Discover a completely different Rotterdam from the one we know now.This colourised footage of Rotterdam before the war offers a unique glimpse into the city’s former image.
On May 14, 1940, the German bombing of Rotterdam left irreparable damage. The bombing destroyed the entire city centre and Rotterdam was rebuilt into the city of modern architecture that we know today.
This video shows remarkable images of Rotterdam around 1930, before the World War II bombing that forever changed its character.
The bombing lasted for 15 minutes, devastating the old city as it’s seen in these images. Nearly 1,000 people died and 80,000 people became homeless.
Everyone was shocked when Dutch contestant Joost Klein was disqualified from the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. In light of harsh criticism, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has now issued a statement confirming that it fully supports its earlier decision.
The EBU says the decision was made unanimously and quickly, which raises the question of what really happened in Malmö and how serious the yet unspecified “incident” was.
As Swedish media and police have revealed more information, let’s have a look at what we know so far. 👇
An accelerated police procedure
Swedish police have told local media that they are currently investigating the incident in an accelerated procedure.
This sped-up procedure is necessary because there is “strong evidence” against Klein. However, as the NOS states, Swedish police have not specified what this evidence could be.
A decision on whether Joost will be prosecuted is expected to be made by the beginning of June.
Contradicting statements
Dutch broadcaster AVROTROS, who managed Joost’s participation in the contest, issued a statement on Sunday arguing that Joost’s disqualification was disproportionate.
The EBU has now responded by saying that AVROTROS’s version of the story does not match statements from witnesses, the police, and EBU staff.
Fans around the world were disappointed by Joost’s disqualification. Dutch satirical show Even Tot Hier created a parody of Europapa summarising the general consensus of the Dutch audience:
Students of the Universiteit van Amsterdam (UvA) will not have any classes for the next two days due to the ongoing Pro-Palestine protests.
According to the university’s website, its buildings will remain closed on both Tuesday and Wednesday as the university “cannot now take responsibility for the safety of everyone on campus.”
A change in atmosphere
The university made this decision following yesterday’s demonstrations on campus, during which a “walk-out” by staff and students took place.
According to the university, this part of the demonstration took place in an “orderly manner due to the intention of the participants and the organisers.”
However, once the “walk-out” was complete, the university claims “the atmosphere immediately changed” as people began to arrive dressed in black and wearing face coverings.
Translation: It wouldn’t surprise me if there are agitators who deliberately want to put the demonstration in a bad light.
These protesters then began to occupy university buildings on Roeterseiland. As part of the occupation, entrances and exits, including emergency exits, were barricaded.
And this is where the problem lies for the university.
Cannot take responsibility for student and staff’s safety
The university has announced that with this change in atmosphere, it cannot guarantee the safety of staff and students.
“For this reason, there will be no teaching at the UvA on Tuesday and Wednesday,” it announces.
The university also cites the destruction caused by the occupation of university buildings as part of the reasoning behind the decision.
The university does not expect its staff to move their teaching online, given the lack of notice. Instead, it simply points its students to the Canvas portal to get updates on their lectures.
Plenty of countries celebrate someone’s 50th birthday as a huge milestone — but the Dutch do it differently.
Yes, yet another weird tradition when it comes to celebrating the golden birthday in the Netherlands.
Namely, calling the celebrant “Abraham” for men or “Sarah” for women and filling their home and/or office with very questionable decoration. 🤨
What is it?
Indeed, Dutchies love to wish you a happy birthday, and bestowing the name Abraham or Sarah upon anyone who turns 50 is just one way of celebrating.
The wild home or office decorations might include funky inflatables and possibly embarrassing posters.
One of my colleagues turned 50 today! In the Netherlands, this means she is Sarah(the male version is Abraham) Here’s what we teased her with pic.twitter.com/tN2tC99QpV
“Becoming Abraham is an honour, 50 years pass like a spear!”
Turning 50 is really worth all the congratulations and decorative excitement, so they don’t shy away from the potentially embarrassing decor.
Overall, it’s a sweet sentiment — you lived long enough to gain all this wisdom and experience, and it’s a milestone to celebrate. 🥳
Why is it quirky?
Well, it’s interesting that the Dutch use Bible stories as part of a tradition for a non-religious celebration even now.
Granted, the Netherlands was known for being a Calvinist country in the past, but religion is not as important for a majority of Dutch people as it used to be.
To the average person, it seems that the Dutch are just throwing around random names for people turning 50.
Should you join in?
For sure! It’s always fun to celebrate a birthday, and Dutchies like to make 50th ones even more special.
Just ten days after the yearly Dutch commemoration that is Dodenherdenking (Remembrance Day) and Bevrijdingsdag (Liberation Day), the inhabitants of Rotterdam have another infamous date to remember — May 14.
It was on this day, back in 1940, that a Nazi bombardment utterly destroyed the centre of Rotterdam.
Known internationally as the Rotterdam Blitz, the Dutch simply call it het Bombardement (the bombardment).
The bombing of Rotterdam, aka Rotterdam Blitz
Call it the Dutch equivalent of Pearl Harbor, if you will — the effect of the bombing of Rotterdam was as decisive as it was horrible.
After several days of fierce fighting, the Nazi invasion of the Netherlands had come to a stalemate in Rotterdam.
Taken by surprise by the fierce resistance of the Dutch army, Hitler knew he had to break the spirit of the Dutch people as a whole.
So it was that Nazi bombers dropped incendiary bombs over Rotterdam, quickly starting a fire that destroyed approximately 85,000 homes and ended the lives of nearly 900 people.
Rotterdam after the bombing. In the background, we see the remains of the Sint-Laurenskerk on the Grotekerkplein. Image: Hendrik Sutterland/Wikimedia Commons/CC0 1.0
The Dutch were, at last, no match for the Nazi war machine.
Yielding to threats that the same fate would await Utrecht and Amsterdam, the Dutch surrendered unconditionally after the bombing of Rotterdam, marking the beginning of five years of Nazi occupation.
The bombing of Rotterdam: the legacy
How can we best keep this part of history preserved for future generations?
The most confrontational to the bombing of Rotterdam is, without a doubt, Ossip Zadkine’s statue De Verwoeste Stad (The Destroyed City).
A monument to Rotterdam’s tragic history, it can be visited at the main square. Image: Rene Boulay/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
Located at a square named after the year 1940, the statue leaves the viewer with a haunting image of a soul in anguish that had its heart torn out.
The Forgotten Bombardment of 1943
Though the Netherlands and Germany are basically BFFs today, het Bombardement has been an important reason why Dutch resentment against Germans lingered for a long time after World War II.
In this respect, it’s quite telling that there’s another bombardment of Rotterdam which took place during the war which has remained unknown for a long time.
On March 31, 1943, a tragic mistake caused several dozen American B-17 bombers to drop their deadly load on Rotterdam residential areas, rather than at the Nazi military installations.
More than three hundred people lost their lives.
Fittingly named “The Forgotten Bombardment,” this historical event has been shrouded in silence for decades, until the unspoken ban was lifted in the 90s.
Rotterdam today
Rotterdam literally rose from the ashes to become a beacon of Dutch culture once again. Priding itself with its no-nonsense mentality, Rotterdam is a city teeming with life and innovation.
Home to some of the most well-known Dutch pieces of architecture, such as the Euromast and the Kubuswoningen, the skyline of Rotterdam is no less than iconic.
Signing the dotted line and buying a house in the Netherlands involves a number of costs aside from the purchase price.
So where can you and can’t you save money?
In this article, we will cover the costs that you really can’t avoid when buying your own Dutch home.
In the Netherlands, these costs are referred to as the kosten koper, meaning buyers’ costs. In total, you can expect to spend approximately 4% and 6% of the purchasing price of the home on these costs — let’s break them down.
Pssst! It’s worth noting that many of the mortgage-related costs involved in buying a house in the Netherlands are tax deductible.
Mortgage advisor fees
A mortgage advisor will guide you through the process of securing a Dutch mortgage, covering everything from your borrowing power to which bank you should choose.
Mortgage advisors will help you navigate the entire process. Image: Freepik
Some mortgage advisors (hypotheekadviseur) charge a portion of their fees right after their first meeting with you, others may require you to sign a binding contract.
However, there are also advisors who won’t expect payment until afteryou have successfully found yourself a home.
Do you have more questions?Expat Mortgages’ experts are ready to meet with you for a free consultation — and they operate on a no-cure-no-pay basis, meaning you don’t pay a cent until you’ve found your home. Schedule a meeting now.
What will I pay? This varies from expert to expert, but you can expect to pay between €1,500 and €3,000.
Appraisal fees
A taxateur is an appraiser who must carry out an inspection of the house you’re interested in buying.
For non-Dutch-speaking clients, the notary also hires a registered interpreter to ensure that everyone involved understands the content of the deeds.
What will I pay? Depending on the range of required services, a notaris in the Netherlands can cost between €700 and €2000.
Real estate agent fees
While real estate agents (makelaar) are not technically mandatory, many house hunters require these experts in order to be successful.
In the Netherlands, a real estate agent will usually cost between 1% or 2% of the purchase price. Image: Freepik
Dutch real estate agents have access to new houses on the market before they hit sites such as Funda, which greatly increases your chance of becoming a homeowner.
What will I pay? Usually a commission of between 1% and 2% of the purchasing price (including VAT). You should establish their rate before you buy a home.
Transfer tax
When buying a home in the Netherlands, you must pay transfer tax (overdrachtsbelasting). This is a government tax that applies when you become owner of “immovable property” — like a house.
However, if you’re aged between 18 and 35 and buying a house worth less than €510,000 in 2024, congratulations! You can get an exemption if you meet the conditions.
What will I pay? These taxes are 2% of the property’s price.
NHG application fee
In the Netherlands, you can take out a mortgage with the Nationale Hypotheek Garantie (National Mortgage Guarantee) for houses worth up to €435,000. This offers protection against any remaining debt if you can’t pay your mortgage due to unforeseen circumstances.
Volendam is packed full of things to do to channel your inner, traditional Dutchie.
The historical fishing town of Volendam offers so many underrated experiences to make you feel like a true Nederlander. 🇳🇱
From eating some lekkerharing on the town’s famous dike to visiting an old ship of the Dutch East India Company, there are many iconic things to do in Volendam.
What’s a better way to familiarise yourself with Dutch culture than by dressing up in classic Dutch farmer attire?
At Fotostudio Volendam, you can do precisely that. Whether you’re with a friend or an entire group, grab a traditional-dress costume along with some wooden clogs, and “Say cheese!” (Yes, another very Dutch thing)! 🧀
Pro tip: You can request to have your picture in a classic Sepia filter, for that old nostalgic effect! 😎
Your pictures will be printed and ready within just an hour after taking them — an unforgettable souvenir and a top thing to do in Volendam.
💰 Price: Prices vary depending on size and number of persons ⏰ Openinghours: Daily from 10 AM to 6 PM 📍 Location: Haven 82, 1131 ET Volendam
2. Stuff your face with herring on the dike
A delectable plate of herring. 🐠 Image: Depositphotos
If slipping a fresh, onion-topped herring in your mouth doesn’t make you feel like a true Nederlander, we don’t know what will.
Herring, a small oily fish, has long been part of Dutch tradition. Today it’s bought from street kiosks and fish stores, served with chopped onion, and eaten all in one go. Eet smakelijk!
On its famous dike, Volendam offers several shops and kiosks with fresh haring to satisfy your taste buds. 😋
💰 Price: About €2 for one serving ⏰ Opening hours: 10 AM to 6 PM Monday to Saturday 📍 Location: Haven 82, 1131 EP Volendam
3. Get in touch with Volendam’s history at Experience Volendam
The traditional and elegant Dutch attire. Image: Depositphotos
Become acquainted with some local townsy culture and experience what Volendam looked like 100 years ago!
Experience Volendam lets you look at the city circa 1916 via virtual reality glasses — and it’s so realistic you can almost smell the fish at the harbour. 🐟
So serene; it almost looks like a painting! Image: Depositphotos
When compared to other Dutch towns, Volendam is quite small, and so is its beach. But, it’s definitely worth taking a dip in the freshwater of Lake Marker (A.K.A Markermeer). 🏊
While the lake used to be made up of salt water, after the closing of the Afsluitdijk in 1932, the water became completely refreshed.
Usually, the beach is busiest between 9 AM and 1 PM, but you’ll only have to consider that during warm summer days when the sun is shining and the water isn’t freezing.
5. Look inside an old Dutch VOC ship at Voldendam’s harbour
The Halve Maen in Volendam’s harbour! Image: Depositphotos
As an old harbour city, it seems almost essential to check out the true-to-history replica of the old Dutch VOC ship that dates all the way back to the 17th century.
The original ship, called Halve Maen, is best known as a discovery ship and a freighter in the bulk trade, and is currently open to the public as a museum!
On board, you can get learn about all the adventures the ship has had and get some lekker dinner on board afterwards. 🥘
💰 Price: €9 for adults, €4.5 for kids up to 14 years ⏰ Openinghours: 12 PM to 4:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday (last viewing 30 minutes before closing time) 📍 Location: Havendijkje 2, 1131 EZ Volendam
6. Visit the old fish auction building
It doesn’t serve as a fish auction anymore, but you’ll find great handmade products there! Image: Weefemwe/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
In this historical building, built as a trade office in 1934 and later used as a fish auction hotspot, lies Volendam’s rare and intact monument: St. Vincentius’ Fish Auction Cooperative.
Though, since April 2017, it acts as a shop where you can buy local products that are handmade in Odion’s day activity centres.
You can visit the monument at Volendam’s harbour. It’s built in the style of expressionism, and, while the superstructure is made of wood, it rests entirely on concrete beams and legs.
Miss the fish? You’ll be happy to know that the fish auction is often re-enacted during school outings and popular festivities, so keep your eyes on the calendar. 🐠
💰 Price: Free entrance, but the rest depends on what you buy there 🛍 ⏰ Opening hours: April to November, 9 AM to 4 PM from Tuesday to Thursday 📍 Location: Haven 41, 1131 EP Volendam
7. Indulge in Dutch cheese at the Cheese Factory Museum
There’s no cheese like Dutch cheese. Image: Depositphotos
Here, you can indulge in melt-in-your-mouth cheese tastings, discover how Dutch cheese is produced, explore the museum, or grab a tasty souvenir in the gift shop.
No reservation is necessary, so pop on in and have a cheesy time! 💁
💰 Price: Free entrance ⏰ Opening hours: 9 AM to 8 PM every Sunday to Thursday and 9 AM to 9 PM every Friday and Saturday 📍 Location: Haven 25, 1131 EP Volendam
8. Sail on the incredible Marken Express
A view of the Marken harbour from the Marken Express. Image: Depositphotos
This 30-minute cruise sails across the water from Volendam to the still and peaceful island of Marken. ⛴
With a bar on board, you can enjoy a drink while taking in the serene atmosphere as you look onto the still lake water.
Once arrived at the Marken peninsula, you’ll have the opportunity to experience the island’s coastal beautiful sights, visit the Marken Museum and gaze through its harbour.
The Volendam Express has been sailing for almost 100 years, which truly makes it an unmissable piece of Volendam history! 🛥
💰 Price: €16 for adults and €10 for kids over three ⏰ Opening hours: Daily from 10 AM to 5 PM 📍 Location: Haven 39, 1131 EP Volendam
9. Watch how clogs are made at Alida Hoeve Clog Factory
Dutch culture wouldn’t be the same without the iconic clogs. Image: Depositphotos
While this factory calls for a trip outside of the main city of Volendam, it’s always worth a visit to watch the traditional production process behind a pair of Dutch clogs. 🇳🇱
Luckily, you don’t need to pay a single cent for entrance, parking, nor to watch the demonstration, which lasts a bit less than one hour.
Alida Hoeve also doubles as a cheese farm, where you’ll find the world-famous Edam, sheep, and goat cheese. Lekker! 😋
With an exhibition on Volendam’s music history, the museum offers a look into 100 years of the city’s music, made by “ordinary” Volendammers who put the city on the map. 🌍
Where do eels come into play? Well, it’s a nod to Volendam’s maritime economy and a reference to the type of music made by Volendammer artists, a smooth and relaxing melody, which they have come to call “eel sound”.
So, sorry to the aquatic lovers, there are no eels on display! But, you can reserve lunch or dinner at the restaurant after the tour, where you might just find eel on the menu. 😉
💰 Price: €1.75 ⏰ Opening hours: 9:30 AM to 6 PM from Tuesday to Sunday (closed on Mondays) 📍 Location: Slobbeland 19, 1131 AA Volendam
11. Take in the sights at Marina Volendam
Who wouldn’t want to spend a day here? Image: Depositphotos
Last but definitely not least, Volendam has a wonderful marina with a gorgeous view of Lake Marker. 🌊
With various restaurants and cafés on Volendam’s famous dike, you can grab a glass or a snack and stroll around the marina, enjoying the aquatic winds. 🌬️
💰 Price: Free ⏰ Opening hours: 8 AM to 5 PM Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Saturday and Sunday 📍 Location: Pieterman 12, 1131 PW Volendam
As you’ve just read, there are so many iconic things to do in the city of Volendam. And, since it’s quite the small city, you can easily make a day trip out of it! 🚗
Did you like this list of things to do in Volendam? Have other things to add to it? Tell us in a comment below! 👇
We can guarantee that if there is one element of Dutch culture that’s bound to inflict some form of culture shock on the unsuspecting international — it’s the cycling culture.
More specifically, it’s the people attached to the bikes. Sometimes carelessly, sometimes barely so, sometimes seeming to defy the laws of physics.
Not sure what exactly we’re talking about? Allow us to run through the seven types of cyclists you are bound to encounter during your cycling career in the Netherlands.
7. The flying Dutchman
These are the most common species of cyclist that you will encounter on the cycle path.
I wouldn’t be surprised if these Dutchies came out of the womb on a bike: cycling is so deeply ingrained in their nature.
For this reason, they will happily whizz past you at an uncomfortably close distance without bearing in mind that their actions may convince you that both of you are about to crash horrifically.
Watch out for these speedy cyclists, you never know when they will appear! Image: Depositphotos
As your life flashes before your eyes, the flying Dutchman will have already manoeuvred their way around you.
They may even throw you a glance over their shoulder which says, “what the hell are you screaming for??” as they swoop away into the horizon.
6. The speedy McBreezy
Not to be confused with the flying Dutchmen, these cyclists will have passed around you so quickly that you wouldn’t even have time for your fight or flight to kick in.
In fact, apart from the streak of lycra and the odd muffin top that swoops through your peripheral vision, the only indicator of their presence is the occasional huff in your direction.
Because a city cycle path is, OF COURSE, the place to beat their personal best. 🙆♀️
5. The clingy couples
The most terrifying of all cycling species is this duo. From a distance on a poorly lit night, these figures look like something from a horror film.
To be fair, the silhouette of two people holding hands while on bikes can be truly horrifying for those new to cycling.
You never know what the protocol is for these situations. It seems that these two have no intention of detaching from one another as they cycle closer and closer to you.
Couples that bike together, stay together? Image: Freepik
Do you give way to them? Or cycle on resolutely, hurtling towards them like the newest conflict in their relationship?
Perhaps this is the true test of a Dutch relationship, will they chicken out last minute and detach from one another? Or succeed and decapitate a poor bamboozled international.
4. The international newbies
Of course, we internationals are no angels on the cycle paths either. In fact, we can be quite a nuisance, especially if we are just stopping by for a flying visit to the Netherlands.
Dead giveaways include: not knowing where to bike, slow cycling, and failing to signal. Image: Freepik
You know what I am talking about — those tourists who cycle at a dangerously slow pace while attempting to hold a selfie stick.
My superiority complex really kicks in as I overtake these folks. “Absolute newbs,” I tell myself as I fail to signal my left turn for the 550th time.
3. The seasoned international (you wish)
They are everything you wish to be.
Almost indiscernible from Dutchies, these internationals glide down the cycle paths with ease. It’s as if they, too, were plucked from the womb and placed on a bike.
The only indication that they are expats may be a light international accent as they curse you out in Dutch.
You have a moment of realising, “Hey, they’re like me!” and “oh wow, their Dutch is good” before the offence kicks in. 😅
2. The brave bakfietsers
We don’t know who is braver, the person cycling with a bucket full of children strapped to the front of their bike, or the children.
They also somehow manage to make a massive bucket look light? Image: Depositphotos
If I were told to place a precious and fragile bundle of youth in a bucket on the front of my bike, I would have worrying flashbacks to the time I nearly threw myself and my bike under a lorry or the time I was standing a little too close to the bus.
Then again, those who undertake this task have probably entered the final stage of the cyclist’s evolutionary trajectory.
1. The tiny tots
These little darlings shouldn’t trigger your fight or flight response — unless you mistake them for a Chucky doll on wheels, in which case you need to lay off on the psychedelics.
I mean, can it get any cuter than this? Image: Freepik
The serotonin boost that results from spotting a tiny tot teetering along on an equally tiny bike is undeniable.
These little angels can hold up the cycle path for us any day. We’re pretty sure even the speedy cyclists wouldn’t be mad.
Cycling in the Netherlands comes with both challenges and perks, can you think of any other interesting characteristics? Tell us in the comments below!
Most visitors to the Netherlands refer to Holland in the same way as they would the Netherlands. They think the two are one and the same, but unfortunately, they’re wrong. So, what is the difference between Holland and the Netherlands?
It’s a mistake we’ve probably all made at some point in our lives (at least us internationals, that is), and it makes sense! The names “Holland” and “the Netherlands” are often used interchangeably in popular culture.
The history behind “Holland” vs “the Netherlands”
To really understand the difference between Holland and the Netherlands, one must, first of all, know the history of the Netherlands. So here’s a short lesson. 🤓
The Netherlands is a kingdom that was founded after Napoleon’s defeat in 1815. At the time, it included Belgium.
After Belgium’s secession in 1830, the map of the Netherlands was redrawn, and this proud, wonderful country as we know it today was born.
The Netherlands is a kingdom led by the Royal Family. Image: Het Koninklijk Huis
Let me take you back to the Batavian Republic. You know what? I’ll go even further and take you back to the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands. Lots of republics, right? Yeah, I know.
The Republic of the Seven United Netherlands existed from 1588 until 1795. It emerged when a part of the Netherlands separated from Spanish rule after the Eighty Years War or the Dutch War of Independence.
The war was a revolt against King Philip II of Spain by the Seventeen Provinces of modern-day the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg, as well as the French region of Hauts-de-France. The Seven United Netherlands was made up of:
The Duchy of Guelders (Gelderland in Dutch)
The County of Holland
The County of Zeeland
The Lordship of Utrecht
The Lordship of Overijssel
The Lordship of Frisia
The Lordship of Groningen and Ommelanden
The Republic’s seven provinces each had their own independent governments and were very powerful. During the period in question (the late 16th and 17th centuries), the provinces dominated world trade, conquered a large colonial empire, and had the largest fleet of merchantmen.
The County of Holland was one of the wealthiest and most urbanised regions in the world at that time.
In 1795, French troops conquered the Republic. It became known as the Batavian Republic in 1806 when Napoleon appointed his brother, Louis, as King and turned the country into a kingdom.
After Napoleon Bonaparte’s defeat, William VI of Orange was invited to assume power as the “Sovereign Prince.”
He landed in Scheveningen on November 30, 1813, and two years later, on March 16, 1815, the United Kingdom of the Netherlands was proclaimed.
This kingdom was the fusion of territories that used to belong to the Batavian Republic, the Austrian Netherlands, and the Prince-Bishopric of Liège.
As history would have it, though, this United Kingdom of the Netherlands came to an end with the secession of Belgium.
Belgium went its own way, the map of the Kingdom was redrawn, and, just like that, The Kingdom of the Netherlands as we know it today was born.
Let’s summarise it
The Dutch fought the Spanish for their independence, and when they got it, they formed the Seven United Netherlands.
When the Dutch were conquered by Napoleon Bonaparte, he made his brother King and thus, the Batavian Republic was born.
After Napoleon’s defeat, William VI of Orange became King of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
William VI of Orange’s kingdom didn’t last long because Belgium wanted its independence.
After Belgium left in 1830, the map was redrawn, and the Netherlands as we know it today came to be.
Today’s provinces
The Netherlands consists of 12 provinces: Groningen, Friesland, Drenthe, Overijssel, Flevoland, Gelderland, Utrecht, North Holland, South Holland, Zealand, North Brabant, and Limburg.
Perhaps this snazzy map will help. Image: Alphathon/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0
Two out of these 12 provinces include the name Holland: North Holland and South Holland.
Blame it on the sailors
The confusion surrounding the difference between Holland and the Netherlands must have started as a result of Dutch sailors. These sailors were known to have sailed the open seas during the Golden Age in search of new land, trade routes, and spices.
On their travels, they only mentioned the names of the city-states they hailed from when asked about their origins. A Dutch sailor could tell a fellow trader that he was from South Holland or North Holland when asked where he came from.
Understandably, this made many people think that Holland was a country. It must have been quite confusing because, at that time, a united Netherlands did not exist as a country.
https://youtu.be/eE_IUPInEuc
Today, the official name of the country is the Kingdom of the Netherlands. King Willem-Alexander is the King, and “Holland” actually refers to the two provinces of “Noord-Holland” and “Zuid-Holland”, which, translated to English, would mean North Holland and South Holland.
So, dear visitors, what is the difference between Holland and the Netherlands? Holland is simply two provinces in the Netherlands.
Have you also mistaken Holland for the Netherlands? What do you find the most confusing? Tell us in the comments below!
Strolling along Dutch streets, you’re often greeted with a sweet floral scent. Now, you have to thank not just the markets but also the world’s first LEGO florists, made especially for adults.
LEGO’s botanical collection, including rose and wildflower bunches for around €59.99 each, has been delighting kids and adults alike for years now.
‘The Botanical’ in Utrecht is the first pop-up shop in the world selling their lifelike bouquets, the AD reports.
Scan for a bunch
If you fancy some spontaneous sunflowers or last-minute lilies, you won’t be cycling home with a bouquet right away.
