Spring (March–May)
Spring is the obvious one, and for good reason. Late March through early May is when the tulips show up, especially around Lisse, and it actually looks like the photos (which I was slightly skeptical about until I saw it in person).
Summer (June–August)
Summer is busy but fun. Longer days, warmer weather, and everything feels open and active. It does get crowded though, especially in central Amsterdam—so just expect that and plan around it.
Fall (September–October)
Fall is quieter and honestly underrated. Cooler weather, fewer crowds, and still very walkable.
Winter (November–February)
Winter is slower and colder, but if you don’t mind layering up, it’s a different kind of experience (and significantly less crowded).
You’ll probably fly into Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which is about 20 minutes from the city center.
Once you’re in Amsterdam, the best thing you can do is just walk.
The canals are what you came for, and they’re everywhere. You don’t need a strict plan here—just start moving and you’ll hit something worth stopping for.
If you want a structured way to see it scroll down to my blogs to see my exact path.
This was one of the main reasons I went—and it lived up to the hype.
Lisse is where most of the fields are, and it’s about 30–40 minutes from Amsterdam. I didn’t expect how big they’d actually be. It’s not just one field—it’s rows and rows in every direction.
This ended up being one of my favorite parts.
Delft felt calm and easy to walk. Gouda was smaller but fun for a half-day. Alkmaar had less crowds but still had plenty going on.
You don’t need to overplan these—just pick one or two and go.
This is where the Netherlands really stands out.
The train system is extremely easy to use and connects pretty much everything.
I used trains for some of my trip and it was pretty effortless.
Everyone bikes here. Everyone.
I thought about renting one in Amsterdam… and then decided I liked being alive.
If you’re comfortable biking in traffic, go for it. If not, walking and trains will cover you just fine.
If you want to explore more rural areas or move at your own pace, renting a car makes sense. I ended up going to a lot more cities just by having one.
Driving itself is easy—it’s more the parking in cities that can get annoying.
Type C and F plugs. You’ll need a European adapter.
I always bring a compact one with extra USB ports because outlets are never where you want them → Anker USB-C Travel Adapter
Central European Time (CET)
Cards are widely accepted, but smaller places sometimes prefer debit cards or cash. I kept a small amount of euros on me just in case.
You will walk more than you think. And stand. And walk some more.
Comfortable shoes are not optional.
This is not a suggestion. They will not slow down for you.
Look both ways for bikes before stepping anywhere—even sidewalks.
If you see fresh stroopwafels being made—just get one.
I thought I’d try one and move on. That did not happen.
Most international flights into the Netherlands go through Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, which is the main hub and where you’ll likely land. It’s one of the busiest airports in Europe, but it’s very straightforward to navigate once you’re there.
If you’re planning to visit multiple cities, Schiphol is still the easiest entry point. You can go straight from the airport to other places like Rotterdam, The Hague, or Delft without needing to stay in Amsterdam first.
There are direct trains from the airport underneath the terminal, and if you’re renting a car (my suggestion), pickup is right outside and easy to navigate once you’re on the road.
If you’re flying from the U.S., expect overnight flights going there and daytime flights coming back.
Booked this Bryson City yurt for the ‘ber months and it’s already my top fall pick this year. 🍂
The Junaluska Yurt sleeps six but feels more like a stylish cabin than a yurt, two real queen bedrooms with actual doors, a full kitchen, and a private bathroom with a walk-in shower. Check-in is just a door code texted to your phone, no lobby, no waiting.
The real win is outside: wraparound porch, private fire pit, free firewood, a gas grill, and Smoky Mountain sunsets that stop you mid-sentence, picture all of that with October color on the ridgeline. Heads up, the last stretch in is a gravel road, so skip the low-profile rental, and there’s no restaurant onsite, you’re minutes from Bryson City, Dillsboro, and Sylva for dinner.
Two to three nights is the sweet spot. (We actually stayed in the dead of winter and it was still stunning, fall just takes it up a notch.) Full review linked in bio.
Italian food felt like the last thing I expected to find in the middle of the Appalachian Mountains... until I sat down at Ilda in Sylva.🍝
They call it Italian-Appalachian, and that’s not just a tagline. Homemade pasta, craft cocktails, local ingredients pulled straight from the mountains around it, this is the kind of meal that makes you forget you’re two hours from the nearest city. It’s cozy, it’s a little upscale, and it is not a walk-in kind of place, call ahead, because tables go fast on weekends.
It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. But if you’re already making the trip out to Sylva, this is the one reservation worth planning your day around.
Full write-up, including what to order, link in bio.
Booked my fall cabin before September even started, and I’m not sorry about it. 🍂
These are the stays that make you actually want the cold to hurry up fireplaces, mountain views, the kind of porch you don’t leave. Not every one of these is going to fit every trip, but if a cozy fall getaway is on your radar, this is the roundup to start with.
One of my favorite travel seasons is almost here, and I have zero chill about it. 🍁✈️
There’s just something about fall trips cooler air, apple orchards, that first flannel of the season, food that actually makes sense with the weather again. I’m already mentally packing for it before September even starts.
If fall is your favorite time to travel too, tell me where you’re headed... I’m taking notes for the list.
Pack your bags... ✈️🧳My hiking and road trip gear shop just got a refresh, and this is everything that actually earns a spot in my bag. The dry bag pulls double duty for beach days and trail days, the Osprey backpack is the one I grab for anything motorcycle or day-hike related, and the GoPro comes with me literally everywhere at this point.
Nothing on this list is filler it’s all stuff I’ve used, packed, and repacked more times than I can count. Full shop linked in my bio if you want to build out your own kit before your next trip.
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