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, Utrecht, Amersfoort, Rotterdam, Delft, Kinderdijk, Zaanse Schans, and Haarlem—each offering its own unique visual story.

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 PQA co-founder. With her insider knowledge, you’ll gain exclusive access to hidden locations and “hard-to-get” shots that only a true local can provide.

Whether you're capturing the morning light over Amsterdam’s canals, the medieval charm of Utrecht, the energy of Rotterdam’s skyline, or the timeless beauty of Kinderdijk’s windmills, every day is designed for unforgettable images. This is the perfect Quest to bring along your spouse as well—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.

April 17 - Depart USA

Depart for your flights to Amsterdam Schiphol (AMS).

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. Welcome dinner to taste a typical Dutch meal. (D)

April 19 - Alkmaar Cheese Market - Zaansche Schans

Set out early for Alkmaar and step back in time to photograph one of the most authentic and visually striking traditions in the Netherlands—the famous 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.

As a photographer, you’ll have exclusive access inside the fence of the trading sessions, allowing you to get up close for dynamic shots 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.

With the bustling marketplace, vibrant colors, and historic setting, Alkmaar is a dream location for photographers looking to document one of the Netherlands' most photogenic cultural traditions. Don't miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and stories of this extraordinary event!. 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. (B)

 April 20 - Keukenhof Gardens - Flower Parade Haarlem

Depart early to photograph the Keukenhof Gardens. Enjoy the morning in one of the most impressive public gardens in the world. Open only nine weeks out of the year, the Keukenhof is a visual feast for the eyes. There are more than seven million bulbs planted on over 70-acres.

For the adventurous photographers, we will rent orange bikes and bike through the stunning flower fields. This will be a once-in-a-lifetime experience

This evening photograph the world-famous flower parade right by our hotel. The 42 km long parade of floats decorated with beautiful hyacinths and other colourful spring bulb flowers is a sight to behold. All villages and towns in the bulb growing district in the west of the Netherlands together with the floral city of Haarlem take part in many activities surrounding the parade.The parade floats will enter Haarlem at around 21:00. (B)

April 21 - Kinderdijk-Rotterdam-Delft

Depart early for “Kinderdijk.” Kinderdijk, located just 25 kms. from Rotterdam is known worldwide for its 19 mills declared by UNESCO World Heritage Site offers a wonderful postcard images. The 19 windmills at Kinderdijk are 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.

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. Inside the Nieuwe Kerk (New Church) is the pantheon of the Dutch Royal Family, he emphasizes his tower with 108.75 meters, the second highest in the Netherlands.  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.

April 22 -Amersfoort- Utrecht

Today we will visit and photograph the cities of Amersfoort and Utrecht.

Amersfoort is a hidden gem for photographers, offering a perfect blend of medieval charm and modern vibrancy. Its beautifully preserved city center, historic canals, and striking architecture provide endless inspiration, from the iconic Koppelpoort gate to the winding cobblestone streets. With a lively atmosphere, unique shopping streets, and a thriving café culture, every corner of this award-winning European City of the Year (2024) is a visual story waiting to be captured.

Utrecht is another dream destination for photographers, offering a stunning mix of history, charm, and dynamic city life. Its picturesque canals, uniquely lined with wharf cellars, create incredible reflections and compositions, especially at sunrise and sunset. The iconic Dom Tower dominates the skyline, while the city’s hidden alleyways, vibrant street scenes, and modern architecture provide endless opportunities for creative shots. Whether capturing the energy of bustling cafés or the tranquility of historic courtyards, Utrecht’s rich visual tapestry makes it an unmissable stop for any photographer. Best of all, this is the city where Mirjam Evers grew up—so you’ll get to explore it with someone who knows it like nobody else, discovering the most photogenic hidden gems and local favorites along the way !(B,D)

April 23 - 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)

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

Language

Dutch is the national language of the Netherlands. Most of the Dutch people speak English, as well as other languages like German and French.

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.

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.

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 foods.

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. A valid passport is enough.

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.

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.

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