From Dutch Canals to French Castles

Traveling has become our new obsession! Over the past three years, we’ve explored many amazing places, and I’ve shared those travelogues on my Telugu blog. This is the first time I’m writing a travelogue in English, and I hope you enjoy reading it.

This past May, we traveled to the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, and every day felt like stepping into a living storybook. From the charming canals of Amsterdam to the cobbled streets of Bruges, and from the serene gardens of the Loire Valley to the historic streets of Paris, each moment was filled with discovery. Seventeen days passed in a whirlwind of art, history, and simple joys tasting local flavors, strolling through picturesque towns, and soaking in views that felt like postcards. 

We started our journey from Netherlands. The Netherlands is a small country located north of Germany. Despite its size, it rose to become one of the wealthiest nations in the world during its Golden Age. After a long and determined struggle, it even won its independence from Spain.

The people are called Dutch, and their language is Dutch. The word “Nether” means low an appropriate name, since much of the country lies below sea level. Major rivers such as the Rhine and the Meuse flow into the North Sea through the Netherlands, making flooding a constant threat. To protect their land, the Dutch built strong dikes and created an intricate network of canals. Over time, these canals not only safeguarded the country but also became vital trade routes, helping the nation grow rich and powerful.

Originally, much of the land was marshy and waterlogged. Using windmills, the Dutch pumped water out of low-lying areas and reclaimed land from the sea. Slowly, the drained soil dried and became fertile. Villages and towns were built on what had once been water. That is why people often say, “God created the world, but the Dutch created the Netherlands.”

Windmills were not used only for draining water. They were also used for extracting oil, grinding grain into flour, making paper, sawing wood, and producing pigments for paint. With advanced shipbuilding skills, the Dutch constructed sturdy trading vessels and exported crops and manufactured goods across Europe and beyond. Through intelligence, innovation, and determination, they transformed natural challenges into economic strength.

During the 16th and early 17th centuries, the Netherlands was under Spanish rule. Most Dutch people were Christians, and many followed Calvinism, a Protestant branch of Christianity. The Spanish king, Philip II of Spain, a devout Catholic, attempted to impose Catholicism on the Dutch provinces.

Along with religious pressure came heavy taxation and strict political control. Frustration grew. In 1568, the Dutch revolted, beginning what became known as the Eighty Years’ War. After decades of struggle, independence was finally achieved in 1648.

Soon after, in 1602, the Dutch established the Dutch East India Company, one of the most powerful trading companies in history. It brought immense wealth to the Dutch Republic.

With flourishing global trade, the republic became one of the world’s leading economic powers. The world’s first official stock exchange was established in Amsterdam, showing how advanced their financial systems had become. Technology improved, shipbuilding thrived, and art blossomed. This extraordinary period of prosperity in trade, science, finance, and art became known as the Dutch Golden Age.

During World War II, the Netherlands was occupied by Nazi Germany and endured great suffering. In 1945, the country was liberated and regained its freedom.

Today, the Netherlands stands as one of the most advanced nations in terms of economy, social development, and technology. One of the most striking features we noticed was its cycling culture — it is often said there are more bicycles than people! Separate lanes for cyclists run everywhere, just like pedestrian paths, and even highways have dedicated bike tracks.

 

You can find the next post in our Europe travel series at this link.