Dubrovnik, Croatia. Exploring One of the Most Beautiful Coastal Cities in Europe

Dubrovnik Croatia

Dubrovnik is one of the most beautiful cities I've visited in Europe. The entire Old Town is surrounded by massive medieval stone walls overlooking the Adriatic Sea, with narrow streets, cliffs, restaurants, bars and amazing views around every corner. It's also one of the primary filming locations for Game of Thrones, so you'll recognize quite a few places from the show. I would recommend visiting in September or October, when the weather is still fantastic but the crowds are smaller than in the summer. Weekdays also tend to be less crowded, especially when there aren't several cruise ships in port. One thing to consider when booking an Airbnb is the location. Dubrovnik is built into a steep hillside, and some of the apartments above the Old Town require climbing hundreds of stairs. You really don't want to walk up and down those stairs five times a day unless you're looking for a workout.

One of the best things to do in the city is walk the entire Dubrovnik City Wall, which offers incredible views of the rooftops, harbor and surrounding coastline. Tickets are expensive at around 40 euros for adults and 15 euros for children and teenagers, but I think it's worth it. You'll also want to explore Fort Lovrijenac overlooking the sea. The main photo on this post was taken from the Dubrovnik city wall.

The food in Dubrovnik is fantastic. My favorite breakfast spot was Pekarnica Pile, a little bakery near the Pile Gate that makes amazing homemade doughnuts. We ate these practically every morning. I bought an extra one every morning to take with me on a hike. I was burning a lot of calories walking up and down the stairs all day. For lunch, check out Barba, a small seafood restaurant in the Old Town. The fried oysters are amazing, and it's a great place to grab something without having to sit through a long restaurant meal. I also had some of the best pizza I've ever eaten in Europe at Pizzeria Papillon. But my favorite restaurant in Dubrovnik was Konoba Dubrava, located in the hills above the city. Take an Uber up there for dinner and order the octopus cooked under the bell, a traditional Croatian cooking method where the food is slowly roasted beneath a metal dome covered in hot embers. Dubrovnik also has some great places to drink. Stop at Dubrovnik Beer Company (DBC) to try some local craft beer, or visit Cave Bar More (Špilja Bar More), which is built right into a natural cave beneath a beautiful waterfront hotel. You can sit inside the cave drinking a beer or head outside to the waterfront terrace and swimming platform, where you can jump right into the Adriatic.

There are swimming spots all along the rocky coastline in the city, and the water is incredibly clear. One of the coolest places is Bard (Mala Buža), a little cliffside bar built into the rocks outside the Old Town walls. You can sit on the cliffs drinking a cold beer while watching people jump into the water below. I would also highly recommend renting a sea kayak and paddling along the coastline beneath Dubrovnik's massive city walls. You can paddle over to Betina Cave Beach (Plaža Betina Špilja), a secluded beach inside a large rocky cave that's primarily reached from the sea. It's a beautiful place to stop for a swim. If you're looking for an even bigger adventure, take a boat or guided kayaking trip toward Koločep Island, where you'll find some amazing sea caves, including the famous Blue Cave. It's several miles of open water from Dubrovnik, so I wouldn't recommend trying to kayak all the way there on your own unless you're an experienced sea kayaker. 

Another place you absolutely shouldn't miss is Lokrum Island, a beautiful nature reserve just offshore from Dubrovnik. You can catch the Lokrum ferry from the Old Town harbor, and the 30-euro round-trip ticket includes admission to the island. There are miles of wooded walking trails, beautiful rocky swimming areas, botanical gardens, the ruins of an old Benedictine monastery and a hilltop fortress with amazing views. Several scenes from Game of Thrones were filmed here, and there's even a replica Iron Throne where you can take photos. One of the coolest places around the island is Golub Špilja, an incredible sea cave and narrow rocky cove where people swim and cliff jump. 

Another activity worth doing is taking the Dubrovnik Cable Car to the top of Mount Srđ, which overlooks the entire city and coastline. You'll get some of the best panoramic views of Dubrovnik from up there. Instead of taking the cable car back down, you can hike the rocky switchback trail down the mountain. It's a great hike with incredible views the entire way, although you'll want decent shoes because the trail is loose and rocky in places. 

Dubrovnik is also a great city to explore without any real plans. You can spend hours wandering through the narrow stone streets, checking out little shops, finding hidden restaurants and discovering stairways that lead to incredible views of the sea. If you like basketball, there's even an amazing Dubrovnik Old Town Basketball Court tucked in between castle walls.  You can pick up a basketball at Intersport in town and shoot some hoops surrounded by centuries-old stone buildings.

In the evenings, I would recommend heading back toward the waterfront, grabbing a beer and enjoying the atmosphere once some of the daytime cruise ship crowds have left. Dubrovnik isn't the cheapest city in Croatia, especially when it comes to restaurants, tours and attractions, but there are so many things to do that I think it's worth spending at least three or four nights here. Between the food, medieval architecture, hiking trails, sea kayaking, cliff jumping, island excursions and beautiful water, Dubrovnik is easily one of my favorite destinations in Europe. It's the kind of place where you can spend the morning exploring a 700-year-old fortress, the afternoon jumping off cliffs into the Adriatic and the evening eating some of the best seafood you've ever had.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik Croatia

Kayaking in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik at night

Dubrovnik

Konoba Dubrava

Lokrum Island

Croatia Road Trip Itinerary

Read More

Prague, Czechia: One of Europe's Best Cities for Food, Beer and Nightlife

Prague is one of my favorite cities in Europe. It's an incredibly beautiful city with medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, enormous churches, castles, and some of the best bars and restaurants I've visited anywhere. One of the great things about living in Southern California is that you can frequently find roundtrip flights from LAX to Prague  for around 500–600$, especially if you book several months in advance and you’re flexible on travel dates. Prague is also relatively inexpensive compared to cities like Paris, London or Amsterdam. Prague is also safer. I would recommend visiting in September or October when the weather is cooler and the summer crowds have thinned out. It's also noticeably less crowded during the week. Spend your days wandering through Old Town Square, crossing the famous Charles Bridge, and exploring the enormous Prague Castle complex. Definitely walk around the castle grounds and check out St. Vitus Cathedral, but I would save your money and skip the roughly $20 sightseeing ticket unless you're really interested in seeing the interior. Prague is an awesome city to explore on foot, and you can spend hours wandering through the historic neighborhoods exploring pubs without spending much money.

One of my favorite things about Prague is the food and beer. Czechia has an incredible beer culture, and there are great little pubs and restaurants everywhere. U Kunštátů is one of the best craft beer bars I've ever visited. It's tucked away inside a beautiful historic building with an intimate atmosphere and a quiet courtyard where you can sit outside and enjoy a beer. The craft beer selection is incredible, especially the sour beer menu, which was absolutely insane. I could have spent every evening there. Another favorite was Restaurace Mincovna, located right on Old Town Square. The food was amazing, the Czech draft beer was excellent, and the soups were some of the best I've ever had. You also have to order a traditional Czech pork knuckle at least once while you're in Prague. They're enormous, usually served with mustard, horseradish and bread, and they're fantastic with a cold Czech beer. For breakfast, I became completely addicted to Oh Deer Bakery, which makes these incredible cream-filled pastries called cronuts. I ate them practically every morning while I was in Prague and even bought a box to take home on the plane.

Another restaurant I would highly recommend is Klášterní šenk, a traditional Czech restaurant located on the grounds of the historic Břevnov Monastery, which is still an active monastery. It's outside the main tourist areas, so you'll probably want to take an Uber to get there, but it's absolutely worth the trip. You can even stop there on your way into the city from the airport. The food and beer were flawless, and the atmosphere inside the restaurant was incredible. It feels like you're eating in a centuries-old tavern, with rustic wooden furniture and a beautiful historic interior. It's the kind of place you probably wouldn't discover just wandering around Old Town. Prague has plenty of tourist restaurants, but I would highly recommend getting away from the busiest streets and trying some of the more traditional places around the city. The food is generally affordable, the portions are enormous, and it's hard to beat the combination of great Czech food and locally brewed beer.

Prague also has some of the best nightlife I've experienced in Europe. One of the coolest things to do is simply wander around the city in the evening and check out the local pubs, cocktail bars and little underground drinking spots. You really don't need much of a plan. Just walk around and see what looks interesting. Prague has some amazing absinthe bars, including Green Devil's Absinth Bar, which is a fun place to try the famous green spirit. Hemingway Bar is another favorite if you're looking for a more relaxed cocktail bar with excellent drinks. If you want to get away from the tourist crowds, head a little farther out to the Žižkov neighborhood. This area has tons of great local bars and a completely different atmosphere from Old Town. Bukowski's Bar and Tiki Taky are two places worth checking out. There are plenty of other bars within walking distance, and the neighborhood is a great place to hang out with locals. Prague really comes alive at night, and I think some of my favorite memories were just wandering around the illuminated streets, finding little pubs, and enjoying the city without any particular destination.

One of the other great things about visiting Prague is that you can easily turn the vacation into a multi-city European trip using the train system. The classic route is Prague, Vienna and Budapest, with several interesting places worth stopping along the way. One city I regret skipping is Brno, Czechia's second-largest city, which has a beautiful historic center, great restaurants and the impressive Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, which you can visit for free. Bratislava, Slovakia, is another excellent stop between Vienna and Budapest. The old town is beautiful, with pedestrian streets, historic buildings, a castle overlooking the Danube, and some surprisingly good nightlife, especially on weekends. You can easily explore the center in an afternoon, although spending a night would give you more time to enjoy the bars. If you're staying in Prague for several days, another great excursion is Kutná Hora, about an hour away by train. This historic medieval town was once one of the wealthiest cities in Europe because of its silver mines. It's famous for St. Barbara's Cathedral and the bizarre Sedlec Ossuary, better known as the Bone Church. The chapel is decorated with the actual bones of tens of thousands of people, arranged into chandeliers, pyramids, crosses and other elaborate designs. It's a great excursion for an October trip to get you in the Halloween spirit. The ticket for the Sedlec Ossurary is the best $10 you'll spend on your trip. Between the amazing architecture, affordable food, incredible beer and easy train connections to other European cities, Prague is a destination I would happily return to again and again.

My favorite spots in Prague

The Dancing House

St. Vitus Cathedral

Charles Bridge

Prague Astronomical Clock

Read More

Rafting the Merced River in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Falls view from the Merced River

One of the best things to do in Yosemite National Park during the summer is rafting down the Merced River. It's a great way to see Yosemite Valley from a completely different perspective, with incredible views of Yosemite Falls along the way. The river runs right through the middle of the valley, and much of the trip is fairly calm, making it a relaxing way to spend a couple of hours on the water. You don't need any rafting experience, but you should be comfortable paddling and swimming.

The rafting trip starts near Curry Village and follows the Merced River downstream through Yosemite Valley to Sentinel Beach. Along the way, you'll float past meadows, wooded sections of the river, and some of Yosemite's best scenery. The entire route is approximately three miles long, and you can generally expect to spend around two hours on the water, depending on the river conditions and how often you stop. There are some sections with a little faster-moving water, but this isn't whitewater rafting. It's primarily a scenic float with some paddling. Once you reach Sentinel Beach, a shuttle will take you back to Curry Village, so you don't have to worry about arranging transportation. The rafting shuttle isn’t super consistent, so I usually just drop my raft off and take the free Yosemite shuttle to my next destination.

The rafting season typically runs during the summer, but it can be shorter or longer depending on snowmelt and river flow. High or low water conditions can make the river unrunable. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, water, and clothes that you don't mind getting wet. There isn't much shade on certain sections of the river, and the sun can be pretty intense in Yosemite Valley. One of the best things about the river is that you can bring a beer or two to drink on the river if you’re 21. But don’t bring bottles. Only cans are allowed.

The best place to park is in the Curry Village lot, although the lot can fill up quickly in the morning. Try to get to the rental office early the day you want to rent a raft. They open at 8am. The rafts are first come, first served and they often sell out around 10am. They don’t take reservations.

Bringing your own kayak
Alternatively, you can also float the river if you bring your own raft. There are no age restrictions on the river if you bring your own kayak or raft. I would advise against trying to float in a round tube without a paddle. I see multiple people on every trip try to use a tube, tip over on the fast moving sections at the bridge, and lose their raft and their belongings. The best way to do it is with an inflatable kayak. Literally any brand of inflatable kayak is good enough. I love the Intex brand kayaks. I see them all the time for less than $100 on Amazon. You can deflate the kayak at the end of the river and bring it on the Yosemite shuttle with you for free as long as it fits in your lap. I bring a little rope with me and cinch it down so I can carry it like a backpack.

Merced River, Yosemite National Park

Rafts on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Falls in Yosemite National Park

Raft Rental Information for Yosemite National Park

Read More

Sentinel Dome Trail. Yosemite National Park

 

Sentinel Dome Trail, Yosemite National Park

The Sentinel Dome Trail is one of the best short hikes off Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park. The hike starts at the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trailhead, which has a parking area right off Glacier Point Road. The trail is about 2 miles round trip and is usually rated moderate, with around 400 feet of elevation gain. Just keep in mind that Glacier Point Road is closed during the winter, usually from November through late May or early June, so this is mainly a late spring through fall hike.

The trail is pretty easy to follow, but it is a little rocky in spots, and there are a few sections where the trail looks knocked out or worn down. Most of the hike isn't too difficult, but the final climb up the dome is a moderate push on open granite. It's not a particularly long or strenuous hike, but you'll definitely feel the elevation more than you would down in Yosemite Valley. The trail reaches an elevation of over 8,100 feet, so take your time if you're not used to hiking at higher elevations.

The payoff at the top is huge. From Sentinel Dome, you get incredible 360-degree views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. It's one of the best panoramic viewpoints in the entire park, and you can see just about the whole valley from the summit. Because you're at a much higher elevation, temperatures here are often considerably cooler than down in Yosemite Valley on warm summer days. That makes this a great hike when the lower elevations are heating up.

Bring sunscreen because this hike is very exposed to the sun, especially during the final climb up the granite dome. There isn't much shade along portions of the trail, so bring plenty of water as well. You'll also want to keep a close eye on the weather, particularly during the summer when fast-moving rainstorms and thunderstorms can develop quickly in the mountains. The last place you want to be is standing on an exposed granite dome with lightning in the area. If storms are developing, get off the dome and head for safer terrain. I would recommend starting early in the day, checking the weather forecast, and allowing about 1–2 hours to complete the hike, depending on how much time you want to spend enjoying the views at the top. The trail is not dog friendly. 

Taft Point
If you want to extend your hike, you can hike back to the trailhead and head west on the trail to Taft Point. From the the trailhead the hike to Taft Point is about 2.5 miles roundtrip. The trail heads slightly down to the rim in this direction with only 200 feet of elevation change. This trail is a bit easier with a more gradual trail. The views are also amazing. 

Sentinel Dome, Yosemite National Park

Sentinel Dome Trail, Yosemite National Park

The view of Yosemite Falls from Sentinel Dome 

Yosemite Falls

Sentinel Dome Trail

Read More

The 10 Best Paved Bike Trails of the American Southwest for e-bikes

E-bike friendly trails

One of the best things about owning an e-bike is that it enables an average rider like myself to cover huge distances with less effort . California, Arizona, Utah and western Colorado have some amazing trails that run along rivers, through mountains, across deserts and right along the Pacific Ocean. Some are more than 30 miles long, and several connect to larger trail networks where you can ride all day without ever having to cross road or wait in an intersection.

The trails on my list are all e-bike friendly as of October 2026. You can easily cover 20 to 40 miles in an afternoon without getting completely exhausted. I especially like trails that are separated from traffic, have interesting scenery and offer places to stop for food and beer along the way. One thing to remember is that e-bike regulations vary by city and county. Class 1 pedal-assist bikes are currently permitted on all of the trails on this list, while Class 2 throttle bikes and faster Class 3 bikes sometimes have restrictions. You can check the chart for the current information. Here are 10 of my favorite paved bike trails to consider in the American Southwest.

1. American River / Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail: Sacramento to Folsom, California

The American River Bike Trail is one of the best paved bike trails in California. It runs about 32 miles from Sacramento to Folsom, following the American River through parks, wooded areas and some really beautiful river scenery. The trail is mostly flat, well maintained and separated from vehicle traffic, making it ideal for a long ride. There are plenty of places to stop along the way, and you can visit historic Folsom for restaurants and drinks. The Lake Natoma area is especially scenic, with opportunities for kayaking and paddleboarding nearby. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on designated paved sections, making this an excellent choice for a 40–60 mile round-trip ride.

2. Marvin Braude Bike Trail /The Strand: Los Angeles County, California

The Strand is probably one of the most famous beach bike trails in the country. It runs about 22 miles from Will Rogers State Beach near Santa Monica all the way down to Torrance Beach. Along the way, you'll ride through Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Marina del Rey, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach. Most of the route is right along the ocean, with beautiful beaches, restaurants, bars and plenty of places to stop. The trail is almost completely flat, so it's an easy ride in either direction. It's also one of the best trails on this list for combining biking with a full day of sightseeing. 

Update on e-bikes along The Strand: Santa Monica previously prohibited e-bikes on its beach path, but changed the rule in 2021 to allow Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, with a 20 mph limit. Class 3 e-bikes remain prohibited on that section.

3. Mountains to the Sea Trail: Irvine and Newport Beach, California

This is one of my favorite trail networks in Southern California, and it's surprisingly unknown considering how good it is. The Mountains to the Sea route connects the Irvine area with Newport Beach using a network of paved trails that includes the San Diego Creek Trail, Peters Canyon Trail and connections to Jeffrey Open Space Trail. You can ride through beautiful neighborhoods, shaded creek corridors, parks and eventually reach the Newport Back Bay. There are bridges and underpasses throughout the network, so you rarely have to cross any roads. The Back Bay is arguably the best ride in Orange County, and you can continue toward Balboa Island and take the ferry over to the Newport Beach Peninsula. Depending on the route you choose, you can easily put together a 25–40 mile ride. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are permitted on the county-managed paved bikeways. 

4. Monterey Bay Coastal Recreation Trail: Monterey, California

Monterey has one of the prettiest coastal bike trails in California. The paved recreation trail stretches roughly 18 miles through the Monterey Bay area, following parts of an old railroad corridor along the Pacific Ocean. You'll pass Fisherman's Wharf, Cannery Row, beaches, parks and the Monterey Bay Aquarium. The ocean views are incredible, and there's a good chance you'll see sea otters, seals and other marine wildlife along the way. The trail is mostly flat and very easy to ride, although it can get crowded around Cannery Row and the aquarium. There are tons of restaurants and places to stop, so you could easily spend an entire day exploring the coastline. E-bike rules can vary by jurisdiction, so check the local regulations before riding.

5. Sacramento River Trail: Redding, California

Redding is a great destination for outdoor activities, and the Sacramento River Trail is one of the highlights. The paved trail system offers about 17 miles of scenic riding along the Sacramento River, with connections that allow you to explore even farther. One of the biggest attractions is the famous Sundial Bridge, a beautiful pedestrian and bicycle bridge that crosses the river near downtown Redding. The scenery is really impressive, with mountain views, wooded areas and stretches of river that feel remote despite being close to town. You can also explore the nearby Sacramento River Rail Trail for a longer ride. Legal e-bikes are permitted.

6. Grand Junction Riverfront Trail: Grand Junction, Colorado

Grand Junction is one of the most underrated outdoor destinations in the Southwest. The Riverfront Trail system offers around 30 miles of connected trails and routes following the Colorado River through parks, wetlands, orchards and desert scenery. The red rock cliffs and mesas surrounding Grand Junction make this a completely different experience from the coastal trails in California. You can ride through the city, explore the riverfront and stop at local restaurants or breweries. Grand Junction is also close to Colorado National Monument, which is worth visiting while you're in the area. The paved portions are generally easy riding with beautiful scenery. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on designated city and riverfront trails, while Class 3 bikes are restricted.

7. Jordan River Parkway: Salt Lake Valley, Utah

The Jordan River Parkway is one of the longest paved trail corridors in the Southwest, stretching more than 60 miles through the Salt Lake Valley. It follows the Jordan River past parks, wetlands, neighborhoods and open spaces, with the Wasatch Mountains providing a beautiful backdrop. There are plenty of access points along the route, so you can ride as much or as little as you want. It's mostly flat, which makes it ideal for longer rides, and you can connect to other regional bike trails around Salt Lake City. The northern and southern sections offer some especially nice views of the surrounding mountains. The Jordan River Commission states that Class 1 e-bikes are permitted on the Parkway, while Class 2 and Class 3 are prohibited.

8. Murdock Canal Trail: Utah County, Utah

The Murdock Canal Trail is a beautiful 17 mile paved route that runs through several communities in Utah County, including Orem, Lindon, Pleasant Grove, American Fork and Highland. The trail follows a former canal corridor, offering impressive views of the Wasatch Mountains and Utah Valley. It's mostly separated from traffic and has a nice combination of parks, residential areas and open scenery. The mountains look especially impressive in the fall when the leaves begin changing colors. You can also connect to other paved trails in the area to extend your ride. It's a great option if you're visiting Salt Lake City or Provo and want an easy scenic bike ride without having to deal with mountain bike trails. E-bikes are generally allowed under Utah's paved-path rules.

9. Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt: Scottsdale, Arizona

Scottsdale has an excellent paved trail network, and the Indian Bend Wash Greenbelt is one of its best features. The main greenbelt runs about 11 miles through Scottsdale, passing lakes, parks, golf courses and beautifully landscaped desert scenery. One of the things that makes this trail so awesome  is the number of underpasses that allow you to ride beneath major roads instead of stopping at intersections. It's also extremely flat, making it perfect for casual riding or a longer e-bike trip. There are plenty of restaurants and shopping areas nearby, and you can connect to other paths around Scottsdale and Tempe to extend the ride. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on Scottsdale's paved multiuse paths, while Class 3 bikes are prohibited.

10. Rio Salado Path and Phoenix Trail Network: Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix has developed an impressive network of paved bike paths, including trails along the Salt River and Rio Salado corridor. The Rio Salado paths offer several miles of riding through restored desert habitat, with views of the Phoenix skyline, bridges, wetlands and surrounding mountains. You can connect with additional paved paths around Tempe Town Lake and parts of the Phoenix canal system to create a much longer ride. One of the best things about riding in Phoenix is the weather during the winter. While the rest of the country is dealing with snow and freezing temperatures, you can enjoy 60-70 degree temperatures throughout much of the season. The summer is another story, with scorching temps over 100 daily. E-bike access varies between the different connected paths, but are generally allowed on paved paths.

San Diego Creek Trail in Irvine California

Newport Beach Backbay Loop in Newport Beach California

Read More

Exploring the Netherlands: Amsterdam, Utrecht, Hoorn, Haarlem, and Delft

 

The Netherlands is one of the easiest countries in Europe to explore without renting a car. The train system is excellent, the cities are close together, and just about everywhere you go has beautiful canals, historic buildings, great museums, and plenty of restaurants and bars. It's also one of the best countries in Europe for riding bikes, with miles of paved trails that are separated from traffic.

For this trip, I'd recommend using Amsterdam as your main base and taking day trips to Haarlem, Hoorn, and Utrecht before finishing with two nights in Delft. You can see four or  five very different cities without spending half your vacation traveling between hotels.

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is the obvious place to start because there's so much to see. I'd spend several days exploring the historic center, walking along the canals, and visiting some of the major museums. The Rijksmuseum is one of the best art museums in Europe, with famous paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer. The Van Gogh Museum is a must-see. I would recommend skipping the tour of the Anne Frank house and just view it from the outside.

There are also some beautiful historic churches, including the Oude Kerk, Nieuwe Kerk, and Westerkerk. Vondelpark is a great place to rent bikes and enjoy some green space in the middle of the city. I'd also recommend taking a canal cruise, preferably on one of the smaller boats. You get a completely different view of Amsterdam from the water.

Amsterdam has some excellent bars, particularly if you enjoy beer. Proeflokaal Arendsnest is one of my favorites because it specializes in Dutch beers and you can hang out with the locals. De Drie Fleschjes is another great little historic bar where you can try traditional Dutch jenever. Both are absolutely worth checking out.

If you want to get away from the crowded center, rent bikes and ride north toward Waterland. There are some beautiful little villages, farmland, canals, and windmills just outside Amsterdam. The Netherlands has an incredible network of paved bike paths, so you can ride for miles without having to deal with much vehicle traffic.

Haarlem

Haarlem is only about 15–20 minutes from Amsterdam by train, making it an easy day trip. It's a smaller city with a beautiful historic center, canals, old churches, and plenty of restaurants. The Grote Markt is the main square, surrounded by historic buildings and outdoor cafés. You can order fresh seafood from the stalls in the square. 

One of the biggest attractions is St. Bavo's Church, which has an enormous historic pipe organ that Mozart once played. The Frans Hals Museum is worth visiting if you enjoy Dutch art, and the Teylers Museum is one of the oldest museums in the Netherlands. It has a really interesting collection of paintings, fossils, and old scientific instruments.

I'd also recommend renting bikes in Haarlem and riding west toward Zuid-Kennemerland National Park. There are paved bike trails running through forests and sand dunes all the way to the North Sea. You can ride out to Bloemendaal aan Zee, grab a drink at one of the beach cafés, and then head back to Haarlem. It's a great way to combine sightseeing with a scenic bike ride.

Hoorn

Hoorn is another easy day trip from Amsterdam, about 30–40 minutes away by train. It's a historic harbor town on the Markermeer, with beautiful old buildings, narrow streets, and a waterfront that looks much different from Amsterdam.

The town was once an important port for the Dutch East India Company, and you can still see much of that maritime history in the architecture around the harbor. The Westfries Museum is one of the major historic attractions, although you should check its renovation status before visiting. St. Janskerk and the old harbor area are also worth exploring.

One of the best things to do in Hoorn is simply walk along the waterfront and through the historic center. There are plenty of outdoor cafés and restaurants where you can stop for lunch or a beer. You can also rent bikes and ride along the waterfront toward Enkhuizen. If you enjoy trains and boating, check out the historic steam train and museum ship experience between Hoorn, Medemblik, and Enkhuizen. It's a fun way to see some of the smaller towns and countryside.

Utrecht

Utrecht is about 25–30 minutes from Amsterdam by train and is one of my favorite stops on this route. The city has a beautiful medieval center with canals, massive churches, and some of the most interesting waterfront restaurants in the Netherlands.

What makes Utrecht different is that many of the restaurants and cafés are located directly along the water, below street level. You can walk along the Oudegracht canal and stop for food or drinks right beside the boats. It's a great atmosphere, particularly in the afternoon and evening.

The Dom Tower is the city's most famous landmark, and you can climb it for some incredible views. The nearby Domkerk is a beautiful Gothic cathedral with a peaceful cloister garden. Museum Speelklok is another interesting attraction, with a collection of historic mechanical musical instruments.

If the weather is good, I'd recommend renting a kayak or small electric boat and exploring the canals. Utrecht also has some nice parks, including Wilhelminapark, and plenty of paved bike paths if you want to explore beyond the historic center.

Delft

I'd finish the trip with two nights in Delft. It's one of the prettiest smaller cities in the Netherlands, and I think it's worth staying overnight rather than visiting for just a few hours. The historic center is compact, with beautiful canals, old churches, small bridges, and plenty of restaurants within walking distance.

The main square, called the Markt, is one of the most impressive in the country. The enormous Nieuwe Kerk dominates one end, while the historic City Hall sits at the other. You can visit the church and climb the tower for some fantastic views. The nearby Oude Kerk is another must-see, with its noticeably leaning bell tower and the tomb of Johannes Vermeer.

Delft is famous for its blue-and-white pottery, and you can visit Royal Delft to see how it's made. The Vermeer Centrum is also worth visiting if you're interested in the painter's life and work. Another great stop is the Oostpoort, a beautiful surviving medieval gate surrounded by canals.

For food and drinks, I'd definitely recommend Delfts Brouwhuis. It's a historic brewery and restaurant in an old building, with locally brewed beers and a great atmosphere. Delft is also a nice place to slow down a little, spend an afternoon wandering along the canals, and enjoy a couple of relaxed evenings before heading home.

Why This Route Works

One of the best things about this trip is that you can see so much without renting a car. Amsterdam makes an excellent base for exploring the surrounding towns, and the trains are fast, inexpensive compared with renting a car, and easy to use. You can usually get from one city to another in less than an hour. Round-trip flights from LAX to Amsterdam pop up for around $500 pretty frequently. 

I'd especially recommend this route for anyone who enjoys historic cities, large churches, art museums, boating, and biking. Each city has its own character, and there are plenty of opportunities to get outside on paved bike trails or spend an afternoon relaxing beside the canals.

The best time to visit is probably May, June, or September, when the weather is generally comfortable for walking and cycling. You get a great combination of history, architecture, food, nightlife, and outdoor activities without having to travel very far between destinations. If you enjoy exploring European cities on foot, this is an excellent way to spend eight days in the Netherlands.

Delft Brouwhuis

Read More