A few months before my first visit to Rotterdam (2015), an arquitectonic landmark in the city had just opened. It was MarktHalle. An exciting discovery especially due to its purpose: besides its impressive building housing two hundred apartments, it is also a vibrant food market. It is the largest covered market in Holland.
I guess everyone thinks about Brazil when it comes to Carnival. But after one goes to Holland – especially in the month of February (or March) when it takes place in Brazil, this concept might change. Many cities in Southern Holland celebrate Carnival and it is a very important holiday to celebrate! They take it very seriously!
After having visited Holland for a while, it has become unthinkable, for me, to go anywhere without a bike. In Rotterdam a bike was essential to tour important corners of the city – that weren’t close to each other – and a must-see experience that was crossing the important Erasmusbrug bridge by bike. It is a beautiful bridge that connects both sides of the city.
Every European city, regardless of its size, and that is home to a large and recognized university, has a different pace of life and a lively dynamic in its surroundings that keeps it attractive, even though the majority of the inhabitants are elderly. Located in the extreme southeast of Holland, Maastricht was founded by the Romans and is the oldest city in the country.
Near the beach is Madurodam, a miniature town that appeals to adults and children and immaculately reproduces some of the most important or picturesque cities of Holland, as well as monuments, museums, factories and so on. This is a tour worthwhile for anyone.
It was love at first sight. It has a very peculiar charm, with a countryside feeling, but full of pomp like a big city. It is difficult to explain what delighted me the most in this city that may be considered one of the most important ones in Holland, together with Amsterdam and Rotterdam.
After a few hours walking on the cold fields at a distant vineyard, in Northern Holland, I was absorbed by a strong yet peaceful energy that mostly reveals itself when close to nature. Then, I find it hard to avoid thinking that a simpler lifestyle endures to fulfill us so much more.
I have always been questioned about my obsessive love for the Netherlands, and I still find myself searching for the most different explanations for something that seems particularly obvious to me, but for many - if not most – believe that I'm just being eccentric.
If you are in Amsterdam or Utrecht, take a train in the morning and spend a day in Gouda. A few less than 24 hours is more than enough to visit this cute city, known for its famous Gouda cheese - loved and consumed by the entire Holland and abroad.
