Curiosity Has No Borders

[ Netherlands]

Where every street tells a story.

📅 Date Visited: June 16-22, 2013

🕐 Length of Stay: 7 days — The Hague

📍 Locations: The Hague, Amsterdam, Kinderdijk, Scheveningen, Delft

Our Journey

How the Netherlands Inspired Us to Keep Exploring

One of the things that stood out most was the bicycle culture. Bikes were everywhere—not simply used for recreation, but as a natural part of daily life. We watched people cycle to work, meet friends, run errands, and move confidently through the city as families, professionals, and students sharing the same busy bike lanes. It gave Amsterdam an energy and rhythm unlike anywhere we had experienced before.

Exploring the canals offered a completely different perspective of the city. The rows of colorful houses, boats passing beneath the bridges, and cafés lining the water made Amsterdam feel both lively and relaxed. Around every corner was another beautiful view, interesting neighborhood, or reminder that cities can be designed and lived in very differently.

Seeing the traditional Dutch windmills added another unforgettable side to the journey. Standing beside these historic structures and learning how they helped shape the landscape made us appreciate the ingenuity and resilience woven into the country’s history. They were more than picturesque landmarks—they represented the Netherlands’ deep connection to the land, water, and traditions of the past.

The Netherlands opened our eyes to the value of experiencing another culture through its everyday routines, history, and landscapes—not only through its famous attractions.

Destinations Explored

Where the map took us

Stop 01

The Hague

The Hague offered a quieter, more refined side of the Netherlands, with elegant streets, stately buildings, peaceful parks, and a strong connection to Dutch history and government. It felt less crowded than Amsterdam and gave us a chance to slow down, explore at a more relaxed pace, and experience a city where international importance blends naturally with everyday local life.

Stop 02

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk was one of the most memorable and unmistakably Dutch places we visited. Walking among the historic windmills, open fields, canals, and wide skies felt like stepping directly into a postcard.

Stop 03

Amsterdam

Amsterdam immediately drew us in with its beautiful canals, narrow historic homes, charming bridges, lively neighborhoods, and bicycles moving in every direction. The cafés, canal houses, and everyday rhythm of local life made the city feel endlessly interesting.

Stop 04

Delft

Delft was smaller, quieter, and full of traditional Dutch charm. Its peaceful canals, cobblestone streets, historic buildings, market squares, and famous blue-and-white pottery gave the city a timeless quality. It felt like the perfect place to wander without rushing and enjoy a more intimate side of the Netherlands.

Stop 05

Scheveningen

Scheveningen brought us to the Dutch coast, where the wide sandy beach and views of the North Sea created a completely different atmosphere from the country’s historic cities. The lively beachfront, pier, restaurants, and fresh sea air made it a fun place to walk, relax, and enjoy a more modern seaside side of the Netherlands.

Hidden Gems

Discoveries Between the Destinations

Because we stayed in The Hague while Sarah was there for work, I spent some of the week exploring on my own. The Netherlands made any solo travel I did incredibly easy. I could simply hop on a tram or train and find myself wandering through the historic streets of Delft or walking along the beach in Scheveningen without the stress of complicated transportation or detailed planning.

Some of our favorite discoveries in the Netherlands were not famous landmarks or attractions we had carefully planned to visit. The real magic was found along quiet canals, where bicycles leaned against narrow houses and boats passed beneath small bridges. This gave us a glimpse into the relaxed, practical, and welcoming Dutch way of life and revealed to us that the true character of the Netherlands is often found between the major destinations.

Funny Moments

Curiosity Almost Got the Better of Us in Amsterdam

As the photographer on our trips, I have a natural urge to capture absolutely everything—and Amsterdam was certainly no exception.

That enthusiasm followed me straight into the Red Light District, where I instinctively started reaching for my camera. Sarah immediately sprang into action, stopping me before I could make a very obvious tourist mistake. Apparently, my commitment to documenting every street, building, and unusual sight needed a few boundaries.

She quickly became more of my personal photography security guard, making sure the camera stayed firmly at my side. It was probably for the best.

We also learned that there was a very important difference between a café and a coffee shop in Amsterdam. A café was where you went for coffee, food, or a drink. A coffee shop, despite its innocent-sounding name, offered an entirely different kind of menu.

Naturally, our curiosity got the better of us, and we decided to venture inside one of the many coffee shops lining the streets. The moment we sat down, we were greeted by the unmistakably strong scent of marijuana—and a menu.

Yes, an actual menu, presented as casually as though we were deciding between appetizers and dessert.

We studied the selections with absolutely no idea what we were looking at. Eventually, something called “White Elephant” caught our attention.

Hmm, that sounds like it might be a good choice.

It was not.

After leaving the coffee shop approximately five minutes later, we decided that walking around Amsterdam would be a perfectly reasonable next step. Almost immediately, we purchased a waffle to eat and sunglasses to wear, because apparently those were the two things we believed would help us blend in and regain control of the situation.

Not long afterward, I decided that I desperately needed to rest. Rather than finding a bench, café, or any other appropriate place to sit, I chose someone’s front doorstep.

I sat there for quite a while, completely comfortable with my decision, until the kind Dutch man who actually lived there came home. He understandably needed access to his own front door. I, however, had absolutely no desire to move.

Somehow, Sarah managed to convince me to stand up and continue walking. I then spent several minutes pleading with her to take me to the hospital because I was convinced that something was terribly wrong with me.

Sarah, showing both remarkable patience and excellent judgment, made it very clear that we were not going to the hospital.

Instead, I decided that we needed a beverage, so we found an outdoor café.

We should not have.

Shortly after sitting down, I decided I needed to use the restroom. Still completely confused from our recent coffee-shop experience, I wandered inside in search of it.

Where was I? What was I doing? Where was the restroom?

I honestly had no idea.

What should have been a quick trip somehow turned into a twenty-minute journey through a café that was not nearly large enough to justify getting that lost. Eventually, I found my way back to Sarah and our table, where I immediately decided that I was no longer thirsty and simply needed to get out of Amsterdam.

Somehow, we made our way back to the train station.

By that point, my legs felt like lead pipes. I genuinely felt as though I had to use my hands to lift each leg as I walked and climbed onto the train. Once we finally found our seats, Sarah and I wanted nothing more than to close our eyes and sleep during the ride back to The Hague.

Naturally, that did not happen.

A very friendly and extremely chatty Dutch woman sat directly across from us. She immediately began asking questions and trying to have a conversation. Under normal circumstances, she would have been delightful. In that moment, however, it took every ounce of strength we had to understand her questions and form anything resembling a normal response.

To make matters worse, she was eating a hamburger.

For reasons we still cannot explain, every bite appeared to happen in slow motion. Sarah and I were doing everything possible to avoid looking at each other because we knew that one glance would send us into uncontrollable laughter.

We somehow survived the conversation, the hamburger, and the train ride back to The Hague without completely losing control.

Needless to say, Amsterdam’s coffee shops were unlike anything we had experienced in America. We entered feeling curious and adventurous and left wearing sunglasses, eating waffles, sitting on strangers’ doorsteps, getting lost in tiny cafés, and questioning whether my legs would ever work properly again.

To this day, there is only one question we have never been able to answer:

What exactly was in that White Elephant?

Local Food

Eating our way through every destination

Food in the Netherlands felt casual, comforting, and perfectly suited to the country’s relaxed way of life. Whether we were exploring The Hague, wandering the canals of Amsterdam, or taking a day trip to Delft or Scheveningen, there always seemed to be a welcoming café, bakery, or outdoor terrace nearby.

We quickly noticed how much café culture was woven into everyday Dutch life. Tables filled the sidewalks and public squares, inviting people to slow down with a coffee, a drink, or something to eat while watching bicycles, trams, and pedestrians pass by.

One thing that still makes me laugh was how late everyone seemed to eat dinner. Maybe it was because we visited during a time of year when the sun stayed out much longer than we were used to, but the Dutch appeared to be sitting down for dinner at nearly 11:00 at night. Meanwhile, I was already mentally preparing for breakfast.

Throughout the Netherlands, traditional favorites such as stroopwafels, Dutch pancakes, cheeses, fried snacks, and fries served with an impressive selection of sauces could be found almost everywhere.

Breakfast offered another glimpse into everyday Dutch culture. Instead of the eggs, pancakes, or yogurt we were accustomed to, most mornings featured fresh bread served with an assortment of sliced meats, cheeses, and simple spreads. Although it was all part of embracing the local way of life, I have to admit that I could not quite bring myself to eat cold cuts and cheese first thing in the morning.

In the Netherlands, food became less about one unforgettable fine-dining experience and more about the moments surrounding it: sitting outside at a café, sharing something sweet, watching bicycles pass, while laughing over our attempts at Dutch pronunciation.

Travel Guide

Everything you need before you go

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

Spring and early autumn offer the best balance of pleasant sightseeing weather and manageable crowds. Spring is especially beautiful for travelers hoping to see the Netherlands’ famous flowers, with the colorful bulb fields typically reaching their peak around mid-April. Sarah can personally attest to this, as she was fortunate enough to visit during the spring on another work trip. Autumn tends to be quieter, bringing cooler temperatures, fewer visitors, and a more relaxed atmosphere to the cities.

Summer offers longer days and is perfect for enjoying Amsterdam’s canals and the beach at Scheveningen, although popular attractions can be busier. The weather can change quickly in any season, so pack layers and a lightweight rain jacket. Visitors traveling in late April should also plan around King’s Day, when celebrations and crowds fill cities across the country.

🌤️Where to Stay

We stayed in The Hague because Sarah was there for work, and I decided to turn the trip into a vacation. It ended up being the perfect opportunity to see this beautiful country.

The Hague made an excellent base for our trip. It had a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere than Amsterdam while still offering beautiful architecture, restaurants, shops, and convenient public transportation. From there, we could easily visit nearby places such as Delft and Scheveningen and travel farther afield to Kinderdijk and Amsterdam.

Staying in The Hague allowed us to experience more than the Netherlands’ most famous city. We were able to see its government center, coastal lifestyle, smaller historic towns, traditional windmills, and everyday Dutch culture. What began as a work trip for Sarah quickly became a memorable vacation for both of us.

For travelers following a similar itinerary, splitting the trip between The Hague and Amsterdam provides a great balance. The Hague offers a calmer and more central base for Delft and Scheveningen, while a few nights in Amsterdam make it easier to fully experience its canals, neighborhoods, and lively atmosphere.

🚌 Getting Around

From our base in The Hague, I was able to visit Delft and Scheveningen by myself with ease. For anyone considering a solo trip, it is a welcoming and manageable destination that makes independent exploration feel surprisingly effortless.

The Netherlands has an excellent public transportation system, making a rental car unnecessary for this itinerary. Trains are the easiest way to travel between Amsterdam, The Hague, Delft, and Rotterdam, while trams, buses, metros, and ferries handle shorter local journeys. Travelers can use a contactless debit or credit card to check in and out through OVpay—just remember to use the same card or device for both.

Amsterdam is best explored through a combination of walking, trams, canal boats, and—once you understand the busy bike lanes—cycling. Delft’s compact historic center is ideal for wandering on foot. From central The Hague, direct trams and buses travel to Scheveningen, making the beach an easy addition to a day of city sightseeing.

Kinderdijk requires a little more planning because it does not have its own train station. It can be reached by bus, bicycle, car, or WaterShuttle. The boat journey is especially memorable because the windmills gradually come into view from the water.

📶 Staying Connected

Staying connected in the Netherlands was simple and convenient. Wi-Fi was widely available at our hotel, cafés, restaurants, airports, and many public spaces, making it easy to check directions, research train schedules, and stay in touch while exploring.

Travelers can also use their phone carrier’s international plan or purchase a European SIM card or eSIM for mobile data. Having reliable internet access was especially helpful while I was traveling independently during the week, allowing me to navigate public transportation, purchase tickets, and plan day trips to places like Delft and Scheveningen.

We recommend downloading offline maps before leaving your hotel and taking screenshots of important addresses, transportation details, and reservations. This provides a helpful backup in case your phone temporarily loses service or Wi-Fi is unavailable.

💵 Money & Payments

Carry a credit card along with a small amount of euros. Cards are convenient for hotels, transportation, and larger purchases, while cash can be helpful for small cafés, tips, markets, and unexpected expenses.

Also, establish the price before posing for a photograph with a costumed “gladiator.” We learned that lesson after the helmets were already on and the pictures had been taken.

💵 How to Get There

Amsterdam Airport Schiphol is the main international gateway and provides easy access to the rest of the Netherlands. The train station is located directly beneath the airport, and trains run frequently to Amsterdam Central, with the journey taking about 17 minutes. From Schiphol, the national rail system also makes it easy to continue to The Hague, Delft, Rotterdam, and other Dutch cities.

🛂 Visa & Entry Requirements

For most travelers, entry to the Netherlands is straightforward, as the country is part of the Schengen Area, which allows short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period for tourism or business purposes.

U.S. citizens and many other visa-exempt travelers do not need a visa for short visits, but a valid passport is required. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure date from the Schengen Area, though having at least six months of validity is strongly recommended to avoid any issues during travel.

Starting in the near future, travelers from visa-exempt countries will also need to apply for ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) approval before entering the Schengen Area. This is an online pre-travel authorization designed to enhance border security and will be required in addition to a valid passport once implemented.

🩺 Health & Safety Basics

The Netherlands generally felt comfortable and easy to explore, even when I was traveling alone. Public transportation was organized, streets were well traveled, and English was widely understood in the places we visited. As with any destination, travelers should remain aware of their surroundings and keep valuables secure, particularly in crowded tourist areas, train stations, and on public transportation.

One of the biggest adjustments was learning to watch carefully for bicycles. Bike lanes are often separate from sidewalks and can be extremely busy, especially in Amsterdam and The Hague. Always look in both directions before crossing a bike lane, avoid standing in one, and listen for bicycle bells.

No special vaccinations are generally required for a typical visit, but it is still a good idea to bring prescription medications in their original containers, carry basic over-the-counter medicine, and confirm that your health insurance covers care abroad.

Save the address of your accommodations in your phone and take a screenshot of it. This is particularly helpful when arriving after a long flight or explaining your destination to a taxi driver.

Packing List

Everything we packed — and what we’d leave out next time

Here’s what made the cut for this trip, and what we’d quietly drop on the next one.

✅ Essentials

Passport and copies of important travel documents
Travel insurance information
European power adapter
Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
Lightweight sweater or jacket for cooler evenings
A scarf and hat for the windy days
Secure crossbody bag
Portable phone charger
Reusable water bottle
Sunglasses and sunscreen
Small umbrella or packable rain jacket
Basic medications
A small amount of euros for cafés, tips, and smaller purchases
Camera with an extra memory card or battery

🎒 Nice to Have

A second pair of comfortable shoes
Foldable tote bag for shopping or carrying extra layers
Compact day bag for sightseeing
Travel-size hand sanitizer and tissues
Journal and pen
Packing cubes to keep everything organized

Photo Gallery

Moments captured along the way

These images are a mix of carefully planned shots and the happy accidents that always turn out to be our favourites — the unguarded moments, the strange light at the wrong hour, the frame we almost didn’t take.