History

Amsterdam’s canal houses: why are they so wonderfully weird?

Images of Amsterdam's much-loved narrow and wonky canal houses have shaped the world’s perception of Dutch architecture....

Why is Amsterdam’s Red Light District red? The answer is, well, kinda gross

Everyone's heard of Amsterdam's infamous Red Light District.  Maybe you've been there as a tourist, or perhaps you've...

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...