Building the Netherlands: Windmills and Countryside Excursion

Alette has an MA in Art History (Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam) and holds a Ph.D. in the History of Science and Technology (University of Twente, Enschede). For both her thesis and her dissertation, she researched the intricate relationship between nature, art and science in the 20th century (thesis) and the 17th century (dissertation). Sculpture parks, ornamental gardens, and botanical gardens form the sites of study. As an independent scholar, she presents papers and writes articles on this subject. Alette also teaches art history and lectures on topics such as 17th-century Dutch art and architecture, 18th century Empire design, garden architecture, and landscape engineering. She has curated several exhibitions and stood at the basis of the exhibition Black is Beautiful on the image of blacks in Dutch art history. She lives in the city where she was born: Amsterdam.

After building a sail training ship to educate young trainees to work together and develop their skills on the water, Josette sailed around Europe for more than 12 years. Prior to her years as a sailing instructor, she studied Cultural History in the Netherlands and now works in the field of cultural education. Josette is active as a lecturer on art and culture, and specialised lectures on the history of the tulip and bulb growing in the Netherlands. North of Amsterdam is the region in Holland where Josette has her home, and she is passionate about introducing visitors to the most hidden towns and landscape of the 'real' Netherlands. She particularly enjoys taking guests on interesting trips to the towns of Hoorn or Enkhuizen, or to Texel, one of the 5 isles of the Netherlands, for an interdisciplinary experience combining nature, art and history.

Henk has a wealth of information about the socio-economic and cultural development of the Netherlands and his hometown, Amsterdam. After completing his University studies, Henk joined the UN and subsequently the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation. He is an avid traveller who has been to over 70 countries all over the world, for work and for pleasure. His global perspective has allowed him to appreciate even more the uniqueness and beauty of the Netherlands and Amsterdam. As an economist, Henk is fascinated by how this small country became the wealthiest nation in the world in the 17th century and how the citizens of Amsterdam contributed to this remarkable development. He loves to share his knowledge with visitors on Context tours. Henk is married to a former classical ballet dancer and actress. He is open-minded, well spoken, humorous and eager to share his knowledge. He loves 17th century Dutch paintings, the French impressionists, music, nature and wildlife photography, meeting other people, and rollerblading around the Vondelpark.