oranje

Orange is the colour of the Netherlands — but you won't find it on the Dutch flag (which is red, white, and blue). The national colour comes from the House of Orange-Nassau, the royal family that has led the Netherlands since William of Orange led the Dutch Revolt against Spain in the 1560s.

King's Day (Koningsdag, April 27) is the biggest expression of oranje fever. The entire country turns orange: streets, canals, people, even food. Amsterdam's canals fill with hundreds of boats blasting music. The city becomes one enormous vrijmarkt (free market) where anyone can sell anything on the street — no permit needed. It's the most democratic party in Europe.

During football tournaments, oranje reaches fever pitch. The Dutch national team plays in orange, and fans create "walls of orange" in stadiums that have become iconic in world football. The 1974 World Cup team — Cruijff's Total Football squad — made oranje synonymous with beautiful football.

Fun fact: carrots are orange because of the Dutch. In the 17th century, Dutch farmers selectively bred orange carrots (previously white or purple) as a tribute to William of Orange.