Haarlem: The Netherlands’ Quietly Beautiful Secret Only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam, Haarlem is a city that feels like a page from a storybook. Less crowded than its famous neighbour Amsterdam, but just as rich in beauty, Haarlem is the kind of place where church bells echo through cobbled streets, windmills guard the river, and indie bookshops, and cinnamon-scented cafés feel like warm hugs. Whether you're travelling solo or are simply seeking a slower pace, Haarlem i

First stop : Zaanse Schans - A Fairytale Village full of Windmills If you’re spending time in Amsterdam and craving a peaceful escape that still feels like it's coming straight out of a storybook, this day trip is perfect for you. Just one train ticket, two charming towns, and countless photo ops later and you’ll be wondering how this wasn't already on your itinerary. My day started quietly, just me and my little backpack, heading north from Amsterdam Centraal. A 17-minute tr