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NICE
THINGS IN THE Don't just pine for home - go out and get to know the ON THIS
PAGE: NATURE AND THE GREAT OUTDOORS canoe by the moon http://www.rijnstroom.nl/ paddle
through the canals of Utrecht (U), or see the moon rise as you paddle through
the woods (NL) cave biking http://www.aspadventure.nl/nieuw/enter.asp?taal=02 (not exactly outdoors, but in that
spirit) Takes place in the extensive
underground caves and tunnels of covered
wagon holidays in the woods http://www.thoefijzer.tk A covered wagon, like in the cowboy movies, a
powerful fjord pony at the front, 5 mattresses to sleep on, a gas stove to cook
on, BYO food and drink, a map of the forests of Drenthe,
a list of little camping grounds with a paddock for the pony... a great way to
unwind at a relaxing pace. You get a crash course in harnessing and 'steering'
(but the sweet and experienced ponies are the experts anyway) and if you're
lucky (we were!) you'll see wild deer in the woods. I can heavily recommend
them! ‘t Hoefijzer, Oranjekanaal Z.Z.6, 9433 TG Zwiggelte
(Dr), tel: 0593 - 331598 (NL) Giethoorn http://www.giethoorninfo.com/
Giethoorn (Flv), alias 'the guided cycle or walking tours bhttp://www.letsgo-amsterdam.com/ Dutchies Frederik and Piet offer various guided bike tours of areas near hiring a boat or ship
http://botenverhuur.pagina.nl/
This boat hire page has links to all sorts of watercraft available for hire,
with or without a skipper. It includes
boats for inland waters as well as at sea, and has categories for river cruise
boats, motor boats, yachts, canoes, Friesian skutsjes,
fully catered holidays aboard ship, party boats, 'whisper' boats, and even a gondola in Amsterdam. See also its sister pages of links for party & day
trip boat hire, cruise boats, and watersport. (NL) horse tram tour of the countryside http://www.nije-brink.nl/tram.html
if responsibility for the ponies is too daunting for you, but you still fancy a
horse pulled tour of the Drenthe countryside, then
you can take the horse tram instead. Up
to 16 people can ride in the tram, and you have a choice of routes and places
to stop, including cafés, museums and a swimming pool. Bring your own eats or have them pack you one
of their picnics. (Dr) (NL) island hoppinghttp://www.vvv-wadden.nl/engels/wadden.htm
This is an excellent website, and you can request a travel guide to be posted
to you. The wadden sea stretches from the Jonkersvaart
water gardens http://www.noord.net/~jonkersvaart/ Over 10,000 m2 of
various gardens based around water. De Watertuin Jonkersvaart, Jonkersvaart 30, Jonkersvaart (Gr), tel: 0594 - 632230. From October through winter by
appointment only (NL) land, air and water fun http://www.glope.nl/ Have an impressive range
on offer for a day of fun. The air (lucht) section includes ultra lights, helicopter lessons,
and glider lessons. The water section includes ocean fishing http://come.to/zeevissen extensive site
about ocean fishing, how to, where to, etc.
Unfortunately all in Dutch! (NL) parabouncing http://www.parabounceholland.nl/ I'm too chicken to try hang-gliding, let
alone parachuting, but I would love to do this, given the chance (and a lot of
money to pay for it - it does NOT come cheap!)
You can only hire them for an entire day, not for just one go- what a pity. polder sport http://www.deboerinn.nl/
location: Kamerik (ZH). Specialise in rural
sporty activities (some but not all typically Dutch) for kids, stag parties, or
just for fun. Activities include tractor
pulling, pitchfork throwing, building rafts and bridges, pole vaulting over
ditches (see fierljeppen in the sport section) and to quote: 'everyone has cycled
over the fields, but what about canoeing through them-' Well yes.
Showers for afterwards - bring dry clothes. You can also make Dutch farm cheese (boerenkaas), and they have lots to do inside in the
winter months. Have your speakers on as
you open the website to hear the cows. (NL) Skûtsjesilen http://www.skutsje.nl/english/index.html If you're into sailing, then you have to go
out on one of these traditional Frisian sailing boats at least once. It
can be a pretty expensive outing as most only offer rental of the entire boat
(with skipper) but these have some reasonable prices for a few hours out on the
water (with some extra activities): tulips http://www.keukenhof.nl/keukenhof.html
location: Lisse (ZH).
If you want to see tulips, Keukenhof is the
place to go. Every
spring - check site for exact dates.
Even if you're not a flower freak, the variety and beauty of the tulips
and (in the Koningin Beatrix
Pavillon) the orchids will knock you out of your
socks. Keukenhof
is surrounded by tulip, hyacinth and daffodil farms, so even if you don't go
in, a drive around this area in the spring is worthwhile. underwater sculpture garden http://www.rauwbraken.nl/ a submerged
Roman sculpture garden in Strandbad Rauwbraken, near Berkel-Enschot
(NB). You need a valid diver's
certificate to do this. By arrangement
only, tel: 06 - 26608402 (NL) water gardens http://www.adahofman.nl/page10.html
wetlands safari by canoe http://www.wetlandssafari.nl/index2.htm
Guided canoe tours through the wetlands near windmills - old http://www.kinderdijk.org/ Kinderdijk (ZH) is
the place you've all seen in the photos - 19 windmills in the middle of a
fields and canals, dating back to the 16th century. You can wander about there most of the time,
but remember that people still live in most of the windmills. One is used as a museum. The windmills are also lit up at night during
the second week of September, said to be a very pretty sight indeed. windmills - new http://home.wxs.nl/~windsh/english.html
With all the wind we get here, it would be a waste not to use it, and they
do. The new windmills are the sleek,
white metal structures with three blades at the top, just like we had in the
lounge room at home, but much bigger.
Personally, I find a long row of gigantic shiny white windmills an
impressive sight, but there is a lobby to stop them as they 'damage the
horizon'! As and don't forget to try
the section headed 'sport' for details on hiking, cycling, ice skating and
inline skating. Apenheul - monkeys galore http://www.apenheul.nl/ location: baby seal creche http://zeehondencreche.nl/english/index.htm
Location: Pieterburen (Gr).
Orphaned seal pups and injured adult seals are brought here for care until they
are able to be released back into the wild.
Worth a visit to see all those big brown eyes. beavers in the Biesbosch http://www.dordt.nl/biesboschcentrum/ The Hollandse Biesbosch is a fresh water tidal area, which was created by
the St Elizabeths floods of 1421, and is part of the democratic dairies where
else but the falcons, border collies and coach horses http://www.dierenclinics.nl/ This
company runs outdoor courses to teach you the basics in falconeering;
driving a coach of horses; and herding sheep or geese with border collies. Programs and prices are arranged individually
to suit you. Based in IJsselstein
(U). (NL) Friesian horses
Not just a Dutch breed of horse, but also the
oldest horse breed in Europa. They are always completely black in colour, and they are truly
impressive looking horses. Info in
English can be found at http://www.friesianhorsesociety.com/
goat farm http://www.geitenboerderij.nl/
Organic goat farm where you can meet the goats, see them being milked, and
cheese being made. You can also have a
crack at this yourself. They also have a
farm shop, where you can buy all of their products, a patting farm, play area for kids, and café. Location: otter park http://www.otterparkleeuwarden.nl/
Location: Leeuwaarden (Fr). Spread over a 7ha park,
so you see the otters by boat, or in the underwater tunnel. They also have other animals including
beavers (which incidentally is what they call the Brownies here! And they
wonder why I laugh!) (NL) parrots, emus and kangaroos on the loose!
http://www.papegaai.org/enindex.htm location: Veldhoven
(NB). The Dutch Parrot Refuge
cares for parrots brought to them by Customs, animal welfare groups, and pet
owners unable to keep their parrots any longer.
Although their primarily purpose is to help parrots and educate the
public, they also have a park which can be visited. They have some big walk aviaries (their Giant
Aviary alone is 2,500 m2) as well as large cages, with about 2,200
all up. They also currently have 3 emus,
and 8 'kangaroos' some of whom have been breeding. (I think the roos
are actually wallabies going by the photo). You can take fresh fruit with you
to feed to the animals. The website
alone is extensive and worth a visit. pigs http://www.hetbeloofdevarkensland.nl/ the website translates as 'the promised land
for pigs' and is run by Dafne Westerhof,
a 'practical dreamer' and pig fan. She
runs courses on getting to know pigs, and even for pig massage http://www.varkensmassage.nl (NL) traditional shepherds These
are still to be found in Drenthe. Jelle Kootstraat is a shepherd that doesn't object to visitors
coming to watch him taking the sheep out to pasture every day. The herd leaves from the Holtingerschaapskooi
every morning at wild animal safari http://www.safaripark.nl/ See over a hundred species of animals and
birds of prey from all five continents, in environs that have been made as
'natural' as possible (bar the climate of course). There are various ways to see the park: by
safari bus, by safari boat, and with your own car. There is even a 4km walking track. There are also opportunities to participate
in feeding the animals (and I don't just mean letting the kids wind the window
right down). Next door is the sister
company: wild deer http://www.aardhuis.nl/index.htm/ (NL)
location: Hoog Soeren (Gld). The Veluwe area
is where you're most likely to see deer, and this park has lots of them - the
sort with big velvetty antlers. They're rutting in the autumn, so that's the
best time to see them. You can also hear
the stags making those impressive burping noises - it's called 'burlen' in Dutch (anyone know the English word?). If you'd like to hear it, click HERE and then click on
BURL. The visitors centre / museum is the old hunting lodge of King William III, who lived at
nearby Paleis Het Loo. HISTORY - NOT NECESSARILY BORING ! Archeon http://www.archeon.nl/index_uk.htm Location: Alphen a/d Rijn (ZH). This theme park is divided into three sections: Prehistory, the Roman Period and the Middle Ages. Correct details have been followed as much as possible (e.g. no electricity) and it's both educational and fun. They grow crops from those eras, have artisans (using the same implements and raw materials as they did then), and on occasion there is food and music of those times. carved underground caves & tunnels
http://www.kasteelvalkenburg.nl/
Underneath the town of Delta
Works (Zld) http://www.neeltjejans.nl/en/index.php
Most of us here are living in a place that would still be underwater if it
wasn't for the Dutch, but the work wasn't all done centuries ago. During the 1953 floods 1,855 people drowned;
47,000 homes, 500km of dykes, and large tracts of farmland were destroyed as
well. The Delta Project was the Dutch
response to this catastrophe, and it's the reason I sleep on stormy nights,
despite living 5m below sea level. An
impressive exhibition, and something you really ought
to see while living here. It's located
in the middle of the Delta Works, as you cross over the Oosterschelde
heading south toward to dolmens (megalithic tombs) http://users.bart.nl/~jbmeijer/frntpage.htm
These date from the New Stone Age - approx 5,000 year ago - and probably served
as mass graves. There are 54 existing 'Hunebedden' or megalithic tombs in the drive over the Netherlands
Open Air Museum - Arnhem (Gld) http://www.openluchtmuseum.nl/Algemeen/engels-01.html
Living museum of the Netherlands between 1700 & 1970 with over 85 buildings
(windmills, farms, houses) daily demos of
bread baking, cheese making. Also
has 'HollandRama' to quote: 'combination of
futuristic time capsule and 19th-century panorama theatre. The time capsule has
a rotating stage with seats which can be lifted to 7.5m; mounted on rails, it
can cover a distance of 11 meters; while it can be turned horizontally 360
degrees. Together with theatrical lighting and scent, temperature, and
sound-effects, the visitor is given penetrating and sensorial experiences and
illusions.' The website also has 3D photos from around the museum that you can
zoom into and around.
Commonwealth
war graves http://www.arnhem1944.com/
Useful (amateur) site in English about WW2 graves, monuments and events in the Zaanse Schans http://www.zaanseschans.nl/en/index.htm Located at Koog-Zaandijk (NH). The Zaanse Schans is a living museum of 17th & 18th
century houses and windmills, with artisans at work. Very popular with tourists as it's close to Zuiderzee Museum http://www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl/language/engels/index.htm
learn about how the Dutch turned a large sea inlet
into a large freshwater lake by building a dike from NICE WITH KIDS Binnenpret
Australian Indoor Beach http://www.strandnoorddijk.nl/ Noorddijker 26,
Groningen (Gr) tel: 050-5497699. The
owner lived in Efteling - fairy tale park http://www.efteling.nl/docs.en/index.html
Location: Kaatsheuvel (NB). Including moving puppets
in the woods, boofy gnomes ('People of Laaf') doing boofy things, and some wonderful theme rides. Beware! You may need
to queue up to 2 hours for the rides!! Avoid achool and
public holidays if possible and above all, get there early!
more
old fashioned fun parks Other
'slow fun' parks can be found in: Rotterdam
(ZH), Gorinchem
(ZH), Berg en Dal
(Gld), Wijchen
(Gld), Hengelo (O), Breda (NB), Hilvarenbeek next to the safari park Beekse Bergen (NB), Bladel
(NB), Volkel (NB), Wanroij (NB), Tegelen (L), Groningen
(Gr), Aalsmeer (NH), Zwaagwesteinde
(Fr), (most of these sites NL only) kid
friendly café Enfant Terrible is a café especially set up so parents
can eat and drink a snack while their kids run riot (under supervision). They will also babysit
for up to 3 hours while you go out and shop.
Enfant Terrible, De Genestetstraat 1, Madurodam http://www.madurodam.nl/default.asp?lng=en
Location: mazes to lose the kids in The biggest maze in Omniversum http://www.omniversum.nl/ special effects
cinema in overnight at the zoo!
http://www.rotterdamzoo.nl/ At the Zoocamp you
can stay at sub
tropical swimming pools A lot
of pools in NL are set up to serve the same function for the Dutch as the beach
does for us - it's warm, there are waves, trees, a bar- Often there's also giant water slides, hot pools, massages and
saunas. You can find some of these 'tropical pools' in Amsterdam
(NH), Dordrecht (ZH), Eindhoven (NB), Emmen
(), Goes (ZL), Gorinchem (ZH), ‘s-Hertogenbosch
(NB), Hoorn (NH), Oss (NB), Roggel (L), Rotterdam (ZH), Zuidlaren (Dr). (all
sites NL) For those fleeting
summer days in NL you can also go to some of the outdoor water parks like Bosbad Hoeven in Hoeven (NBr)
or De Ijzeren Man in Vught (NB) (NL).
And if you want more of a day out (more money, but more things to do while
you're there) there's there's always the Tikibad at the Duinrell funpark in Wassenaar (ZH) http://www.duinrell.nl/duinrell_en/index.htm. museums http://museum.pagina.nl/ The Art
Online http://www.artonline.nl/indexeng.html
They describe themselves the best: 'Extensive information on museum and gallery exhibitions, fine art
and antique fairs, auctions, museums, galleries, art and antique dealers,
picture framers, artist materials, restorers, art appraisers, art removalists and packers, art insurers and art brokers, etc' AVL-Ville http://www.avl-ville.com/frameset-center/index.htm an intriguing place by Rotterdam (ZH). To quote: 'This free state is an agreeable
mix of art environment and sanctuary, full of well-known and new works by AVL,
with the special attraction that everything is fully operational'. Sort of like Delft Blue ceramics http://www.royaldelft.nl/
'The last remaining Delftware factory from the 17th century still producing
entirely handmade Delftware' and not only can you get a tour of the place, now
you can also do a short course and make your own tile, and the price is
reasonable. You can also order a
personalized Delft Blue plate online (but this is a LOT pricier!) fine art on loan http://www.artlease.nl/ another clever Dutch
idea, originally to give young talented artists a regular income. You pay a
moderate fee (-15 per month) and you can borrow up to 4 quality works of
art, for min of 1 month, max of 2½ years.
Good way to see what you really like, and what gets on your nerves after
a few months. Some are for sale. Another address is http://www.kunstuitleen.nl/ (NL) an original painting of your home http://www.schildershuis.nl/ get an
original painting of your home, your pet, or even yourself. More than 30 qualified artists are available
here to do your bidding. Click on 'schilderijen' then on 'stadsgezichten'
and you'll see various paintings of the same house by different artists, so you
can see the different styles. Prices from -500. The website is in Dutch, but you can contact
them in English. (NL) garden gnomes http://www.rijkderkabouters.nl/ I've found something for everyone here,
haven't I? I'm sure some of you have
been searching for this for years: a 5,000m² park filled with gnomes. Open from in spring and summer only. They even have a gnome shop with an extensive
range on offer, as well as some witches, wizards and elves. Location: Eext (Dr)
(NL) (Note: this park is in no
way connected with the Garden Gnome
Liberation Front! details in English at the bottom of the page)
The In Players The
In Players are the oldest English speaking theatre company in Interbook biggest art bookshop in
NL, with over 10,000 art books, from new to antiquariat.
Lange Haven 97, Schiedam (ZH), tel:
010 - 4266034 Pinkpop http://www.pinkpop.nl/ the oldest and most popular open air pop
festival here, held every year on the Pinkster (Pentecost) long weekend in Landgraaf (L).
Tickets sell out early. (NL) Oeral theatre
festival http://www.oerol.nl/
Open air theatre on the
PLACES TO STAY hotels http://book-a-hotel-in-the-netherlands.com/
find and book a hotel room in the bed and breakfasts http://www.fijnopreis.nl/ around
the youth hostels http://www.njhc.org/english/default.cfm
'town camp sites' http://www.citycamps.com/en/index.htm
To quote: 'The Town Camp Sites are situated in a rural environment, close to
one of other camping grounds all over NL http://camping.pagina.nl/
It's not like camping out bush - there will probably be an on site bar and
cafeteria! But cheaper
than a hotel. (NL) cheap camping out in nature www.kampeerclub.nl
have 22 camping sites in NL, tent only,- 2 per night for members. Minimal
facilities - if any - but legal, and you may even find it's just you and
nature. (NL) boat and breakfast http://www.boatandbreakfast.nl/ Historical boats in various locations around
the boat hotel in tram for a night http://www.controversy.nl/ a special for the Melbournians! location: Hoogwoud (NH). Irma
and Frank Appel live on a farm in The
Queen of Pieterburen http://www.geenflauwidee.nl/logiesmisty2/as1.htm
'The Queen of Pieterburen' is a gorgeous place owned and run by Astrid Wevers
(who was born in Yallourn). It was built
in 1870, Dutch royalty has slept here, it has a theatre-restaurant, and
Pieterburen itself is well worth a visit.
Astrid has lots of details on her site
(click on What to Do in Pieterburen?) including visiting seal crèche &
hospital, horse riding, day trips to some of the islands, and of course that
most masochistic of Dutch past-times: wadlopen.
They also host creative art weekends.
The accommodation fees are moderate.
If you email or ring to book, ask for Astrid and don't forget to mention
you're an Aussie! Her website is
veeeerrry colourful and
she also has a personal site, the Kangaroo Port. (And no,
she isn't paying me to say all this!) Dutch
farm holidays http://www.dutch-farmholidays.com/
wine vat
for a night http://www.hotel-vrouwevanstavoren.nl/
Old 15,000 litre vats
converted into hotel rooms (sort of ) at the Hotel Vrouwe van Stavoren,
Havenweg 1, Stavoren (Fr), tel: 0514 - 681202 from -72.50 per vat (NL) hanging
pod tents http://www.hertshoorn.nl/ tents hanging by a hook from a tree trunk, in
a prize winning, quiet camp ground on the Veluwe river in Garderen (Gld) (NL) log
cabin afloat on the water http://www.akkermansoutdoor.nl/
location: de Heen (NB). Spend the
weekend on in a log cabin built on a raft, and float away the stress. Don't
forget the Aerogard! (NL) a night in a castle http://www.kasteelarrangementen.nl/
The Netherlands have an astonishing number of gorgeous castles. Kasteel de Haar in Haarzuilen (U) is absolutely fairytale. Or try Castle Geulzicht a neogothic
English styled castle, which despite looking so very posh has some reasonably
priced rooms.. This
site offers arrangements for staying, partying, or holding a wedding party in
various castles. Click on 'locaties' to see them all. For a complete list of castles
(not all are open for use) try http://kastelen.pagina.nl/
(NL) sleep in a lighthouse http://www.vuurtoren-harlingen.nl/eng.htm
location: old post office http://www.hetoudepostkantoor.nl/
location: Brummen (Gld). The old and pretty brick post office in this
village has been converted into a small hotel with 4 bedrooms. Lots of the old old Dutch cottages http://www.oomlammertentanteklaasje.nl/
this hotel has been built like a little street of old Dutch houses. Each house is fitted out as an old Dutch house would have been, with the bed in a recess in
the wall. De Herberg van Oom Lammert
en Tante Klaasje, Merk 3, Workum (Fr), tel: 0515 - 541370 (NL) hotel room with own pool http://www.vandervalk.nl/gb/index.html Hotel Akersloot (from the Van der Valk chain) has two rooms with their own 3x5m pools! Of course there's a price, and its
-200! Van der Valk Hotel Akersloot, Geesterweg 1a, Akersloot (NH), tel: 0251 -
319102 info@akersloot.valk.nl world's smallest hotel The Grand hotel de Kromme
Raake has just one room (and a reception desk) and is
in the Guiness Book of Records. Molenstraat 5, Eenrum (Gr), tel: 0595 - 491600,
-150 per night. www.eenrum.com, click on 'de Kromme Raake', then on 'english' sleep in a monastery http://www.hotelhetklooster.nl/
Relaxed and friendly hotel run by a former war journalist. You can hire a canoe
and paddle about, viewing the the gorgeous scenery. Hotel Het Klooster, Damsterweg 8,
9977 RH Kloosterburen (Gr), tel: 0595 - 481159, - 65 double (NL) cheap,
and- different http://www.thecht.nl/index2.html A
little camping ground, which also has two huts - set in a little wood - each
with a fridge, but no running water, and the bathroom & WC is the shared
camp ground one- but hey, the atmosphere! The
huts were built out of old manure storage silos! (But empty for over 20
years now.) Mini-camping 't Hecht, Stobbenweg 40, Dronten (Flv), tel: 0321 - 313971,
- 27.50 per night for two, - 3.50 for each extra person (NL) thatched holidays cottages http://www.leemkule.nl/en/main.html
SPECIAL PLACES TO EAT & DRINK architectural dinner walks http://www.dinnerwalks.nl/ If you're
interested in fine food and architecture - and you speak Dutch - then this is
for you. An art historian guide takes you a walk around an old city, explaining
and entertaining as you go, and stopping en route for 4 courses at different
quality restaurants. - 50
for 4 courses and the tour. Participating cities: bar
in a urinal location: Enschede (O) 'Gat in de Markt' is
a tiny bar, run by the local student union, and you enter it by stairs right in
the middle of the old market square, just as you'd expect. The atmosphere (especially olfactorily speaking) is strong! And if you think it smells just like it did
when it had it's old business, then wait until you get a whiff of their
toilets- now that's impressive!
Just go to the Oude Markt
and follow your nose, or ask around. (Incidentally, the name of the bar, Gat in
de Markt, is a little word joke: it is literally
'hole in the market', which is also their term for 'market niche'.) boat trip with pancakes www.pannenkoekenboot.nl The Dutch
love their pancakes and they love water, and this is a good combination of the
two - a river cruise with fresh cooked pancakes, and even safe places for the
kids to play. Trips leave from Rotterdam
(ZH), Wageningen (Gld), dinner in an air traffic control tower http://www.oudetoren-schiphol.nl/
a restaurant in one of the old Schiphol towers -
great views! De Oude Toren , Stationsplein Zuid-West 602,
Schiphol-Oost (NH), tel: 020 - 4059610 Europe's
oldest water tower 'De Watertoren' has a small but cosy Mediterranean
restaurant in it, Watertorenweg 180, Rotterdam (ZH), tel: 010 - 4522555 Café Latei
- everything for sale This
lovely little café in flowers for lunch http://www.proximedia.com/web/bloemsierkunst.html
(NL) location: Amsterdam (NH). Family business which specialises
in flower art, flower cookery classes, and will serve lunches of dishes based
on flowers for groups of 8 - 20 people. garlic restaurants two
restaurants that specialise in garlic dishes. 'Look' has garlic everything - including the
desserts. gourmet bicycle tours http://www.banket.org/ it doesn't get more
Dutch: a bike tour around horror dinner http://www.tunneke.nl/
Location: Schijndel (NB). They call it a 'murder
dinner' (‘t moordfestzijn) but there's no
participation necessary - just loads of fun and entertainment. It's in Dutch, but that's no barrier - I was
there with several non-Dutch speakers and they did several special acts in
English just for us; just let them know on the night. Pretty good nosh at an all-you-can-eat grill
and buffet, as and including drinks (including a large range of alcohol) for
-41. They also have medieval
feasts, fairytale feasts, gypsy feasts, and even a Pieter Breughel
feast. Well recommended! Site is in (NL) with a little bit in English insects for dinner A few eateries in NL offer dishes with
worms, grasshoppers, or beetles. These
places offer them up regularly: medieval Trappist brewery http://www.latrappe.nl/english/frame-setting.htm location: Berkel-Enschot (NB). Do
you really need me to give you a reason? opera with your pasta http://www.pastadiva.nl/
singing students who work here part time entertain you with a song or two
during the evening as they serve you pasta. weird
and wonderful liqueurs experience dozens of unusual liqueurs, many of them
uniquely Dutch, e.g. the old fashioned rose liqueur Roosje
Zonder Doornen (rose
without thorns) vegetarians http://www.vegatopia.com/restaurantgids/index.html
(NL) listing of vegetarian restaurants, sorted by city. The site is in Dutch only, but all you really
need to do is to click on the city.
Another page of more links useful to vegetarians is http://vegetarisch.pagina.nl/ (NL). Whisky
Café de Still http://www.whisky-destill.nl/engels.htm/ This Amsterdam (NH) café serves (wait for it)
549 different sorts of whisky! Be sure
to have some Vegemite toast ready for the next morning- Carnaval Held
over the weekend before Lent. Carnaval is a catholic
festival (yep, as in Koninginnedag 30th April every year. It's actually the birthday if the last Queen
(Juliana) but as Beatrix was born in the cold(er) rainy(er) month of February,
they decided to keep it on this date.
It's a public holiday, and everywhere you look you'll see the flags hung
out, people dressed in orange (the national royal colour), orange coloured
food on sale, and on the day itself pretty much the whole country turns into
one big open air flea market. You don't
need a permit that day to sell on the street (within limits!) Creativity is appreciated! Good places to be are Amsterdam (NH) and
Utrecht (U). Sinterklaas Biggest day on the Dutch holiday calendar,
and there's no website! 5th
December, you can't miss it. As the
story goes, Sinterklaas (the origin of our Santa
Claus) is a Turkish bishop who lives in Madrid, together with his bunch of
little black boys dressed in bright satin bloomers (not very PC) known as the
Black Petes (Zwarte Piets). Sint and his mob arrive on a steam boat from Bataviastad outlet shopping http://www.bataviastad.nl/uk/index.html
location: Lelystad (Flv). Brand names at up to 70% off. Beverwijkse Bazaar http://www.zwartemarkt.nl/
shopping on Sundays http://www.koopzondag.com/
lots of towns have a 'koopzondag' or 'shopping
Sunday' when the shops are open. To find
which towns have it when, you can check this site. (NL) markets http://www.marktkalender.nl/marktkalendernl.html
flea markets, Christmas markets, special interest markets, but it's a jumbled
sort of site, and it's all in (NL) winkelstraat http://www.winkelstraat.nl/ all internet
shops in NL (NL) BOOTS, SHOES & CLOGS Sandy van Veen, the site
originator, is a fanatical boot collector.
She also collects clogs, skates, and shoes of the more interesting
variety. How could we not have a section
devoted to these items here? designer clogs http://www.vanlubeck.com/clogs/clogs.htm Patricia van Lubeck makes clogs to die for, including pink cadillac clogs, bikey clogs and satin wedding c |