Why Exploring Dutch Cities Is Good for the Soul
A Treasure Hunt Challenge in the Netherlands
Recently, I visited Delft for the very first time despite having lived in the Netherlands my entire life. It had been on my list for years, and 2025 felt like the right moment. What I found was more than just a beautiful city; it was a powerful reminder of how much there is still to see, feel, and experience. Right here in our own country.
The historic city center of Delft left me impressed and intrigued. It felt like stepping back in time. With its carefully preserved buildings, quiet canals, and stories waiting to be told on every corner, it reminded me how important it is to slow down and really look.
I took a boat tour, listened to the local stories told by volunteers , and visited the Royal Delft Museum to learn about the world-famous Delfts blauw porcelain. Having worked for KLM, the little KLM Delft Blue houses also brought back warm memories. One of my hobbies is photography. What thrives me to be a better photographer is to give myself 5-photo challenge. I select the photos I take, whether with my Canon camera or just my smartphone. It is fun and helps me even more creative in a looking for photo’s from a different perspective.
So that is what I did in Delft.
Here’s your challenge: Go on your own Dutch treasure hunt.
Visit a city or village and allow yourself to get lost in its history, textures, and voices. Talk to a volunteer at a museum. Join a local tour. Sit on a bench and listen.
Pay attention to details: a crooked house number, a small statue in a garden, an unusual tree, or a mural on a wall (Holland has lots of those).
Here is my top 5 of things that made me smile:
-
A little neighborhood library built on two mannequin legs. Creative and unique as I never saw this version of a book library before.
-
An old-fashioned coin parking meter. Pure nostalgia.
-
A phone booth turned into a restaurant billboard. Playful reuse and for all old and young generations to enjoy or remember.
-
A mirror selfie with the Proud Mary statue near the Delft Blue museum. Fun and selfreflecting as I am a proud person myself.
-
A tulip-shaped Delfts blauw bathroom faucet. Functional art.
Ready for your 5-photo challenge?
Go out and explore a Dutch city or village. Set yourself a mission: find and photograph five unexpected, unique, or surprising details. Things that make you pause, smile, wonder, or remember. Look closely at your surroundings. There’s beauty hidden in plain sight.
Push yourself to look beyond the obvious and really see.
And if you’re up for it: share your photo treasure hunt on LinkedIn and tag me [@Caroline Pinter], so I can see what you discovered . And maybe even feature your post in my network.
Who knows? Your treasure hunt might inspire someone else to look a little closer too.
Why this matters for expats:
Living abroad isn’t just about adapting — it’s also about rooting. And one way to feel more grounded is to become an explorer of your new environment. Going out into Dutch towns and villages helps you:
-
Discover beauty in the everyday
-
Connect with Dutch history and culture
-
Find inspiration, joy, and presence
-
Practice mindfulness through observation, listening, and curiosity
-
But most importantly… Just have fun and enjoy the moment.
So, whether you’re here short-term or long-term, challenge yourself to explore Holland like a traveler. There’s so much waiting for you, just a train ride away.
And for expats in the Haarlemmermeer/Amstelveen area:
Would you like to experience a silent walk around the Toolenburgerplas in Hoofddorp and explore in English?
On Saturday, June 14, I’m hosting a Dutch silent walk in the morning. You are more than welcome if you speak Dutch.
But if there’s enough interest, I’d love to offer an English-language version in the afternoon, especially for internationals/expats.