One of my favorite European countries is Holland, a charming and welcoming country where English is spoken widely.
(Full disclosure: I admit my perspective has been colored being married to a Dutchman with a large family who we visit frequently…but it is, nonetheless, a fabulous destination.)
Holland’s official name is the Kingdom of the Netherlands but the names are used interchangeably.
Holland is a tiny country — only the size of Maryland — but it is one of Europe’s strongest economies and has enormous global influence. After all, the Dutch colonized much of the trading world in the 17th century through its shipping superiority. Today Holland is still renowned for their expert ship-building.
Most people who visit Holland wisely start in Amsterdam to get their bearings. While it’s the cultural capital, Amsterdam is an ideal jumping off point for other regions to see the idyllic Dutch countryside with its famous canals and windmills.
One such enjoyable side trip is Giethoorn, more of a charming village than a town. Giethoorn is a small village of 2,600 residents in the Dutch province of Overijssel. Located approximately 120 kilometers from Amsterdam, Giethoorn is a short drive by car or you can take one of the bus tours for a day trip from Amsterdam. My favorite mode of European travel is by train; the Steenwijk train station is about 5 miles away from the town, a short taxi ride.
Giethoorn is known as the Venice of Holland for its tranquil beauty and picturesque canals – the main mode of transportation for residents. There are few roads, mostly small lanes for bicycles and the occasional car. Many homes can only be accessed by boat --even the mail is delivered by boat!
The small peaceful canals, some no more than 6-8 feet wide, are punctuated by gorgeous gardens and historic thatched-roof farmhouses. Visitors can rent small boats to tour the canals which, of course, you’ll want to do. While gliding along the canals you’ll pass under small footbridges; there are more than 180 footbridges in the village which beautifully frame the storybook setting like a Disney-like fairytale creation.
Savor
For a small village, the cuisine in Giethoorn is exceptionally sophisticated. Along a small lane dotted with only a few homes, you’ll find De Lindenhof, an acclaimed restaurant housed in thatched-roof farmhouse surrounded by stunning colorful gardens.
In the center of the old town, you’ll find a variety of dining options – from Dutch cuisine to Chinese food.
Sleep
A short distance from De Lindenhof, you’ll find a charming inn with a restaurant, De Dames van de Jonge – translation: the ladies of the de Jonge family. It’s been run by three generations of local women and here you’ll find Dutch hospitality at its best. Presently run by Gabriella Esselbrugge, a dynamo in the hospitality industry who was an early co-founder of Booking.com, and whose grandmother started the inn in 1954.
See
For a small village you’ll be surprised to find not one but several museums, HistoMobil, Gloria Maris Schelpengalerie, and De Oude Aarde. And not to worry, Giethoorn is not lacking shopping opportunities with ample gift shops and boutiques.
More About Amsterdam: The Cultural Capital
Amsterdam is one of the world’s great cultural capitals with sophisticated nightlife, fashionable shopping, trendsetting design as well as fabulous historic architecture.
Did I mention world-class art galleries and museums? Holland claims several native sons who are internationally-renowned artists -- Vincent Van Gogh, Rembrandt van Rijn, Jan Vermeer and many others. Be sure to put Amsterdam’s museums on your itinerary to see some of the world’s most celebrated works of art at the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum, and the Rembrandthuis, Rembrandt’s home and studio that is open for tours; there are many others to appease art aficionados.
The Rijksmuseum is only one of countless notable highlights in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam has four times more bicycles than cars and are the favored mode of transportation throughout Holland.
Amsterdam’s distinctive historic century architecture boasts ornate gabled façades from the Dutch Golden Age. Even the Central Train Station is an architectural marvel.
A Small But Mighty Country
The Netherlands is one of the world’s surviving monarchies. Queen Beatrix stepped aside to allow her son Willem-Alexander to become King in 2013. The Dutch Royal Family are highly regarded and revered. Notably, the Netherlands is also one of the world’s most socially progressive countries where prostitution, marijuana, and euthanasia have been legal for decades.
Located on the North Sea, Holland is a verdant land with 26% of the country below sea level. The Dutch are renowned for their brilliant engineering of dikes – after all, they have used their ingenuity to beat back the sea for centuries. (Hello, Venice, New Orleans and Miami!) In fact, they have reclaimed significant portions of land from the sea – a province the size of London!
For travelers, Holland’s colorful character makes it a fabulous destination for art, culture, history, cuisine, scenic beauty, and warm Dutch hospitality. The large network of picturesque canals in Amsterdam are a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
There is much to delight, entertain, and enthrall visitors in this charming and picturesque destination.
Plan your visit:
Photography by Lydia Kremer