There is nothing better than a day trip to gaze at animals live with the kids! During the summer holidays , a visit to the zoo (‘dierenpark’) is a popular excursion. But where to start? Here are some of the top rated zoos in the northern provinces of Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe.
Category: Culture
Dutch Wedding Anniversaries
My Dutch husband and I were married twelve years this year, which prompted many family members and friends to make noises about a party in six months’ time. Turns out that your copper or 12.5 years’ wedding anniversary is a big deal here and is often celebrated with a party for family and friends. I suspect we shall quietly accidentally on purpose forget the day….
Christmas Turkey Dinner
At Christmas time I always suffer a bout of home sickness. Even though my life is here in the Netherlands with my husband, his family and our friends, Christmas stirs happy memories (and longing) of family get-togethers, decorating the Christmas tree while my dad muttered curse words while hanging up the window lights, and the warm fuzzy glow of Christmas day traditions like the queen’s speech and smell of a roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings, followed by a nap.
Koningsdag as an Expat
King’s Day, or Koningsdag in Dutch is the biggest national event here in the Netherlands. The first Koningsdag (then called Koninginnendag, ‘Queen’s day’) was held in 1885 in honour of the birth of Queen Wilhemina. Now it is celebrated on 27 April (or 26 April if the 27th falls on a Sunday), the day King Willem-Alexander was born. It is one of the most cherished Dutch traditions.