Netherlands — April 2026 (16)

A dazzling flowerbed at Keukenhof — yellow, pink and purple tulips packed shoulder-to-shoulder, with visitors weaving along the paths.

A panoramic tulip mound in every shade — pinks, reds, whites and yellows blending into one of the most photographed views at Keukenhof.

A quiet Dutch canal with a sleek modern bridge control tower on the left and pleasure boats lining the quay — historic and contemporary side by side.

A small canal bridge in a classic Dutch town — bicycles parked along the railing, gabled houses lining the street.

A wide harbour-canal view with houseboats, a curving brick quayside and gentle steps leading down to the water.

A quiet street corner in a small Dutch town — bicycles lined up against a brick shop, spring buds just opening on the tree above.

Another corner of the same town: an ice-cream parlour and café ("De Counter") with terrace seating, blue skies overhead.

A vintage green steam locomotive paused at the platform, coupled to a wooden passenger carriage — the start of the heritage railway ride.

Walking the dyke path: a passenger ferry moored on the IJsselmeer to the left, the old steam pumping station and our waiting train to the right.

The same view a few minutes on — passengers boarding the steam train while the ferry prepares to depart across the inland sea.

The ferry tied up at the long wooden pier, calm water stretching to the horizon, wildflowers in the grass beside the dyke.

The steam train rolling past a classic Dutch village, the spire of the old church rising above red-tile rooftops.

A striking stepped-gable brick warehouse beside the tracks — heritage carriages parked alongside, dyke path stretching into the distance.

Sheep grazing in a wide green polder, a farmhouse in the distance under a sky of scattered Dutch clouds.

Tulip season in full colour — rows of red, orange and white blossoms running across the flat fields.

Willows along a quiet canal, the curve of a steam-train carriage just visible on the right — a peaceful pause between stops.