One of my favorite quiet spots in Amsterdam Centre to sit and think is the Begijnhof. This beautiful hidden courtyard has recently become a tourist sensation, but it’s a great free place to enjoy while in Amsterdam. I include information about the history of the Begijnhof, where to find the entrance, some great things nearby…
The Netherlands
Off the beaten path Netherlands: 25+ quirky and strange places to visit
As a Dutch resident, I love exploring the Netherlands, but writing about the Grote Markt in a town can get a bit tiresome. For a while, I’ve been pursuing some really off the beaten path places in the Netherlands and these are my favorite quirky places in the Netherlands to add to your Dutch bucket…
Abdij Rolduc: What it’s like to stay in an abbey
I love unique places to stay. After coming across Abdij Rolduc (Abbey Rolduc), I knew that I wanted to surprise my husband and my in-laws with a stay at this impressive abbey, which is the largest abbey in the Benelux region. I’ll include a bit of history about this historic abbey in the south of…
Prince’s Day in the Hague: Events and Tips for seeing the Dutch Royals
As a recent immigrant to the Netherlands, I’m not yet over my obsession with the Dutch Royal Family. They’re so normal yet fascinating. One of the best days of the year as a visitor to the Netherlands or as a resident of the Hague is Prince’s Day as it’s our chance (as plebs) to see…
Your one day guide to visiting Utrecht, the most enchanting city in the Netherlands
Have you ever visited a place that you fall in love with instantly? From the moment that I visited Utrecht on a day trip from Amsterdam, I fell in love with Utrecht. This beautiful Dutch city has canals that are two stories, unlike Amsterdam, which only adds to the delightful architecture, slow pace, amazing food, and…
The coziest brown bars in Amsterdam to drink like a local
One of the best things to experience in Amsterdam is a cozy brown bar. As a resident of Amsterdam, I experienced many of Amsterdam’s charming cozy brown bars and I hope that this article convinces you to experience a brown cafe in Amsterdam! These classic Dutch cafes are known for their gezelligheid (a Dutch word…
A weekend of magic: Tips for visiting the Dordrecht Christmas Market
We’ve finally had some snow this weekend. This weekend was also the Dordrecht Christmas market. Each December, Dordrecht hosts one of the most atmospheric Christmas markets in the Netherlands that coincidentally happens to the be the largest Christmas market in the Netherlands. It’s due to the fact that the entirety of the Dordrecht historic city. …
Your insider 420-friendly guide to cannabis in Amsterdam by a local
Amsterdam has long been considered to be ‘The OG Stoner Hotspot’–the place to go to get high and let loose long before the decriminalization and legalization of Marijuana started sweeping the globe. Visiting a Dutch coffeeshop is still a rite of passage for the many tourists who flock to the city every year, but it…
Is the A’DAM swing overrated? An honest review of the A’DAM lookout
I spent over two years living in Amsterdam, so I was naturally curious about the A’DAM lookout after reading about the swing over Amsterdam. I’m a bit of an adrenaline junkie, so when my friend asked me if I’d go out on the A’DAM swing with her, I went for it. However, was the A’DAM…
Follow in the footsteps of Rembrandt: Key locations for Rembrandt
One of the most renowned Dutch artists is Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn, who was born in Leiden prior to moving to Amsterdam to painting some of the famous paintings in the Netherlands. This article will walk you through Rembrandt’s life (with key addresses relevant to his life and artwork) as well as cover the best…
