Tulip wonderland spring! Netherlands Holland tulip season April-May spectacular Keukenhof Gardens 7 million tulip bulbs 800 varieties daffodils hyacinths narcissus crocuses flowering peak 8 weeks only seasonal limited time world largest flower garden Lisse between Amsterdam Hague stunning colorful displays pavilions greenhouses flower shows photography paradise. Amsterdam Venice of North UNESCO canal belt 165 canals 1281 bridges 17th century Golden Age merchant houses gabled facades narrow tilting subsidence picturesque. Anne Frank House Secret Annex hidden rooms 1942-1944 Jewish family hiding Nazi occupation Frank diary young girl Holocaust moving emotional pre-book tickets months advance sold out quickly museum sobering powerful. Van Gogh Museum largest collection 200 paintings Sunflowers Almond Blossoms Bedroom Arles Starry Night Irises self-portraits troubled genius Post-Impressionist master Dutch pride tortured artist legacy psychiatric struggles ear incident Auvers suicide 37 years tragic life brilliant art. Rijksmuseum Dutch masters Rembrandt Night Watch Vermeer Milkmaid Golden Age paintings vast collection 8000 objects art history. Canal cruises glass-topped boats hour float past houseboats bridges gabled houses romantic evening illuminated fairytale atmosphere UNESCO heritage waterways. Jordaan neighborhood former working-class now trendy boutiques vintage shops brown cafes gezellig cozy Dutch atmosphere Anne Frank nearby Nine Streets shopping. Zaanse Schans windmills open-air museum 18th century village working windmills oil sawmill paint mustard production, clog-making wooden shoes traditional Dutch cheese-making demonstration Gouda Edam tasting green grass cows pastoral countryside 20min north Amsterdam authentic heritage. Bicycle culture cycling infrastructure best world bike lanes separated 18 million bicycles 17 million people more bikes than humans flat terrain ideal pedaling Amsterdam bike rentals mandatory experience Dutch lifestyle commuters students everyone cycles rain shine. Stroopwafels thin waffle cookies caramel syrup warm markets street stalls, herring raw onions pickles Dutch snack traditional eaten holding tail bite, Heineken brewery tours beer Dutch famous brand, coffee shops cannabis cafes marijuana legal controlled Red Light District window brothels liberal policies controversial famous nightlife.
Day 1:
Arrive Amsterdam Schiphol airport, train 20min city Central Station, settle hotel canal belt Jordaan neighborhood walk gabled houses bridges UNESCO heritage, afternoon canal cruise glass-topped boat float houseboats bridges romantic hour relaxing, evening Jordaan brown cafe gezellig cozy Dutch beer Heineken Amstel local atmosphere|
Day 2:
Keukenhof Gardens full day excursion (bus 40min Lisse, April-May only seasonal 8 weeks spring, 7 million tulips 800 varieties daffodils hyacinths flowering peak colors incredible red yellow pink purple white striped displays overwhelming beauty photography paradise, pavilions greenhouses flower shows arrangements artistic, windmill climb views tulip fields striped colorful rows landscape iconic Dutch, 4-6 hours wander gardens picnic lunch bring or cafe, return Amsterdam evening tired fulfilled floral overload)|
Day 3:
Morning Anne Frank House Secret Annex timed entry pre-booked months advance essential sold out (hidden rooms preserved moving diary young girl Holocaust Nazi occupation emotional sobering powerful 1942-1944 hiding captured 1944 Bergen-Belsen died 15 years old typhus 1945 weeks before liberation tragic story diary published father Otto survived legacy educational 1+ million visitors annually), afternoon walk Jordaan Nine Streets shopping boutiques vintage, evening Red Light District walk window brothels controversial liberal policies legal prostitution famous nightlife cannabis coffee shops Bulldog Dampkring tourists locals mixed atmosphere|
Day 4:
Museums day (morning Van Gogh Museum timed entry pre-book Sunflowers Starry Night Bedroom Almond Blossoms self-portraits 200 paintings largest collection troubled genius Post-Impressionist ear incident Auvers suicide 37 tragic brilliant Dutch pride 2-3 hours minimum, lunch museum cafe or nearby, afternoon Rijksmuseum Dutch Golden Age Rembrandt Night Watch massive dramatic Vermeer Milkmaid pearls intimate beautiful collection vast 8000 objects 3-4 hours overwhelming), evening Leidseplein square nightlife restaurants bars entertainment|
Day 5:
Day trip Zaanse Schans windmills (20min train north, open-air museum 18th century village working windmills oil sawmill paint production demonstrations fascinating, clog-making wooden shoes carving traditional Dutch cheese-making Gouda Edam tasting green wax red wax aged varieties cows pastoral green countryside authentic heritage touristy but worthwhile photo opportunities iconic Dutch windmills, 3-4 hours sufficient, optional Volendam fishing village traditional costumes touristy or Edam cheese town authentic less crowded), return Amsterdam evening|
Day 6:
Morning bicycle rental mandatory Dutch experience cycling city bike lanes infrastructure excellent flat terrain easy Anne Frank neighborhood canal belt parks Vondelpark largest central green space pedaling locals commuters students everyone bikes more bicycles than people 18 million bikes 17 million Dutch, lunch Albert Cuyp Market street food stroopwafels warm caramel waffle cookies herring raw traditional snack pickles onions eating holding tail bite authentic Dutch try, afternoon leisure Bloemenmarkt floating flower market tulip bulbs take home customs restrictions check souvenirs, evening farewell dinner Indonesian rijsttafel rice table colonial legacy Surinamese cuisine diverse Amsterdam multicultural|
Day 7:
Morning optional Haarlem medieval city 15min train Grote Markt square cathedral Frans Hals Museum Dutch Golden Age painter less touristy charming alternative or leisure Amsterdam shopping Kalverstraat pedestrian Dam Square Royal Palace, check-out, Schiphol airport train 20min departure end tulip season Dutch cycling canals Anne Frank Van Gogh unforgettable spring Netherlands wonderland