Netherlands Archives - The Spidy Editor

Shane van Neerden’s piano recital challenges all the senses

12 January 2024Music

An enthusiastic audience in the Muziekcentrum, Enschede turned out to hear the young Dutch American pianist, Shane van Neerden perform a programme of Debussy, Scriabin, Ives and a new commission for two…

Francis van Broekhuizen and Elenora Hu bring a splash of glamour to Phion’s Callas celebration

24 November 2023Music

In this the centenary year of her birth, such is the fascination with Maria Callas that organisations all around are hosting their own tributes to one of the most famous…

Is this perhaps the best Buffalo Mozzarella outside of Italy?

6 October 2023Food

Buffalo Farm Twente, found deep in the lush, green Dutch countryside on the Dutch German border, is a truly amazing farm. Headed up by husband and wife team, Alfons and…

The Cottage, Amsterdam: Service most definitely with a smile

18 May 2023Food

Good, hearty food and a very warm welcome are in store when you visit The Cottage, Amsterdam. Situated just off one of the main roads into the centre of Amsterdam…

The Francis and Dominic Show strikes the perfect chord

14 April 2023Culture, Music

Billed as an entertaining show full of glitz, glam, glitter and humour, the Francis and Dominic Show currently touring the Netherlands is a true celebration of all things musical. A…

La Stans: A chocolate feast for all the senses

11 April 2023Food

Easter is the busiest time of the year for a chocolatier, and La Stans Chocolaterie & Patisserie in Enschede, East Netherlands is no exception. As I chatted with Dennis Stans,…

Celebrating local butchers

16 February 2023Food

The Netherlands is blessed with an abundance of excellent small independent shops, from bakeries and patisseries to flower shops and many, many truly excellent butchers specialising in either purely poultry…

A well-crafted and impressive Mahler 3 from Claus Peter Flor and the Phion Orchestra

20 December 2022Music

Claus Peter Flor and Katerina Bradić inviting the post horn soloist, Bob Koerthuis, onto the stage to take the applause

We witnessed a perfectly executed climax in this most monumental of symphonies. This is the best performance I have heard from this orchestra, and I look forward to more!

Van der Poel Ice Cream: Simply the best

11 November 2022Food

The boys from Van der Poel - Caspar, Floris, Pieter the joint-owner, Collin & Jorn

A traditional, handcrafted ice-cream of the highest quality, produced here in the heart of the Twente region of the Netherlands

Hof van Twente Wijn: Dutch wine at its best

14 October 2022Food

As you drive into Bentelo, a small Dutch village in the rich, green Twente countryside, the landscape transforms as row upon row of beautiful vines stretch across the horizon.