I parked at the top, walked over to the overlook, and just stood there for a second. Grote Knip Curaçao Beach Guide photos don’t fully prepare you for how blue the water actually is. It’s one of those spots where you immediately understand why everyone talks about it.
If you’re planning out your beach days, Best Beaches in Curaçao (with Map + Tips) helps put this one into context with the rest of the island.
Grote Knip, also called Playa Kenepa Grandi, sits on the west side of Curaçao.
Most people drive here, and renting a car here makes it easier since you’ll likely pair this with other west side beaches.
You park, walk a few steps, and the whole beach opens up below you.
The water starts bright turquoise near the shore and fades into deeper blue farther out, and it looks just as intense in person. This is the view you’ve seen online, just more impressive in person.
Right near the parking area, there’s an overlook before you go down.
You get the full view of the cliffs wrapping around the water, and it helps you see how big the beach actually is. This is also where most people stop for photos before heading down.
Once you walk down, the beach opens into a wide stretch of sand with lots of rocky areas mixed in.
The water is clear enough that you can see straight to the bottom, and getting in is manageable, but I wore water shoes (took them off for photos ouch ha) and was glad I had them for exploring.
We rented chairs and ended up staying a few hours.
The water was calm, so I brought a float and just stayed in for a while doing absolutely nothing. This is an easy beach to settle into instead of rushing through.
When we went, it was busy but still enjoyable.
There were a lot of people, but the beach is big enough that it didn’t feel crowded on top of each other. If you’re expecting empty, that’s not this, but it didn’t take away from it.
We didn’t snorkel here, but there were plenty of people out in the water with gear, especially near the rocky edges.
If you’re bringing your own setup, this is an easy place to use it without needing a plan.
Up by the parking lot, there are food carts with snacks, baked goods, and slushies.
There are also bathrooms, chair rentals, and plenty of parking, so once you’re here, you’re not dealing with anything complicated.
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it
We stayed a few hours, and that felt right.
You can make this your main beach for the day or pair it with another nearby stop if you’re exploring the west side.
If you’re building out your list, this fits right in with some of the quieter stops—I break that down more in my 7 Hidden Gems in Curaçao You Don’t Want to Miss.
If it’s your first time in Curaçao and you want that bright blue water moment, this is it.
If you’re looking for something quieter or more tucked away, you’ll probably want a different beach.
We walked back up to the overlook before leaving and it looked just as good as when we got there.
Grote Knip lives up to the hype, and if you’re building out your Curaçao plan, it’s one that should definitely make it to your list!
The tulip fields in the Netherlands look exactly like the photos, except the photos don’t capture how massive the color blocks actually are stretching across the countryside. Or the windmills. Or the sheep randomly standing in the middle of everything like they don’t know they’re in the most photogenic country on earth.
The honest caveat: tulip season moves fast, the fields rotate every year, and peak bloom is not a guarantee, it depends on the weather, the harvest schedule, and a little bit of luck. But that’s also part of what makes it feel less like a tourist attraction and more like something you actually found.
Full driving route with towns, parking tips, and what to expect | linked in bio. 🌷
#netherlands #travelling #tulipfields #exploreeurope
Amsterdam has a way of making you feel like you need to see everything, and then rewarding you most when you slow down anyway. The museums and canal cruises are worth it, but so is just wandering neighborhoods, eating whatever looks good, and sitting along the canals with a grilled cheese and nowhere to be.
First-time visitor guide is on the blog. Link in bio. 🌷
#travelling #travel #amsterdam #visitamsterdam #traveleurope
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes I’ve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Here’s what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
Café Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davie’s Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (it’s not ketchup, and it’s better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what I’d skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
There’s a version of Gatlinburg that’s all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then there’s the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Here’s everything worth doing downtown, in the order I’d do it: 🏔️
✨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
✨ Walk the strip mid-morning when it’s still manageable
✨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: don’t skip it)
✨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
✨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isn’t your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. It’s more of a “here’s what I’d actually do if I had one solid day” kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. 🔗
If someone told me I’d spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. 😅
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and it’s one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it — longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
✨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
✨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
✨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
✨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. 🔗
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
