Our next stop was Kooijman Souvenirs and Clogs, a wooden shoe workshop where clogs are made and Justin Kooijman took us through the entire process. Mauritshuis, home to the best of Dutch art from the Golden Age, the stately museum houses masterpieces such as Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Anatomy Lesson by Dr Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt, The Goldfinch by Fabritius and The Bull by Potter are on permanent display in the intimate rooms of this 17th century monument. What’s most worthy is how Rotterdam stood up after being almost razed to the ground by WWII bombers. Goat, sheep and organic cheese made from recipes passed down through generations.Walking through such beauty, The Netherlands endeared itself to us.Contrary to hitting a touristy place in spring or summer, for those enamoured by fairy tales of Gothic castles, garden hideouts for goblins, princesses waiting patiently to be rescued atop tall towers and witches hiding in dense forests of white birch or oak, a trip to Netherlands in the winters is enchantment in reality.
The Netherlands is the bicycle capital of the world and has the highest bicycle density. Something we can learn from. Rotterdam Rotterdam is different, and reflects the country’s vision of itself in the modern or post-modern era. There were red chilli peppers, herbs and garlic, red pesto, garlic and fenugreek too. Luckily, the weather was also kind, and the sun shone brightly. Over centuries, there are more than 1,000, (most in industrial mills), making Zaan district Europe’s largest industrial area.Artistic Cuboid houses at RotterdamZaanse Schans, a neighbourhood in Zaandam, near AmsterdamTrue to its word, this wind-mill laden place of the wind-rich country greeted me with its intense moody winds and occasional drizzle. Be wary of the strong wind chill though, or you might be whisked away to a goblin hideout! A walk in HollandPeople of all ages riding cycles in wind, rain or biting cold astounds one. And, you’d be lucky to get a garden or lake-facing room for its spectacular views. A walk through that age-old estate on a cold windy morning is an experience of a lifetime. Their love for cheese is so deeply entrenched in their cuisine. Finally, amidst chaos, we were finally led into an ancient windmill and its intricate functioning. There are about eight to 10 windmills within walking distance to each other, a few in use even today. De Haar takes one back to another era with its towers, turrets, moats, gates and suspension bridges.
So, hop on and enjoy the beautiful surroundings as the Vecht meanders gently. A perfect blend of what a new age city dipped in modernism and development should be like. Another intriguing sight was this collection of haphazardly joined cube houses. It’s a delight to see young children riding past with their colourful bikes and windcheaters. The art of making clogs is demonstrated — how an old ordinary block of wood transforms into a wooden clog, a way of life in these parts. These shoes are made from Poplar and Willow. The impressive central or main hall witnessed wooden vaulted ceilings, richly decorated with golden leaves, half-Gothic cathedral and half-luxury hotel! Next to it was a romantic chapel and beautiful parks and gardens. The interiors of the castle lead you to a Roman Catholic Church. A favourite of ours was Escher IN HET PALEIS or The Escher Museum at the Hague. Kasteel de Haar, the largest and the most luxurious castle in Holland, is located outside Utrecht, a half-hour drive from Amsterdam. The millieu sit busy in conversation at cafes, and a loud landscape edging Manufacturers honk, breaks your reverie as you are greeted with the much used tram.
The best way to enjoy these canals is from the comfort of the canal boats, marvelling at the extensive canal system. Introduced to his work rather strangely, thanks an inclination to The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, and the song Otherside, we were introduced to cubism. Vibrant, large images and lots of captions! It also houses graffiti by the first generation European graffiti artist Ces 53 who is now in his 50s, who was inspired by different religions and cultures. In no country is the selection this varied. It enthuses the country’s spirit as they joined hands to rebuild again with a vision. Enticed, we stood in awe as the sight brought fairy tales alive, and we went back to being eight-year-olds, amazed. The best of sights were at the very beginning! Landgoed Duin and Kruidberg is a classic country house with the most beautiful views opening to an English estate garden which embraces age-old trees, lush ponds and magnificent lakes of the Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. Dressed in rich fabric, wall decorations and authentic furniture, this is a place to unwind. It was time for some cheese tasting too, along with wine at Henri Willig, a maker of Dutch cheese, most well-known for Baby Gouda. Such is the beauty of the city with its enigmatic skylines, art, food and bar scenes. Not a surprise that The Netherlands is the world’s largest cheese exporter too. Many natives believe that the Dutch are born on two wheels. Even for those not into fairytales, but equally upbeat about a walk through the woods admiring abundant toadstools or taking in the warmth of a bonfire, the winters in Holland are replete with rich experiences..
The castle takes you back to the times of luxury and how the Van Zuylen family lived and treated their guests in the early 20th century. Snow is an intrinsic part of Dutch winters, and no matter how much chaos it causes on the streets, it is definitely a sight to behold.A cruise on the VechtDen Haag or The HagueThis third-largest city, the seat of the government stands elegant and imperial, better than its touristy and bustling cousin Amsterdam. It’s delightful to see people resisting technology, cars and scooters for old school bikes. The Dutch see winters as intrinsic to their life. What drew us was the street art, a dominant part of the culture. These canals are crowd-pullers as they take one through the historic buildings and bridges. Yes! Inside a windmill — an experience that attracts 1,30,000 visitors a year. Kasteel de Haar and gardensA Dutch holiday without a castle is not a holiday at all. In an hour-long cruise on the Vecht, a Rhine branchlet, we were in the company of peace and romance. After that, I watched Robert Wiene’s The Cabinet of Dr Caligari, influenced by German Expressionist art, elements of Cubism and work by graphic artist MC Escher are also in the video. Boat Cruise: Experience the Vecht in a saloon boatThe Utrecht canals with their characteristic wharves are unique in the world. Markthal Rotterdam (a marketplace) gives you a peek into public art
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