Tag: Rivers

KINDERDIJK – a Day Trip into Authentic Dutch Heritage

Posted onAuthorRenata GreenLeave a comment

In my post Why ROTTERDAM Is Worth Visiting: A Complete Guide to the Urban Heart of the Netherlands, I raved about the trendy, dynamic, and multicultural vibe of Holland’s second-largest city. Although I fell in love with Rotterdam instantly, there were moments when I missed the cutesy, traditional side of the Netherlands. Luckily, I found exactly that just about half an hour east of the city. In Kinderdijk, nineteen historic windmills rise along the waterways and make a day trip from Rotterdam a truly authentic experience.

Collage of Pictures from Kinderdijk
In Kinderdijk, everything revolves around windmills.

For centuries, they have shaped a landscape that is not only picturesque but, above all, functional. Here, it becomes clear how closely the country’s history is intertwined with the constant struggle against the elements. However, it’s the authenticity that makes Kinderdijk so very special. Those mills are not merely an attraction for visitors, but part of a historic water management system that has been used for centuries and remains largely intact to this day. In 1997, UNESCO honored Kinderdijk as an exceptional testament to Dutch engineering by recognizing it as a World Heritage Site.

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Why ROTTERDAM Is Worth Visiting: A Complete Guide to the Urban Heart of the Netherlands

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Gabled houses, wooden shoes, tulips – the list of cutesy clichés that everyone immediately associates with the Netherlands could go on and on. And then you get to Rotterdam, and the image is shattered.
Rotterdam isn’t a city that wins you over with Dutch stereotypes and postcard charm. It draws you in with its palpable energy and cosmopolitan vibe. Rotterdam is different from any other city in the Netherlands, and that’s exactly why it is absolutely worth visiting.

Het Depot by MVRDV in Rotterdam, one of the reasons why the city is worth visiting.
Rotterdam in a nutshell reflecting bowl. The fantastic building Het Depot was designed by the architectural firm MVRDV.
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The Best Spots in HAARLEM You Should Not Miss

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Hals, Hofjes, and Heritage — all this and so much more makes Haarlem a highly interesting and pretty exciting destination. Continuously in the shadow of Amsterdam, this city, located around 30 kilometers from the Dutch capital, is far too often overlooked. So, if you’re not keen on the hustle and bustle of a big’n’busy metropolis but still want to enjoy an inspiring, authentically Dutch city packed with mysteries and miracles, Haarlem is the perfect place for you!
In this post, I’m taking you to the best spots you absolutely should not miss when visiting Haarlem.

View of Haarlem's river and the Teylers museum in the backdrop.
Today, the waterways contribute to Haarlem’s beauty. In the past, however, they were essential for the city’s immense prosperity.
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Where Holland Tastes Best: Discovering the Flavors of the Amsterdam Area

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From artisanal cheese and craft beer to centuries-old cocoa traditions, the area northwest of Amsterdam is a place where every local flavor tells a story.

Various pix of food taken in Haarlem and Zaandam.
The Amsterdam Area holds a plethora of delicacies in its pantry.

On a culinary journey through North Holland, I discovered some of the region’s signature specialties as well as a couple of incredible gourmet restaurants.

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What not to Miss in ZURICH – A City of Undervalued Natural Wealth

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Nestled between Alpine panoramas and a vibrant urban pulse, Zurich surprises with an unexpected blend. Switzerland’s largest city is not only a financial center. It is also a place where ideas have always converged and new things were born. Emigrants, artists, and thinkers have left their mark here, a legacy that is still palpable today.
At the same time, Zurich boasts not only financial prosperity but also abundant natural wealth that is definitely not to miss. Lake Zurich shimmers in the heart of the city, and the Alps seem almost within reach. Between trendy neighborhoods, historic alleyways, and creative spaces, a city unfolds that is open, lively, and surprisingly progressive.

The jetty at Bürkliplatz.
The jetty at Bürkliplatz is one of Zurich’s major tourist magnets.
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Best of BASEL – What Not to Miss on a Weekend in the Tri-Border Arts Hub

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Basel is one of those cities that feels like it should be bigger than it is. Not in size – but in presence. Sitting right where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet, it exists in a constant cultural overlap: Swiss precision, French flair, and German structure all blending into something unexpectedly creative. Even if you spend just a weekend in Basel, you’ll quickly realize how much there is you simply shouldn’t miss – and in this post, I’m showing you the best of the best.

Helvetia on Travels by Bettina Eichin
Helvetia on Travels by Bettina Eichin: very Swiss, very artsy, very Basel.
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An Unforgettable Weekend in MEISSEN, the Hidden Gem of Saxony

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Although the town of Meissen is quite small and not as internationally renowned as this acclaimed Cradle of Saxony actually deserves, it is one of Germany’s most historically significant cities and the perfect place to spend an unforgettable weekend!

Albrechtsburg seen on a Weekend in Meissen in Saxony.
Night slowly falls on the Albrechtsburg, Germany’s oldest castle complex.

Additionally, Meissen is home to Germany’s oldest castle and the site where European hard-paste porcelain was first produced in 1708. So, let’s explore what else this hidden gem has in store!

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A Day Trip from Dresden into the Elbe Wine Region, Germany’s Easternmost Vineyards

Posted onAuthorRenata Green2 Comments

Whether you prefer beer or wine is, of course, a matter of taste. However, for some people, it is also a philosophical and social question. In fact, it was none other than Scottish novelist Robert Louis Stevenson who equated wine to poetry in a bottle. And as a world-famous writer, he certainly knew what he was talking about. No one said that about beer.

But no matter what your personal opinion on the cultural difference between beer and wine is, in one respect, you can only give preference to the latter: namely, when it comes to the beauty of the growing regions. In this regard, the grapevines beat the hop bushes by a mile! Proof of this was my recent hike along the Saxon Wine Trail. With its idyllic vineyards, enchanting castles, and magnificent villas, a day trip from Dresden into the Elbe Wine Region will definitely be one of the most heart-, soul- and stomach-filling trips you will have enjoyed in a long time.

Seusslitz Castle in the Elbe Wine Region.
Seusslitz Castle is only one of many majestic structures in the Elbe Wine Region.

Since the trail is lined not only by some amazing landmarks but also by countless eateries and wine bars, all you need are your hiking boots, a sun hat, and a little drinking water. Everything else is readily waiting for you alongside this truly mesmerizing path!

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Baroque Splendor And River Romance: The Must-Sees of DRESDEN

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The heart of Saxony beats right here, in the city of Dresden. Already the nickname Florence on the Elbe is a clear reference to Dresden’s magnificent imperial structures and the city’s picturesque location on one of Germany’s longest and most scenic rivers. Its distinctive aura and elegance make Dresden one of Germany’s most beautiful and worthwhile travel destinations.

View of the main square in Dresden.
View of the majestic Neumarkt.
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