Welcome to Holland!

If you visit the Netherlands, you'll probably spend some time in Amsterdam.
If you're not in a hurry, and want a real taste of Holland, how about a day trip in the surrounding countryside?

Amsterdam is not a really big city. Within less than half an hour you can be out there in the middle of these classic Dutch landscapes.

For example on the south-eastern side of town (see the where-page of this site).
Low land with rivers, canals, lakes and (of course) windmills.
With castles, old fortified towns and a thousand years of man-made history.
But also with higher grounds, and rolling plains covered with heather and woods. Where the marks of the ice ages and prehistoric man are still very visible.
Imagine and dream... what happened here during all these centuries and millennia.

This site is about history and culture of the Netherlands, and about all those people in days gone by who made this history.
Their stories can be told anywhere in Holland, but the region close to Amsterdam this site focuses on is ideal for it.

Basically, the idea is to depict the history of Holland on the very spots where your can see and feel this history. From prehistoric times to recent days.
Explaining the backgrounds and the context. In a way, you will most certainly acquire a new understanding of the development and history of this country.

And also, to recount the human stories related to these places.
Through many available eyewitness accounts. With drawings, paintings, maps. With music.
With whatever means available.

A perfectly relaxed way to do this, is on a classic Dutch bicycle (see the what-page of this site).
No need to cycle long distances, and racing is absolutely not the intention.
It's all about enjoying at your ease some great sightseeing, with fine history, culture, and also nature.

Click here for an external Google-map, with many pictures of points of interest mentioned in this site.

One of the goals of these tours is to give you an idea of how people lived in the past.
Food and cooking is, and always was of course, of very important part of everyday live.
So, as it's winter now, may be a good time for some "historical cooking"?

On www.foodtimeline.org you'll find a food timeline, with recipes starting 10,000 BC.
Recipes from Roman times to the nineteenth century + online editions of several medieval Dutch cookbooks on www.coquinaria.nl.
Recipes of Middle Ages & Renaissance, adapted for the 21st century kitchen, on www.godecookery.com.
European recipes from 14th - 17th century on www.medievalcookery.com.

Information on Dutch food and eating habits + links to (traditional and modern) Dutch recipes on www.thehollandring.com.