Blogs from Netherlands, Europe - page 7

Great trip to Amsterdam on the Eurostar, just over 4hrs, even with going through the black tunnel etc the time just flew, arriving in Amsterdam at 4.11pm bang on time! Our NEW hotel was probably a 400 metre walk from Central Station so that was easy but were very lucky to get in somewhere after we were defrauded with the apartment we had booked six months ago, it just didn't exist, but thank God we just didn't show up, John had been trying to contact him for about 2 weeks but no answer to anything. STAYZ were NOT easy to get hold of, their contacts were hidden, many conversations, logging everything it took a few days but they eventually refunded our money in full and delisted the apartment! Over the years with all the apartments we ... read more

Wow, writing a blog post for the first time in almost three years, feels a bit weird I must say...those African adventures of our last excursion seem a lifetime away, and the ability/means to freely wander this planet having been paused for this long has been an eye-opener for me, having taken for granted the ability to go anywhere I wanted whenever I pleased...the pause has given me the opportunity to reflect on previous travels in a different light, and to realize how fortunate it is to be able to resume travelling again going forward, whatever that will mean in the near future...it does however feel great to be thinking/planning again! This getaway started as all good adventures do: with wine and vinyl on a Friday evening! We are always keeping an eye on where our ... read more

Dag 1: Middelburg! (alé, voor sommigen toch) zaterdag 4 juni 2022 Nadat Karen de auto gisteren heel zorgvuldig had ingeladen, was ze klaar om te vertrekken met Nore naar de stadscamping in Middelburg. Waarom ik niet? Bibi moest nog een dagje werken voor het fietsevenement in het vrijetijdscentrum. Op de koop toe was ons vader die dag zijn 500.000 uur alive and kicking gaan vieren met vrienden en familie, dus ook daar kon ik achter fluiten. Soit, iedereen dus weg, behalve ik. Karen en Nore waren in de namiddag samen met bobon en bompie alvast Middelburg gaan verkennen en al enkele koren gaan beluisteren. Het was er prachtig weer, dus je kon over de koppen lopen. ’s Avonds nog een spelletje en slapen. Dag 2: Rick arrives in Middelburg zondag 5 juni 2022 Na zorgvuldig het ... read more

14th April Floriade is a world horticultural exhibition that takes place in the Netherlands only once a decade. It is the 7th time that the exhibition is held in the Netherlands, this time at a beautiful location in Almere. Dutch horticulture brings the theme ‘Growing Green Cities’ to life in collaboration with national and international participants at the Expo. Saturday 23rd April The parade is a Dutch tradition for which many volunteers work throughout the year. Every year the Flower Parade has a theme. In 2022 the theme is ‘Celebrating Memories’. Many people call this flower parade the Keukenhof Flower Parade. The real name is Bloemencorso Bollenstreek. The origins of this event took place in 1947, just after World War II. When the World War was over the need for parties and socializing was great. Organizing ... read more

What a fabulous start to Mark’s A-Z of Amsterdam tours - ‘ART & ARCHITECTURE’ Located between two gentle canals in the heart of the city, The Grand hotel boasts a rich history; from a 15th-century convent to royal lodgings, to the headquarters of the Admiralty to the City Hall of Amsterdam. Mark had received special permission to visit the beautiful Marriage Room, designed by artist Chris LeBeau, who completed the room in 1926. The Marriage Room was used, amongst others, to celebrate royal weddings. The wall paintings, with unique colour combinations symbolize the story of love. There was so much detail to absorb which was well explained by Mark. We also went into the Council Chamber with its wooden panels and wall paintings. H.R.H. Princess Beatrix of the Netherlands got married here in 1966, being a ... read more