Day Trip From Amsterdam to Giethoorn, Netherlands

Geithoorn Village Canals

Geithoorn is a small Dutch village in the province of Overijssel. A round trip from Amsterdam to Geithoorn would take about 3 hours. In recent years, with the influence of social media, Geithoorn has become one of the popular tourist destinations in the Netherlands. Several tour operators run day tours from Amsterdam to Geithoorn at a reasonable price. Renting a car is the best option to get around.

Amsterdam to Geithoorn

From Amsterdam, the shortest route to Geithoorn is through A6. Alternatively, taking E22 increases travel time by half an hour or so. But it will run through the enclosed dike. Enclosed dike is a major causeway and dam in the Netherlands. The dam serves as a barrier and protects low lying areas from flooding. It also separates the North sea from a freshwater lake. If you are crossing the causeway, I would recommend a brief stop at the observation tower for fantastic views of the dam.

Afsluitdijk - Enclosed Dike Observation Tower Netherlands

We visited Geithoorn village during spring. The drive was fantastic and the view of tulip fields from the highway was amazing. The Dutch are experts in water management. They know how to work with water instead of fighting it. They create amazing living spaces right next to canals. Geithoorn is the best example of it. On the contrary to popular belief, the village of Geithoorn is not completely car-free. What makes Geithoorn special is its canals, thatched-roof houses, walkways and cute little shops. 

If you are wondering what to do in Geithoorn, here are few tips.  You can rent a boat and ride on your own in the canals. Or, take an organized boat tour around the village. Cycling around the neighborhood is also a possibility. I always will cherish the memory of walking on the narrow pathways and bridges. My personal favorite was enjoying a tasty ice cream under the tree shade on a warm spring afternoon. Shopping for trinkets and souvenirs in the cute little shops was the perfect ending for a relaxed day. Few canals are private and are blocked off for tourists. It is always advisable to stick to the public place and respect the privacy of locals. We don't want locals to ban tourists forever. Do we now?

I love taking photos. So here we go..

And more... 

This village is an embodiment of peace and serenity. In a place like this, a house, a book, and a hot cup of tea are all I would need. Bonus: During April / May the routes from Amsterdam to Geithoorn has beautiful tulip fields. Feel free to stop and take a few pictures.

Albufeira to Benagil and Everything In-between, Portugal

Portugal's south coast has one of the beautiful coastlines in the world. With beautiful cliff views and clear turquoise waters, it draws thousands of tourists every year. The entire south coast and a small part of the west coast belong to the Algarve region of Portugal. This region is a prime destination for beach vacations. As of April 2019, Portugal has 352 Blue Flag accredited beaches. Out of that, the Algarve region is home for 88 Blue Flag beaches. If you are wondering what a blue flag beach is, it is the highest accolade given to a beach. It indicates that the beach adheres to a high standard of quality, safety, and services.

Praia das Escalieras

There are two main options to see all the beautiful beaches. One is the cliff walk and the second option is from the sea. However, few beaches can only be accessed from the sea. I can list a hundred reasons why a cliff walk can be a disastrous option for parents with young kids. Even from the sea, there are several options. SUP, Kayak, small boats, and catamaran tours. The best option is the SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard) or a Kayak. They give access to hidden beaches inside the cave. Which are otherwise inaccessible. We being us, choose an easy option. A Catamaran tour.

The Most Beautiful Beach - Praia do Pontal

There are different types of tours starting from Albufeira Marina. Ours was caves and coastline tour. We were welcomed by our tour guide with a glass of bubbly. The tour lasted for a couple of hours. The only disadvantage with a catamaran is that they cannot enter Benagil caves. We just get a peek inside and nothing more. But, traveling with young kids demands compromises. On the bright side, we had a wonderful trip with an open bar and blaring music. 

Yellow Submarine - Praia da Morena

The best way to see cliffs is from the water. With beautiful formations and hidden beaches, the views were amazing. 

Arco Natural - McDonald's Arch

Praia do Pontal

Praia de Albandeira

Benagil Cave

The World famous Benagil cave can be accessed only by water. A little beach inside is generally filled with tourists. 

Benagil Cave Entrance

Praia da Marinha

Viewing beaches from the water is not enough. They deserve a visit. However, visiting all the beaches is next to impossible. It is very important to prioritize a few. The best way to end the day is to visit the old town of Albufeira and spend an hour or two in its Blue Flag beaches. If I had a choice, Portugal would be the place I would go to and never come back.

Sagres to Lagos, Algarve, Portugal

I never considered Portugal as a holiday destination. Little did I know that if planned properly, Portugal can be a perfect holiday destination with the right temperature and practically zero crowds. We visited the Algarve region of Portugal during the last week of May. We couldn't have picked a better time than this. There were practically no crowds. At times, we felt that we were on a private beach. Water was warm enough to swim in the late afternoons and temperatures were around 25-30°C. This is how a perfect vacation should be.

Driving is the best and only way to see Portugal. We took a flight to Faro and rented a car online. We picked our rental car at Faro airport and had the independence to roam around as we please. Car rental prices are reasonable compared to other European countries like Ireland. Pre-pay for the tolls at the rental office beforehand. I presume all tolls are electronic as I did not find any toll booths on the highway. 

Cape Sagres Viewpoint

Sagres is a municipality in the South-Western tip of Portugal. Sagres Fortress or Fortaleza de Sagres is located at the southernmost tip of Sagres. Sagres played a prominent role in the 15th century during the golden era of Portugal's exploration. The fort is mainly a series of huge walls built to separate the mainland from Sagres head. Henry the Navigator launched his expedition from Sagres. Most of the fort was destroyed by 1755's earthquake and resultant tsunami. Visitors have the opportunity to explore the area on foot. Even though there is not much to see, this fort provides beautiful views of the ocean from the cliffs. 

Church of Our Lady of Grace

Inside the Church

On N125, 10 KM away from Sagres, we came across an un-named shop full of Portugal made ceramic wear. The collection inside the store is huge and the variety is incredible. This place is located right next to the N125 and hard to miss. I got a 'Rooster of Barcelona' and a Portugal ceramic tile from this shop.

A Splendid Find

Next stop - Farol da Ponta da Peidade, Lagos.

Ponta da Piedade

Cliffs & Crystal Clear Water

We drove down the dusty road, without any expectations. Parked our car in an empty parking spot and followed the crowd blindly. Then, we climbed down a series of narrow stairs. Little did we know that these are the stairs leading to a hidden paradise. The sea caves stood shining like golden mountains in the bright afternoon Sun. Boats were floating on a crystal clear turquoise water. One can spend hours appreciating the beauty of the land and the sea. Gazing at the ocean floor and guessing it's depth. My heart danced with joy like a child in a candy store.

Accessible Only by Small Boat

Small boat tours start at the foot of the cliff and take visitors through the sea caves and formations. These caves are accessible by a small boat or kayak or SUP board. Tour lasts for 20-30 minutes covering the surrounding areas. This was the best day of our vacation.

First Time Visitor's Guide to Keukenhof Gardens, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Keukenhof is one of my bucket list destinations. It took a lot of planning and coordination to visit Amsterdam when the tulips were in full bloom. The garden is open every year from March-May. But visitors have a narrow 2-week window to see the flowers in bloom. Ideally, the 3rd or 4th week of April would be a perfect time to visit the gardens. Flowers would be in full bloom and the weather would be generally mild.

Flowers Infinity

This garden was started as a flower exhibit. The idea was that the bulb growers can showcase their flowers and eventually boost the Dutch export industry. The actual product of trade is bulbs. Walking in the Keukenhof garden was like walking into a beautiful tulip wallpaper. The garden designers created beautiful artwork with colorful tulips as their medium. Do not expect straight rows of tulips in the garden. You will rather encounter a creative combination of colorful flowers. It is quite impressive to see a variety of flower combinations creating a perfect flower carpet.

Beautiful Flower Combinations

How to reach the garden? Reaching Keukenhof is quite easy. Driving is the easiest option if you have a car. Airport transfers and hotel transfers are available from almost all hotels. Check with your hotel reception if they have a transfer to the garden. Regular tours are available from Amsterdam city center. Few tours include bulb farm tours as well. Plan an entire day for the garden visit. Despite the huge crowds, you will encounter queuing only in few places. Viator, GetYourGuide, and TravelAdvisor have reliable tours and transfer to the garden. Public transportation might be cheaper but might be a questionable means of transport for first-time visitors. If all means fail, there are always taxis available.

Flower Carpet

What to expect? Keukenhof is a 32-hectare garden showcasing 7 million bulbs with 800 varieties of tulips. The garden is stroller accessible. A variety of sculptures are spread across the garden with beautiful backdrops. It is not only a flower lover's paradise but also a perfect destination for a family outing. With a variety of playgrounds, maze, petting zoo, boat ride, and a windmill to explore. Kids will have a fantastic day as well. For more tips, visit the garden's website. 

Notice The Crowd In The Background?

There are several pavilions spread throughout the garden. Each pavilion is dedicated to a purpose. William-Alexander pavilion, the largest of all is located in the middle of the garden. With hundreds of tulip varieties in bloom, this is a tulip paradise.

Beautifully Coordinated Flowers Outside William-Alexander Pavilion

William-Alexander Pavillion

Flower Power 2019

Oranje-Nassau Pavilion is filled with beautiful flower shows every week. Beatrix pavilion, located at the far end of the garden, is dedicated to Orchids whereas Juliana pavilion is dedicated to the flower and bulb history. Visiting all the pavilions and all the walking will make one hungry. Yes, there is a pavilion dedicated to food. Wilhamena pavilion is a dedicated food court with a vast seating area. Irene pavilion, which was an old entrance,  now has gift shops, food court, and toilets. Keukenhofmolen is a windmill right next to beautiful rows of tulips. This is a perfect place for a picture and hence is overrun by tourists. There is an hour-long boat ride starting from the windmill that would take tourists around the tulip fields adjacent to the garden. If you have time and patience to wait, don't miss the windmill and boat ride.

My Favourite Display

Bulb Farm Nearby

Toy Soldier Factory, Macroom, Co. Cork, Ireland

Toy Soldier Factory is an hour away from Cork city center. It had been established in Ireland since 1976 and this is Europe's only toy soldier factory. This is a very good find in the West Cork area. It is one of the best ways for families to spend a rainy afternoon away from gadgets. This can be a nice family fun activity where kids and adults get to cast their own metal toys and paint them too. The factory is in an informal setting. The visitor center is also a gift center with a variety of toy soldiers beautifully painted and meticulously arranged. One can walk in and browse the store to one's heart content. They sell chess sets which were adorable but very expensive for me. 

Perfect Toy Chess Set 

The back story from Irish Examiner is that a newlywed couple named Lars and Gunilla Edman traveled thousands of miles from Sweden to a sleepy town in west Cork with their two die making machines and started toy soldier factory in 1976. Casting toy soldiers was a Swedish hobby for young boys aged 7-12 years old. But, today it has visitors, young and old, from all over the world and helps visitors make cherished memories.

Witch Fairy Face-Off

At the start of our visit, the receptionist at the visitor center demonstrated the casting process and kids got to choose their figures to cast from the display board. She was very patient and helped kids through the casting process. It took around 90 seconds for the casting to set. Once the casting is set, she applied primer to the cast and we were ready to paint. I was very happy with the final product and we will be using them during Halloween and Christmas going forward.

The Battle of Waterloo

The second part of our visit was the display of the Battle of Waterloo. A nominal fee of 3€ per adult is paid to visit the display. One of the rooms inside the toy soldier factory has a huge foam table on which the battle of Waterloo is displayed. A 15 min documentary gives an insight into the Battle of Waterloo. On Sunday 18 June 1815, the battle was fought between Anglo- Duch army and Prussian army against French forces. The French army was under the leadership of Napoleon. The defeat of the battle marked the end of Napoleon-era. This battle played an important role in European history and led Europe towards a peaceful path. The documentary was brief yet clear enough to understand the context and importance of this battle in European history.

A 500-Man Battalion Squares Formed By British Army

 

Anglo-Duch & Prussian Army vs French Army