Running through the heart of Utrecht, the Oude Gracht ('old canal') is the major artery of the…read morecity. It's lined with many shops at street level and bars and restaurants at the level below. It also hosts a weekly flower market on Saturday morning. Yes, it can get a tiny bit seedy at night with rowdy students ('bralapen') and it isn't always as clean as one would like, but this all adds to the charm. It's truly a wonderful place to hang out any time of day or year. The oude gracht was built in the 1100's by upgrading and taming a former branch of the River Rhine. The mooring level (accessible by steep steps from road level), where goods would be loaded and unloaded, gives access to deep tombs / caverns that extend below the road and under the shops above. In the old days used for storage, they have now mostly been transformed into bars and eateries. It's hard to miss the oude gracht when you're in Utrecht as many of the city's landmarks, including the Dom tower / church and various museums are located close by. Enjoy this place. It's awesome. But, be careful of bicyclists as you stroll around; you'll likely have your eyes on façades or the water below!

Okay, this is the main reason why I made the trek all the way to Arnhem, namely to see a bridge…read more Okay, I jumped up and down and ranted and raved as to why anybody would travel half way around the world to see a bridge (in Sydney) and here I am travelling halfway around the world to see a bridge (in the Netherlands). However, there is a story behind the bridge, namely that General John Frost attempted to capture it during World War II to provide a way across the Rhine, however found himself surrounded by Nazis and he and his men were captured. There is a small memorial to the operation nearby, and there are celebrations here every September. By the way, the people of Arnhem all know about Operation Market Garden.

Um, this place is absolutely amazing. The whole area used to be an industrial park / campus /…read moremanufacturing plant for Philips, but they've since left. Now, it's full of creative businesses, from beautiful home decor shops to clothing to mixed media to restaurants & cafes to art exhibits to skate parks to ETC, ETC. The whole industrial look is definitely overused nowadays, but this is different. It feels so authentic because it actually used to house factories, and some machinery is still there, surrounded by quintessential stylish Dutch design. It's quite inspiring how much creativity is within every single little shop. On the third Sunday of every month, this is the venue for Feelgood Market, a pretty big collection of food / handmade goods / music / more. Such great vibes in a unique location. Must see if you find yourself in Eindhoven!