Travel guides
Travel guides from our locals
Practical, honest tips for exploring the Netherlands — written by the people who guide you.
The best day trips from Amsterdam (and how to do them)
Windmills, fishing villages, a village without roads and two very different cities — all within two hours of Amsterdam. Here's how to choose, and how to get there.
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How to get from Amsterdam to Zaanse Schans (and what to see)
Train, bus, bike or a small-group tour? The easiest ways to reach the windmills of Zaanse Schans from Amsterdam, what's free, what costs money and when to go.
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Amsterdam to Giethoorn: train, bus or day tour?
Giethoorn is about two and a half hours from Amsterdam by public transport. Here's how the train and bus route works, when driving makes sense and when a day tour is easier.
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When to visit Keukenhof: a local's guide to tulip season
Keukenhof is open for only eight weeks a year. Here's how to pick the right week, beat the crowds and see the flower fields at their best.
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How to get around Amsterdam like a local
Bikes, trams, ferries or your own two feet? A simple guide to moving around Amsterdam without stress — or tourist traps.
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5 windmill villages worth the trip
From the famous Zaanse Schans to UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk — where to see working windmills in the Netherlands, and which one suits you best.
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Giethoorn without the crowds: tips from a local
The village without roads is magical — if you know when to go. How to enjoy Giethoorn's canals in peace.
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10 Dutch foods you have to try
Stroopwafels are just the beginning. Our guides' favorite Dutch snacks and dishes — and where to find the good ones.
Read the guideThe Netherlands in 3 days: an itinerary that isn't just Amsterdam
Three days is enough to see canals, windmills and a second city — if you plan it right. Here's the route our guides recommend to friends.
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When do tulips bloom in the Netherlands? A month-by-month calendar
Crocuses, daffodils, hyacinths, tulips — the flower season moves in waves. Here's what blooms when, and where to see it.
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How to travel by train in the Netherlands
Fast, frequent and easy once you know a few tricks. Tickets, check-in, quiet carriages and the mistakes tourists make most often.
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Dutch etiquette and tipping: what locals wish you knew
Bike lanes, directness, splitting the bill and how much to tip. A friendly guide to fitting in with the locals.
Read the guideThe Netherlands with kids: a parent's guide
Short distances, flat paths and plenty to climb, pet and taste. How to plan a family trip that everyone enjoys.
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A rainy day in Amsterdam: 10 things locals actually do
It will rain at some point — that's fine. Here's how to spend a wet day in Amsterdam like someone who lives here.
Read the guideThe Netherlands on a budget: how to save without missing out
The Netherlands isn't cheap — but with a few local tricks you can see a lot more for a lot less.
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