Dutch culture or culture of the Holland is diverse, reflecting regional differences as well as the foreign influences.
During the Age of Exploration, Dutch conquerors fanned out over the globe, as the Dutch East and West India companies traded as far afield as Java, the Caribbean, and Africa. This exploration resulted in the prosperity and wealth of the Dutch Golden Age. During this time, Holland became home to Europe's religious and political dissidents. This intellectual freedom spawned the masterpieces of Rembrandt and Vermeer and the philosophies of Descartes and Spinoza. Since then, the Dutch have continued to race ahead and push social frontiers. Recovering from the devastating effects of two world wars, the Dutch raised their cities with the stark, modernistic influence of Mondriaan's De Stijl school and the architecture of Mies van der Rohe. Now, where craters and rubble once lay, modem buildings gleam and tower. But, outside of the cities, the countryside is still dotted and crossed with the same ancient towns and winding canals that have existed for centuries.
The Dutch
The Dutch people are self confident
and accomplished, qualities that have
evolved from their history and
surroundings. Although they could
easily boast of the way in which their
environment has been mastered, they
are refreshingly modest and restrained.
Once the ice is broken, however,
people are enthusiastic and friendly,
and show tolerance and mutual
respect for others.
Dutch cuisine
Contemporary Dutch cuisine,
especially fish dishes, is fast reversing
the view that Dutch food is dull. In
larger cities especially in Amsterdam
Holland's colonial past has left a fine
tradition of Indonesian cooking. Most
hotels have plentiful buffet breakfasts,
including smoked meats, pickled
herring and a variety of cheeses. For a
traditional lunch try erwtensoep, a
satisfying soup of peas and pork; or
uitsmijter, an open sandwich of meat
or ham with cheese, topped with a
fried egg. For dinner have a hutspot
stew of vegetables, smoked bacon and
meat; or stampott, mashed potatoes
and vegetables with smoked sausage
or bacon. For more exotic experiences eat Indonesian specialties, especially rijsttafel ("rice table"), or any of several dozen other spiced, sauced, tangy, exquisite dishes. For sweets try pannekoek, pancakes with stroop (molasses) or poedersulker (powdered sugar). If you're on the move, street stalls also serve a smaller type of pancake, poffertjes.
Porcelain and jewelry
Some stores in Holland are closed all day Sunday and on Monday morning, but many are open every day, and stores in the larger cities usually stay open late one night a week. Cities such as Amsterdam and The Hague have a
variety of international clothing stores, but the real shopping experience is in antique and craft districts, looking for such specialties as jewelry and porcelain. In the provinces, search around and you will find some excellent regional buys.
The Dutch people are self confident
and accomplished, qualities that have
evolved from their history and
surroundings. Although they could
easily boast of the way in which their
environment has been mastered, they
are refreshingly modest and restrained.
Once the ice is broken, however,
people are enthusiastic and friendly,
and show tolerance and mutual
respect for others.
