Maastricht is one of the oldest cities in Holland, as you will quickly discover when strolling through the historic inner city. Churches, city walls, monumental merchant houses and big squares merge seamlessly with a comprehensive and varied range of shops. Maastricht is also a city of indulgence and culinary highlights. There are pleasant lunchrooms, Michelin-starred restaurants, vineyard farms and an extensive range of excellent regional products and dishes. In short, ‘bons vivants’ should not miss out on Maastricht!
Holland. The Original Cool. The Beginning.
The 4 ways Holland stands above the rest. If there were a ceremony to recognize excellence among nations in the world, Holland would win these awards:
1) The Tallest
When it comes to stature, the Dutch literally do stand above the rest, with the average Dutch man towering at 6 foot 1 inches tall (that’s 3 inches taller than the average American). In fact, the Dutch are so tall that the country had to put out a mandate for doorways to be at least 7 feet 8 inches high! The Dutch can thank their strapping physique to the fact they have…
2) The Best Diet
Oxfam found the Netherlands to be the No. 1 country in the world for having the most plentiful, nutritious, healthy and affordable diet. Despite all of their delicious pastries and tempting pancake-houses, the Dutch primarily eat dairy, meat and vegetables, which have served their bodies well.
3) The Best Work-Life Balance
The Netherlands may be one of the wealthiest countries in the world, but it is also the country whose citizens work the fewest hours. On average, the Dutch work fewer than 30 hours per week, giving them more time to raise their children, ride bikes and of course…be the coolest.
4) The Coolest
Holland can get pretty cool temperature-wise, but of course, that’s not the kind of cool we’re talking about. The healthy and happy Dutch have been ahead of trends for centuries, making them the Original Cool.
You start dying slowly – Pablo Neruda
You start dying slowly
if you do not travel,
if you do not read,
If you do not listen to the sounds of life,
If you do not appreciate yourself.
You start dying slowly
When you kill your self-esteem;
When you do not let others help you.
You start dying slowly
If you become a slave of your habits,
Walking everyday on the same paths…
If you do not change your routine,
If you do not wear different colours
Or you do not speak to those you don’t know.
You start dying slowly
If you avoid to feel passion
And their turbulent emotions;
Those which make your eyes glisten
And your heart beat fast.
You start dying slowly
If you do not change your life when you are not satisfied with your job, or with your love,
If you do not risk what is safe for the uncertain,
If you do not go after a dream,
If you do not allow yourself,
At least once in your lifetime,
To run away from sensible advice………….