Dutch delight!

Published in the Sunday Navbharat Times on 16 March, 2025

The sight of those hundred-odd colorful tulips instantly lifted my spirits! Long flights can be exhausting, and after hours in transit, stumbling upon a shop overflowing with vibrant tulips was like finding an oasis of color. Just last week, I had been in Berlin, representing veena World at  ITB, a travel show catering to foreign travelers who want to explore India. On my way back, I had a transit halt of three and a half hours at Amsterdam’s Schiphol International Airport—and I didn’t mind one bit.

Airports can be hectic, but if you don’t have a direct flight, transit can be a blessing in disguise. Since I was leaving the Eurozone, I had to clear immigration during my transit halt and of course this involved a fair bit of walking. But I welcomed the extra time—it allowed me to explore the airport’s fascinating shops, and the one that immediately caught my attention was the tulip shop.

At first glance, I thought I had entered a florist’s paradise, but as I looked closer, I realized that not all the tulips were real. A section of the store held fresh flowers, carefully stored in refrigeration, while another section displayed "everlasting tulips"—artificial blooms so lifelike that it was impossible to tell them apart from real ones. I soaked up all the beauty, both natural and man-made, and wandered through the airport, passing by duty-free stores selling perfumes and chocolates, high-end designer boutiques, and finally, a shop that truly fascinated me—the Museum Store.

Inside the Museum Store, a collection of Delft Blue pottery caught my eye. This iconic Dutch ceramic art, known for its delicate blue-and-white patterns, has been crafted in the Netherlands since the 17th century. What I found most captivating were the miniature ceramic canal houses, perfectly replicating the old houses of Amsterdam. When you’re visiting Amsterdam, these historic buildings in the old city  are best explored on foot. Amsterdam’s iconic canal houses are one of the city’s most distinctive features, instantly recognizable with their tall, narrow facades, large windows, and gabled roofs. These historic homes are a direct reflection of Amsterdam’s trading history, innovative urban planning, and unique building challenges.

One of the first things you’ll notice about Amsterdam’s canal houses is that they are incredibly narrow. This was due to an old tax law that based property taxes on the width of the house's facade—the wider the house, the more tax you paid. To save money, people built tall and deep houses that maximized space while keeping the front narrow. Many canal houses appear to be tilting forward slightly. This was an intentional design! Since the houses were narrow and had steep staircases, it was difficult to move furniture and goods inside. Instead, a pulley system was installed at the top of each house, allowing people to hoist furniture and goods up through the windows. Leaning the house slightly forward prevented heavy objects from hitting the facade while being lifted. The tops of Amsterdam’s houses are decorated with ornate gables, each with its own distinct design. These gables weren’t just decorative—they often indicated the wealth of the homeowner. Some common types include: Some of the styles were: Step Gables (stair-like shape) – One of the oldest styles, inspired by Gothic architecture, Neck Gables – A more elegant and refined design popular in the 18th century, Bell Gables – Shaped like a bell, often found on wealthier homes and Spout Gables – Simpler and more functional, designed for efficient water drainage.

Since Amsterdam is built on swampy land, houses had to be constructed on long wooden poles driven deep into the ground to reach stable sand layers. Over time, some of these wooden foundations have shifted or decayed, causing some houses to lean sideways or sink slightly. This is why you’ll often see canal houses that look slightly crooked!

I just had to buy a small ceramic house at the museum shop and with my packet neatly in my bag, I couldn’t help but reflect on my past visits to Amsterdam. This one city had so much to offer and with Eurostar train connections to London, its easier than before to travel here!

The most recognisable element of Amsterdam city are the canals, the heart of the city, best experienced on a canal cruise, where you can admire the picturesque bridges, historic homes, and charming houseboats floating by.  Amsterdam has more than 100 kilometers of canals, earning it the nickname "The Venice of the North". For history lovers, no visit is complete without a stop at the Anne Frank House. Standing in front of the small, unassuming building, it's hard to imagine that this was the hiding place of a young girl whose diary would become one of the most powerful accounts of World War II. Amsterdam is also home to some of the world’s most renowned art museums. At the Rijksmuseum, you can admire Rembrandt’s "The Night Watch," while the Van Gogh Museum takes you through the life and works of the troubled genius behind "Starry Night”.

As you watch the city and its people from the boat, you cannot help but notice the bicycles. The city is home to over 880,000 bicycles, more than its population. While Amsterdam is captivating, the true essence of the Netherlands lies in its quaint villages. But very often we hear people say Holland when they want to refer to Netherlands. If you’re wondering what’s the official name, it is "The Netherlands", which translates to "Low Lands" in English. This name perfectly describes the geography of the country, as much of its land lies below sea level.Holland actually refers to just two provinces: North Holland and South Holland. These two regions were historically the most powerful and influential during the Dutch Golden Age (17th century), when the Netherlands was a major naval and trading power. Since Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague—three of the most well-known cities—are located in these provinces, the name "Holland" became synonymous with the entire country, even though there are 12 provinces in total.

Coming to the villages of Netherlands, One of my favorites is Volendam, a picturesque fishing village known for its colorful wooden houses, charming harbor, and traditional Dutch culture. Here, you can try on traditional Dutch attire, complete with wooden shoes called clogs, and capture a timeless photograph.

Speaking of clogs, a visit to the Netherlands is incomplete without stopping by a clog and cheese factory. The Dutch take their cheese very seriously, and tasting fresh Gouda or Edam straight from a local farm is a must. My favourite is the smoked cheese and these too were available at the airport shops!The clog-making process is equally fascinating—watching artisans carve and paint these wooden shoes by hand is like stepping back in time.

As my plane took off from Amsterdam, I spotted a cluster of windmills dotting the landscape—a sight that instantly made me think of traditional Dutch countryside scenes. The windmills of the Netherlands are more than just postcard-perfect landmarks; they were once the backbone of Dutch industry, used for pumping water, grinding grain, and even producing paint. One of the best places to see them is Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum where you can walk among well-preserved windmills and learn about their historical significance.

But if there's one thing that defines the Netherlands in all its glory, it's the tulips. Every spring, the country transforms into a breathtaking canvas of red, pink, yellow, and purple as tulip season begins. The best place to witness this floral explosion is at Keukenhof Gardens, often called "the Garden of Europe." Spanning over 32 hectares, Keukenhof is home to more than seven million tulips, making it one of the most spectacular flower gardens in the world.

Whenever I think of The Netherlands I can't help but think of some phrases like, "Going Dutch" means splitting a bill, where each person pays for their own share. It originated in 17th-century England during a rivalry with the Dutch, when the English used "Dutch" phrases to stereotype them as frugal. However, in Dutch culture, splitting costs is about fairness and independence, not stinginess.Other phrases from this era include: "Double Dutch" – Meaning nonsense or gibberish, implying Dutch speech was hard to understand and "Dutch Courage" – Refers to bravery gained from drinking alcohol, likely inspired by soldiers drinking before battle. Though originally negative, these phrases remain common today. So next time you "go Dutch," you’re embracing a tradition of practicality and fairness—just like the Dutch!

As I looked back at my time in this beautiful country, I couldn’t help but feel that, just like the tulips, the Netherlands has a way of bringing color and joy into the hearts of those who visit. So, why not visit “The Netherlands” this year?