Dutch Days with the Catlins

Two of our favorite travel partners arrived at the end of May for more adventures in Europe; my incredibly cool parents, Lar and Charm! We always have so much fun when they come to visit and I'm so blessed that they make it over as often as they do. There's nothing like having your family to travel with! Jon returned from Sicily the night before their arrival, so he was actually able to be around during their entire visit. After picking my parents up from the Amsterdam airport, we jetted into the city for a day and night, as my dad had never been there. Although there was a bit of rain during the day, by the evening the skies had cleared and it turned out to be a beautiful night. 

My two awesome parents, Lar and Charm, fresh off the plane

Lar and Charm

Outside the Rijksmuseum where we saw the Dutch Golden Age masterpieces

After a busy day of walking around Amsterdam and visiting the Rijksmuseum, flower market, Dam Square and Anne Frank House, we headed to dinner in the beautiful Jordaan neighborhood. I had not visited this neighborhood before, and we enjoyed roaming along the quaint canal-lined streets filled with beautiful flowers and window boxes. 

Outside our fantastic restaurant in the Jordaan Neighborhood

Roaming the Jordaan Neighborhood

Roaming the Jordaan Neighborhood

Roaming the Jordaan Neighborhood 

Roaming the Jordaan Neighborhood

Roaming the Jordaan Neighborhood

Later, we headed to the Red Light District for a post-dinner stroll. It was a lot more lively than the previous times I'd wandered through this area. That may be in part to the fact that I've only visited here twice before, both times in the afternoon. As we were here past 8:00 p.m., there were many more ladies in the windows and I noticed many things that somehow don't draw your attention in the daytime. Needless to say, it was somewhat of an interesting place to be with your parents, but it was a cultural experience, I suppose. 

Entering the narrow gauntlet that is the heart of the Red Light District

Red Light District

Amsterdam at Night

All in all, it was a great day and night in Amsterdam, and although the weather wasn't perfect, at least we didn't experience the horrendous wind and rain like the May 2010 visit. We continued on our Dutch tour with a stop in Delft, with its impressive market square, old and new church, beautiful canals and antique markets. After a few hours, we hopped on a ferry to visit the famed Kinderdijk, water management system. Nothing says "Holland" like windmills, so it was great to see so many in one place, many dated from 1740.

Delft Market Square

Kinderdijk

Kinderdijk

 

After our short visit to the Zuid Holland region, we returned to Limburg and our home in Sittard. The following day, we rose bright and early to trek to the antique market in Tongeren. Jon and I had experienced this once before, but wanted my parents to see the massive display of antiques lining the streets of Belgium's oldest city. Unfortunately, we didn't find any treasures, but it was a beautiful day to be out and about. From Tongeren we went to Margraten to take part in the Memorial Day Service at the American Cemetery. Over 8,000 American soldiers are buried here from WWII. It was a very moving experience and I'm so grateful that we were able to share it with my parents. Memorial Day in the States seems to be just another holiday, but here in Europe, we have the opportunity to visit these American cemeteries and remember those who sacrificed and continue to do so today, which is what the holiday is all about. 

Netherlands American Cemetery

Netherlands American Cemetery

Netherlands American Cemetery

Netherlands American Cemetery

Netherlands American Cemetery

We had two down days in Sittard before our trip to Provence, France, and we made the most of the beautiful weather by biking to the market, eating at beautiful country-side cafes, runs with my dad and simply enjoying the local area. I was so proud of my mom for biking with me several times over her two-week visit, considering she hadn't been on a bike in over 30 years! She had a bit of a tumble in some bushes her first time out, but we'll blame it on those pesky coaster back-pedal brakes. She laughed it off, got right back on again, and mastered the Dutch bike tradition of riding wherever you go.

Sittard Market Square

Biking from the square to the house

Our final meal together as four

After 9 days of hangin' in the Netherlands and France, my dad had to journey back to the States. It was sad to see him go, but at least my mom got to stick around for another week. Thanks for being so go with the flow and up for whatever during your time here, Lar and Charm. We love you so much and can't wait for you to return for yet another visit already!