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e primary reason we targeted Haarlem is the spectacularly well-preserved Molen de Adriaan windmill rising high above the River Spaarne. Constructed in 1779 atop an ancient stone defense tower, the wooden windmill suffered a fire and was rebuilt to original specifications. We were pleased to see the windmill blades still turning as they did centuries ago. As the day unfolded, we ducked in and out of boutiques and shops filled with independent designers, fashionable eyeglasses, and the best European thrifting we've ever experienced. Front and center sits Grote Markt, serving as both social heart and navigational anchor. is bustling city square is framed by the stately presence of St. Bavo Church and a steady rhythm of local life. From here, we easily flowed between cultural touchstones like the Frans Hals Museum and more indulgent pursuits like bakeries perfuming the air and abundant outdoor beer cafes, umbrellas tilting toward the sun. Getting ere San Diego enjoys a direct flight to Amsterdam via KLM Airlines, and Schiphol Airport is a delight of organization and design. Out in no time, we braved a rental car which proved quite easy to navigate the 40 minutes to our hotel. From this basecamp, other destinations were less than a 30-minute drive along country roads and green pastures. Tulip fields were just ten minutes by car. Maybe I was alone in my ignorance, but I learned that Holland comprises two regions of the Netherlands that encompass the western part of the country where we ventured. e two names are not interchangeable. "Dutch" references the people, culture, and language of this gorgeous country. Luckily for us, everyone spoke perfect English in even the smallest hamlets and were so kind and welcoming. Jon Bailey is a San Diego-based travel journalist, exploring the globe with his husband and their two daughters. For more adventures, visit 2dadswithbaggage.com detour destinations A Brief Note About Holland vs. the Netherlands << Delft's Niewe Kerk (New Church) is remarkably well preserved from its origins in the 1400s ranchandcoast.com 90 MARCH 2026 RANCH & COAST MAGAZINE