Tag: History

Amsterdam: canals

Let me spin you a tale of the canals of Amsterdam, where history flows as freely as the water!

Once upon a time, in the city of bicycles and stroopwafels, there were three majestic canals: Herengracht, Keizersgracht, and Prinsengracht. These canals weren’t just waterways; they were the lifeblood of Amsterdam, each with its own distinct personality.

Herengracht, also known as the Patrician’s Canal, was where the wealthy and influential patricians of Amsterdam resided. Picture-perfect mansions lined its banks, each one more opulent than the last. Legend has it that if you listen closely on a quiet night, you can still hear the echoes of their extravagant parties drifting across the water.

Vianden

Legend has it that Vianden Castle in Luxembourg is haunted by the ghost of a White Lady. According to the tale, she was a noblewoman who fell in love with a commoner.

Vianden
Vianden castle

Kinderdijk

Ah, Kinderdijk – the land of windmills and wonder! Picture yourself in the heart of the Netherlands, surrounded by endless green meadows and glistening waterways. Now add in the iconic sight of rows upon rows of majestic windmills gently swaying in the breeze – that’s Kinderdijk for you!

So, why is Kinderdijk such a fantastic place to visit? Well, it’s like stepping into a living, breathing storybook of Dutch ingenuity and resilience. You see, back in the day, this picturesque landscape was prone to flooding, thanks to the intricate network of rivers and lakes that crisscrossed the region. But fear not! The industrious Dutch had a trick up their sleeve – windmills!

Kinderdijk

Baarle-Nassau

Once upon a time, in a small town called Baarle Nassau, there lived two friendly neighbors – the Dutch and the Belgians. Legend has it that long ago, these neighbors wanted to share their land, but they couldn’t agree on where the borders should be drawn.

Baarle-Nassau

Eyjafjallajökull

Eyjafjallajökull is a volcano that managed to cancel a lot of flights around the world in 2010. The eruptions started on April 10 and went on till the middle of May. Fortunately, nobody died although many people were evacuated and the local farmers had to restore their property.

Eyjafjallajökull misbehaved in 2010

Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park (icelandic: Þingvellir) is famous for several reasons.

First of all, Thingvellir is associated with the national parliament of Iceland, which was established in 930 AD. Sessions were held at Thingvellier until the end of 18th century. The unique landscape was used as a natural amphitheater, which was perfect for public speeches. Just imagine that instead of sitting in a building the politicians just gathered together on the grass! Since 2004 Thingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage Site based on cultural criteria.

The natural amphitheater

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