11-Day Tour of the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg

The Netherlands was known as the 'Sea Coachman' of the 17th century, its Golden Age with great global influence, which I always wanted to explore and visit. Windmills and tulips are world-famous. This trip mainly focused on experiencing the three major cities of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, as well as the three towns of Delft, Zaandam, and Giethoorn. I chose to travel to the Netherlands in early March. Although I missed the blooming season of tulips, I fully experienced the beautiful and leisurely lifestyle, culture, and history of the Netherlands from aspects such as history, culture, attractions, transportation, and cuisine. The Netherlands has a land area of 41,528 square kilometers, about the size of Jiangsu Province, but 24% of its area is below sea level, so many houses in the Netherlands have a raised ground floor. Tourist attractions in the Netherlands are relatively concentrated, and public transportation is extremely convenient. For a short trip to the Netherlands, you must buy an anonymous OV card, which can be used on all public transport within the Netherlands, including trains and even rural buses.

Upon arriving in Amsterdam, I wandered around the area near Central Station in the afternoon. All major cities in the Netherlands have a central station, which serves as a local transportation hub. The attractions in Amsterdam are also located near Central Station. Basically, every day I would go to Central Station to take a train or sit on a bench by the canal watching boats and seagulls. The station was built in 1889 and is the busiest railway station in the Netherlands, blending Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles. It is also a transfer point for buses, trams, and ferries.

Amsterdam has a network of over 160 canals and more than 1,200 bridges, forming a 70-kilometer-long canal system. Canals are the city's biggest feature, with many attractions concentrated in the canal belt near Dam Square.

In the following days, I often sat on a bench by the canal, relaxing and enjoying the beautiful canal views.

Water flows into the city, and people live close to the water.

Several high-rise buildings in Amsterdam are located opposite Central Station.

Herons sunbathing by the river - seagulls, white storks, swans, herons, and mallards are commonly seen in Dutch waters, and in large numbers.

The sky swings on the roof of the art building opposite Central Station are also worth experiencing.

The architecture in the Netherlands is very distinctive. This row of characteristic houses along the canal opposite the square in front of Central Station in Amsterdam often appears in photos promoting Amsterdam tourism.

This trip made great use of the convenient OV transport card, essential for public transport. You must tap in and out when boarding and alighting. For trains, tap in and out at stations. For trams and buses, it’s easy to forget, and if you miss too many taps, the card will be locked.

It takes only about 20 minutes from Amsterdam Central Station to Zaandam. The houses in Zaandam are very distinctive, brightly colored like LEGO bricks. It is one of the most beautiful towns in the Netherlands according to travel rankings.

One train stop from Zaandam is Zaanse Schans, where the windmills represent Dutch windmills and are a popular internet-famous town. Besides charming windmills, handmade wooden clogs are also very famous. The windmills here were built in the 17th century, and several are still in use and open for visits.

Climb the observation deck at the village entrance for a panoramic view of the windmill village.

The houses in the windmill village are also very photogenic.

The only museum I visited on this trip to the Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg was the Van Gogh Museum. The standard five items for European travel are palaces, churches, castles, town halls, and museums. Having already seen the British Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Hermitage Museum, I rarely visit other museums of the same type. Van Gogh, the most famous Dutch painter, is regarded as one of the most influential and beloved artists in art history. To learn more about Van Gogh, I rented a Chinese audio guide. Through the visit, I gained insight into the artist's lifelong arduous pursuit of painting skills and his passion for art.

The Van Gogh Museum is located near Museum Square in Amsterdam, which is also surrounded by the Rijksmuseum and the Stedelijk Museum Amsterdam.

Van Gogh's self-portrait - many of his self-portraits feature a straw hat, as he often described himself as a painter from the countryside.

Before becoming famous, Van Gogh lived in great difficulty and was supported by his brother, to whom he frequently wrote letters about his artistic progress and life. This cabinet contains over 700 letters that Van Gogh's brother preserved. The main collection of the Van Gogh Museum was donated by Van Gogh's brother and his family.

Giethoorn is known as the Venice of the Netherlands, famous for its unique small canals, thatched-roof houses, and pastoral scenery. It attracts many tourists each year. Taking a boat tour through the village is the best choice.

Rotterdam can be called an open-air architectural museum, with many uniquely designed buildings that are very famous. Many European cities have more historical buildings and fewer high-rises. Rotterdam, heavily bombed during World War II, has many rebuilt and newly constructed buildings that are quite creative. I expected my first photo in Rotterdam to be of the Pencil Building or Cube Houses, but upon arriving at the station, I was amazed by the massive bicycle parking area. The Netherlands is a cycling kingdom, and cycling is the first choice for public transport. Dutch trains and trams have compartments for bicycles, and roads are well-planned with absolute right-of-way for cyclists.

The Hague is the third-largest city in the Netherlands and the political center, hosting the International Court of Justice and foreign embassies. It also has sunny beaches and blue seas.

The Mauritshuis Royal Picture Gallery was originally a palace built for John Maurice, Prince of Nassau-Siegen, the Dutch governor of Brazil, and later turned into an art museum. It mainly features works by famous masters from the Dutch Golden Age, with the museum's highlight being Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'.

Delft is a beautiful and famous town in the Netherlands, very close to The Hague and Rotterdam, making it ideal for a side trip when visiting those cities. Trams from The Hague can go directly to Delft. Delft is the hometown of the painter Vermeer, and its blue pottery is very famous, known as Royal Delft Blue, which originally learned from Chinese blue-and-white porcelain.

Brussels is called the heart of Europe, hosting the headquarters of the EU and NATO, and has many famous historical sites. It took two and a half hours from Rotterdam to Brussels by FlixBus. FlixBus is headquartered in Germany and offers great value. There are no border checks between Schengen countries.

My booked hotel was near Brussels-South Station. South Station is also the largest train station in Brussels. In Dutch, 'ZUID' means south, so initially when navigating to 'south station,' I couldn't find 'south station' but only 'brussel-zuid station.' Also, platform names differ in three languages: English 'platform,' Dutch 'spoor,' and German 'gleis.'

The top attraction in Brussels is the Grand Place, known as one of the most beautiful squares in the world. The buildings around the square mostly date from the late 17th century and are well preserved, earning it UNESCO World Heritage status. Every two years, on the weekend around August 15, the Grand Place hosts a grand flower carpet event, turning the square into a colorful and joyful sea.

The Manneken Pis statue is a must-visit for tourists in Brussels. Made of bronze, it stands 60 cm tall and was built in 1619. Up close, it is very small but always crowded.

Belgian train stations have no gates or card readers for entry or exit, but there are occasional ticket inspections. So you must keep your e-ticket on your phone for inspection at any time.

Luxembourg is very close to Belgium, so I visited it as a side trip. It took about three hours by train from Brussels to Luxembourg City. The country has an area of 2,586.3 square kilometers, about 40% of Shanghai's area, with a population of over 600,000. Its per capita GDP has long been among the highest in the world, leading in steel and finance. It also boasts beautiful natural scenery. Since 2020, all public transport within Luxembourg has been free, a great boon for tourists. Trains, trams, and buses in Luxembourg are also very clean.

The Adolphe Bridge is one of Luxembourg's most famous landmarks, featuring the largest stone arch span in the world at the time. A new lower level has been added for cyclists and pedestrians.

At the square in front of the Grand Ducal Palace stands a statue of King William II, who was both King of the Netherlands and Grand Duke of Luxembourg. He played a significant role in Luxembourg's development and is respected by the people after Luxembourg's independence.

The view from the Luxembourg 'Chemin de la Corniche' scenic promenade, a 360-degree viewing platform offering a panoramic view of the beautiful Grund Valley, also known as Europe's most beautiful balcony. Since Luxembourg is situated in a natural gorge, the roads are up and down and not suitable for driving. Although attractions are concentrated, a city walk requires good stamina.

Travel Directory: 1. Arrival in the Windmill Country of the Netherlands; 2. Visit Dam Square and Central Station, Experience Canal Culture; 3. Visit LEGO Town and Zaanse Schans Windmill Village; 4. Visit Giethoorn, the Most Beautiful Village in the Netherlands; 5. Visit Rotterdam and Appreciate Architectural Art; 6. Visit The Hague, the Political Center of the Netherlands; 7. Brussels City Tour; 8. Explore the Wealthy Small Country of Luxembourg.

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