One of the great things about being in the centre of Belgium is just how easy it is to cross borders without much effort. Within a few hours’ drive, you can find yourself in a completely different country, culture, and landscape. So, we pointed the car north and set off for the Netherlands.

Before arriving, we had a pretty clear picture in our minds of what the Netherlands would be — windmills, tulips, and clogs — and, to be fair, it didn’t disappoint.

Our first stop was the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Kinderdijk. It’s one of those places that feels almost too perfectly “Dutch” to be real. Rows of traditional windmills lined up along the water, peaceful and postcard-worthy in every direction. It was one of those moments where you just pause, take it in, and try to capture it — though photos never quite do it justice.

From there, we made our way to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. Now, this place is on another level. Because it’s only open for a short window each year — when the tulips are in full bloom — everyone seems to have the same idea. It was absolutely packed, but you can see why. The colours are almost unreal — vibrant reds, yellows, pinks, and purples stretching as far as you can see. Despite the crowds, it’s hard not to be impressed by the sheer scale and beauty of it all.

We thought we’d outsmart the crowds the next morning with an early start to Zaanse Schans. Turns out… so did everyone else. By 8:30am, there were already busloads of tourists rolling in. So it quickly became a bit of a tactical mission — head straight to the far end, grab a few peaceful shots, and then watch the place come alive (and fill up fast). Still, it was worth it — more windmills, charming houses, and that classic Dutch atmosphere.

Now, in terms of ticking off the full “Netherlands experience,” we didn’t quite complete the set… we decided to skip Amsterdam. Let’s just say the famous red light district and “coffee shops” might have been a bit more appealing to us about 20 years ago! These days, we were more than happy soaking up the scenery, fresh air, and a slightly slower pace.

All in all, we may not have seen everything, but we definitely got a pretty good taste of what makes the Netherlands so unique — and memorable.

© Michelle Brown 2026. All photographs and content on this blog are the property of the author and are protected by copyright laws. Unauthorised use, reproduction, or distribution is prohibited without prior written permission.

THE NETHERLANDS - 2026

BELGIUM - 2026