Beautiful green space in Amsterdam just a 1/2 block from our hotel, where people can get away from…read morecityscape to nature, on foot, on their bikes, with their dogs. We saw an extensive wooden play structure with rope bridges, ladders, high and low structures, at least 200 feet long! Our daughters would've loved playing on it! Walking paths everywhere, lots of bodies of water with ducks, grassy areas for picnicking and playing frisbee and flying kites!

A visit to the largest city park in Amsterdam is a must. You can walk, run, ride a bike and more…read more We enjoyed our stroll around the park and ended it with a drink at 't Blauwe Theehuis which is located in the middle of it.

A shady park in the northern area of Utrechet, you'll find this place a bit run down compared to…read moremost parks in Netherlands. Even though there was lots of graffiti all over everything, the artwork here was pretty cool looking. In this park they have a nice canal that runs through the middle of it, couple of people were in boats going around. Also you'll find a skate park, a restaurant and some funky looking sculptures in the grassy area to the north. Great open areas for playing sports and plenty of spots to sit on a bench and enjoy the canal area. Even though the park is a little bit run down, it was still pleasant to walk through and check out.

A big park in Haarlem that has many uses. There are walking and biking paths, wide open spaces for…read moreball playing, exercising, sun bathing, picnicking, etc. There is even a place that has deer that you can go visit. Sometimes they will come right up to you. The park also hosts many festivals throughout the year including Bevrijdingspop and the Houtfestival.

I didn't knew of its existence. I was completely mesmerized by the deers in the Park, there were…read morealso other animals like: donkey, horses, peacocks, roosters, ducks, ships but I only had eyes for the Bambi Such a pretty place to have a walk and admire the pretty deers. I only got to see them from outside the fence but starting November you can visit them more closely. One day in Haarlem must include this place!

If you are in this section of Amsterdam on a weekend during the summer you need to experience…read moreWesterpark. There is a lot to do here restaurants, picnic, jog, and people watch. The Het Schip (historic architecture) complex is a short 5 minute walk from the park.

Probably the best park in Amsterdam! Vondelpark is huge, but hey, no BBQ, and always full of…read moretourists smoking weed. Westerpark is a bit further from the city center which means only the very health-conscious and serious parkies come here. The park has a ton of dining options, my favorite being the ice cream shop. There are a few amazing coffee spots, and let's not forget -- Tony's headquarters are here! You could walk in and sample all the flavors for free! There is an amazing jogging trail around the park, and the 'garden center' to the west is a hidden gem. It's private property, though, and only open for limited hours during the summer. Other than that, the famous Rollende Keukens is organized at this park, as is the milkshake festival. Countless conferences. There's even a tv studio. Oh, and Ketelhuis is an amazing spot for some Dutch or European movies. So much to say about this amazing spot.

Beautiful park near Haarlem Centraal station. Easy to walk or cycle through on your way or from the…read morestation. Grass and little ponds everywhere. Dogs love it! But they need to stay on the leash - or at least they should.

One of my favorite parks in Haarlem to stop by when the little tulips pop up. I love the simplicity…read moreand standard beauty of the park. Make sure to visit Haarlem yearly food festival in the summer. It's one of the best events to attend in Haarlem. Love the food, drinks, vibe and entertainment.

This is a little piece of paradise just north of Amsterdam and a great place to ride to when the…read moreweather is good. There is a number of great spots to relax and soak in the tranquillity.

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!