Netherlands

Netherlands’ tulip fields explode into rainbow carpets each spring (April-May) where three generations cycle between blooming rows at Keukenhof Gardens—79 acres showcasing 7 million bulbs in patterns visible from space. Hotel de l’Europe’s canal-view suites ($580/night) in Amsterdam position families perfectly for early morning visits beating crowds, while afternoon canal cruises reveal 17th-century merchant houses from water level where toddlers wave at passing boats. Anne Frank House pre-booked tickets provide powerful history lessons for teenagers while younger children explore nearby Jordaan district’s pancake houses.

Giethoorn’s car-free village navigates entirely by boat through “Venice of the North” where families punt along canals past thatched-roof farms unchanged since medieval times. De Dames Van De Jonge hotel ($195/night) provides electric boats for self-guided exploration while their restaurant serves fresh-caught eel that adventurous eaters sample. Ice skating replaces boats in winter when canals freeze solid enough for three generations gliding together.

Kinderdijk’s 19 UNESCO windmills create Netherlands’ most iconic landscape where miller families still inhabit these 280-year-old giants. Saturday demonstrations show wind-powered mechanics grinding grain while children chase ducks between rotating blades. Nearby Efteling theme park ($48/person) brings Brothers Grimm fairy tales alive through Europe’s most imaginative rides—enchanting toddlers through grandparents since 1952.