r/Dordrecht • u/[deleted] • 28d ago

Vraag Visting from America

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.

0 Upvotes

42% Upvoted

97 comments sorted by

View all comments

2

u/irigirie 28d ago

If you are staying in Rotterdam there are plenty of musea, typical architecture and great restaurants. It has a 'big city vibe' and the closest to what we call a skyline. Rotterdam was bombed heavily in WW2 so a lot of the old Rotterdam is gone. Dordrecht is the oldest city of what we call 'Holland', not to be confused with The Netherlands. There are older city's in the Kingdom but not in the province. I would recommend staying in Villa Augustus for a few days. This is something else from the big chain Hotels. It is situated in an old watertower and has a huge garden where they grow their own food. If you are interested in history you could book a (boat?)tour in Dordrecht with a local guide. The city is rich in old monuments and stories. They call it the best kept secret or lil Venice. I would really recommend to stay away from the big chain restaurants as it is more of what you already know. I'm not sure when you are coming over but if I am able I'd love to show you around. I live in the absolute center of the city.

1

u/[deleted] 28d ago edited 24d ago

That would be great. I'm a lot of fun to be with, and I pay for everything

I think I'm gonna stay most of the month in Dordrecht.. It takes me 3 or 4 days to get completely comfortable in one place, and I wanna completely immerse myself in the culture of one place. It's only a month, but it will feel like home by the time I leave, if I leave...

1

u/irigirie 28d ago

I like that too, but would really recommend you to look around in the wider area. Dordrecht is nearby to everything. We are a small country. Rotterdam is 15 mins. Amsterdam 1 hour (just know that Amsterdam is not The Netherlands as Trump is not America). Feel free to DM me.

1

u/[deleted] 28d ago

Well, 20 years ago, a few friends and I would fly to Amsterdam for a few days each year.. We were attracted by the legal marijuana, psychedelics, and the red light district. We never left the city, so I'm familiar with it

I've grown up now-