Netherlands

DVD. 7 Days. 52 Minutes. The European kingdom of Holland, known also as the Netherlands, was until relatively recently a powerful trading nation that possessed many colonies. Most of this land of tulips, windmills and canals is located below sea level and in the 17th century was the most prosperous country in Europe. Amsterdam is Holland's splendid metropolis, a city of canals and gables where almost anything is permitted as long as it does no harm. Today the view across the main square and royal castle gives little hint that the city is supported by stakes and is the largest lakeland village in the world. In a huge open-air area between Amsterdam and Schiphol Airport, every 10 years an international exhibition of garden architecture is held, the Floriade. It features hundreds of blossoming show gardens that are admired by millions of visitors from all over the world. In the 16th century life on the ocean wave brought glorious times for the city of Edam that is now world famous for its cheese of the same name. More than 30 shipyards once prospered in the city and the fleet of legendary Dutch hero, Michiel De Ruyter, was built there. Mijmegen lies proudly on the banks of the River Waal. The origins of Holland's oldest city are to be found in the Roman settlementof Noviomagum. The triangular market square of this university and Hanseatic town is dominated by the Waag House, a red-bricked building of Renaissance design. The Molens Van Kinderdijk is a fascinating landscape of windmills and a UNESCO World Heritage Sight. Its 19 windmills are world famous and of course typical of Holland. The fascination of old cities, dreamy fairytale-like villages, paintings by some of the world's greatest artists, bicycles and windmill: Holland is very much a land of the familiar and also the exotic.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Twenty kilometres east of the large Dutch port of Rotterdam is an exceptional and captivating landscape of windmills, Kinderdijk. For many centuries the windmills played an important role in the drainage and subsequent reclamation of land in the Netherlands. Up until the 19th century there were more than ten thousand windmills in Holland and even though only a fraction of them still exist they are still an important resource. The nineteen windmills in the Kinderdijk area were built in the 18th century along the waterways of Lek and Noord. In the past the sails of the redundant windmills were used as a means of communication: the position of the sails indicated if there was reason to celebrate or to grieve or if the operators of the mill had taken a short break. The traditions of the Dutch windmill are still kept very much alive by several millers keen to continue the rich heritage created by previous generations.

DVD. Global Treasures. 10 Minutes. Schokland Where the waters of the Ijsel Sea once flowed is today the vast, flat land of the youngest Dutch province of Flevoland. Only a few kilometres east of Ens, the small village of Schokland emerges from the landscape. This region is an extraordinary example of the historical reclamation of the land from the sea and Schokland is a symbol of the past struggles of its people to reclaim and protect their land from the power of Nature. Even the ancient Romans reported the rising sea levels of this area that caused severe flooding of the land. Following several disastrous floods, in 1859 the last remaining villages were evacuated by Royal Decree. Thus the inhabitants of this small island of fishermen were forced to leave their homes but, due to the modern construction methods of the 20th century, the area around Schokland was reclaimed from the sea and once again made habitable. The architecture of Schokland's old Waterstaats Church was influenced by Calvinism and today it is a museum. Close by, on the former island of Urk, strict Calvinistic customs are still observed and on Sundays some of the village's inhabitants still wear traditional costume. In 1986, Flevoland became the Netherlands`12th and youngest province. The reclaiming of the Zuiderzee created more than 165,000 hectares of new land and due to its long fought though successful struggle with the sea, Schokland can once more be approached from all sides!

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. One of the first important events in Dutch history took place in this area and paved the way for more than 400 years of fascinating history. We will explore that history on this episode of "The Backroads of Europe".

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. Tranquil country roads, picturesque farm houses and creative people are the center of our focus as we travel along "The Backroads of Europe" to the region known as Drenthe in The Netherlands.

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. North Kennemerland is an area where you can find everything that is typically Dutch -beautiful gabled facades, flower bulbs, sand dunes, the sea, windmills, lakes and sailing ships.

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. This is a region where the Dutch spend their holidays. However, away from the beaches and lakes is a world that reaches back centuries for its full impact and heritage.

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. A coach house, a woodworking and weaving workshop, candle making and pottery are just some of the fascinating stops along the way as we visit one of Holland's most attractive areas.

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. A trip through along The Delfland Route in The Netherlands is truly a fairytale excursion. Immortalized in history and even on modern television dramas, this area of Holland provides an opportunity to get to know the Dutch history and people.

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. Unknown to many people, because of geographical barriers, this area has survived in spite of being inundated by waters from the seas time and time again. It's a fascinating part of Holland.

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. Climb aboard for a romantic tour through a wonderful green country region, dominated by stately country houses. Much of Holland's history and heritage can be found in this region.

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. This area's principal city was once described as "a charming little town". It is now an important city that stands guard over an area filled with history and tradition.

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. As we explore the West Achterhoek region of The Netherlands, the landscape changes at each bend in the road and provides new vistas for us to explore. Here we will watch Dutch farmers create Holland's famed cheeses.

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. Splendid old farmhouses, small cities with barely enough room to hang ones laundry and plenty of history are all part of this area of The Netherlands.

DVD. Back Roads of Europe. 23 Minutes. High-timbered houses sit proudly along the flat terrain of the Southern Limburg region of The Netherlands. A favorite getaway for the Dutch and other Europeans, this area offers beautiful panoramic views and an opportunity to explore castles rich in history and personality.