Local Expert
Marianne
Marianne backpacked in Europe long before backpacking had been invented. It was difficult to buy a backpack in those days so she used an old one found in the attic. She thumbed her way through the…
Marianne backpacked in Europe long before backpacking had been invented. It was difficult to buy a backpack in those days so she used an old one found in the attic. She thumbed her way through the British Isles and learned English at the same time. She then replaced her rucksack by a husband who insisted on carrying their two small suitcases. She kept a list of what to take. If any item hadn't been used it was crossed out. The result was that the suitcases became smaller and smaller. Once her two children were old enough she whisked them off on 'public transport' holidays in Greece, Turkey, Morocco and other Mediterranean counties. Her husband followed wherever they went, still carrying the suitcases. She doesn't drive, only rides her bicycle and takes public transport wherever she goes. Marianne is a teacher of English in higher education, which means long and frequent holidays. Pastimes include writing, editing, travelling, learning languages and photography. She now looks forward to the days when work no longer interferes with travelling.
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Open Tuinen dagen / Open Garden Days
The large back gardens of canal houses are well-kept secrets. Once a year these secrets are revealed when many gardens are open to the public.
In the 17th and 18th centuries these gardens were mainly decorative. They were meant to be looked at not to sit in or to work in. Gardeners kept them in shape. The flowers, plants and trees had to look their best in the winter months because this was the time of year that the owners lived in their town houses. The rest of the year they enjoyed life in their countryside manors.
From 20 to 22 June, about thirty gardens are open to the public. This year's theme is Art in the Canal Garden. Three centuries of art including contemporary sculptures can be see in the canal-house gardens. Some of these art works are part of the garden architecture others are exhibited only during the Open Garden Days.
Tickets can be bought at:
Theatermuseum, Herengracht 168
Bijbels Museum, Herengracht 366
Huis Marseille, Keizersgracht 401
Museum van Loon Keizersgracht 672
Museum Willet-Holthuyzen, Keizersgracht 605
Opening hours: Friday 20 June, Saturday 21 June, Sunday 22 June from 10.00am - 5.00 pm
Three-day ticket: € 12 (all proceeds go to charity)
A special canal boat picks up and drops off visitors in front of the museums and places that take part.
http://wwcanalmuseums.nl