When I think of Europe, I think of Amsterdam. Something about it just feels like the version of Europe you imagine before you ever set foot here. And during tulip season? It’s almost unfair how beautiful it is.
Seeing the tulips in person has always been a dream of mine, one of those “one day I’ll get there” kind of moments. And somehow, everything aligned. I got incredibly lucky with the weather. Three full days of sunshine, blue skies, and no clouds trying to ruin the vibe. It made the entire experience feel even more unreal, like the city was showing off a little just for me.
If you haven’t been to Amsterdam, it’s hard to explain the layout. The city feels open. Not in a wide, spread-out way, but in how everything flows together. The canals, the streets, the buildings, they all blend into each other in a way that almost feels communal. Like everyone is sharing the same space, the same energy. With canals weaving through the entire city, people are constantly outside. Walking, biking, sitting by the water. It feels alive in a very effortless way. And the bikes, oh my.
It’s true, there are more bikes than people in Amsterdam. Most people even own two. One for everyday use, and maybe a nicer one for special occasions. And honestly, it makes sense because bike theft is very real there, so no one is too attached to their “daily” bike. Of course, I had to do a canal cruise; it just felt necessary. You can’t come to Amsterdam and not experience the city from the water. And I’ll say this, tours are so underrated.
In just about an hour, I learned more about the history of Amsterdam than I would have wandering around on my own for days. It gave context to everything I was seeing, and made the city feel even more meaningful. Even just walking the streets, which all kind of look similar at first, there’s something so charming about it.
Now, let’s talk about the main event. I did an 8+ hour tour that took us out to Keukenhof, and it was everything I hoped for. Fields of color, perfectly lined rows of tulips, the kind of scenery that doesn’t even look real in photos. We also visited windmills, did a cheese tasting (which, I’m still thinking about), and got to see how traditional wooden shoes are made.
The cheese, by the way, is from Henri Willig. It was so good that I’m genuinely considering ordering it online. That’s how you know it made an impression. Amsterdam during the day is beautiful, but at night, it’s something else. The canals light up, reflections shimmer across the water, and people are out on boats, just slowly cruising through the city. It’s calm, a little romantic, and feels like a completely different version of the same place.
I loved how tulips just showed up in the most unexpected places. Not just in gardens, but casually growing in random corners of the city. Like how you’ll see a rose pushing through concrete, here you might spot a tulip peeking out from the cracks of a sidewalk. Even restaurants leaned into it. Indoor tables, outdoor terraces, everywhere you looked, there were fresh tulips as centerpieces, like the whole city was quietly celebrating the season.
And here’s something I didn’t know until one of my tours. Tulips don’t actually originate from Amsterdam, but the city has marketed tulip season so well that when you think of tulips, you automatically think of Amsterdam. They really made it their thing, and honestly, I respect it.
What stood out to me just as much as the beauty was the people. Everyone, including locals, was so friendly and welcoming. I genuinely don’t think I had a single negative interaction the entire time, which says a lot for a city that sees as many tourists as it does.
Now, let’s talk about crossing the street. You know how people say, “Look both ways”? In Amsterdam, you need to do a full 360 twice. Because it might be a walkable city, but it’s definitely built for bikes. Technically, pedestrians have the right of way, but in reality, the bikers move like they have places to be and no time to negotiate.
It feels a little chaotic at first, I won’t lie. But after a day or two, you start to get used to the rhythm of it. And honestly, don’t be surprised if by the next day you’re considering renting a bike yourself. It’s probably the most authentic way to experience the city, blending right in with the locals and moving through Amsterdam the way it was meant to be explored.
Another thing I learned from one of my tours is that people often mix up “Holland” and “the Netherlands.” The country is actually called the Netherlands, and it’s made up of different provinces, kind of like states in the U.S. Holland is just one of those provinces, not the whole country.
And honestly, this is exactly why I always recommend traveling. You pick up things like this through real experiences. It’s like a living textbook, but better, because you’re actually there, seeing it, hearing it, and experiencing it in real time instead of just reading about it.
Was I able to see everything? Not even close. But honestly, that’s part of the beauty of it. It gives me a reason to come back, and I will. Amsterdam really impressed me: the energy, the beauty, and the way it feels when you’re there. It’s not just a place you visit, it’s something you experience. And for me, it was a dream that actually lived up to the expectation. Which, if you’ve ever had a dream destination, you know, doesn’t always happen.
But this time, it did.
Love always,
American Girl Meets World
