The first time I ever touched down on European soil, I was landing at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, about to commence a 5-month-long semester abroad. Safe to say, there was no turning back for a while. Good thing I loved it there.

I was living in Maastricht, a university town in the south bordering Belgium and a stone’s throw from Germany, and spent every spare weekend exploring neighboring cities and countries. My semester abroad was the start of a deeper love for thoughtful travel, and a time in my life where the lessons learned still stick with me today (none of which came from a classroom). I quickly learned how to stretch the funds in my bank account, prioritize what mattered to me most when there wasn’t much time to explore, and navigate unfamiliar places with confidence and without a data plan. Thankfully, both my finances and data roaming situation have improved since then.

Though I’ve seen more of Europe since then, the Netherlands still feels like a home base. With its bike-friendly cities, charming towns, and rich history, it’s a place that invites both discovery with ease. I hope this section helps you experience it with the same intrigue and appreciation that’s kept me coming back.