This is way better than Amsterdam, and it's only 20 minutes away! Solo Travel in the Netherlands

A windy coastal wander from Volendam to Edam — with rough seas, beautiful Dutch villages, and one extremely optimistic Great Crested Grebe dad. I started in Volendam and followed the coastline round towards Edam, getting blasted by sea spray while trying to photograph the old wooden houses, canals, and windmills along the way. The weather couldn’t decide what it wanted to do, but the changing light made the whole walk feel atmospheric and a bit dramatic. The long lens came out whenever wildlife appeared, and that’s when things got entertaining. I ended up capturing a hilarious sequence of a Great Crested Grebe dad attempting to feed a very oversized fish to his tiny chick. The chick looked confused. I looked confused. The dad was absolutely convinced it would work. Between the architecture, the quiet backstreets, the reflections in the canals, and the chaotic bird‑parenting moments, this walk had such a peaceful (and occasionally ridiculous) rhythm to it. A lovely mix of nature, heritage villages, and those small surprises that make a photo walk feel special.