Discover the Dutch classics

Tulips, cheese, wooden shoes and windmills – these are the famous icons that represent Holland abroad. Fortunately you can still see them everywhere, particularly in spring!

Try some cheese at the Alkmaar cheese market
Over 600 windmills open their doors on National Mill Day
Spring is the season when the tulips are at their best

How Dutch can it get? Windmills, cheese, tulips... If you like the Dutch classics, there will be plenty to enjoy this spring. It is the moment when the tulips colour the fields in all their glory and countless other Dutch attractions that represent the highlights of Holland for many tourists open their doors.

Alkmaar cheese market
Every year on the first Friday in April, the Alkmaar cheese market starts. At 10 o’clock in the morning when the bell starts tolling, the cheeses are stacked high and the cheese master inspects the wares. The handjeklap or ‘handshaking’ starts when he is done, after which you will see the traditional cheese carriers with their distinctive walk take the cheese away. If you are in Alkmaar anyway, you should really visit the Cheese Museum as well.

National Mill Day
National Mill Day or Nationale Molendag is held every second Saturday in May. More than 600 wind and watermills and water-pumping stations open their doors to the public. Mills played an important role in developing Holland for many centuries. Discover how on this day. You can visit many wind and watermills and the millers often organise great tours and activities.

Tulips
Tulip season starts mid-March and ends mid-May, but the tulips are generally at their best midway through April. You can admire the most beautiful tulips at Keukenhof, the world’s biggest flower exhibition. In addition to the world-famous flower-bulb region near Lisse and Hillegom, the Noordoostpolder is also well-known tulip country. During the Tulip Festival (16 April until 4 May) you can participate in a wonderful tour past beautiful flower-bulb fields here and visit countless great cultural and culinary activities.

Source: holland.com