Paradise B & B in Holland

For centuries, the Maas and Waal rivers have enclosed the Bommelerwaard region. The two rivers meet in the east at the village of Heerewaarden, then meander away from each other, and converge once again at Loevestein Castle, thus forming the ‘island of Bommelerwaard’. Guests of Het Paradijs have numerous options for delightful walks and cycling tours in this historic region. Many of the nearby picturesque villages still have authentic characteristics typical of the area. Also close by is De Lieskampen, an artificial nature reserve with wet meadows, deciduous forests, waterways, lakes and duck decoys, which formerly existed in other parts of Bommelerwaard as well. And after you’ve explored the surroundings, there is no better place to relax than the enclosed terrace of Het Paradijs with a glass of wine in your hand. And that, indeed, is paradise. Surf for more information to http://www.het-paradijs.nl/

Gorilla Bokito has chicken pox

Bokito, the Rotterdam gorilla who became world famous after jumping out of his enclosure and attacking woman in May this year, has chicken pox, the Blijdorp zoo authorities said on Wednesday.
The silverback gorilla probably caught the infection from a visitor, the zoo said. Source http://www.dutchnews.nl/

Johan Cruijff

More than thirty years in football have resulted in an astonishing amount of championships, cups, prizes and personal awards, both as a trainer and as a player. 'You do not always ponder it, but when you have the opportunity to do something for someone else, you should.' From this vision, the Johan Cruyff Welfare Foundation came to be in 1996, founded by European soccer player of the century, Johan Cruijff. After years of involvement with fundraising activities, Cruijff specifically wanted to use his influence for sports and play projects for less fortunate young people. Cruijff has special attention handicapped young people, because exactly to them, sports and play are of high importance. Surf for more information to http://www.worldofjohancruyff.com/

Stylisch Ambassade Hotel in Amsterdam

Ten 17th-century canal-side houses on the distinguished Herengracht in the historic centre of Amsterdam form the accommodations for the stylish Ambassade Hotel. A unique location at one of the city's loveliest spots, the hotel is situated very quiet yet within easy walking distance of museums, restaurants and important places of interest. The 59 rooms and suites at the Ambassade Hotel have been furnished and decorated with care and provided with every modern convenience. The attractive lobby, salons and other public areas contain antique furniture and clocks combined with modern paintings created by the famous Cobra group. Surf for more information to http://www.ambassade-hotel.nl/

Marcel Wanders, Europe's hottest designer

Wanders has earned his status in the design world as a visionary and leader. In addition to being art director for moooi, his work is offered by all the usual suspects—Flos, B&B Italia, Vitra, Boffi, Mandarina Duck and Bisazza. Wanders has won more awards and received more attention in the media than we have space to talk about. There is a reason Businessweek referred to him as "Europe's hottest designer" and The Washington Post identified him as "the design world's favorite star." Surf for more information to http://www.marcelwanders.com/

Dutch Party Queen Christine Kroonenburg

Christine Kroonenburg, widow of property tycoon Jaap Kroonenburg, has been named society queen of 2007 by magazine Miljonair. Second on the magazine's most-invited list is interior designer Jan des Bouvrie and his wife Monique, with former politician Ed Nijpels in third place.
Kroonenburg says she gets some 1,000 invitations a year of which some 300 are worthy of attention. 'I select very strictly and only do the things I think are interesting,' she said.
Source: www.DutchNews.nl

Holland's national memory

As the "national memory", the Nationaal Archief manages not only historic government records but also the archives of private individuals who play or have played an important part in the life of the nation. Surf for more information to http://www.nationaalarchief.nl/

Flood protection

For the past 2000 years, the inhabitants of the Netherlands have often had to cope with flood disasters. The name 'Netherlands' gives a clue to the problem: 'Nether' means 'low'. It literally means 'The Low Countries'. When a storm develops and the wind stirs up the waves, the Dutch coastal area can become flooded. The last time this happened on a large scale was just over fifty years ago. Almost 2000 people died following the flood disaster of 1953. This website describe why this disaster occurred, what exactly happened, and what was done afterwards to prevent it from happening again. (Photo: Rijkswaterstaat). Surf for more information to http://www.deltawerken.com/

Simple, banal, everyday scenes that make up Dutch daily life

Aan de dijk is a prepositional phrase in Dutch. You pronounce it phonetically as on duh dike. In a sentance, you would use it to refer to where something is located. For example, "Ravenstein is a little town located on the Maas dike." Ravenstein isn't physically on the dike, but rather located adjacent to the dike. Rachel James is American by birth, but have been living in the Netherlands since 1998. She makes a living as a portrait and lifestyle photographer. aandedijk.com is a website in which she documents the simple, banal, everyday scenes that make up Dutch daily life. Surf for more information to http://www.aandedijk.com/

Dutch post world war two buildigs

Some 100 post-WWII buildings are to be added to the roll call of listed monuments by cultural minister Ronald Plasterk. It is the first time monuments dating from the post-war reconstruction period have been designated as listed monuments.
If parliament agrees, then the Groothandelsgebouw in Rotterdam and the NS train station in Zutphen will be among those listed.
Not all the nominations are standard buildings however. Plasterk has also placed Hoogovens steel works in IJmuiden, the war memorial on the Dam in Amsterdam, the military graveyard in Bloemendaal and the radio telescope in Dwingeloo on his list.
There are also a remarkable number of churches, like the Adventkerk in Aerdenhout and the Church of the Resurrection, known to Amsterdammers as the 'coal scuttle', in Amsterdam-West.
A lot of churches were built in the post-war period in the hope they would provide a focus for social cohesion in new housing areas, architectural historian Anita Blom told Monday's Trouw. 'This became even more important during the Cold War as a counterbalance to communism,' she says. Source http://www.dutchnews.nl/

Rapsody "retro" yachts

Rapsody Yachts is building new classical fast sailing motor yachts for the very top segment of the market under the Rapsody-label. These "Retro"yachts answer to all the demands of modern yachting, but have a very nostalgic look. Quality time is our slogan; you will find all the luxury and comfort on board our yachts. Surf for more information to: www.rapsody.nl

Miffy

Miffy was born in 1955. The Bruna family was on holiday at the seaside resort "Egmond aan Zee". Their son was playing with his fabric toy bunny, father Dick was drawing as usual. Dick remembered the real pet bunnies he had when he was young and suddenly a bunny appeard on his sheet of drawing paper. For the first time there she was our Miffy. Surf for more information to http://www.miffy.com/

Lubberhuizen & Raaff

Lubberhuizen & Raaff - the only genuine distillery in the Netherlands - is situated on Waalbandijk in the old fire station at Varik, a beautiful rural village in the Betuwse region surrounded by orchards. There, Lubberhuizen & Raaff distil the best freshly harvested fruit - apples, pears, plums, cherries, raspberries, blackberries and blackcurrants - into eau de vie of the very highest quality. Unlike the usual factory method, in which industrial alcohol is mixed with essences and put on the market as liqueurs and other fruit alcohol, for L&R distilling is still a pure craft. Surf for more information to http://www.lubberhuizen-raaff.nl/

Greatest Rotterdammer

Champion boxer Bep van Klaveren, who died in 1992, has been named the greatest Rotterdammer in a city poll, winning nearly 33% of the vote. Van Klaveren won Olympic and European boxing medals. Philosopher Erasmus was second with 27% and murdered politician Pim Fortuyn third with nearly 12%. Some 74,000 people took part in the poll. Source: http://www.dutchnews.nl/

Circle of Friends of 's-Hertogenbosch

See where the past meets the present. Discover the beauty of 's-Hertogenbosch, together with the "Circle of Friends of ’s-Hertogenbosch". Experience our mediaeval inner city with its wonderful monuments and exciting waterways as well as our new cultural heritage in the making. Enjoy our culture and our penchant for the good life. Surf for more information to http://www.kringvriendenvanshertogenbosch.nl/

Hortus Bulborum

The Hortus Bulborum is the only garden in the world where you can find over 2,500 different tulip, hyacinth, daffodil and other bulbous cultivars, species and varieties in bloom. Nowhere on this globe you will find such a fine selection of old bulbs in one place. Every spring the Hortus transforms into a treasure trove full of dazzling colours, beautiful shapes and overwhelming fragrances at the foot of the picturesque, parish church in Limmen village, near the historic city of Alkmaar. Surf for more information to: http://www.hortus-bulborum.nl/

Discover some of the many delights that Holland has got to offer at http://www.discoverholland.info/

Demakersvan

Demakersvan

are plain but love the impossible. They recpect the old but want the new. They want to challenge, confront the normal. The accepted, the expected. They believe in fusing talented designers, writers, filmmakers, artists, scientist into a movement that will go beyond ego. That will create a super story teller. Suf for more information to http://www.demakersvan.com/

Discover some of the many delights that Holland has got to offer at http://www.discoverholland.info/

Panama

Panama* was established in the former port centre at the Oostelijke Handelskade in Amsterdam in late March 2001. For more than hundred years enormous machines had been busily providing electricity to the harbour from this impressive building on the "IJ". The trendy location of this 'entertainment transformed building' (opposite Java-eiland) is affectionately known as the 'Manhattan of Amsterdam', typically due to the industrial heritage of our city. As well as being a contemporary nightclub with great theatre shows, live music & popular club evenings, Panama also offers a trendy dance studio and a cafe restaurant with a grand terrace to the south for those mid-summer-nights... Surf for more information to http://www.panama.nl/

Discover some of the many delights that Holland has got to offer at http://www.discoverholland.info/

Bossche Koek

Koekhuys Jan de Backer: "We'd love to tell you something about the genuine Bossche Koek from Jan de Backer. A number of years ago, in 2001 our 4 year old son rediscovered the recipe for the Bossche Koek. From that moment on we have cherished the Bossche Koek and for us it has become a passion, therefore it is with much pleasure and above all with much love for the cultural importance of the Bossche Koek, that we would like to share it with you. In memory of Jules' grandfather, who made the Bossche Koek in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, we have named our bakery after Jan de Backer. ‘Koekhuys Jan de Backer ' brings the genuine Bossche Koek from Jan de Backer as a delicacy to the market. We have therefore expressly chosen not to become a large business. This allows us to give our full attention and care to the baking of this cake. For us, baking this cake is about pride". Surf for more information to http://www.bosschekoek.nl/

Discover some of the many deligths that Holland has got to offer at www.discoverholland.info

Donkervoort

More than 25 years ago Joop Donkervoort decided to build his own sports car. He started off his car manufacturing company from his small family home in Tienhoven. A few years later the company moved to Loosdrecht, where most of the cars have been built. In 2000, a beautiful modern production facility was realised in Lelystad from which we develop and assemble the cars, from the chassis to the last detail of the car. In the past 25 years, up to 1,000 cars have left the factory. In 1996 we started a co-operation with Audi ; a beautiful marriage, that gives us the possibility to build a car using one of the most reliable, most powerful and compact engines on the market. Surf for more information to http://www.donkervoort.nl/

www.discoverholland.info

Tiesto

Not many DJs have experienced the rush of being voted the world's number one in DJ Magazine's prestigious poll. No other DJ can claim to have won it three times, let alone consecutively. But Tiësto's is a career punctuated by landmark achievements – the first DJ in the world to sell out a solo stadium event for over 25,000 people. Surf for more information to www.tiesto.com

www.discoverholland.info

www.discoverholland.info

Hollandschewaaren

In 1602, the V.O.C. (Dutch East India Compagny), imported Chinese white porcelain with beautiful blue decorations. The Dutch were taken with this porcelain. It quickly became very popular and a highly desirable commodity. The making of a popular Dutch variant started in Delft, a small city in Holland, and therefore called 'Delft Blue'. Until this day Delft Blue is world famous. Today, Holland produces Delft Blue all over the world; production even went back to China, where it all once started. Some Delft Blue has lost touch with its glorious history and feeling, therefore, HOLLANDSCHEWAAREN re-designed Delft Blue to restore the old feeling with a new look. Annemarie Jetten: "There is to many mass production among tourism and typical Dutch presents are mostly a pain for the eye. I'll try to find a way through it, by making a product with a sense of humor..." Surf for more information to http://www.hollandschewaaren.nl/