History

Zwarte Piet: the full guide to the Netherlands’ most controversial tradition

Many in the Netherlands view Zwarte Piet (Black Pete) as an innocent addition to the Dutch holiday...

A day trip to Bourtange: the tiny village steeped in Dutch history

Rich in history, Vesting Bourtange dates back to 1580 when Willem van Oranje ordered the construction of...

The Putten raid: when the Nazis captured nearly all the men in this Dutch village

On October 1, the small village of Putten in Gelderland remembers a painful day from its past....

Leidens Ontzet: a day of freedom, fun, and boozing!

Every year, there’s one day that all Leiden residents look forward to, Leidens Ontzet (Relief of Leiden)....

The Dutch Bible Belt: what’s that all about?

The Netherlands is a progressive, innovative, forward-thinking country… with its very own deeply religious bible belt. 🙏🏻 Yup,...

A tale as old as time: the Netherlands and India’s surprising relationship

There is a little joke we make in India — "first comes the software boom, and along...

Van hier tot Tokio: a history of Dutch-Japanese relations

Dutch-Japanese relations have a long and interesting history, determined by commerce, trade, and war. Here's a glimpse...

8 great windmills to visit in the Netherlands

Windmills are one of the first things you think of when you hear the words "Holland" or...