know about Eindhoven, Arnhem and Maastricht. But you may not be aware of the 5,400 hectares of woodland, heathland, peat bogs and drift sand located…
Open Tuinen Dagen – Step Into a Garden Posted by heather on May 24, 2011
Have you ever walked down one of the tree lined streets in Amsterdam and wondered what exists behind the 16th and 17th century canal houses? Well, if you are free on the third weekend of June and happen to be in Amsterdam, then you might just have the chance to find out. On the 17th…
Stroopwafel + Cake = Stroopwafelcake!! Posted by heather on May 21, 2011
Last week I wrote about a very popular food item here in the Netherlands – the stroopwafel. Judging by the amount of comments and likes that post received, it seems that the stroopwafel is also very popular outside of the Netherlands! Seeing how delicious so many of you found stroopwafels, I knew I had to…
Tourism for iedereen at the Keukenhof Posted by Elena on May 20, 2011
Last week I went to a place in the Netherlands where most Dutch people have never set foot: the Keukenhof, a huge, heavily landscaped flower park outside of Amsterdam. At the entrance, a Dutch flag hangs alongside a German one, and inside the last thing you are likely to hear is the sing-songy tones of…
The Humble Stroopwafel Posted by heather on May 14, 2011
At first glance, there is nothing that spectacular about a stroopwafel. It’s thin, it’s round and it’s brown. But hidden behind that waffle grid exterior is a gooey, sweet, caramelness that challenges even the best home cooked meal from your childhood. Stroopwafels are a waffle made from two thin layers of baked batter with a…
Remembering and Celebrating Posted by heather on May 6, 2011
Two important days for the Netherlands have just passed – May 4th was Remembrance Day and May 5th was Liberation Day. If you were in the country, especially in Amsterdam, over these two days then you were probably aware of some of the events taking place and perhaps you even participated in them. Remembrance Day…
Waag: Amsterdam’s Oldest Surviving Medieval Gatehouse Posted by heather on May 3, 2011
There is a building in the middle of the market square, Nieuwmarkt, in Amsterdam. Easily spotted despite the market stands sometimes surrounding it; the brick building, featuring several towers is Amsterdam’s oldest surviving medieval gatehouse. Known by many as St. Antoniespoort, this building is called Waag. Waag was built in 1488, with the intention of…