HIGHLIGHTS

Get ready for an action-packed PhotoQuest through the Netherlands, capturing the country's most iconic sights and hidden gems at the peak of flower season!

This immersive itinerary will take you through Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk, Zaanse Schans, and Haarlem, each offering its own unique visual story with a focus on capturing the flower fields in full bloom.

From endless tulip fields and historic windmills to charming canals, vibrant cheese markets, and ultra-modern architecture, you'll have the opportunity to photograph it all. But beyond the postcard-perfect scenes, this journey is about discovering the Netherlands through the lens of Mirjam Evers, a Dutch native, professional photographer and co-founder. With her insider knowledge, you’ll gain exclusive access to hidden locations and “hard-to-get” images only a true local can provide. Every day is designed for unforgettable images. This is the perfect Quest to bring along your spouse as well and experience the Netherlands in full color while creating stunning photography along the way!

Please note this is an all NEW itinerary with new and exciting locations from our previous trips.

Saturday April 17 - Depart USA for AMS

Depart for your flights to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS).

Sunday April 18- Amsterdam Schiphol-Haarlem Tour

Arrive Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Transportation from the airport will be provided. Your flight will most likely land early am. Hotel rooms won't be ready until about 2pm.

In the afternoon, depart for a casual walking tour to photograph the magnificent “Grote Markt,” often considered the most beautiful square in the Netherlands. We will have access to the rooftop of "Bavo Church" to photograph stunning views of Haarlem.

We will have a welcome dinner to taste a typical Dutch meal. (D)

Monday April 19 - Sunrise shoot-Keukenhof Gardens -Lisse

Before dawn, we will head into the Dutch countryside for a magical sunrise shoot among endless tulip fields glowing in the first light of day, framed by an iconic Dutch windmill. As the mist lifts and the colors ignite, capture some of the most breathtaking spring landscapes in the world. The scent of these spectacular flower fields drifting through the cool morning air is something you will never forget.

After our sunrise session, enjoy breakfast before continuing to the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens which is a dream destination for photographers and flower lovers alike. Open for only nine weeks each year, Keukenhof is an explosion of color and design, with more than seven million bulbs spread across 70 acres of spectacular gardens, winding pathways, reflective ponds and endless creative compositions. Every turn offers new opportunities for stunning macro photography, vibrant landscapes and detailed shots.

For adventurous photographers, the experience continues with an unforgettable bike ride through the blooming flower fields surrounding the gardens. Cycling along quiet country roads lined with vibrant rows of tulips is one of the most iconic experiences in the Netherlands. Surrounded by endless color and the unforgettable fragrance of millions of flowers in bloom, this is an experience that goes far beyond photography.

After lunch, we will seek out some of the region’s most beautiful flower fields in peak bloom, photographing dramatic patterns of color stretching to the horizon in the warm afternoon and golden evening light. This is spring photography at its absolute finest and a true bucket-list experience for any photographer. (B)

Tuesday April 20 - Amsterdam boat tour & night shoot

Depart to Amsterdam by train for a walking tour and boat cruise through the famous canals. We'll see the beautiful homes that line the water, the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous Anne Frank House. We then enjoy a panoramic city tour to see the great landmarks of Amsterdam. We will do a night shoot of the canals and the lit bridges reflecting in the water before we head back. (B)

Wednesday April 21 - Kinderdijk-Rotterdam-Delft

Depart for Rotterdam to photograph the impressive cube houses designed by architect Piet Blom. The impressive skyline can be seen from afar, enhancing the city’s imposing appearance characterized by such landmarks as the Euromast observation tower and the swan-like curve of the Erasmus Bridge. Rotterdam is internationally renowned as a city of architecture, featuring many examples of innovative construction. Photograph Delfshaven, a picturesque harbor district of Rotterdam. With its old shipyards and warehouses will remind us the past that the Second World War almost completely wiped out. The highlights are the historical museum, the replica warship of XVIII century and the Church of the Pilgrim Fathers, where pilgrims gathered before leaving to America in 1620.

Late afternoon we will visit the town of Delft, founded in the thirteenth century and known as the royal city. Delft blends history, elegance and modern charm. Known for its scenic canals, Delft Blue ceramics, and as Vermeer’s birthplace, this walkable city offers a rich Dutch cultural experience.

Depart for dinner at Kinderdijk, known for its 19 windmills declared by the UNESCO World Heritage Site. This unique site is a symbol of the way the Netherlands manages its water. For a long period of time, they kept the land dry as it was plagued by subsidence and flooding. The Alblasserwaard, once a rough, wet area of peat, was eventually colonized and reclaimed by men.

Thursday April 22 - Utrecht

After breakfast visit and photograph the town of Utrecht.

Friday April 23 - Alkmaar Cheese Market - Zaansche Schans

Before dawn, we will head into the Dutch countryside again for a magical sunrise shoot among endless tulip fields glowing in the first light of the day. After breakfast, depart for Alkmaar and step back in time to photograph one of the most authentic and visually striking traditions, the Alkmaar Cheese Market. This vibrant spectacle offers an unparalleled opportunity to capture the centuries-old process of cheese trading, where wheels of golden cheese are weighed, transported, and negotiated in a lively, time-honored ritual.

Our group will have exclusive access inside the fence of the trading sessions, allowing to get up close for dynamic images of the iconic “cheese men” in their traditional white uniforms and colored hats, as they skillfully carry massive cheese wheels on wooden sleds. This rare access also provides a chance to take intimate portraits of the traders, capturing their expressions, camaraderie, and dedication to a craft that dates back to 1365. We will have lunch in Alkmaar before we head out for Zaansche Schans.

Photograph “Zaansche Schans,” a reconstructed village of wooden houses and windmills, transporting us 300 years into the past. There are only 975 windmills left in all of The Netherlands, but in this place of unspoiled beauty you can photograph many of them. Tonight we will have our final dinner. (B,D)

April 24 - Depart back to the USA

Early departure from Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS).

Itinerary is subject to change.

See some images from our last photography workshop here.

Mirjam Evers

Mirjam Evers is a New York City based travel photographer who specializes in travel images, portraiture, landscape photography and adventure images. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Evers has photographed in more than 90 countries, including many of the most exotic places in the world. Evers' photographs are indicative of her unique capacity to personally connect with diverse cultures and communities. Her eye for location lighting is highly stylized and works to illustrate and heighten the unique characteristics of each international locale. She is able to transcend cultural and language barriers with an intangible spirit that is conveyed in every image. Evers is one of the founders of Photo Quest.

Selected Publications: AFAR, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Departures, Golf Magazine, AARP, Outdoor Photographer, Outside Magazine, PDN, American Photo, Popular Photography, Digital Photo, MSN Travel and Town & Country Magazine.

Mirjam's Website

PASSPORT & VISA REQUIREMENTS

Visitors from many countries do not need a visa if they are planning to stay in the Netherlands for less than 3 months.

The European Union currently says that ETIAS is scheduled to begin in the last quarter of 2026 (roughly October–December 2026), but an exact launch date has not yet been announced.

A few important details:

• ETIAS is not required yet for U.S. travelers.

• The EU says it will announce the official start date several months in advance.

• Once active, ETIAS will be similar to the U.S. ESTA system: a quick online authorization linked to your passport. It is expected to cost about €20 and be valid for multiple trips over several years.

CLIMATE

Although Dutch people complain a lot about the weather in their country, it is actually not that bad. There are no real extremes, like excessive heat or cold, hurricanes or alike. That said, summers are relatively cool with average daytime temperatures around 20 °C. The best months to travel around the Netherlands are April to August, when days are long and apart from occasional showers, rainfall is lowest.

Food

Sample the national dish, Boerenkool met worst ("Borecole with sausage"), which consists of green cabbage, potatoes, bacon and smoked sausage. Dutch cheese, beer and dairy products are considered of the highest standard and will provide much joy to the connoisseur. 

Make sure you don't forget to try the special pancake restaurants, a real Dutch specialty. The delicious pancakes are large enough to be considered a whole dinner and you can choose from a great variety of toppings for your pancake. 

On the go, kroketten (filled croquets) bitterballen and frieten met pindasaus (French fries with peanut butter dip) are the most popular fast food.

MONEY

The Netherlands, like many other European countries, uses the Euro (€). Throughout the country, there are lots of ATMs using the CIRRUS and PLUS networks. Most shops, restaurants and hotels accept major credit cards with a small processing fee added.

Electricity

The voltage in Holland is 220 volts. Travelers are advised to bring an adapter for two-prong, round-prong plugs with side grounding contacts.

Safety

In general, the Netherlands is a very safe country, and with the usual precautions you won't experience any problems.

Traffic wise, the Netherlands is one of the safest countries in the world. The country is known for its network of bicycle lanes, which greatly improves the safety for cyclists. Be careful crossing the streets making sure to look for cyclists that can be traveling fairly fast.

Packing Recommendations

Spring weather in the Netherlands can be wonderfully mild one moment and unexpectedly cold, windy, or rainy the nex, especially during early morning and evening photography in the flower fields. We recommend bringing warm layers so you can comfortably adapt to changing conditions throughout the day.

Bring waterproof jackets, insulated layers, gloves, scarves and comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. Dressing in layers will help keep you comfortable during sunrise shoots, bike rides through the tulip fields and long days exploring the gardens.

Come prepared to enjoy the outdoors in all conditions because some of the most dramatic skies and beautiful photographic moments happen when the weather turns moody over the spectacular Dutch flower fields.