Shannon O'Brien Travel Itineraries

The best destinations

Blooming flowers in Keukenhof park in Netherlands, Europe.
Blooming flowers in Keukenhof park in Netherlands, Europe.

The Best of The Netherlands

#22 best destination in the world

Map view

Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands. March 2023. Visitors looking at a self portrait of the famous painter Van Gogh. High quality photo

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Nov

  • The Van Gogh Museum is a Dutch art museum dedicated to the works of Vincent van Gogh and his contemporaries
  • The museum contains the largest collection of Van Gogh's paintings and drawings in the world
  • The museum houses the largest Van Gogh collection in the world, with 200 paintings, 400 drawings, and 700 letters by the artist
  • The permanent collection also includes nine of the artist's self-portraits and some of his earliest paintings dating back to 1882

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands - July 20, 2019: Art lover admire the painting in Rijksmuseum

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Nov

  • The Rijksmuseum is the national museum of the Netherlands dedicated to Dutch arts and history and is located in Amsterdam
  • The museum has on display 8,000 objects of art and history, from their total collection of 1 million objects from the years 1200–2000, among which are some masterpieces by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Johannes Vermeer

#9 in Best Museums in the World

Anne Frank House, Amsterdam

Amsterdam / Holland - January 2009: The Anne Frank House and Museum in Amsterdam, Holland

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Nov

  • The Anne Frank House is a writer's house and biographical museum dedicated to Jewish wartime diarist Anne Frank
  • The building is located on a canal called the Prinsengracht, in central Amsterdam
  • During World War II, when the Netherlands was occupied by Germany, Anne Frank hid from Nazi persecution with her family and four other people in hidden rooms, in the rear building, of the 17th-century canal house, later known as the Secret Annex
  • She did not survive the war but her wartime diary was published in 1947
  • Ten years later the Anne Frank Foundation was established to protect the property from developers who wanted to demolish the block, and the museum was created

#8 in Best Attractions in the World

Jordaan, Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Sept 28, 2018: Historic Gable Houses along the Bloemgracht viewed from the Tweede Leliedwarsstreet Bridge in the historic Jordaan district in the old center of Amsterdam

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Nov

  • The Jordaan is a neighborhood in the city of Amsterdam
  • Originally a working-class neighbourhood, the Jordaan has become one of the most expensive, upscale locations in the Netherlands
  • It is known for its picturesque canals, historic buildings, beautiful houses, a variety of restaurants, and unique shops

Vondelpark, Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands, April 18, 2022; Tourists walk and cycle in the famous Vondelpark with the Vondelpark Pavilion in the background, built by architect W. Hamer in Italian Renaissance style.

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Nov

  • Vondelpark is a public urban park located in Amsterdam
  • It is the largest and most famous park in Amsterdam, and features English-style landscaping
  • The park offers a variety of outdoor activities, including walking and cycling
  • Vondelpark serves as a vital green space in the city, often compared to Central Park in New York City due to its size and cultural significance

Heineken Experience, Amsterdam

Amsterdam, Netherlands - March 29, 2023: Exhibits showing the history of the Heineken beer company at the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Nov

  • The Heineken Experience is an interactive visitor attraction located in the center of Amsterdam, housed in the original Heineken brewery, which dates back to 1867
  • The experience offers a comprehensive journey through the history and brewing process of Heineken beer, allowing visitors to explore various exhibits that highlight the brand's heritage, innovations, and global impact
  • The experience culminates in a tasting session where guests can sample different Heineken products

Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder, Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JANUARY 1, 2017: Interior of the church of Our Lord in the Attic Museum. The church was originally built in 1663, when Catholics lost their right to worship in their own way

Best time to visit: April-May, Sept-Nov

  • Ons' Lieve Heer op Solder, or "Our Lord in the Attic," is a historic 17th-century canal house located in the center of Amsterdam
  • It features a hidden Catholic church in its attic, which served as a place of worship during a time when practicing Catholicism in public was forbidden
  • The museum showcases the living conditions and religious practices of that time
  • It is one of the oldest museums in Amsterdam and is notable for its well-preserved architecture from the Dutch Golden Age

Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus

Giethoorn, The Netherlands - July 23 2023: Horizontal photo of signs on the outside of the building of the museum in Giethoorn called 'Olde maat uus'. Captured with selective focus.
  • Museum Giethoorn 't Olde Maat Uus is a small museum located in the village of Giethoorn
  • It is housed in a historical farmhouse and provides detailed information about the area's past, including how the unique landscape of canals was man-made
  • Visitors can explore an authentic Giethoorn farm, including a fishermen's cottage and a boat house, which illustrate the simple life of the village's inhabitants
  • The exhibits include personal stories from notable residents, shedding light on local customs and the historical practice of peat harvesting

Efteling, Kaatsheuvel

Kaatsheuvel, The Netherlands - June 22, 2014 : Blonde Dutch girls in a train of the wooden roller-coaster "Joris en de Draak" in Efteling, a theme park in the Netherlands, in the lift-hill
  • Efteling is a fantasy-themed amusement park in Kaatsheuvel
  • The attractions reflect elements from ancient myths and legends, fairy tales, fables, and folklore
  • Opened in 1952, the park evolved from a nature park with a playground and a Fairytale Forest into a full-sized theme park
  • It now caters to both children and adults with a wide array of amusement rides including six roller coasters and four dark rides

#10 in Best Theme Parks in the World

Keukenhof, Lisse

Blooming flowers in Keukenhof park in Netherlands, Europe.
  • Keukenhof is one of the world's largest flower gardens, situated in the municipality of Lisse
  • Keukenhof Park covers an area of approximately 7 million flower bulbs that are planted in the gardens annually
  • While it is widely known for its tulips, Keukenhof also features numerous other flowers, including hyacinths, daffodils, lilies, roses, carnations and irises
  • Keukenhof is only open to the general public for a world-renowned eight week tulip display from mid-March to mid-May, with peak viewing arriving near mid-April, depending on growing season weather, which varies annually

#6 in Most Surreal Attractions in the World

Zaanse Schans, Zaandam

traditional Dutch rural spring scene with canal and windmills of Zaanse Schans, Netherlands
  • Zaanse Schans is a neighborhood located in Zaandam, where it is renowned for its collection of historic windmills and traditional wooden houses, showcasing Dutch heritage and culture
  • The area serves as a living museum, where visitors can explore various crafts, enjoy scenic landscapes, and learn about the history of the region
  • The site features several well-preserved windmills that date back to the 18th and 19th centuries, each serving different purposes such as grinding grain or producing oil