It is almost impossible for me to think about Holland and not remember the delicious taste of a meat snack, called bitterballen (or kroketten). I’m sure you find the receipt on line but to enjoy the real stuff don’t forget the next time you have the occasion to be in Holland. My experience in this beautiful country is about Amsterdam and some other small cities near by. The trip in Amsterdam was planned very well starting with the season. If you go there in the spring, you can enjoy the queen’s birthday, on the 30th of April (the day of celebration can be 29 if 30 is on a Sunday).Another very good reason to go there in the spring is that you can spend a perfect day in the world’s biggest floral garden, in Keukenhof, not very far from Amsterdam.
Picture yourself in this beautiful place on earth. I took the camera and I just couldn’t stop. I have to tell you this: they say that on a surface of 32 hectares, there are annually planted approximately 7 million flower bulbs. I like tulips anyway but I have never seen such colors and shapes before. There is no exaggeration when they say that Holland is the kingdom of tulips. I also remember that I couldn’t take my eyes from the blooming trees, can you imagine the smell? This garden is an explosion of natural beauty. It is nice if you have one day just for the garden.
Dutch people have their own way to celebrate. Even if the whole city of Amsterdam was full of tourists, they were so insignificant this time that I almost didn’t noticed them. Walking on the streets and trying not to miss a thing can be a little tiring, but not disturbing. There were enough restaurants with terraces and very good menus. The famous bitterballen that are served with bred and mustard and a beer aside. Another very nice experience regarding the food I’ve had in a Japanese restaurant. The chef was cooking on a plate in front of us and doing a nice show. The result was a portion of a very delicious dinner. I don’t remember the name. It is like in a cocktail bar, only they are not handling bottles and glasses and instead of a drink they deliver food.
They say that Amsterdam is about coffee shops and the girls from the windows. Yes, it is something that you cannot see in other places and makes Amsterdam unique. So, if you ask me, I will tell that Amsterdam is worth it.
I almost forgot to mention the day on the beach, not on a summer day, but even so, many Dutch spending a very nice afternoon playing with the kids, eating and enjoying the sun. I like to watch Dutch families with two or three or even more kids. I have seen this not only in Holland but anywhere in the world where I met Dutch people.The kids seem to be so careless and free. There is no problem if they are getting dirty while playing, if they speak loudly, laugh or even cry. Like I said, it was a sunny day but not very warm, and the kids had no problem to play in the sand or run barefoot to the shore.
Only three or four days in Amsterdam and Keukenhof in the spring and you come back energized and cheerful. The receipt is something like this: take your friends, rent an apartment on the channel not far from the center of the city, dress and wear cozily so you can easily walk long distances and enjoy.
