News & tips

Jan Adriaenszoon Leeghwater (1575 – 1650), born in the picturesquevillage of De Rijp, North Holland, was more than just an engineer – he was a dreamer with a hammer and a plan.

From ordinary beginnings to extraordinary style Mathilde Willink – born Mathilde Maria de Doelder in 1938 in the picturesque town of Terneuze – was anything but ordinary.

Once temperatures start to drop in the Netherlands, the Dutch feel an unmistakable “itch in their legs”—an urge to head for frozen waters and strap on their skates.

Towards the end of each year, the Dutch embrace traditions that are all about indulging in seasonal foods and (to put it mildly) ‘chasing away the old year’s ghosts.’

Welcome to the Netherlands, a country where water is much more than just rainfall – it’s EVERYWHERE! From the charming canals and serene lakes to random ditches that appear out of nowhere, water is deeply embedded in Dutch daily life.

If you’ve wandered through Dutch shops in early November, you might have noticed shelves packed with mysterious treats like “pepernoten,” “kruidnoten,” and big chocolate letters.

When you think of Dutch contributions to the English language, food might not be the first thing that comes to mind. Yet, Dutch culture has left a lasting mark on our kitchens, not just through iconic dishes but also in the words we use to describe them. From hearty comfort foods to spirited beverages, the Dutch have given us more than just flavors—they’ve enriched our vocabulary.

If you’re living in the Netherlands as an expat and have an interest in creativity, innovation, or design, Dutch Design Week (DDW) in Eindhoven is an event you don’t want to miss. Running from October 19 to 27, 2024, this yearly event showcases cutting-edge design from the Netherlands and beyond, offering a glimpse into the future of design across industries.

Dutch has had an extensive impact on global languages, thanks to its history as a seafaring nation and its colonial ventures. Loanwords from Dutch often reflect the practical, everyday life of a society deeply involved in trade, exploration, and the development of infrastructure.

Moving to the Netherlands with children comes with its own set of challenges, one of the most important being the education system. While the Dutch are proud of their strong educational traditions, recent world rankings have highlighted some areas for improvement, particularly in reading.

The Netherlands is a small European country situated along the North Sea, similar in size to 2x New Jersey, USA. Despite its modest area, the population reached 18 million in 2024, making it rank nr.5 of the most densely populated countries in the world, with a high number of people per square kilometer.

Dutch literature has produced some remarkable works that have been translated into English. Here are a few notable titles we can recommend you to read.

Water plays a big role in the Netherlands, which is easy to see when you visit our country—there’s water everywhere because we live in a river delta. But water’s influence is also clear in our language, with many expressions and sayings featuring the word “water.”

Even with the rise of exotic getaways and spontaneous flights to sunny destinations, many Dutch still cling to their beloved holiday traditions—planning and packing up the car, camper or (motor)bike for a road trip across Europe.

Dutch courage, Going Dutch, Dutch treat, Dutch uncle, Dutch angle, Dutch auction, Dutch comfort, double Dutch, Dutch widow/wife, Dutch gold, Dutch agreement, Dutch act. Dutch concert, Dutch host.

Are the Dutch really like this? English has a history of using other nationalities in expressions, such as “Russian Roulette,” “It’s all Greek to me,” “Pardon my French,” “Chinese Whispers,” “Young Turks,” and “Mexican Standoff.” However, none are as numerous or as colorful as those involving the Dutch, much to our Dutch chagrin.

The Netherlands is a country full of water, with 20% of it covered by lakes, rivers, and canals. Because of this, the Dutch have always been good at dealing with water. They don’t just manage it well; they also use it for sports and fun, aiming to be the best.

How do the Dutch manage to win so many medals in water sports? Let’s take a closer look at swimming. In future blogs, we will focus on sailing and rowing.

During the first weeks of August, the northern Dutch province of Friesland is totally focused on boats and partying, thanks to the famous ‘Sneekweek’ sailing festival and the ‘Skûtsjesilen’ regatta. Let me explain what Skûtsjesilen is all about.