Our twenty-one-day grand European tour began in Haarlem, a charming yet bustling town near Amsterdam. As with all of Rick Steves’ accommodations, we stayed in a hand-picked, pleasant hotel that was centrally located for easy access to transportation, in the heart of the most beautiful part of city. Across the cobblestone walkway, beyond the open-air sidewalk dining, was a stunning vista of the centuries old-world charm we so desired. And to boot, an amazingly good gelato and Belgium waffle shop. Each step of the way (and there were MANY steps) our tour filled our hearts with love, our bellies with delicious new foods, and our souls with joy. 

 

Would I recommend a Rick Steves tour? Absolutely, without hesitation. With all of my heart, in a heartbeat. Yes, I liked it!    

 

During our stay in the Netherlands, we experienced life as it was centuries ago as well as the hustle and bustle of living in the city today. ‘Arnhem’s Open Air Museum’ is a living museum, with actual working examples of historic buildings; a taste of life throughout the ages. It’s a step back in time, glorious and beautiful… old world charm that was brand new to us. Our guided tour through the actual city of Amsterdam conjured stories of the past as well, along with the reality of dodging the hustle and bustle of streets crowded with ‘fiets’ (bicycles, everywhere!) We walked along the canal, enjoying the views of the crooked buildings, listening to stories of how welcoming and accepting the people are, and how well the people are taken care of. Some of the highlights of our stay in the Netherlands were the walking tour, the canal boat ride, and the Rijksmuseum… where we saw more incredible art than I ever could have imagined. In addition to those, was our welcome dinner at a family-style Indonesian restaurant. To say the food was incredible and plentiful would be an understatement. It was an amazing way to start our journey together.