Travel Guide: Amsterdam and Leiden

I’ve been lucky enough to spend a decent amount of time in the Netherlands, and honestly, it’s one of those places that just sticks with you. There’s something about the canals, the architecture, and the way everyday life seems so effortlessly charming. I’m half Dutch, both my maternal grandparents came from Holland after the war, and I still have a ton of extended family that lives over there.

Amsterdam gets a lot of the spotlight, and for good reason, but I also love getting out of the big city and exploring towns like Leiden, which feels like a step back in time with its canals, cobbled streets, and relaxed pace. Whether it’s your first visit or your fifth, here’s a mix of things I think are really worth doing, how to get around, what to pack, and a few seasonal ideas to help you plan your trip.