Kingsley compares learning that your child has special needs to boarding a plane to Italy but landing instead in Holland: initially you might buy guide books and learn a foreign language, but eventually you begin to appreciate all its charms.
Holland had become an influential part of the Batavian Republic before its replacement by the Kingdom of the Netherlands, exerting an outsize influence that extended far into other provinces’ cultures.
Cultural heritage
Though most often associated with windmills, tulips, and cheese, the Netherlands is actually an amazingly rich and diverse country. The Dutch have long had a history of engaging with other cultures through trade agreements, which results in an open and accepting society. Furthermore, Dutch people tend to be curious; many learn languages alongside their native one – an impressive statistic considering many also know English!
The Dutch are generally an egalitarian society with high levels of social participation; however, class differences remain visible, especially when it comes to housing and consumption patterns: lower-class homes tend to be smaller with more furnishings while upper-income households are typically larger and contain fewer decorative objects; high income households also tend to participate less in community activities than lower class ones.
the Dutch are also well-known for their dedication to nature and the environment, having established a network of nature reserves like Hoge Veluwe National Park and Naardermeer – protected from development with strict building regulations – that provide vital habitats for wildlife. Their education system and arts scene also stand out as leading examples in Europe; Renaissance humanist Erasmus stands as an iconic figure while Harry Mulisch and Cees Nooteboom are some of their more recent internationally acclaimed authors.
The Dutch are an extremely innovative people, and this can be seen through their music, art, architecture and cuisine. Their creativity is seen throughout everything they create: art galleries and performing arts supported by both public and private sources; visual and performing arts funding from governmental bodies as well as foundations; literacy is high with most reading at least one book each week; they have an intriguing comic tradition with characters like Martin Lodewijk’s Secret Agent 327 & Storm and Tom Poes & Heer Bommel created by Marten Toonder; while The Netherlands remains multicultural; with various religious and ethnic groups living peacefully side by side in harmony – something many other societies would find difficult.
Food
Netherlands cuisine boasts windmills, tulips and charming architecture – offering delicious pastries such as windmill pastries and tulip-shaped cookies – in addition to regional specialities like Kapucijners met Spek (tender capuchin beans with bacon) and Stoofpeertjes (poached pears poached in spiced and sweetened red wine).
The Dutch are well known for their love of savoury snacks. Traditional Dutch snacks range from small croquettes filled with seafood or cheese to larger versions with meat or vegetables; there’s even the popular Kibbeling (battered chunks of fried white fish), perfect as either an accompaniment to beer in one of their numerous pubs, or just eaten alone as an afternoon treat!
Apple tarts have long been a favourite dessert among visitors to the Netherlands and can often be found topped with caramel and coffee sauce. Other notable treats include apricot pie and stroopwafels.
The Netherlands has long been recognized as a center for dairy farming, where cows and sheep provide milk, butter, cheese and other dairy products to consumers. Pigs provide meat for consumption as well as non-edible by-products; and chickens supply eggs and the meat they lay.
Fruit, berries and edible plants abound in the Netherlands. With its temperate climate providing ideal conditions for producing apples, pears and other berries as well as oranges, bananas and citrus fruits; also growing an array of onions potatoes kale spinach carrots endive and radishi.
Other classic Dutch cuisine includes herring, smoked salmon and shrimps. Additionally, Dutch people love cheese – particularly Gouda varieties like Leerdammer Edam Holland or boerenkaas varieties!
For those wanting to experience the true spirit of The Netherlands, traditional brown cafes are an excellent way to do just that. Here, customers can order food and beverages directly from an open kitchen using coins inserted in a slot and selecting their meal from behind glass doors. In Amsterdam this may involve placing coins into an ATM slot to pay for what you choose; other Dutch cafes may serve kroketten which is an irresistibly breaded and stuffed chicken snack!
Weather
Holland enjoys a temperate climate influenced by both the North Sea and Atlantic Oceans, typically cloudy and rainy; although periods of bright sunshine do occur. Temperatures during summer tend to remain moderate or warm while winter can become extremely windy and cold.
Between May and September is typically the ideal time for visiting the Netherlands, when temperatures tend to be pleasant or mildly warm and there is a prolific display of blooming tulips adorning every corner.
From May through September, the weather in the Netherlands tends to be fine and sunny with occasional short bursts of rainfall. By fall however, temperatures start dropping and clouds increase considerably, although there can still be pleasant days!
Snowfall in the Netherlands is relatively rare, though it has occurred on some higher grounds or at sea level in northern areas during winter months. Many Dutch artists portrayed winter scenes with frozen canals covered in white by painting them over with snow or creating paintings depicting this effect during 16th and 17th century painting sessions.
The average temperature varies throughout the year, reaching its highest peak between January and February. August’s average temperature stands at 24.2degC while December experiences temperatures that average only 0.6degC on average.
On average, maximum temperatures reach 22degC in the centre and 23degC in the south on an average day; some days can even see temperatures reach 30degC; though these instances tend to be rarer.
Rainfall occurs regularly throughout the year and average annual precipitation amounts to approximately 750/850 millimeters (29/33/inch). Rainfall patterns differ across various parts of the country and over the course of one year.
The humidity in the Netherlands varies year to year from moderate to high and has an average perceived comfort index rating of 67, with moderate to high wind speeds that exhibit notable seasonal changes.
Nightlife
Amsterdam offers many delightful nightlife experiences that will exhilarate your senses, such as Cafe Old Sailor with its nautical interior filled with tools used by sailors. Additionally, this bar serves draft beer, whiskey and cognac along with great music and football game broadcasts in its central Red Light District location.
Bitterzoet is an ideal place to experience the Netherlands’ vibrant nightlife, with its name translating directly to “Bittersweet”. One of the top clubs in the country with an enthusiastic young crowd eager to try new musical genres, Bitterzoet hosts various events as well as after parties!
Leidseplein is the go-to spot for pub crawls, offering an abundance of bars in close proximity. Tourists and students alike flock to this square with its variety of local pubs and bars that attract both tourists and students alike. Nearby, NDSM area attracts sustainability enthusiasts, music fans, entrepreneurial creatives as well as those interested in sustainable practices; once an industrial site, now transformed into cultural meeting spots offering some amazing bars and clubs!
Amsterdam offers something for every taste imaginable, from concerts and theater performances to enjoying authentic Dutch pub fare and beer gardens. There’s even a jazz club and hip hop venue dedicated solely to hip hop music! Not to mention De Nederlandse Opera theatre which hosts world-renowned artists performing their latest masterpieces!
The Netherlands is an exciting, beautiful, and vibrant country to visit! With some careful planning, you’re sure to have an incredible time exploring its vibrant food and entertainment scenes – don’t forget to hydrate properly, take good care of your skin, and stay safe. And for an insight into its rich history be sure to visit Rijksmuseum; this iconic museum houses some of the greatest works from Dutch art while simultaneously giving visitors an understanding of culture and identity in this unique nation!