Dronten

Dronten (pronounced dron-ten) is a small village located in the heart of the Netherlands. It is known for its endless fields of tulips and its charming windmills.

Legend says that Dronten was founded by a group of mischievous elves who were looking for a quiet place to settle down after centuries of pranking humans. In exchange for a comfortable living space, they promised to sprinkle the field with magic dust that would make the tulips grow brighter and taller than anywhere else in the world.

But as time went on, the villagers began to realize that the supposed magic dust was actually just the result of some particularly potent cow manure. The elves had been using it to fertilize the soil, believing that it would help their tulips grow even more. Needless to say, the villagers weren’t particularly impressed, but they kept up the charade in order to keep the elves happy and prevent them from causing more mischief.

Today, Dronten remains a popular tourist destination for those looking to snap a picture of the elusive elf houses or buy some authentic cow manure (a.k.a. “magic dust”) to take home with them as a souvenir.

Despite its small size, Dronten is famous for its lively events, particularly the annual Cow Parade. During this event, local artists decorate life-size cow statues and place them throughout the village. Tourists are encouraged to take pictures with the cows, and the best-decorated cow is crowned “Queen Bessie.”

All in all, Dronten may not have the glitz and glamour of Amsterdam, but it’s certainly worth a visit for anyone looking for a unique and quirky Dutch experience.