Romantic 5-star Getaway, Michelin Style
Old folks sharing some wisdom to seemingly distressed youth would say, “Sometimes you just have to take the bull by the horn and tell him to leave”.
After coming back from my unforgettable two-week trip to Italy filled with constant sunshine, one can only imagine how difficult it was for me to come back to the perpetually raining Netherlands. Wouldn’t you go a little crazy if you had to go back to a dark and gloomy world, devoid of any hint of summer when its onlyJuly and August?
My only two saving graces are of course my ever so patient fiance and a very promising internship. By the end August, I was once again suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Seriously. Shouldn’t SAD be limited to winter days? Apparently not in a country where lack of sunshine is an every day reality all year long.
Keenly aware of my sad disposition, Bram decided to make the most of the “one official day of Dutch summer”, and plan a surprise weekend getaway to Duin and Kruidberg, a 5 star hotel a couple minutes shy of Haarlem but seemingly a world away (http://www.duin-kruidberg.nl/contents/home/66). If we were going to be only blessed with one summer day, why not make the most of it? Bram decided to “take the bull by the horn” and hoped that by leading by example, I too would be able to find more happiness despite the unfortunate weather.
The only instructions I was given the morning of was to pack lightly, bring a swim-suit and something nice to wear later on. It took me a couple of minutes to get over the initial shock of a weekend getaway. Knowing Bram, these getaways are generally thoughtful, sweet, undeniably romantic.
Our first stop was a picnic in Vondel Park, the largest city park in Amsterdam. I had been given a nice “picnic in the park” gift basket by Bram’s closest friends as a birthday gift in May. All we had to do was to pick up the picnic basket prepared by a cafe/restaurant located in the park…As an indication to just how busy our schedules have been, this was the only opportunity we had to cash-in my birthday present. One should also not forget the fact that the unpredictable often rainy weather also added to the four month delay.
Nonetheless, the picnic basket was a pleasant surprise-croissants, generous portions of four different french cheeses, salami, crackers, strawberries, salad, and Swiss chocolates. We were a little tempted to open up the Prosecco, but the warm sun along with an impending drive made us decide against it. Bram ate a large portion of the cheeses while I mischievously had most of the strawberries and chocolates. I really appreciated being out in the park and was even inspired to possibly move to Amsterdam. As much as I could have slept out in the sun in the nice grass, Bram and I had to go and I was already getting a little impatient with the surprise.
I found myself once again swept off my feet as he drove me to the final destination. Bram definitely knows how to take my breath away, and thats one of the many reasons why I am going to marry him. Low and behold, Duin and Kruidberg Hotel.
It was a fairy-tale like getaway. Adding to the ambience was the hotel’s customer service, a true novelty in this part of the world. Who wouldn’t feel like a princess here?
Not letting a moment pass by, Bram and I tried not to spend too much time in our hotel room. We spent the rest of the afternoon at the local beach, a 20 minute bike ride away. The only caveat was that you had to ride through a national forest with wandering highlanders.
Warning: Do not try to take a picture with it. I got a little too close to it and it tried to ram me. We were to find out later from our waiter that the animals “are just not right”. How appropriate right?
The night ended with a romantic dinner at the hotel’s Michelin star restaurant, de Frienden van Jacob.To our surprise, an opening at the restaurant was available and we immediately jumped at the opportunity. I must admit that I was a little shy at first–the ambience was formal and I was surrounded by seemingly, uptight, unhappy and bored rich people. But that uneasiness quickly wore off because after all, I was with the Love of My Life. Not to forget to mention, the generous wine pairing with the extravagant, culinary performance.
Dinner started at 8 and amazingly ended at around 2 in the morning to our inebriated contentment. We had anticipated only 5 courses but ended up getting complementary courses, ultimately enjoying what ended up to be a 9 course meal. After having been to several fancy restaurants in San Francisco, Makati, Philadelphia, Paris, and New York, the “chocolate expedition” was by far the best dessert I’ve ever had.
I came back to reality feeling refreshed, even more in love, and ready to face the next couple hectic months with a more reassured perspective. Afterall, as our Shetland Highlander Cow friend reminded us, “Sometimes you just have to take the bull by the horn”.