We woke up a little sad to be leaving London. It had been everything we hoped it would be and more. Before long, though, it was time to begin the next chapter of our adventure—the Netherlands.
We made our way to St. Pancras International Station for the Eurostar. I had booked travel assistance online two days earlier, but once again there was no one to be found. By this point, we weren’t surprised. We loaded ourselves onto the train, settled into our seats, and prepared for another journey.
This train ride turned out to be one of our favorites. Shortly after departure we were served a light breakfast with pastries, juice, and coffee. It felt like such a relaxing way to travel. Before long we passed through several tunnels, and then suddenly we were entering the Channel Tunnel, better known as the Chunnel. Stretching over 31 miles (50 kilometers), it is the longest underwater tunnel in the world and connects England with France beneath the English Channel. It was amazing to think we were traveling beneath the sea.
We arrived in Brussels, where we transferred to another train bound for Amsterdam. From there, our Uber driver picked us up and drove us to our home for the next few days—a houseboat on the edge of a peaceful lake.
Getting inside was our first adventure. The front door had swollen from the moisture and refused to open. After about 15 to 20 minutes of pushing, pulling, and a lot of determination, we finally made it inside. Reaching the boat also meant navigating a long, narrow dock, which kept us on our toes with all of our luggage and Kiya’s transport chair.
Once inside, however, every bit of effort was worth it.
It was one of the most peaceful places we’ve stayed. The houseboat sat quietly on the water overlooking a beautiful lake, with birds gliding past and boats gently drifting by. Our bedrooms were actually below the waterline. It felt perfectly normal—until you stopped and remembered you were sleeping underwater! It was definitely one of the most unique accommodations we’ve ever experienced.
We intentionally spent our first full day close to the houseboat. After weeks of constant sightseeing, we all needed a morning to sleep in and recharge. We wandered through the nearby town of Aalsmeer, located about a ten-minute walk from our VRBO. The town was charming, with canals, cafés, and friendly neighborhoods. Known worldwide for its enormous flower auction—the largest in the world—Aalsmeer has long been at the center of the international flower trade. We enjoyed exploring the town before finishing the day with an excellent dinner at a local restaurant.
The following day we headed into Amsterdam. We spent hours simply wandering the city, taking in the beautiful canals, narrow historic buildings, bicycles everywhere, and the lively atmosphere. One of the highlights was taking a canal cruise through the neighborhoods. Seeing Amsterdam from the water gave us a completely different perspective on the city and its remarkable 17th-century canal system, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Of course, no trip to the Netherlands would be complete without tasting Dutch cheese. Between Amsterdam and Zaanse Schans, I think we sampled just about every cheese available! Gouda, Edam, smoked cheeses, herb cheeses, garlic cheeses, truffle cheeses—you name it, we probably tried it. Every cheese shop welcomed visitors with generous samples, making it nearly impossible to walk out without buying a few favorites. Let’s just say we were definitely not hungry while shopping!
As we explored, we came upon a peaceful protest where members of the Tibetan community and their supporters were calling for China to end its occupation of Tibet. It was another reminder that cities often become gathering places where people from around the world come together to peacefully share their voices and stories.
Our final full day in the Netherlands began with an early start so we could attend the famous Edam Cheese Market. What a joyful experience! Dating back centuries, the traditional cheese market recreates how farmers and merchants once traded Edam’s world-famous cheese. Men dressed in traditional white clothing carried large wheels of cheese on wooden stretchers while buyers and sellers demonstrated the historic bargaining process. It was such a wonderful way to preserve and celebrate Dutch heritage, and the entire town embraced the tradition. Watching the cheese carriers in action made us appreciate just how important cheese has been to Dutch culture for hundreds of years.
After exploring Edam, we continued on to Zaanse Schans, one of the Netherlands’ most famous historic villages. It feels like stepping back into the 18th and 19th centuries, with working windmills, traditional wooden houses painted green, artisan workshops, and peaceful canals. The windmills once powered industries ranging from sawmills and oil production to spice grinding and paint manufacturing, helping fuel the Dutch Golden Age.
We wandered through the village, watched the windmills turning in the breeze, browsed the artisan shops, and of course sampled even more cheese. By then I think we had officially tasted nearly every variety the Netherlands had to offer! We enjoyed a wonderful lunch before spending the afternoon exploring the historic buildings and soaking in the beautiful countryside. It was easy to understand why this is one of the country’s most visited destinations.
That evening we returned to our floating home, finished the leftovers in the refrigerator, packed our suitcases once again, and prepared for our next destination—Brussels.
Each country we’ve visited has had its own unique personality, but the Netherlands stole a little piece of our hearts. Between the peaceful canals, centuries-old windmills, welcoming people, incredible cheese, and the slower pace of life, it was a place that invited you to slow down, breathe deeply, and simply enjoy the moment.
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