Travel guide Netherlands

Beer, more than gin, is undoubtedly the national drink. Here, cafés are meeting places for friends and family. Major Dutch brands share the limelight and the shop windows. Ordering is simple: biertje is a half (50cl), while fluitje is a 25cl.

This Dutch tradition refers to a convivial moment, often associated with an aperitif or light meal, taken after the working day (around 5pm). It's an opportunity to get together with colleagues, friends or family over a drink and snacks. Many bars and restaurants have special menus for this special time.

This word is a source of misunderstanding between locals and tourists. A symbol of coolness for many (foggy-minded?) visitors or, for others, of the Netherlands' pragmatic approach to soft drugs. The embodiment of the "narco-state", as one apple-loving former French president put it. To be consumed in moderation.

Flowers are inseparable from the Netherlands. In Amsterdam, they are very much in evidence, especially during the chromatic symphony of spring. In fact, all the major cities have gardens and parks with symphonies of flowers and plants. Between March and May, don't miss Keukenhof Floral Park and its surrounding tulip fields.

Homosexuality was legally recognized here in the early ^19th century. The first same-sex marriage was celebrated in Amsterdam on April¹, 2001. Over the past few years, the gay scene in Amsterdam and other cities has been getting quieter... But don't miss the Gay Pride parade on the canals in the middle of summer.

Pronounce "rezélir". Without an exact equivalent in French, gezellig refers to the warmth of a successful evening, a place, even an idea. We'd also say that a friendly party that gets moving is gezellig. It's a fundamental word in Dutch, especially in Amsterdam. If you hear it, it's a good sign: your stay will be a good one!

It's a small town inside the city, nestled in a green enclosure and accessible via a vault. Historically, they were built by wealthy benefactors for the underprivileged. Today, they are oases of peace in the midst of urban hustle and bustle. Our favorite: Karthuizerhof, in Amsterdam's Jordaan district.

Windmills are emblematic of the Netherlands and play an important role in the country's history and culture. They were once essential for draining water from the polders and controlling water levels. Nearly a thousand historic windmills remain today, some of them UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Amsterdam boasts a number of magnificent museums brimming with a variety of treasures. These include the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk, not to mention the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. And let's not forget the fabulous Depot in Rotterdam, as well as the Kröller-Müller in the Veluwe, the Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht and the Groninger Museum in Groningen.

Orange is the national color of the Netherlands, symbolizing both pride and unity. It is a tribute to the royal dynasty, one of whose emblematic figures is William of Orange. He is particularly celebrated for his crucial role in the struggle for Dutch independence in the ^16th century against the kingdom of Spain.

Since 2013, the King of the Netherlands has been Willem-Alexander, who succeeded his mother Beatrix, who became a princess again after 33 years on the throne. Even in the face of certain difficulties and scandals, the royal family always comes through (royally?), and the Dutch are attached to it. Don't try to lecture us on the republic, it's totally irrelevant.

It's probably the object that best symbolizes the Netherlands and its cool lifestyle. The bicycle is the preferred means of transport for its inhabitants, expats included. It's used by everyone, at all ages and in all weathers. The sight of families on scooters is enough to make you want to put your car in the garage for good...