‘s-Hertogenbosch, more commonly known as Den Bosch, is one of the many charming cities just a short distance from Eindhoven. The town’s name means “The Duke’s Forest,” and it was named after Henry I, Duke of Brabant. Founded in 1185, the city has managed to hold on to much of its history, with beautiful old buildings still standing and winding streets that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
Only about a half-hour drive away, we decided to head to Den Bosch one afternoon for a little shopping. We had heard there were plenty of shops to explore, but what we didn’t realize was that we had picked the perfect day to visit. A carnival was in town.
The city centrum was buzzing with life. Everywhere we looked there were people, colorful booths, games, rides, and the smell of delicious food drifting through the air. Music played somewhere in the distance while families wandered from stand to stand, and children darted excitedly through the crowds.
We slowly made our way through the winding streets, stopping every few minutes to peek into a shop window or admire the beautiful canals that run through the city. Boats lined the edges of the water, tied up along the canal walls. One of the most fascinating things about Den Bosch is that the canals actually run underneath some of the buildings, making it one of the few places in Europe where boats pass beneath the city itself.
Eventually we found a tiny, adorable restaurant tucked along one of the streets. We grabbed a table outside, ordered a glass of wine, and sat back to watch the world go by. People wandered past chatting and laughing, the carnival humming in the background.
Sitting there, sipping wine and people watching in the middle of a century’s old city… it struck me that this might just be one of my favorite European pastimes.
Blueberry Pancake Publishing 