Rotterdam

Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe and largest outside China. This is the home of Erasmus (2nd pic) for all you theologians and philosophers.
Rotterdam markethall and cube houses

Many cities have market halls, but this is the only one where apartments have bee included. They wrap around the structure.
Across the square are the cube houses. Interesting architecture, but notRead more
Leiden

Leiden is a city on one of the branches of the Rhine. The first pic is over the city from the top of the man-made hill with a citadel on top that served as a refuge from floods and attack. There areRead more
Pilgrims!

Before the Mayflower, many of my pilgrim ancestors fled Henry VIII for Holland. Most settled in Leiden. Here are a couple commemorative plaques, Pieterskerk (their church home while there), a museumRead more
den Haag

The Hague is the capital of the Netherlands. A look at the Hague old and new with Parliament the on the right. It is said to be the oldest Parliament building still used for a sitting Parliament. ThenRead more
Rijksmuseum

The major museum here. First is the building, then Rembrandt's Night Watch, probably the major work here. Then one of the tapestries, the top floor center room with stained glass, the fall of man andRead more
Anne Frank house

They don't allow picture taking inside. So this is all I have. I can say that the tour was good. As we entered the "secret annexe," conversation stopped, and there was a hush. Deeply touching.
Amsterdam 1

This is called Amsterdam 1 because I expect I'll have more than one post about this amazing city. For this one, the first pic is a view over Amsterdam from the balcony of the Airbnb where I'm staying.Read more
Canals!

Amsterdam is of course known as a city of canals. Here are several typical pictures taken from a canal boat.
Rembrandt's house

The house where the artist lived and worked. First is the house, then his studio and his students' studio. It be okay for his portraits hanging by in the house. Then a couple etchings: Three Trees,Read more
Utrecht

University town not too far from Amsterdam that goes back to the Romans. The first pic is Dom Tower, tallest of its kind in the Netherlands and a symbol of the city. The second is Roentgen who livedRead more
Maastricht

City where the treaty was signed creating the Euro. First is the tower of the church from the 10th century. Then is an old city gate and part of the original or first city wall. Next is also the firstRead more
Delft

Best known for pottery. The first pic is in the only remaining traditional ceramic factory. Delft is also the home of the famous artist, Vermeer. This is also the city from where William of Orange ledRead more
Giethoorn and enclosing dike

Small Town with most of the village accessable by water. Called Venice of the north. The place is well cared for and known for the gardens.
The last pic is of the enclosing dike across the ZuiderseeRead more
Haarlem

Artsy community not too far from Amsterdam. The organ shown is old enough that Mozart played it when he was only 10. It is in the church in the first pic looking across the main square. There was alsoRead more
Zaandam

Another small town near Amsterdam. Peter the great stayed here back in the day. Town is largely new construction, at least what I saw. The last pic is at Peter's house
Bogota

Back on the road again. Starting almost 4 months touring South America here in Colombia. First is an overview of the city from Montesserate. Then Plaza Bolivar, the main square, followed by the oldestRead more
Monserrate

Pilgrimage site in Bogota on a mountaintop. Rode up a funicular to a beautiful site, centered around a church. The walkways have 15 statues from the Stations of the Cross and many fanciful pieces ofRead more