Lasagna recipe flower bulb planting
New flowers come to bloom each day in the spring flower gardens of the Netherlands. When my participants visit the Keukenhof park before the tulip bike tour, they ask me: how do they do it? Well, they use the lasagna recipe flower bulb planting in fall. Dutch style of course. Let me explain.
Heritage Days South Holland Open Monuments
Local festivals and public holidays in the Netherlands are based on ceremonies and traditions. Nature is linked to century old involvement by humans. Even seasonal Dutch food and artisanal products are not the same without looking at history. The European Heritage Days in South Holland make you live the Dutch life in present, past and future. Here are my 4 favorite places to visit on Open Monuments Day.
Dutch water management, a polder model
Dutch water management started around the Rhine river. This Rhineland is the birthplace of the first democratic institution in the Netherlands and of the authentic Dutch polder model.
Bulb fields, cheese, city canals, windmills and Delft blue porcelain. Typical Dutch things we see and talk about during the tours and events of Verita’s Visit. Most likely, without water control these would not have become the icons of the Netherlands they are today.
In this article we put the spotlight on Dutch water management. We’ll have a look at:
- Where in Holland is the Rhineland?
- When did Dutch land reclamation start?
- Flood control?
- Who manages the water in the Netherlands?
- What is a poldermodel?
- What's on the Dutch water management agenda?
Where in Holland is the Rhineland?
The Rhine. Not a river you quickly associate with the Netherlands. Nowadays the Rhine river is canalised. It becomes one with the Waal river. The Rhineland, in Dutch Rijnland, is the area between the river's mouth in the North Sea and the border of the provinces Utrecht and South Holland. Historically, the area around the Rhine, especially the Rhineland, is of great importance in the organisation of the Dutch water management.
When did Dutch land reclamation start?
In the past, the Rhine was a wild river flowing into the North sea at Katwijk, a seaside resort near Leiden. Its river banks were high enough for the first tribes to settle and protect them against flooding. In the Middle Ages, more people wanted to live near the Rhine. At the same time the sea level was rising. That meant more land was needed. It was the start of the land reclamation around the river. The first steps towards Dutch water management. People worked together, building and maintaining dikes. Everything in order to reclaim land and prevent it from flooding. This was first done on a small scale, but then the Count of Holland took control.
Flood control?
The count ruled over an area which included parts of the Waal and Meuse river. In a war with Utrecht he conquered the Rijnland. The newly conquered area meant more income. He created contracts for homeseekers, allowing them to cultivate a piece of land. Everything went well until the Rhine river silted at the river mouth near Katwijk and the newly reclaimed land flooded.
The count of Holland had an idea. He built a dam on the border between the province South Holland, his territory and the province Utrecht, territory of the bishop. Problem solved or so he thought.
The Utrecht people were furious. Now their area would flood. The count had to look for a new way to divert the river water. The idea was to guide the water to the northern lakes in Holland, but this would mean an overflow to other rivers in the north. So, he created a new dam. This time in the area of Haarlem.
Who manages the water in the Netherlands?
In no time a group of angry men knocked on his door. For years this council of privileged men controlled the construction and maintenance of the water works. They felt the count had ignored them when making the decision to build a dam.
In 1255 the count made up for his mistake with an official document stating that in the future he would always consult the council. This document is now in the archive of the Rijnland water board. It’s precious to the water board Rijnland as it is the first time the term heemraden, the water board officials, is documented.
These heemraden formed the base of the Rijnland water board. There are now 21 water boards in the Netherlands. Every board is in charge of the Dutch water management on a local level. They work together with the Directorate General for Public Works and Water Management, in Dutch Rijkswaterstaat, municipalities and organisations such as drinking water companies.
What is a polder model?
The water board is seen as the oldest democratic institution in the Netherlands, a true polder model. Luckily, it has become more democratic than in the Middle Ages. Holland is not underwater, because we discuss every tiny detail, work together and resolve disputes. Every four years we elect a new water board to make sure our feet are dry. And, what comes with a government body is a tax. The water authority tax. There are multiple charges. First, there is a water system charge, to lower the risk of floodings and maintain waterworks and waterways. Then there is a water treatment charge, for the water quality and purification.
Did you know that water quality control is more than wastewater treatment? Water boards also take care of nature in and around the water. For example, the American crayfish is not seen as a delicacy here. It is an exotic invader which can disrupt the local ecosystem and influence the water quality.
What's on the Dutch water management agenda?
World Water Day is celebrated on 22nd of March. In that same week all 21 water authorities come together to keep each other updated and talk about innovative Dutch water management. Climate change, a rising sea level, but also drought are high on the agenda.
Unfortunately many inhabitants of this man-made lowlands are not aware of the hard work done by the water managers on a local level. On the tours and events of Verita’s Visit I do my very best to show you the fantastic Dutch water works and waterways in the province South Holland.
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Sleeping in Delft during Pentecost
Early Saturday morning. A couple of students wake you up by loudly ringing their bicycle bells right in front of your door. This way sleeping in Delft during Pentecost is impossible! With the sanddust stil in your eyes, you look outside. The group carries big crates of Dutch doughnut look-a-likes. Your curiosity is sparked & you decide to follow them.
Whitsun sleepy head
In West Holland the Saturday before Whit Sunday is known as Luilak. It was an exciting day for young people. They rose early morning to make noise, shake up the city and wake up those who were sleeping long and being lazy – the so called ‘luilakken’. It was the time to say goodbye to winter, clean the house and welcome spring. There was no room for lazy people.
Sleeping in Delft for the holidays
In the 19th century this was still a decent festivity, if you came to work late, you had to buy your colleagues some drinks. That was it. Like any celebration, Luilak took on a different form as time went by. Just like New Year’s Day nowadays, the youngsters started disbehaving. Riots & vandalism became a common sight on the Saturday morning before Whit Sunday. There was no way to get any rest in any of the cities where the celebration. Government & municipalities looked for solutions, created their own parades and bonfires. Sleeping in Delft during Pentecost became a challenge and while a group of Delftians lay awake at night an idea emerged.
Food is the solution to sleeping well in Delft
For centuries bakeries made a special treat for Pentecost: de luilakkenbol, a sweet bun similar to a Dutch doughnut. This group of Delftians came up with the idea to create a parade for the youngsters. At the end a full load of luilakbollen would be thrown on top of them. It became a huge success and it was the start of an annual Delft festival called the Delft Bun Saturday or Delftse bollenzaterdag.
Nowadays Luilak is not celebrated any more. Its means sleeping in Delft during Pentecost is relaxed and quiet. The luilakbol is not sold by Delft bakers. But, you can make them yourself, they're similar to the English scone.
Recipe for Pentecost luilakbol
- 40 grams of yeast
- 500 grams of flour ( of which 2/3 wheat flour and 1/3 rye flour)
- 250 grams of milk
- 10 grams of salt
- 20 grams of brown sugar
- 50 grams of butter
- 300 grams of raisins
- 100 grams of currants
- tea spoon of cinnamon
Step by step making of Delft bun
Mix the yeast with 4 spoons of lukewarm milk. Take the flour and mix it with the salt and sugar. Then make a little whole in the middle of the flour. Pour the melted butter in the yeast mix and add this to the flour. Knead until you have a smooth dough. Cover with a clean cloth and leave it to rise for 30 minutes.
Wash the raisins and currants and make sure they're dry. Then add them to the risen dough with the cinnamon. Knead and leave to rise for 15 minutes. Set the oven on 240°C. Out of the dough, make buns of about 60 grams. Put them on a well-buttered baking tray, cut each bun on 4 sides. Leave to rise for another 15 minutes. Then brush them with egg and bake them for 15 minutes. Eat them with butter and syrup (or jam).
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Sources of inspiration:
https://www.bakkersinbedrijf.nl/recept_artikelen/recept-luilakbollen
https://www.maxvandaag.nl/sessies/themas/terug-naar-toen/luilak-het-uitstervende-kwajongensfeest/
https://www.beleven.org/feest/luilak
Team building based on King's Day - 3 tips
Put on your orange dress, drink some Oranjebitter and get ready to sing the national anthem. The best way to bond is to celebrate a national holiday together. So, let's create that ultimate holiday feeling. Here are 3 tips team building based on King's Day in Holland.
National holiday to unite your team
Once upon a time there was a little princess called Wilhelmina. She lived in the Netherlands, a country that was extremely divided. People didn't want to do any activities together. Now, Wilhelmina celebrated her 5th birthday on August 31 1885. 'A great day for a national holiday', a newspaper thought. And so a new national holiday was born. It was called Princess Day and became a huge success. The Dutch people united, the nation was one.
I know it is a bit too much to ask you to create your own national holiday. It is a good idea to look at national holidays though. You can get inspiration on how to build & strengthen relationships . Let's have a look at King's Day!
Holiday feeling with old Dutch games: team building based on national celebration
The first tip for team building based on King's Day actually comes from Princess Day. In that time the holiday did not have the same dimension as nowadays. Focus was on strengthening relationships within your family & local community. That happened through games. Using these old Dutch games for teambuilding is perfect as rules are simple, you don't have to use your brain a lot. They're just a fun activity to do together and a way to release any tension. Best part is also that you feel like you're getting a taste of Dutch culture. Add some orange clothes and an orange drink (Oranjebitter) and you feel like you're on holiday.
Why the royal birthday & flower parades in the Netherlands are connected
As the years went by princess Wilhelmina got older. In September 1898 she became Queen of the Netherlands and so Princess Day became Queen's Day. Thanks to these two royal celebration; the birthday and the inauguration, the flower parades in the Netherlands became popular. Now, I let you think about it for a moment…Why is Wilhelmina’s birthday/ inauguration as Queen a good time for the flower parade? The answer is in the next blogpost.
Team building based on King's Day flower parade
Tip two on team building based on King's Day, is about these flower parades. Before WWII these flower processions were strongly connected to the royal family. Nowadays the processions are used to underline the local identity & the small community feeling. Now this team building tip decorate your bike, car or other vehicle. Set some rules before you start this activity. One of these rules should be about how you combine local, regional aspects with national cultural elements. What is typical of your city? What is unique about your family or friends? When you do this group activity with your colleagues, you can also include the corporate culture and team culture in these game rules. For complete instructions & customisation of this teambuilding activity based on King's Day, contact me or book the We are one on King's Day game activity.
Be like Dutch kids: sell what you love & they don't need
Another typical Dutch element of King's Day is the vrijmarkt, or garage sale/ flea market. This is one of the youngest traditions of the royal celebration. In the seventies, Beatrix was Queen. She is the mother of our present King Willem-Alexander and the granddaughter of Wilhelmina. She had married a German man and not everyone in the Netherlands liked that. Besides, you could again feel some tension building up in the Netherlands. The vrijmarkt already existed, but was not centrally organised. Here and there in the suburbs of Amsterdam and other Dutch cities these flea markets popped up. The idea was to bring these markets to the inner city centre, so the Dutch would get together in a central point. That worked!
How can you use this in a team building activity? The King's Day vrijmarkt is the ultimate way for kids to practise their entrepreneurship. So tip three in the team building based on King's Day is about negotiation skills. Try to find some traditions or habits in your family, group of friends or team that you like, but others dislike. Imagine these habits are one of the items you sell on the vrijmarkt. You are attached to them, they see no value. How would you sell these, the Dutch way?
Liked these 3 ideas? Then contact me for the full We are one on King's Day teambuilding game.
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https://youtu.be/lt2KSwzXFCE
Tip for pre-meeting activity Leiden
Her whole person beams with confidence. She's to-the-point, has a great sense of responsibility and a hands-on mentality. She aims for the stars and...is new to the team. So she organises a team outing. Thé tip for a pre-meeting activity Leiden.
Meeting your colleagues in real life
"Have you met each other before?" It's my favorite question when I greet a group for a teambuilding event or company outing. For me, the question is to open up conversation, get everyone talking to each other. From the group interaction I already know the answer. One of my participants was spot on when she said: "We know each other's voice".
Idea for pre-meeting activity Leiden
The power woman of this company planned a 1-day meeting to get to know her team. With the European headquarter in Leiden, she invited everyone to come over to the city of Rembrandt. And she booked a bike tour as pre-meeting activity Leiden. That, I think, is a perfect idea.
Typical Dutch activity Leiden
Whether it is before a 1-day meeting or weeklong conference, an active outing is a good starting point to get to know your team. Most of the time Dutch colleagues love to do something typical Dutch like a workshop cheese making or Delft blue painting. Cycling is one on the most popular corporate outings for international companies. And a bike tour has certain advantages.
Natural communication during team event
By doing something active the focus is on the activity itself. Communication happens more naturally. Sometimes networking feels forced. During the team activity it's mostly just small talk. The more intense conversations are kept for later.
During a typical Dutch cycling tour there's lot's to talk about. At least, when you're in the countryside. Although infrastructure in the Dutch cities is nice, passing busses, cyclists and pedestrians crisscrossing, might cause stress. The focus is not on the activity anymore. The only thing which is on your mind is how you'll get through this alive. Survival mode, that is. So, tip for pre-meeting activity in Leiden: go for a bike tour in the Leiden surroundings. Visit a windmill, pass by the lakes, have a drink at a castle. Talk to your colleagues from all around the world about everything you see and how that is different or the same from home.
What a bike ride tells about team spirit
The very very best of a bike tour as pre-meeting activity in Leiden is that you're in it together. Not everyone is born on a bicycle. The way you respond to the cycling skills of your colleague, says a lot about you as a team. Do you motivate her/ him? Do you leave him/ her behind, cycling all by him/herself or do you adjust your speed? Go for a bike ride and find out about your team's spirit!
Just curious: Do you have an idea who takes the lead in supporting the non-daily cyclists if you were to go on a cycling outing with your international team?
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Where is the best windmill in The Hague - Delft?
Woosh woosh woosh. The typical Dutch flat land is great for cycling except for when there's wind. And there always is wind. Always. So, it took me some time to get here, but here I am. On the dike, next to the best windmill in The Hague - Delft. And I have to say: this giant typical Dutch icon is making a terrible noise.
Peek inside a Dutch windmill
There are several opportunities per year to visit a Dutch windmill and have a look inside. Most popular are the industrial windmills in Zaanse Schans, near Amsterdam and the polder windmills in Unesco heritage site Kinderdijk, near Rotterdam. If you want to meet more locals and get a more authentic experience keep your eyes open for a National Heritage Day or a National Windmill Day. In my humble opinion the regional windmill days are even better. Take the Westland windmill day for instance. It is your chance to live the life of a miller in the best windmill in The Hague - Delft.
Smell Dutch delicacies at Delft windmill
She's a tough lady. No matter how the landscape around her changes, Windmill de Roos in Delft stands tall. She's been here for ages. Not at exactly the same spot, she has been moved a few metres to the left, a few metres to the right when new roads or new railway tracks were created. And now, after the construction of the underground railway, she's earned her spot along a wide cycling path. For your great view on the city, go here. At least, that's what they say. I am afraid of heights and the steep stairs will garantee I stay with both feet on the ground. When my participants climb up to the windmill's deck I follow the flour dust to the small shop. As I wander past the rye flour, the mixes for cakes and crumbles I can almost smell the delicious fragrances of fresh made bread and pastries. The mix for the Dutch gingerbread cookies, which they sell in winter really makes my mouth water.
Holland's best kept secrets
The best kept secrets from Holland are best kept secrets because they are either hidden from view or not that easy to reach. For the next best windmill The Hague - Delft area, leave the car at the parking and hop on a bike. One of the reasons why we cycle so much in the Netherlands is that we get everywhere. Even to the places that are not on Google Maps.
Cycle below the water
From the one and only flour windmill in Delft it is a 15 minutes bike ride to the Schaapweimolen. You could follow the route of the Westland floating flower parade. Essentialy that means you follow the water. Best part is where you go through a small cycling tunnel. The experience is over in the blink of an eye, so make sure you blink slowly. While you cycle in the deep dark tunnel, take a look at your right. At the deepest point you cycle below the water!
Best windmill The Hague -Delft for water management
The water level in this area is all managed by the electric pumping station you see when your eyes get used to the light again. Up you go, swirling on the bridge to cross the canal. Don't swirl to fast now. Take a moment to look out on the canal. You'll immediately see the Schaapweimolen. A few metres before are the remains of another windmill. Can you picture a row of windmills here, pumping the water from the polder land into the canal?
Meet the miller
When you visit the Schaapweimolen take your time. Many visitors take a few pictures from the outside and have a quick look inside during one of the open windmill days. If you take your time, you'll meet the miller. From the tiny window of the miller's house Wim has a good view on everyone passing by. Wim is 80 years old and quite a character. When I ask him if he still puts the sails on the blades himself, I know I've made a mistake. He looks at me as if I just asked him if windmills can walk. Having worked at windmills for most of his life, putting the sails is like eating a sandwich with cheese. Wim is a man of little words. He'll take you inside the miller's house, where grandgrandparents would just feel at home. There are images of windmills everywhere. And, you can take a look outside of that tiny window. "Say hi to Rob" is what Wim mumbles when I tell him we're off to the Groeneveldsemolen.
Coffee stop on windmill route
There's more wind now, but nothing can stop me to get to my final destination, definitely on my list of best windmill in The Hague - Delft . I've never been to the Groeneveldsemolen, although it has a big attraction on me. I passed by when a thunderstorm was about to hit The Hague area. It looked like Jekyll and Hyde, its white side overtaken by its dark side. The cycling route from Schaapweimolen to this polder windmill leads past the tiniest village in this region: 't Woudt. It's always busy and gezellig at Koffiehuis de Hooiberg, thé place for a coffee break.
Highspeed windmill scale models
Back on the pedals, cross the bridge and then take a right. Rob, the miller and other volunteers organise many activities for all ages on the open windmill days. Rob is so busy, I don't get a chance to talk to him today. A kid leads me to the small scale models of different windmills in the polder land. He opens each model and shows the mechanism. At a model of a flour windmill he scoops up some of the grain here, some of the flour there. "See, feel, touch' he yells through the sound of the turning blades. The blades, wow, the blades of these models. They turn in a high speed. It's nothing compared to the Groeneveldsemolen itself.
Whoosh whoosh and krikkriek
The blades of this giant Dutch icon turn at a terrifying speed. The doors of the windmill open a view into the wheel. Krikkriek. It rattles as the water runs through. The water gushes out and foam splashes everywhere. It goes without saying that I'm spellbound by the rhytms this windmill makes. Is this the best windmill The Hague - Delft?
Visit the The Hague - Delft windmills
Visit these and other windmills during National windmill Day in May or on the regional windmill day . Or, book a personalised bike tour with visit windmill. We start in The Hague, Delft or an amazing location in Westland - more than greenhouses!-
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Windmill tour Keukenhof area
The flower and tulip fields make a great day trip to the Amsterdam flower strip in spring and summer. In these seasons and in the rest of the year there are plenty of other sights to visit as well. Today's traveltip: a windmill tour Keukenhof area.
A new miller for Holland heritage
A new face. Robert stands tall next to the even taller windmill. The passionate Jan, who still lives in this amazing Dutch icon, steps out of his house. He'll give us the windmill tour Keukenhof area while Robert, the new miller, shows us how to handle the sails, the blades and the wheels of this historical monument.
Dutch icon in polder landscape
This windmill is beautifully located. On top of a dike, it looks out on the canal on one side. On the other the polders - the green meadows which lay much lower than the canal. In between the polders are ditches. This mill is called a polder drainage windmill. An enormous screw under the house pumps the water of the ditches in the canal. The obvious question: does Jan not hear the mechanism when it's operating?
Jan's answer: "You get used to it. The windmill's monotonous sound is actually quite calming"
Windmill tour Keukenhof area
The Golden Age comes to life when you see the blades of this 17th century typical Dutch icon turning. It's quite close by the worldfamous tulip garden and participants often request a windmill tour Keukenhof area when they book the tulip field bike tour.
It is also possible to organise a visit by bike or boat to this windmill in fall or winter. Or add it to the Holland beach and summer flower bike tour.
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https://veritasvisit.nl/en/uitje/leiden-tulip-bike-tour-personal-vip/
Buy your entrance tickets Keukenhof gardens March- May 2022 here
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Meet Vermeer in Holland - From virtual museum to real life
Meeting Vermeer in Holland. It's the end of your travel through time and space. 15 december is the death anniversary of the Delft painter. On 3 December 2018 a special museum opened its doors. It shows all 37 works of the Golden Age painter. This is where you start your journey.Read more
Flower Parade Netherlands 2023 - When & Where
In spring it's time for the Flower Parade Netherlands 2023. The name in Dutch is Bloemencorso Bollenstreek. The flower decorated floats follow a route around Keukenhof. In this post you read when the Bulb Flower Parade takes place and where you can watch it.
When does the spring flower parade Netherlands 2023 take place?
The Dutch love to celebrate flowers and color. There are many Dutch flower parades and fortunately they all take place at a different time. Every season has its own flower. The Zundert Flower Parade Netherlands 2023 takes place at the end of summer. Dahlias bloom from August till far into the autumn season. These make the perfect flowers for the Corso in Zundert.
Mid-April the tulips and hyacinths bloom. Tulips are quite fragile and you won't see them that often in the Bloemencorso Bollenstreek. The hyacinths are much firmer. Besides, they can be used in different ways. You can use a full flower with stem or just a single petal as you can see in this post.
In 2023 you can view the famous street parade of the Flower Parade Bulb Region on Saturday 22 April 2022. Over 20 floats decorated with spring flowers will be participating in the flower procession this year.
We go behind the scenes of the flower parade from Wednesday 19 April till Friday 21 April 2022. On Friday afternoon there's a special bike tour to the evening flower parade. Want to join her on a tour, celebration or just for a visit behind the scenes? Contact Verita's Visit Holland for more information.
Where can I see the Bulb Flower Parade Netherlands 2023?
My tip of the day: go see this evening flower parade on Friday 21 April. It's amazing and not so crowded. The nicely scented and colorfully decorated floats leave the huge hall around 2 PM. They head for Noordwijkerhout. In this cosy town they start the party at noon.
On Saturday morning 22 April around 9:30 AM the bulb flower parade starts in Noordwijk. It follows a route through the flower villages Voorhout, Sassenheim, Lisse, Hillegom, Bennebroek, Heemstede. At 21:30 the spring flower parade Netherlands 2023 ends in Haarlem.
On Sunday 23 April you can see the floats displayed on the market square of Haarlem.
Want to know where to go exactly? Or looking for more info on the full route & timings?
In 2024 the Bulb Flower Parade will take place in the week of 18 April.
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https://veritasvisit.nl/en/uitje/leiden-tulip-bike-tour-personal-vip/
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