In May and June, Esther and I embarked on what can best be described as a five-part European adventure. The trip combined a pilgrimage walk along Spain’s northern coast, visits with family and friends, time in the Netherlands, sightseeing, and a wedding celebration. Looking back, it was one of the most memorable trips we have ever taken—although by the end we agreed that it may have had a few too many moving parts!

Part One: The Camino del Norte, Spain

Our journey began on May 13 with an overnight flight from Atlanta to Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam. After arriving in the Netherlands, we spent a night at Esther’s father Gerald’s home in Aalsmeer. The next day was devoted to repacking. We condensed everything into two small carry-on bags and two backpacks, knowing that traveling light would be essential for the Camino.

On May 15 we flew to Bilbao, Spain, where we spent the night at Cristina’s family home. Cristina, one of the organizers of our Camino group, grew up in Bilbao and still has family roots there. The following day we transferred our luggage to the hotel system arranged through Santiago Ways, the company handling our accommodations and luggage transfers.

On May 17, our Camino del Norte officially began. Along with a group of friends from Athens, Georgia, we started walking west along Spain’s spectacular northern coastline.

The days were long and challenging:

• Bilbao to Portugalete – 11 miles
• Portugalete to Castro Urdiales – 21 miles
• Castro Urdiales to Laredo – 19 miles
• Rest day in Laredo
• Laredo to Güemes – 17 miles
• Güemes to Santander – 9 miles

The scenery was magnificent. We walked along rugged cliffs, beaches, fishing villages, and rolling green countryside. Laredo provided a welcome rest day where laundry and recovery became our primary activities. By the time we reached Santander, we had covered nearly 80 miles on foot.

After completing the walk, we returned by bus to Bilbao and spent one final night with Cristina before beginning the next phase of our trip.

Part Two: Valencia and Spanish Hospitality

On May 24 we flew from Bilbao to Valencia, where we were warmly welcomed by Toni and Celia and their family.

One of the highlights was a traditional Spanish paella lunch. Toni had wisely placed the order in advance because authentic paella takes nearly an hour to prepare properly. The meal was exceptional and provided an authentic taste of Valencia, the birthplace of paella.

The next day we spent exploring Valencia and enjoying time with our hosts. Beyond the beautiful architecture and Mediterranean atmosphere, the greatest pleasure was simply sharing meals and conversation with friends.

On May 26 we said goodbye to Spain and returned to the Netherlands.

Part Three: Wageningen and Family Connections

Back in Amsterdam, we retrieved additional clothing from Gerald’s house and boarded a train to Wageningen, where we had rented a short-stay apartment.

Wageningen holds special significance for Esther. It is home to Wageningen University, where she studied years ago. During our stay we rented bicycles, explored the town, and visited with friends including Franc, Annemieke, and William.

Not every day was packed with activity. One day was simply devoted to resting and recovering from the physical demands of the Camino. After walking nearly 80 miles in Spain, a slower pace was welcome.

A special highlight came when Esther attended a reunion of her university rowing club. She even had the opportunity to get back into a rowing shell and row on the Rhine River, revisiting memories from her student days.

Meanwhile, preparations were underway for the arrival of our American guests, Greta and Robin.

Part Four: Family Arrives and Touring the Netherlands

At the end of May, Greta and Robin arrived in Amsterdam. Robin’s mobility has become increasingly limited because of the progression of limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, so careful planning was required.

On June 1 we rented a car, picked up a wheelchair from Medipoint in Hoofddorp, and moved into a vacation rental in The Hague (Den Haag).

Over the next several days we explored a variety of Dutch landmarks.

One day we visited the visitor center of the International Criminal Court in The Hague. Although no court sessions were underway, the exhibits provided fascinating insights into international law and justice. Afterward we found ourselves huddled under a café awning during a steady Dutch rainstorm while enjoying lunch.

One of the highlights of our stay in The Hague was visiting Madurodam, a fascinating miniature city that showcases the Netherlands in remarkable detail. The park features hundreds of meticulously crafted scale models of famous Dutch landmarks, canals, airports, windmills, ports, and historic buildings. Walking through Madurodam felt like taking a journey across the entire country in just a few hours. Tiny trains moved through realistic landscapes, miniature ships sailed through harbors, and interactive exhibits demonstrated how the Dutch have mastered water management over the centuries. It was both entertaining and educational, providing an excellent overview of Dutch history, culture, and engineering achievements.

Another memorable stop was the Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague, one of the finest art museums in the Netherlands. Housed in a beautiful 17th-century mansion overlooking a picturesque pond, the museum contains masterpieces from the Dutch Golden Age. The collection includes works by renowned artists such as Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Frans Hals. The museum’s most famous painting is Vermeer’s iconic “Girl with a Pearl Earring,” often referred to as the Dutch Mona Lisa. Unlike many large museums, the Mauritshuis offers an intimate setting where visitors can closely appreciate some of the world’s greatest works of art. For anyone interested in Dutch history, culture, or fine art, the Mauritshuis is an unforgettable experience.

Another day we drove to the Delta Works, the massive engineering project that protects much of the Netherlands from flooding. Seeing firsthand the scale of this system made it easy to understand why it is considered one of the modern engineering wonders of the world.

From there we continued to Rotterdam to see the famous Cube Houses. Unfortunately parking challenges and Robin’s mobility limitations prevented all of us from exploring, but Esther and Greta were able to visit while Robin and I remained nearby.

When our stay in The Hague ended, we stopped in Gouda for lunch and sightseeing before returning to Aalsmeer.

Part Five: Amsterdam, Family, and a Wedding Celebration

The final week of our trip centered around family and celebration.

June 5 was Emmy’s birthday. We drove into Amsterdam and parked near Museumplein so we could visit the Van Gogh Museum. Spending several hours immersed in Van Gogh’s work was a memorable experience. Afterwards we walked through the city, enjoyed lunch at a café, and visited the LEGO Store before wandering along Amsterdam’s canals.

That evening Esther’s nieces and nephews—Silvan, Bodin, Roan, and their partners—treated our group to dinner at a Japanese restaurant. Since they had been unable to attend our wedding reception, they wanted to celebrate with us while we were in the Netherlands.

The next day Esther and I enjoyed a quiet day of rest while also picking up our wedding rings. That evening we gathered the entire family, including Gerald, for dinner at Legends. The conversation was lively, with Esther serving as translator throughout the evening since Gerald speaks little English.

The highlight of the trip came on June 7 when we held our wedding reception in Aalsmeer. The event included a small reenactment of our ceremony and another exchange of rings. Held at a beautiful venue called On the Rock, the weather, food, service, and setting could not have been better. Sharing the day with Dutch family and friends made it truly special.

Our final full day included a visit to Royal FloraHolland, the world’s largest flower auction. Watching millions of flowers move through the enormous facility was fascinating and provided a glimpse into one of the Netherlands’ most important industries.

That evening we packed our bags one final time and prepared for the journey home.

Homeward Bound

On June 9 we drove to Schiphol Airport, returned our rental car, navigated check-in, security, passport control, and made it to our gate with about 45 minutes to spare.

After nearly a month abroad, we arrived back in Atlanta tired but grateful.

The trip included five distinct parts: the Camino del Norte, Valencia, Wageningen, touring the Netherlands with family, and our wedding celebration. Each segment could easily have been its own vacation.

The only downside was the constant cycle of packing, unpacking, repacking, and moving from place to place. We joked that we became experts at living out of suitcases.

Still, when we look back on the miles walked, the friends visited, the family gatherings, the Dutch cities explored, and the memories created, we would do it all again. It was a remarkable month filled with adventure, friendship, family, and celebration—a journey we will remember for the rest of our lives.