Netherlands Travel Answers

Just some translations off-hand: the Dutch gable - gevel, 'strapwork' carved in wood, plaster and stone - pleisterwerk gauged brickwork - brickwork = metselwerk crop rotation - crop = gewas, oogst. In general agriculture = landbouw drainage = afwatering canal = kanaal printing presses - drukwerk, drukkerij (there's a printing museum in Meppel. Deventer also has a long printing history). Catholic 'bread' - ouwel Palmpaasstok (two 's'!) May Pole - we don't have that tradition to my knowledge You might like to browse through the travelogues on my Netherlands page. For instance the one about Dutch literature: "Dutch Literature, my personal choice" - Netherlands Travelogue by ATLC I specifically recommend Hella Haasse's In A Dark Wood Wandering. Big chance your parents know this historical novel.

You might wish to visit Delft. The artist, Johannes Vermeer lived there, the Dutch Royal Family had a home there, The Prinsenhof, which is now a museum. There are several other museums as well. There are the Old and New Churches, which are interesting architecturally and historically, and the City Hall as well. There is one gate that remains of the city's former fortifications. The city is also famous for Delft pottery. The web site for the city tourism office is: www.delfttoerisme.nl. The page does translate to English. Gary

I saw you'd already been to Borger to see the dolmen (hunebed). But did you also go to Orvelte (province Drenthe)? That would be enjoyable for the youngsters too. It's a museum village and shows the old rural lifestyle. Personally I'd think the Dutch Catholic-Protestant schisma in history would be an interesting topic. This brings you to the important era of William of Orange, 17 Provinces, 80 year war (with the Spanish). I live in Brielle, one of the highlights of that era.

oh, to add: the hanging of the 19 martyrs of Gorcum (19 martelaren van Gorcum) in July 1572. These catholic priests were hung in Brielle. And there are still yearly (modest) pilgrimages and commemorations to and in Brielle. They used to be quite big. Not so these days, though last year I saw the procession from my center-of-town home window, passing by. An interesting sight in this otherwise mostly protestant town :-) Dutch: nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martel... English: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martyr...

William of Orange was the one who moved the Royal Family to Delft. He actually died there and is buried there, as are many other members of the family. Gary

And after that came the Williams who were stadholder in The Netherlands and king of England. Now there's a connection if there ever was one! :-) But of course that was after the Tudor era.

I just came across a web site that has some interesting Dutch history: www.thehollandring.com/toen-nu.shtml. It mentions why the Protestant revolt began. Gary

You might have your daughter enter "The History of The Catholic Church in the Netherlands", in the Google search block. Some interesting web sites come up. Gary

The last week of April will include Queensday (talking about Dutch history and tradition). Make sure you plan nothing else than Queensday celebration. About the May pole. It was known as the "Mei boom", but you hardly will find this tradition alive. If you go across the border you'll fins many small German villages where the pole is erected at April 30 around 6PM and a festivity om May 1 (together with some uproar, because it's labor day). BTW Enjoy http://www.hollandheritage.tv/ if you are interested is some living Dutch history. PJ

You can apply for a free (printed) Dutch heritage map: deals.virtualtourist.com/2/v...

In the provence of Limburg you will see a lot of influences form belgium and germany in the architecture, go to Maastricht, the oldest or second oldest city of the Netherlands. Here you can see these influences directly!

Thank you all - your tips are amazingly detailed! I am investigating each and every one of the options and have sent away for the Dutch heritage map (to be sent to us while in Holland). My son has decided to do his project about the architectural influence on Elizabethan England with the printing press used to publish Flemish and Italianate designs in England. He's planning to make a model of a geometric knot garden designed by Hans Vredeman deVries - a living model made out of MOSS... My daughter's teacher has offered to allow her to write on a subject of her choosing. We will be in the Zeeland area to visit the Deltaworks and, with my father's encouragement, we will be learning more about William of Orange and the Spanish Armada. Believe me, we grew up knowing your national anthem ;)

Then you should visit Brielle. It is the first town that was liberated from the Spanish in the 80 year war, declared 'for the Prince of Orange' on 1st of April 1572. Hence the city's motto: Libertatis Primitiae. William of Orange married Charlotte de Bourbon in Brielle. His wedding breakfast took place in the town Veere (Zeeland). Definitely must visit Veere.