Travel Tues on Weds

Netherlands aka Holland


picture order: 1. delft china/ 2-3. Keukenhof Garden/

4. one of many windmills/ 5. architecture of Amsterdam

6. Amsterdam

Contrary to popular belief Netherlands and Holland are in fact the same place. When I first heard that we where going to study Holland while in collage I thought of windmills, wooden shoes and pot smoking. lol. Yes there is pot smoking, wooden shoes and windmills, but there is truly so much more to see. This is a country on the cutting edge of most things, new wave idea's if you will, but they also haven't lost a single shred of their history. They show it off in fact in the countless museums and art galleries in every large city or tiny town. I again am going to write a short over view of the country. If my small insight is something you would be interested in pls go on the search for yourself because there is so much more to talk about.

Geography: The Netherlands are located on the coast of the north sea in North West Europe. 1/2 of the country's area is below sea level, making the dutch dikes a must for much of the land reclamation which still continues today.

Amsterdam:

Everyone has heard of this city. It's known to our generation as being one of the most "free" cities in the world, if you catch my drift. But there is so much more to do there then walk around smoking grass and drinking. There is famous museums, shops, art galleries and of course flower markets. Most of Holland is covered with the worlds most interesting architecture, the picture above is a bank! Its located here in Amsterdam. So if you can imagine a city where buildings like this bank are mixed with the historical architecture as pictured next to it, you've got Amsterdam. Here is a short list of some sights.

Anne Frank House: made famous by Anne Frank and her journal this house is the actual place that 3 families escaped the Nazis.

VanGogh Museum: This is where the world's largest collection of VanGogh artwork is displayed. Over 200 paintings and 600 drawings are showed here.

Red Light District: Okay back to the drinking and pot smoking now lol. Not that thats all that goes on here. If your nervous about going here don't be, just take the same precautions as always, don't wave your money about. But it is to safe to have ice in the many drinks you are bound to consume. The Cassa Rosso is quite a sight, there is usually a lot of tourists there, (mostly couples) it consists of theatre seating, a stage with a rotating bed, a gorilla suite and bananas (I'm sure its an interesting show! lmao)

The Hague:

More of the same as Amsterdam minus the red light district But there is some things worth seeing:

Madurodam: a miniature city built 1.25 to scale. It provides the typical dutch city development through the centuries. If you like history and how it develops you might find this interesting.

Mauritshuris Museum: Features a collection of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Steen, and Frans Hals paintings and drawings.

Haarlem:

No not Harlum. Haarlem in Holland lol. Again lots of cool buildings, coffee shops etc. But there is two reasons to go to Haarlem:

Dutch Reclamation Museum: Exhibits stuff like how windmills work, steam driven pumps, and how Holland has reclaimed so much land from the sea with their dike system.

Keukenhof Garden: This is the 2nd reason to visit Haarlem just south of there is the most beautiful garden in the world!!!! This is the main reason I would die to go to Holland. Its an 80 acre gardeners paradise. The pics of it are so beautiful I could cry!!! Beds of Tulips, Crocuses, Daffodils and so much more. The strategically laid paths weave their way through flower displays, themed gardens and shady tree-lined lanes. Fifty five % of the world spring blooming bulbs are developed at the Keukenholf. You may have one growing in your garden! Of course the best time to go is in the spring around Apr-June. One day, in the spring I'll be there!!!!

Delft:

Does that name sound a little familiar. Well here's why-delft china. You've seen it. Blue and white with dutch like stuff-windmills, little girls that look kind of like Heidi. Well Delft china is still hand painted in you guested it Delft. The town is quaint despite its famous craft as pictured above.

What you will need: Simply a Passport. From Holland you can easily travel to other European countries. You won't even have to exchange currencies thanks to the Euro.

Heath Risks: Besides a hang over and sore feet nothing to worry about.

Well that's it for Travel Tues on Weds. Hope you enjoyed!