When we first moved to the Netherlands, we began
to take short trips around here to learn about our new home. After a
while our trips started to encompass more of the outside world and
that’s what I’ve written about mostly as our more local trips have
dwindled a bit. How many times can I write about going to Amsterdam
or Den Haag? Living in Delft, going to Amsterdam is like going
downtown to see a show. It’s practically next door. But this past
Saturday, we had finished the perusing the Saturday markets and the
weather was beautiful so we went to Dordrecht for lunch.
Dordrecht is not far, about 25 miles or so,
closer than Amsterdam really, but other than passing through on the
train, we had never been there. Its claim to fame is that because a
land grant made in the 13th century, the first of its
kind, Dordrecht is the oldest city in the Netherlands. It grew
because of a major tributary on which it sits so this isn’t a
run-of-the-mill Dutch canal; it’s an actual river of significant
width.
There are several marinas just off the river and
there seemed to be as many boats here as there were bicycles which
is saying something for this country. A tourist with limited time
may not want to take part of a day to see this town, but you can get
a glimpse right here.
See all my pictures of Dordrecht. |