On a recent trip to Amsterdam, I ventured outside the city to explore two places that showcase the beauty the Netherlands is known for worldwide: flowers.  I toured Royal FloraHolland, in Aalsmeer, the largest marketplace for flowers in the world, and spent several hours at Keukenhof Gardens, in Lisse, known as the “Garden of Europe.” Royal FloraHolland […]

 Amsterdam is celebrating the 750th anniversary of its founding in 2025. 750 years old  I recently spent five days in the Dutch city of about 925,000 residents and found it easy to navigate, friendly, and charming. It’s cosmopolitan, home to 180 nationalities although about half the population is of indigenous Dutch origin. I found it […]

Some of you may have noticed that I didn’t post anything for a couple of days, which is unusual for me. The first omission was because the conference I was attending so occupied me, there simply wasn’t time. Yesterday I took an early morning flight to Amsterdam. When I arrived, I was coughing, sneezing, and […]

While traveling in Spain and the Netherlands I couldn’t help but notice the two countries differing architectural styles. In both San Sebastian and Amsterdam older, traditional buildings showcased their approach to ornamentation and, in some cases, over-the-top ostentation. Today I’ve got photos of rooflines, tomorrow decorations. The thing is, I don’t have a preference. In […]