The Netherlands – 2024

April 6 – Fly Vancouver to The Netherlands

Our 2024 two month Europe and The Baltics adventure kicked off with Ron and I jetting from Vancouver to Toronto, then onward to The Netherlands. And can I just take a moment to appreciate Schiphol Airport? Seriously, it’s one of the most organized and hassle-free airports out there—smooth arrivals, easy navigation, and just an all-around great travel experience. A perfect start to our journey!

April 7 – Haarlem, The Netherlands – A Stay at Boutique Hotel Staats

Haarlem Adventures & Hidden Gems

After landing in Amsterdam mid-morning, we grabbed a train straight to the main rail station in Haarlem. From there, it was a short ten minute walk to the Boutique Hotel Staats in Haarlem. With its funky décor, winding hallways, and eclectic charm, it was the perfect home base for the next couple of days. Since we’d already explored Amsterdam on a previous trip, we were excited to experience a different, quieter side of The Netherlands.

What We Did:

• Explored Haarlem’s historic charm – We wandered through the city’s picturesque canals, admired towering windmills, passed through the old port gate, and soaked up the energy of Grote Markt, Haarlem’s lively central square.
• Shopped in Haarlem’s cozy boutiques – The city’s small alleyways were full of surprises, from leather bag shops to independent bookstores, unique shoe stores, and stylish clothing boutiques.
• Attempted (and failed) to visit the Corrie ten Boom Museum – A reminder to always check opening hours in advance!
• Caught up with an old friend – The daughter of a neighbor we’d watched grow up is now studying at university in Haarlem. We met up for dinner and drinks, reminiscing about home while getting a local’s take on the city.

Where We Ate & Drank:

• XO Kitchen and Bar – The perfect place to rest our feet with a cold beer after a full day of wandering.
• Boca Bar Kitchen Tapas – A small, family-run restaurant with a cozy, welcoming vibe. We feasted on bitterballen, sausage on bread with hot pepper, and wine, the ultimate Dutch comfort food.
• Uiltje Bar – A quirky craft beer bar with big wooden tables, sticker-covered bathroom doors, and a great selection of local brews—a fun, relaxed spot for an evening drink.
• Jopenkerk – A stunning church-turned-brewery that perfectly blends history with modern craft beer culture. We sipped on house-brewed beer and enjoyed yet another round of delicious Dutch sausage.

Haarlem proved to be the perfect mix of history, charm, and laid-back vibes, making it an amazing alternative to the busier streets of Amsterdam. By the end of each night, jet lag was still winning, but we were more than happy to fall into bed, already excited for what lay ahead.

April 9 – 12 – Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Road Trip to Rotterdam

We said goodbye to Haarlem, picked up our rental car, and hit the road toward Rotterdam—but not without a few stops along the way.

Keukenhof Gardens

If you’re in The Netherlands in April, Keukenhof is a must-see. The tulip fields were in full bloom, an explosion of color that felt almost surreal. PRO-TIP: Book your tickets early and aim for the earliest entry to avoid the heaviest crowds. We spent about two hours wandering through the stunning displays before continuing our journey. If you are interested in finding out more information or purchasing tickets, here is the link to their website. If you are in the area while they are open, we HIGHLY recommend this.

A Quick Stop in Delft

We took a short detour to Delft, a charming town known for its hand-painted white and blue ceramics and dishware. While there is no parking in the main square, it was easy enough to find close by. We wandered through some shops and ended up purchasing a lovely little wine bottle tray in the classic traditional art. Items here can raneg from thousands of dollars for hand-painted originals, to well within souvenir range for non-originals. This lovely little town with winding alleys and a picturesque canal running through it was definitely worth the detour!

For lunch, we decided to stop at Het Konings Huys, located right on the square. After settling in and browsing the menu, we placed our orders with the waitress. However, when we requested tap water, she informed us that it was only available if we also ordered an additional drink—one per person. This caught us off guard, especially since our lunch order totaled around 30 EUR. It felt like an unnecessary upsell, which left a bad impression. After some discussion, we ultimately decided to cancel our order and leave. Instead, we headed to Restaurant & Eetcafé De Waag, where we enjoyed a lovely lunch—complete with tap water, no strings attached.

First Night in Rotterdam

We arrived in Rotterdam and checked into our 11th-floor condo overlooking the Nieuwe Maas River—a stunning view and a great home base for exploring the city. Exhausted from the day’s adventures, we kept things simple and headed to Club Verhip, a laid-back spot nearby. A chicken satay and a cold beer at the bar was the perfect way to unwind before crashing for the night.

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Exploring Rotterdam

We spent the next day soaking in the city’s mix of modern architecture and maritime history.

• Euromast – We skipped the pricey trip to the top and explored on foot instead.
• The Harbour – A great place to take in Rotterdam’s industrial yet scenic waterfront.
• Kubuswoningen – The famous bright yellow cube houses! A bit touristy but still worth seeing. We had hoped to stay in one, but they were fully booked.
• Erasmus Bridge – A striking suspension bridge, probably more lively in the evening.
• Markthal – A lively indoor market packed with quirky shops and tempting food stalls.
• Delfshaven – A beautiful, historic harbor lined with boats and old-world charm.

Second Night in Rotterdam

After a full day of exploring, we had dinner at Café Soif, a cozy restaurant overlooking a canal. With its warm atmosphere and delicious food, it was the perfect way to wind down. Rotterdam had a completely different feel from Haarlem—modern, industrial, yet still rich with history.

A Day Trip Beyond Rotterdam

For our final day in the Rotterdam area, we actually left Rotterdam entirely! Instead, we set out to explore Zaltbommel, a town with special significance as Ron has family ties here. Wandering through its charming streets and learning more about its history made for a meaningful visit.

From there, we continued to Thorn, a picturesque village known for its white-washed buildings and quaint, postcard-perfect atmosphere. It was a peaceful and unexpected highlight—one of those places that feels like stepping back in time.

Final Dinner in Rotterdam

Back in the city for our last night, we had dinner at Andiamo, a cozy, family-run Italian spot. Over pizza, pasta, and a shared bottle of wine, we savored our final meal in Rotterdam—simple, delicious, and the perfect send-off.

April 12 – 14 – Utrecht, The Netherlands

April 12th had us packing up and saying goodbye to Rotterdam as we made our way to Utrecht—where our kids would be flying in to join us! We planned for them to arrive a day before our Bike and Barge trip, hoping they’d shake off most of their jet lag before we hit the road (or, well… the water).

On the way, we took a little detour through Beuningen, Nijmegen, Hemmen, and Randwijk—all in the name of chasing down Ron’s ancestry. And it was worth it! In Beuningen, we actually found the house his great-great-grandfather built, now officially a historical landmark. How cool is that?!

Once we arrived in Utrecht, we checked into The Hunfeld, a perfectly located hotel right in the heart of the city. After settling in, we headed out for an evening of wine, food, and exploring. Oudegracht, Utrecht’s iconic canal, was buzzing with energy—wharf cellars transformed into cozy cafés, locals and visitors alike sipping wine and sharing tapas, all set against the backdrop of historic buildings glowing under the evening lights.

Our favorite discovery? Winkel Van Sinkel Wine Bar. Our bar host walked us through some fantastic local and international wines, offering spot-on recommendations, and the food was so good that we had to come back the next night with the kids.

On the way back to the hotel, we stumbled upon T’ Taphuys, another wine bar, conveniently located right next door. With dozens of wines available via their on-demand Vinotech system, we couldn’t resist grabbing a few glasses and settling into their outdoor alcove for some late-night people-watching. While there, we struck up a great conversation with a few locals, which made for the perfect end to the night. Then, it was off to bed—excitedly waiting for the kids to arrive the next day!

April 13 – The Kids Arrive!

Today was all about family reunions! We took the train to pick up the kids, which was super easy and stress-free. When booking their flights, we did our best to get everyone landing around the same time, and it mostly worked out. Our daughters flew in from Ottawa and Halifax via Montreal on the same flight, while our son came from Vancouver. Luckily, the timing lined up well, and the wait for the later flight from Vancouver was minimal.

Once back in Utrecht, we kicked things off with a celebratory pint of beer, toasting to finally being together! After some much-needed naps to shake off the jet lag, we ventured out for a bit of light exploring. Naturally, we ended up back at Winkel Van Sinkel Wine Bar for another round of fantastic wine before heading to Meat & More, a spot made for true carnivores. Not in the mood for anything too heavy, we all opted for burgers and fries—simple, delicious, and exactly what we needed.

With full bellies and travel fatigue setting in, we made our way back to the hotel, ready to get a good night’s sleep before kicking off our Bike & Barge tour the next day!