Escapades in Europe

This year we celebrated Phil finishing his boards with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Europe. We hit the Netherlands, Belgium, and France. It seems like everything in Europe is magical, and I'd go back in a heartbeat! Staying in Haarlem, just down the street from my grandmother's childhood home was so special. I loved seeing the land of my ancestors. Plus, exploring Brugge and Paris was the best weekend ever!

Unfortunately, after my trip, I lost my phone, so some of my photos seem to have disappeared. However, I was able to recover some of the best highlights. Not pictured are the mountains of bread and cheese we ate (plus heaps of chocolate), all the beautiful miles we pedaled bikes in Holland, the thousands of masterpieces we saw in museums, and the hours spent on trains.

Europe, I love you!

Adriaan's Windmill in Haarlem.

Grote Kerk. Handel Played the Organ Inside this Church. 

Posing Like a Native in the Cheese Museum. 

CHEESE!!

Phil Said This Was His Favorite Museum. 

Amsterdam!

My Lover in Europe. 

Exploring the Colors of Van Gogh. 

Amsterdam City Hall. NBD. 

Pensive Train Ride: Part One.

Pensive Train Ride: Part Two.

Rijksmuseum. An Ode to Remembrandt.

Moeder's Restaurant. All the Pictures on the Wall Are Patrons' Moms. 

First Signs of Spring. 

Traditional Dutch Poffertjes.

Hanging with Philly Outside the Anne Frank House. Best Museum Ever!

The Kinderdijk!!! Biking Around this Place Was Heaven!!

Gateway to Brugge

The Main Bell Tower in Brugge

The View of Brugge from the Bell Tower

It's True What They Say, Belgian Fries Rule

Markt Square in Brugge

Fueled by Simple Carbs and Belgian Charm

Those Waffles Though!

Cutest Convent in the City. 

My Future Home

Lover's Bridge in Paris. 

His Reaction to His First French Crepe

Gazing at Monet Never Gets Old

Jumping for Joy Outside the Louvre

The Notre Dame. In-credible!

Magical. Just Magical. 

Meandering through Amsterdam

On the way back from India, we had a layover in Amsterdam. We decided to stay for Sunday, because the idea of another flight just killed us. I'm so glad we did. 

If you know me well, you know that both of my Mom's parents are from the Netherlands. They grew up in Haarlem, so having the opportunity to stop in Holland meant so much to me. It was a beautiful Sunday so we were able to see so much of the city. I'm a big fan of those canal tours. Here's a few of the snapshots I got.

Former Church

Row Houses

House Boats

Why Yes, I'd Love to Live Here

Am I Right?

The architecture was absolutely gorgeous! Some of these houses date back to the 1600's. Some of them are even starting to lean against one another, or tilt outward into the road. Scary, but so darling and delightful. I felt like I could see my grandparents walking together down all of these beautiful streets.

The homes weren't the only highlight though. I especially enjoyed the infinite bicycles, cheese (smoked gouda please), apple turnovers, the Royal Delft store, and gorgeous "bloemenmarkt".

Good Luck Finding Your Bike Here

Cheese for Days!

Well Done, Europe!

Never Enough Delft

Too. Darling!

Can't Have Enough Tulips

It was such a wonderful feeling to get back to my Dutch roots. I even found a print of "Girl with a Pearl Earring" by Vermeer. My Grandma always had that painting displayed prominently in her house when I was little, so it definitely reminds me of her.

Amsterdam, you didn't disappoint. I only have one remaining wish: To visit again soon, this time with my beautiful Grandma as my tour guide.