Nice to meet you
My name is Edward van Veen. I'm married to my wife Monique and I’ve been a teacher for over 30 years, with a lifelong passion for European and Dutch history. During a cycling trip across the United States three years ago, I was struck by how deeply many Americans care about their heritage. Inspired by that experience, I now offer heritage tours that blend my background in education with my love of Dutch history—helping American visitors explore and reconnect with their Dutch roots.
My Story
I was born in the small village of Giessenburg, in the south of the Netherlands. Over the years, I’ve lived in several Dutch cities — IJsselstein, Enschede, Amersfoort — and for a short time just across the border in Antwerp, Belgium. For the past 30 years, I've called Zwolle home, where I live with my wife. Our two sons are now grown and have moved out, beginning their own journeys.
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I've been a teacher for over 30 years, working with students in mathematics, Dutch language, and social studies. These days, I focus on guiding students who are at a crossroads in their educational journey — helping them reflect, explore new paths, and rediscover their motivation.
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As a child, I remember reading a local newspaper column about a Dutch man cycling across the United States. Week after week, I followed his journey, and he became a real inspiration to me. I promised myself that one day, I would take a trip like that too. It took me over 40 years, but in 2022, I finally made that dream come true.
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I flew to Washington, D.C. with nothing more than my bike, a tent, and some clothes, and set out to ride the TransAmerica Trail. I pedaled through 11 states and finished 90 days later in Portland, Oregon. Along the way, I met fellow cyclists from all over the world and shared the road and stories with them. From Denver onward, I was joined by my eldest son, making the adventure even more special.
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What made the trip truly unforgettable were the Americans I met along the way — kind, generous, and endlessly welcoming. I was offered places to pitch my tent, spent nights in small-town churches, and even slept at a local fire station. In conversations across states and small towns, I noticed something striking: many Americans are deeply curious about their heritage.
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That’s when the idea struck me: what if I could help people explore their Dutch roots, not just through stories, but in person? Together with my son, we created tailor-made heritage tours — a unique experience where I combine my background as a teacher, my passion for Dutch history, and local knowledge to help American visitors connect with their ancestry in a personal and meaningful way.
Contact
Would you like to learn more about our tours or book one? Feel free to send me an email.
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