Cities in the Netherlands are much like each other, whereas in countries like Spain and Italy each city is its own world. Yet to say that all Dutch cities are the same would be too simply put. What follows is a brief account of the cities I’ve visited so far.

Rotterdam:
The city night view from the Erasmus International Student building is the most mesmerizing skyline I’ve ever seen. I wonder how people with that view manage to get their work done. The view from my window is nowhere near as nice, but I still felt forced to put up a curtain because every time I would finally get around to sitting behind my desk to get some work done I would end up staring out the window for ages like a doofus.

The Hague:
I like the beach. It’s not the nicest beach you’ve ever seen. When I went for the first time, coming from Venezuela, I remember asking my mum: is this it?! Still Kijkduin or Scheveningen  are fun to go to bake in the sun, do some yoga, read a book, or sit by the shore and enjoy the sound of the ocean. The Hague’s city centre has changed: there is a new shopping mall with a huge cinema and cars are prohibited in certain parts of the centre, which makes a stroll much more pleasant.

Amsterdam:
What I’ve liked the most about Amsterdam so far is visiting museums, and partying in club Escape or Melkweg. I must admit I feel kind of ashamed not being so acquainted with it having lived here for so long and it being just a hop on the train away. That’s why I’ll be going there coming Monday for Queen’s Day.

Leiden:
I worked in Leiden for a while as a secretary, and at the time I had friends who lived there, so we always used to have many ladies nights and I would stay there all the time, but for the rest I don’t feel any further special attachment to the city, and the only thing that attracts me there is the yearly 3 October fair.

Utrecht:
I completed my bachelor’s here, and I can best describe it as a cute, historical, old student town. The Dom is its trademark, and I like the analogy my friend once made when he said: “the Dom is Holland’s Eiffel Tower.” Although it is aesthetically and functionally nothing like the Eiffel tower, it is the big thing to see if you happen to be there. What is also quite peculiar is the Boat, which is a coffee shop that is a wooden boat floating in a canal where New Age music is always playing in the background.

Terschelling:
This is one of the islands in the North of the Netherlands. It’s a small village far away from everything else, and it’s great to bike around the dunes and go to the beach, the lake, and take walks in the woods. Here’s where the yearly Yoga Festival takes place. It’s a blissful experience. If you’re interested in more information, here’s the link http://www.yogafestival.info/English/engelsprog.html. I already got my ticket.

Delft:
This small city is nice for a walk and especially if you would like to know the city where Holland’s famous white and blue pottery traditionally come from.

I would rate Rotterdam and Amsterdam as Holland’s best cities. What do you think? Where will you be spending Queen’s Day?