An adventure on the Dutch Wadden Sea How to win a skirmish with gooey, slippery sludge When you think about visiting countries to participate in adventurous outdoor pursuits, the Netherlands is probably not the first European country to spring to mind. But think again! The Netherlands is ideal for cycling, canoeing, and hiking. And for the truly adventurous, ‘wadlopen’ offers a unique walking ... Read Full Article
Art and Science in the Netherlands’ Watersnood Museum
Watersnood Museum, Netherlands Four gray cement blocks, half-sunk in the ground at uneven angles, are the modest home of the Watersnood Museum: the remarkable and beautiful memorial of one of the Netherlands’ greatest disasters. At 2 am, Sunday, February 1st, 1953, a churning storm in the North Sea forced a wall of water into the narrow channel between the United Kingdom and mainland Europe. ... Read Full Article
Try a Short-Stay Apartment in Amsterdam
When most people search for holiday accommodation, they typically end up booking a hotel room in Amsterdam. But a short-stay apartment in Amsterdam offers so many more benefits if you are on a similar budget. If, for example, you are staying in Amsterdam for a week or more, a short-stay apartment may be a great alternative to a small, cramped hotel room. You'll find that these short-stay ... Read Full Article
The Keukenhof Gardens: Europe’s Best Spring Destination
There’s nothing as encouraging as seeing the first spring flowers pop out of the ground after a long, cold winter, their colors a first hint that warmer times are on their way. But just imagine seeing millions—yes, millions—of them spread out over fields and lawns and in wooded parks. You can witness a natural spectacle like that in the Keukenhof Gardens in the western Netherlands. The ... Read Full Article
Hop on for a Benelux Culinary Tour
Rail travel is often associated with the hateful commuter necessity that we experience daily or the iconic luxury experiences that we only read about; but is there anything in between? Those were my thoughts as I boarded the Eurostar for a nine day trip that would weave me across Benelux – Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg – for a Benelux culinary journey. My Benelux Culinary Tour The ... Read Full Article
The Kinderdijk Windmills, a Year-round Attraction
If you’re looking for the quintessential Dutch landscape, you can’t find a better one than Kinderdijk. Located a mere sixteen kilometers from Rotterdam , in the province of South Holland, this tiny village is home to the Kinderdijk Windmills. These nineteen old windmills, make up the most dense concentration of windmills in the entire Netherlands. It lies at the confluence of two meandering ... Read Full Article
My Favorite Foods of Europe
To travel is to taste the world. And Europe presents a particularly eclectic hotchpotch of flavours. From the strange to the sublime, I’ve sampled various dishes and foodstuffs throughout my jaunts across the continent and here (in no particular order) are some of my personal favourites: Gran Canaria Though the Atlantic archipelago presents a popular European mix of English, German and Italian ... Read Full Article
Visit Amsterdam’s Zoo for Family-Friendly Fun
Family-Friendly Fun at the Amsterdam Zoo Amsterdam is well known for its history, art, and adult entertainment, but when I found myself wandering the historic canals and streets with a 3-year-old niece on my shoulders, I had to find some more family-friendly things to do in Amsterdam. Enter the Amsterdam Artis Royal Zoo (Natura Artis Magistra). With over 1.2 million visitors each year, the ... Read Full Article
10 Ways to Beat Jet Lag in Amsterdam
Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport is one of busiest airports in Europe, and I’ve often found myself fighting a case of jet lag when arriving in Amsterdam at the beginning my European travels. From experience, here is a list of tips for beating jet lag in Amsterdam that take into consideration the city’s unique style, sights, and activities. 1. Visit a Coffee Shop (No, not that kind) Marijuana ... Read Full Article
Tulips in Holland: Enjoying a Spring-Time Cruise from Amsterdam
Tulips in Holland: Spring River Cruise from Amsterdam Last spring we treated ourselves to a Tulip-Time River Cruise from Amsterdam with AMA Waterways in the Netherlands. While I had taken a Christmas Market river cruise a few years ago with a friend, this was my husband's first river cruise. It won't be his last; we both had a wonderful time. Insider Tip: To make sure you get the best deal for ... Read Full Article