Vintage sketch of Dutch windmills along a calm river with sailboats and willow trees in a serene countryside landscape.
Charming Dutch canal-side restaurant with red-striped awnings, terrace seating, and a boat moored nearby on a sunny day.
Historic Dutch windmill with thatched exterior, green-framed windows, and wooden sails against a bright blue sky.
White Dutch-style canal houses with stepped gable roofs and large sash windows in Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Narrow cobblestone alley in Amsterdam at sunset with dramatic red sky, brick buildings, and a green restaurant sign.
Amsterdam canal houses at dusk with a blue tram passing by under a vibrant pink and purple sunset sky.
Two bicycles with a wicker basket leaning against grassy sand dunes near a beach on a cloudy day.
Close-up of a vibrant pink wild rose flower with yellow stamens and green leaves in the background.
Couple sitting on bench by Amsterdam canal watching a boat named Lovers pass under a stone bridge.
Black and white photo of a busy bridge over an Amsterdam canal with historic Dutch buildings in the background.
Two empty beach chairs and a white umbrella on a sandy shore with calm ocean waves in the background.
Colorful houseboats moored along an Amsterdam canal with lush green trees and historic buildings in the background.
Historic Amsterdam canal houses with stepped gable facades beneath a blue sky, featuring a prominent church tower in the background.
Houseboats moored along a tranquil Amsterdam canal lined with lush green trees on a sunny day.
Black and white photo of blooming hydrangea clusters with lush leaves, showcasing intricate petal details.
A bicycle parked against a graffiti-covered door featuring colorful sugar skull and robot face street art.
Historic Dutch maritime museum with tall ship replica docked alongside classical white building in Amsterdam waterfront.
Large millstone grinding wheel inside a historic wooden grist mill with timber frame construction.
Ornate stained glass windows with geometric patterns in green and gold, set in brick arches beside a copper vessel.
A bright yellow vintage Volkswagen Beetle parked on a canal street in Amsterdam beside classic brick buildings.
Pedestrians walking through a narrow cobblestone street lined with historic Dutch buildings in Amsterdam.
Black and white photo of a quiet European alley with cafe chairs, historic brick buildings, and graffiti-covered walls.
Busy pedestrian shopping street in Amsterdam with crowds of tourists walking past retail stores on a summer day.
Low-angle view of a traditional Dutch windmill with teal beams and stone exterior against a bright blue sky.
Traditional Dutch windmill beside a black wooden barn with red roof near a canal in Zaanse Schans, Netherlands.
Black and white photo of a wooden arched bridge over a canal with a windmill in the background.

Why Holland?


Fields of tulips and historic windmills draw visitors from all over the world to Holland. I visited the country during my college days and spent most of my time in Amsterdam, where nearly everyone I met spoke English as well as Dutch.


My favorite night was spent at Café Old Sailor, a pub right next to the famous Red Light District. I had wandered through the district earlier that evening and loved the unexpected sight of one of the women sitting in lingerie, quietly reading a book.


Back at the bar, the bartender, clearly knowing I was American, started asking me questions about my country while I asked him about his. Another American woman sitting a few seats down eventually joined our conversation. She and I are still mutuals to this day.


Holland is a land of warm welcomes, an eagerness to share, and layers upon layers of history. If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: don't be afraid to travel alone, as long as you plan ahead. You'll discover new places, meet people you never expected to meet, and learn a lot about yourself along the way.

Map of Greece highlighting travel destinations with text 'Where the journey took me.' on a teal illustrated map.

A few notes from my travels:


Places to Eat

Ready to explore Holland through my lens?