More Than Just a Trip to the Netherlands

The Netherlands was the second country on our two-week Europe trip. My partner was studying in Delft at the time, and the whole reason for this Europe trip was that I could meet him while also exploring Europe. We visited four places in the Netherlands, and each one offered a completely different experience.

Delft

This is where we came after Paris, as my partner was living here. He took me to all his favourite places around Delft, including the main market, the church, and an ice cream shop that I absolutely loved. I have never had ice cream like that before. It was milky, creamy and perfectly sweet.

He also took me to a supermarket, and I was amazed by how huge the stores were. Although everything was written in Dutch, I still picked up a few things to try.

My partner cooked for me every single day we were there. From aloo jeera with tortillas instead of rotis to kadhi chawal and so much more. I know these are small things, but they made this trip so memorable. He also introduced me to a lot of street food. One thing that really stood out was the Mexican bao. The flavours were incredible, and it instantly became one of my favourites.

We also went on a cycling excursion around Delft. The bicycles there were too big for me, and my feet could barely touch the ground. What surprised me even more was the braking system. Instead of hand brakes, you pedal backwards to stop the cycle. That made our cycling adventure quite short-lived, and I eventually ended up sitting on the back of my partner's bicycle.

We also visited an Italian pizza place. My partner had already warned me that I might be disappointed, but I thought I would enjoy it since I love authentic Margherita pizzas. Turns out he was right. Throughout the trip, food that looked amazing always ended up tasting underwhelming.

We also celebrated our anniversary in Delft. We dressed up, went to a fine dining restaurant, and then walked back home together. It was such a simple yet perfect date.

The Hague

The Hague is a major city near Delft and is known for its beaches, beachside restaurants, and nightlife.

We took a train there and started our day at Madurodam. It is a miniature park where all the famous landmarks of the Netherlands are recreated in incredible detail. Everything was so tiny and beautifully made.

There was even a miniature version of the famous tulip gardens. One of my favourite exhibits was an interactive factory where you insert a coin, turn a wheel, and a tiny pair of wooden clogs comes out. We spent a lot of time just admiring each exhibit.

Next, we headed to Scheveningen Beach. Fun fact, this was the first beach I had ever visited. I had never been to a beach in India, so experiencing my very first one in the Netherlands made it even more special. The weather was perfect. We spread out a sheet in the sand, played in the water, listened to the waves, and simply enjoyed being there for a few hours.

Later, we had lunch at one of the beachside restaurants. The entire atmosphere was so cozy that we didn't feel like leaving.

Before heading back to Delft, we spent some time shopping around The Hague.

Amsterdam

You can't visit the Netherlands and skip Amsterdam.

We took a train to Amsterdam, and as soon as we stepped out of the station, we spotted a hot dog stall. Naturally, we stopped for chicken hot dogs, and they were absolutely delicious.

Our canal cruise was next, and it was a wonderful way to see the city. Afterwards, we wandered through the streets and tried the famous Amsterdam fries.

Later, we visited the Heineken Experience. It was quite informative, and of course, we got to enjoy a beer at the end of the tour.

Heineken

As we continued exploring the city, we accidentally walked into the Red Light District. That was definitely an experience in itself. We will keep it away from here.

That evening, while returning to Delft, I experienced authentic Dutch weather for the first time. It was windy, cold, and raining all at once.

Giethoorn

This was, without a doubt, the highlight of our time in the Netherlands.

Giethoorn is a fairytale village where cars are not allowed. The best way to explore it is by renting a boat and following the waterways through the village. Along with the boat, you receive a map showing different routes and interesting places to stop along the way.

Everything looked straight out of a storybook. The charming houses, beautiful canals, wooden bridges, and colourful gardens made the entire village feel magical.

It was easily the best boating experience we have ever had. To make it even better, the sunset that evening was absolutely beautiful.

We enjoyed ourselves so much that we completely lost track of time and missed the last bus. We eventually had to call a taxi to take us to the nearest train station.

If you're visiting the Netherlands, don't skip Giethoorn. It offers one of the most authentic canal experiences in the country, and it's a place we would happily visit again.

Wrapping Up

My visit to the Netherlands was truly special. Having someone who already knew the country so well made the entire trip effortless.

I also got to meet my partner's friends. We visited a mystery room together and later went out for drinks. The mystery room there was very different from the ones I've been to in India. It was much more interactive, and the puzzles required a lot more logical thinking.

On my last evening in Delft, my partner organised a barbecue with all his friends. It was such a lovely way to end my stay.

Overall, it was an unforgettable trip. We also travelled to Switzerland over the weekend, but that's a story for the next blog.

Maps we followed -

Over the years, we've been building a collection of everything that makes our journeys a little easier. From the cameras and gear we film with, to our road trip essentials, travel accessories, camping equipment, and even a few everyday favourites that we genuinely love. We keep updating this list as we discover better products and learn from every trip. If you're curious about what we carry on our adventures, you can explore our complete gear list here:

🔗 https://linktr.ee/twogetherlost

🩵 Some of the links above may be affiliate links. If you choose to purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we genuinely use and love. Thank you for supporting our journey.

If you have any questions or suggestions, drop them in the comments below. We’re a new travel blog, so don’t forget to follow us on our socials for more updates!