Now that Halloween is over, we can shamelessly shift to Sinterklaas. Just kidding, we’re ready for Christmas. Although the Dutch Christmas markets are not as famous as their German counterparts, the Christmas markets in the Netherlands are absolutely charming. I ended up not ranking these strictly as people look for different things in different Christmas markets, but I’ve grouped it based on the opinions of friends. I’ve included ten Christmas markets in the Netherlands and I’ll be updating this post with more experiences/photos this year!
The Netherlands
The Rietveld Schröderhuis: the iconic building of De Stijl
As someone with a keen interest in architecture who has traveled to some of the most famous architectural masterpieces in the world, I was excited to visit the Rietveld Schröderhuis, one of the iconic buildings of de Stijl.
What is striking about architecture is that it’s not just a work of art to be admired, but also one to be used. Although some architecture is built to fulfill the architect’s whimsies, the Rietveld Schröderhuis was built specifically to suit the needs of its owner.
Beyond the history behind this iconic house, the interior of the Schroder house is extremely striking yet functional. This post will discuss the history as well as the architecture behind the home. (There are many photos of the interior as well as the exterior of the Rietveld Schröderhuis!)
…Your one day guide to visiting Utrecht, the most enchanting city in the Netherlands
Have you ever visited a place that you fall in love with instantly? From the moment that I visited Utrecht on a day trip from Amsterdam, I fell in love with Utrecht. This beautiful Dutch city has canals that are two stories, unlike Amsterdam, which only adds to the delightful architecture, slow pace, amazing food, and the few tourists. Keep reading for my one day guide to Utrecht with what to do in Utrecht in one day and a complete itinerary for visiting Utrecht.
…Where to find the best vegan food in Amsterdam by locals
As someone who has to skip Dutch cheese due to my IBS, I eat vegan quite often, however I’ve somehow never written about my favorite vegan places to eat in Amsterdam. I was recently in touch with Desmond and Karim, two Amsterdammers passionate about vegan food, and we’ve put together a helpful guide to the best vegan restaurants in Amsterdam.
…What to know about visiting the Peace Palace in the Hague by a local
One of the most stunning buildings in the Hague is the Peace Palace (Vredespaleis in Dutch). Visiting the Peace Palace is not particularly easy, however touring the grounds where the International Court of Justice is held is a worthwhile endeavor. I’ll be discussing the history of the Peace Palace, what to expect from a guided tour of the Peace Palace, and how to visit the Peace Palace as a private citizen.
…20 Easy Day Trips from Amsterdam by a Dutch resident
I’ve been living in Holland for nearly three years now. One of the best parts of the Netherlands is how easy it is to take day trips! I include insider tips from my time living in Amsterdam for the best day trips from Amsterdam to other gorgeous Dutch cities, including Gouda, Leiden, and Giethoorn. I include easy day trips from Amsterdam as well as off the beaten path day trips from Amsterdam.
…An introduction to Surinamese food in the Netherlands
One of the things that surprised me about the Netherlands was the diversity of food that you find here, including Surinamese food! Due to Dutch history, there is a large segment of the population with roots in Suriname. I wanted to do something different here as a way of introducing my readers to Surinamese food, its history, the best Surinamese dishes to try, and most importantly where to find good Surinamese food in the Netherlands. However, I’m not from Suriname and it is important to let others’ voices be heard, so I’ve interviewed an expert.
…How to view the beautiful Japanese garden in Den Haag in fall and spring
One of the small joys of living in a place year-round is that you get to experience your home city in each season. Although seasons in the Netherlands are far more mild than those of my home country, I still have a huge soft spot for fall and spring here in the Netherlands. One of the best places to ring in spring and fall is at the Japanese garden in Den Haag. I’ll be including advice for visiting the Japanese garden in both seasons, including getting to Clingendael.
…Catspotting: A crazy cat lover’s guide to cats in Amsterdam
I love cats. This is a detailed guide to my beloved Amsterdam with the best places to meet cats in Amsterdam, officially and unofficially, with my favorite cats. If you’re a fan of Catspotting, you’re going to love this guide to Amsterdam. I’m a crazy cat lady and meeting cats when traveling is one of my favorite hobbies.
While living in Amsterdam, my husband and I hunted down the locations of cats in Amsterdam because we are that cat crazy. We found cats living at one of the cat cafes in Amsterdam, roaming the halls of a historic canal house/cat museum filled with cat art, cozying up to potential owners on de Poezenboot (the Catboat), sleeping in various shops, or even breaking into museum gardens.
This also includes
What to do in Amsterdam Noord, Amsterdam’s coolest borough
For some reason that I’m not sure, a lot of people that I know are nervous about visiting Amsterdam Noord. This part of Amsterdam is just across the water from the historic city center, so if you think that you’ve seen Amsterdam, take a ferry across to explore Amsterdam Noord. This post will be covering cool things to do in Amsterdam Noord, so be sure to rent a bike and follow my lead.
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