Saturday - Natural beauty in Groningen

Natural beauty is not just the topic of the popular BBC show "Snog, Marry or Avoid".

It's also the main theme of an ongoing exhibition in the Groninger Museum, showcasing the never seen before collection of a German art enthusiast.

Mr Rau managed to collect more than 800 pieces covering 500 years of Western art history: Sisley, Monet and Morandi among the others.

Possibly to be combined with some Christmas shopping in Groningen...

http://www.groningermuseum.nl/en/exhibition/natural-beauty-%E2%80%93-fra-angelico-monet

Friday - On Titanic and other stories

Last chance to see Ashley Ramsden performing "Titanic" and the "Man who planted seeds" today, at the Paradijs in the Koninklijke Schouwburg.

We have been on Wednesday and as always loved the atmosphere and the performance of this amazing story-teller and are very grateful to the STET who keeps bringing him here year in and year out.

http://www.ashleyramsden.com/

http://www.theenglishtheatre.nl/

Thursday - Christmas ballets

In case you were looking for a traditional Christmas ballet, the Dutch National Ballet is currently performing Sleeping Beauty at the Muziektheater in Amsterdam while the DDDD at the Lucent Dance Theater will make the Nutcracker come alive in Den Haag.

http://www.het-muziektheater.nl/en/program/2013-2014/sleeping-beauty/

http://www.ddddd.nu/en/productie.php?page=31

Wednesday - On cute cats and other animals, in Enschede

An interactive touchy feely exhibition for kids between 4 and 12, "Ah, wat lief" at the Concordia in Enschede, explores the psychological motives that make people exclaim "Oooo, it's so cute!" when they see a pet.

What would Grumpy Cat say? No, probably.

http://www.concordia.nl/detail/4034/ah-wat-lief-concordia

Tuesday - Theo Jansen's marvellous beach walking machines

Theo Jansen is a Dutch artist who, in his own words, creates nothing less than "new forms of life".

Intelligent, self thinking machines made of PVC tubes, ropes and plastic bottles which once a year he lets loose on a Dutch beach.

Watch him here explaining his creations during a TED talk, it's pretty amazing:

http://www.ted.com/talks/theo_jansen_creates_new_creatures.html

They use the power of the wind to walk and are able, through a mechanism that's explained in the video, to detect the water and stop when they reach it. He even was able to develop a system to allow the machine to fix itself to the ground when it gets stormy.

It's A.I. made of rubbish and it's wonderful to watch.

You can visit his lab/studio in Ypenburg by following the (very sweet and low key) directions provided on his website:

http://www.strandbeest.com/events.php

The location of the next straandbeest walk will be announced on his website in January 2014.

Copyrighted

Monday - Den Bosch

Frequently overlooked by mainstream tourists, possibly because they would never be able to pronounce its name when trying to buy a train ticket, 'S-Hertogenbosch, or as us in known call it, Den Bosch, should instead be featured more prominently among the Dutch cities known by visitors.

And, as the poster below seen along track 5 at Schiphol mentions, it has been awarded the title " most guest friendly city of the NL".

It has a splendid gothic cathedral, it was the hometown of the awesomely freaky painter Jeronimus Bosch and, being in Noord Barabant, is known for its food and cakes.

Furthermore, there's an ongoing "Winter Paradise Festival" perfect for 'tis season.

http://www.boschwinterparadijs.nl/

http://www.vvvdenbosch.nl/go/home

Sunday - Amsterdam Sunday Market

Another day, another market, this time in Amsterdam.

Browse around for your sustainable Christmas presents, taste organic food, copy crafty ideas and remake them yourself at home, enjoy the artworks and keep the kids entertained.

http://www.sundaymarket.nl/