Do you eat potatoes and a peanut butter sandwich on vacation? You're not the only Dutch person.

"What the farmer doesn't know, he doesn't eat" was once a common saying. For some Dutch people on holiday, this is more or less true. We often have a good understanding of food abroad, but our plate on the table can feel quite familiar. And we have more of our own customs.

Again: we're talking about some of our fellow Dutch holidaymakers who thrive on potatoes, meat, brown bread with peanut butter, and a bowl of custard for dessert. Twelve percent of Dutch holidaymakers prefer to eat the same weeknight fare abroad as they do at home.

This is evident from research about food on holiday conducted by travel platform 27vakantiedagen.nl among more than 1,200 adult Dutch people.

By the way, vacationing in your own country is getting considerably more expensive , Metro wrote yesterday. A lot of people will choose to travel abroad in 2026. And what will we eat then? And at what time?

Metro 's Roos didn't let home guide her at all earlier this year. In Aruba, she completely embraced local food customs ( you can read about her vacation adventure here ).

27 percent of respondents say they stick to Dutch mealtimes as much as possible while on vacation, in addition to those who eat the same as at home. You might not expect it, but people in their thirties and forties most often stick to Dutch eating habits. For example, 36 percent of them say they prefer to eat no later or earlier than they do at home while on vacation.

"Most people go on vacation to get away for a bit," says Johannes Keuning, founder of 27vakantiedagen.nl. "Experiencing a different culture and doing things completely differently from home is part of the charm of traveling abroad. Yet some people find it difficult to let go of established routines. My tip: try to ditch your Dutch routines as much as possible. That way, you'll get much more satisfaction out of your trip abroad, both culturally and in terms of relaxation."

Many Dutch holidaymakers are annoyed by local customs. Think of things like taking a nap or different sleeping and eating times (19 percent). Again, the younger generations are the least enthusiastic about this. Keuning: "If you prefer to keep everything the way it is at home, then it's best not to holiday abroad. Most local customs are centuries old and developed to cope with everyday realities, such as high temperatures or other challenges. I understand that it can be a culture shock for fellow Dutch people that in Greece or Italy, for example, some restaurants don't open until after eight o'clock. For me, that's precisely what makes travelling so interesting."

Metro recently went out on the streets to ask about real annoyances on vacation (see below). One person put it into perspective: "You can't expect them to sell meatballs everywhere."

If the cultural difference proves too great, there's always the option of an early return trip. Research shows that a quarter of all Dutch people have returned from a foreign holiday earlier than planned, sometimes due to homesickness.

Keuning: "Good preparation is half the battle. Before I even book a vacation, I research the local customs and culture of my destination. I read as many reviews and experiences from other Dutch people as possible. This not only gives me peace of mind when I travel, but it also makes me more excited about the actual vacation."

You'd love to make the most of your vacation and come home as relaxed as possible. What's the best way to do that?