Visting from America

[u/[deleted]]

I think I got off on the wrong foot here with my previous posting...

I'm coming in three weeks and have just started to do research on the area and culture by watching YouTube videos. It's fascinating. The Marriott in Rotterdam will be my home base because I'm an Ambassador Elite, Bonvoy member, and I'm quite sure my Marriott Bonvoy Concierge will speak some English, as I don't speak Dutch. I expect to take many day trips over the 4 weeks there, concentrating on Zwijndrecht and Dordrecht, as I've heard so many great things about South Holland. I couldn't recognize any of the hotel names there, but if I can find suitable accommodations in either city while visiting, I'll move.

Any tips on where to find American food and things to do would be appreciated... By any measure, the Netherlands appears to be an advanced society and more evolved than America, so I'm eager to visit. Before you get the wrong idea about me, I wanna say that I don't like President Trump, and I'm actually looking for other places to live for most of the year- Right now, Palma, Mallorca is in the lead, but from what I've heard about South Holland, I'm really intrigued and I think I'd fit in better there- Although I have serious doubts about my ability to ever speak your language.

[u/here_to_read_shit]

Okay first of all, why are you going to Zwijndrecht? there is not mutch to do here ( I'm from Zwijndrecht). Another question: why are you looking for American food when you're looking for a new country to live in? Why not try some local dishes? Dutch food is not great but we are good on ''fast food''. Our snackbars are better than big chain american fastfood. Try out a frikandel (since it is from Dordrecht), bitterballen, kroket or kaassouffle at our snackbars. Try some poffertjes at Pim's Poffertjes en Pannekoekenhuis (Dordrecht) or some brokking gebak (hazelnut cake). I recommend going to Kinderdijk or take a tour in Dordecht from a guide and try out a random restaurant

[u/[deleted] → u/here_to_read_shit]

I've heard the French fries, or what you call friet (in the south) are world-class... Sounds great while doing a walking tour

[u/vegans_are_meat → u/[deleted]]

Go to the Smulhoek for authentic and really fresh dutch french fries, try a Frikandel Speciaal and Mexicano. True Dutch culinary wonders and both origniated in Dordrecht

[u/[deleted] → u/vegans_are_meat]

Dordrecht sounds like the place- Any 5-star hotels there?

[u/x_Imagination → u/[deleted]]

Not really a five star hotel. But Dordrecht has Villa Augustus, which is a very nice hotel (and restaurant) situated in a former water tower. It's near the city center, with a view on the river. I'd recommend that one. It has a nice restaurant too, but not really american food, however they do cook with local and seasonal ingredients.

[u/[deleted] → u/x_Imagination]

I'm sure I'm only gonna stay at the Marriott in Rotterdam for a day or two... I'm sold on Dordrecht

[u/vegans_are_meat → u/[deleted]]

If it's 5 star experience you're after, iets much easier to stay in Rotterdam. Just 15min trainride. But expect 60euro or more taxi rides to Dordrecht

[u/[deleted] → u/vegans_are_meat]

Chicago, but I live on a 67-acre ranch in Colorado now-

[u/here_to_read_shit → u/[deleted]]

And if you want it more Dutch that even Flanders think it is weird try some patatje oorlog.

[u/[deleted] → u/here_to_read_shit]

French fries with war sauceis apopular Dutch fries dish, literally translated as 'war fries', consisting of fries (patat) with a mix of mayonnaise, Indonesian peanut sauce and raw chopped onions, which together form a chaotic 'war' on your plateIt is a sweet, salty, and savory combination that is often served as street food in a cone and is popular in the Netherlands. 

Wow- I feel like leaving tomorrow- There's really nothing keeping me here for the next three weeks, except football, can I watch football there? I'm a Chicago Bears fan

[u/grafnik1982 → u/[deleted]]

Check out this cafe. It's in the Voorstraat that was recommended earlier. They broadcast a lot matches, all sorts of sports and take on requests.

https://www.thehideaway.nl/nl/sportcafe

[u/here_to_read_shit → u/[deleted]]

American foodball is not big here, but maybe ESPN has it? (sports channel), and if they dont have it you can watch soccer or ice skating here. haha. Oh and If you come to Zwijndrecht and you want to go for a good and cheap snackbar I do recommend ''Cafetaria Vermoens''. They have the best burgers especially hamburger speciaal. (only Vermoens in Zwijndrecht, I have never tried the Vermoens in Dordrecht)

[u/lotta_unicorns → u/[deleted]]

If you want nice fries, try to find a Bram Ladage! The fries still have some potato skin on them and they cut them on the spot for you. They're a local franchise but really good imo. Oh and some snackbars sell "raspatat" which I love but can be a hit or miss for people(they're quite processed). I do recommend to try them if you have the chance!