Back from the Netherlands. I really don’t recommend going in summer… because it’s just
too windy, too beautiful, and makes you not want to leave!😭
Everyone, just got back from the Netherlands. The wind was so strong my hairpiece almost flew into the canal 🤡! But standing by the waterway in Giethoorn, eating herring and watching swans—that moment was worth it, a lifetime worth it!🦢
📍 About the weather (let’s talk about the wind first)
July and August in the Netherlands are actually quite comfortable (20–25℃), but! The wind is so strong it makes you question life 🌪️! Cycling against the wind feels like your legs aren’t your own, and umbrellas are basically useless. The upside: very long daylight hours (it stays light until 10 PM), no mosquitoes, flowers are past their peak but the greenery is lush. Strategy: bring a windbreaker + scarf, don’t fight the wind, enjoy cycling with the wind at your back 🚲
🗺️ Classic 6-day no-backtracking itinerary
Day 1–2: Amsterdam Anne Frank House (must book in advance!) → Van Gogh Museum → canal cruise at sunset 🌉 → Nine Streets for vintage shopping
Day 3: Zaanse Schans windmill village Go in the morning! Afternoons get crowded. Watch wooden shoe making + cheese tasting + windmill interior tour 🎡
Day 4: Giethoorn Rent a flat-bottomed boat (Punter) to row yourself or take a tour boat, slowly drift along the reed-roofed waterway 🦢
Day 5: The Hague + Delft Peace Palace in The Hague → Scheveningen beach for sea breeze 🏖️ → Delft Blue pottery factory + old church leaning tower
Day 6: Keukenhof (only open March–May) / Alternative: Amersfoort In summer, switch to Amersfoort, a medieval walled town with fewer crowds and beautiful scenery 🏰
📸 Photo tips
· 🏠 Giethoorn: before 8 AM! Mirror-like water + morning mist + reed-roof reflections = wallpaper level. Wear cream or earth-toned linen dresses and a straw hat
· 🌉 Amsterdam canals: frame shots with bridge arches + canal houses for perspective, capture bike riders crossing bridges for a lively feel 🚲
· 🎡 Zaanse Schans: green wooden houses + red windmills + blue sky, the contrasting colors make the best photos. Wear white for a clean look
· 🏖️ Scheveningen beach: sunset pier silhouettes + waves, windy conditions create dynamic shots with hair flying
· 💙 Delft: blue pottery–colored streets, wear white or light blue to echo the New Church spire
🍴 Foodie must-try list
Must eat Why
Herring (Haring) Raw herring deboned + onions + pickles, hold by the tail and swallow whole 🐟! Certified local way to eat
Croquette (Kroket) Crispy shell + hot meat filling, eat in a bun, available from FEBO vending machines 🍔
Stroopwafel Break it while hot, caramel syrup stretches! Perfect with coffee 🧇
Pannenkoek Thicker than French crepes, savory with bacon + cheese, always a winner 🥓
Dutch fried fish (Kibbeling) Cod chunks fried in beer batter, served with garlic mayo and lemon juice 🍋
Cheese (Gouda/Edam) Free tastings at markets! Buy a small wheel to take home, pairs perfectly with red wine 🧀
Jenever Gin Dutch-style gin, glass rimmed with sugar, enjoy at a canal-side pub 🍸
💡 Honest tips to avoid pitfalls
1. Bike lanes and sidewalks are separate! Don’t walk on the red brick bike lanes or cyclists will curse you out 🚳
2. Anne Frank House and Van Gogh Museum must be booked 2 months in advance, same-day tickets are impossible
3. Don’t bring an umbrella in the wind, windbreaker/light down jacket + scarf is the perfect combo 🧥
4. The Dutch NS railway app is essential. Buying a Day Ticket for unlimited rides is more cost-effective 🚆
5. Toilets require coins (0.5–1 euro), always carry change! Mall toilets also require card access 😭
6. Tips of 5–10% are normal, restaurant bills already include tax and service charge
7. Tulips bloom only March–May! Don’t expect flower fields in summer, enjoy the green canals and windmills instead 🌿
Summary: The wind really can blow you into a new shape, and the healing power is truly in the DNA 🌬️ If you want to get lost cycling by the canals, eat herring under the windmills, and stand all day in front of Van Gogh’s sunflowers—the Netherlands in summer is worth facing the wind for! 🇳🇱