On my trip to Europe in late May, I had the opportunity to once again visit my friend Eline Pellinkhof in Amsterdam. (Although this post is not in sequence per the trip itinerary, I wanted to share it now as Eline recently celebrated her birthday. Happy Birthday, Eline!)
I flew to Amsterdam from my location shoot in England and Eline whisked me and my enormous luggage (tripods, camera, lenses, reflectors, strobes, etc.) to her lovely townhouse on a quiet canal in Haarlem. We started (fairly) early the following morning, enjoying the most wonderful day, thrilled with the happy atmosphere that seemed to envelop the city along with the warmth of the sun.
First stop: Amsterdam. We strolled the old city center, laced with canals and charming house boats, the streets studded with playful shops and tempting cafes and bakeries, where we purchased our lunch to go.
We dined alfresco at Eline’s beautiful, secret garden – a peaceful refuge where bees are kept in a private city area. Eline owns a landscaped, flower-filled plot, complete with a little house, and can escape to it anytime for a mini holiday.
The plantings are designed for the bees, so Aguilegia (columbine) are plentiful, as are birds and even frogs and salamanders.
The afternoon was spent in Haarlem, smaller than Amsterdam but with a unique style and character. Below, a typical street in Haarlem, lined with shops, cafes and lots of bicycles. 
Above, the steeple of the huge church in the square. Below, citizens enjoying the summer weather; Eline’s reflection in a mirrored hanging in a trendy shop. 
Joined by her boyfriend, Joost, we ended with an amazing dinner in a classy restaurant overlooking another gentle canal – a serene and beautiful evening to wrap up several weeks of high-paced travel and shooting. 
Eline is hard at work on her THIRD book! I’m so proud and happy for her. You’ll enjoy visiting her blog and exploring her utterly charming and irresistible books. Thank you, Eline, for such a memorable day!
It is absolutely wonderful pictures you share with us from Amsterdam. It's like being there. THANKS A LOT!!!
:-) Dorthe
Sigh! Absolutely beautiful, as always :)
Beautiful pictures!
Hello G
Thanks for sharing the sights you saw with Eline; a whole other world to what I know. Beautiful photos as usual.
Judith
Georgianna, I hadn't noticed, until now, the tag line in your title "photography and other magic"…how perfect, I love it! All of these images are gorgeous (of course), but I am especially drawn to the colorful reflections in the water…lovely artistry in that capture. And, given my love of anything with a bicycle…the church (I think it's a church)and the mere suggestion of the bicycle with the front of it present in the corner of the image – and the grand height of the building itself…that's sooooo cool! Show me more, show me more! You transport me with your images! Hugs, Annette
Oh my! Amazing to see Amsterdam through your eyes! I do hope you've had a good time!!!!
my hand is still over my heart
….I found it there once my eyes
landed on those vivid ripples
that gathered color from the banks.
thanks for the beautiful, beautiful
share:)
-Jennifer
So lovely. The second photo reminds me of Monet's water lilies series.
Your photos are just stunning. I love the colors, the composition..everything about them. I have never been to Amsterdam but after seeing your photos, the city is now on my "must visit" list :)
Magical. Your photos are always a delight!
Maravillosas imagenes llenas de luz y vida!!
muchos besos!
Veronica.
Los mundos de nika vintage
Oh how lovely! You get to visit such a scenic place with ooddles of shooting opportunities and visiting a good friend at the same time! Eline's garden looks like the perfect place to rest and catch up!
Your photos are just stunning – so glad you could share some! I especially love the one of reflections in the water, it reminded me of one of my favorite painters, Monet.
Have a wonderful week!
~Kelly
Every single shot is so beautiful. What a gorgeous city Amsterdam is.. Those little boutique. are so quaint. Thanks so much for sharing you beautiful photos with us..
Hugs~
I just adore the atmosphere of Amsterdam you have captured in your photos …Your images are dynamic and peaceful at the same time ….such a delight! Greetings from Toronto!
Wow, I really enjoyed looking at your gorgeous fotographs.
You know how to make the right shots, beautiful!!
Thank you for sharing them.
I am a follower of Eline's blog and was curious for more pictures, that why I was here :-))
Groetjes Gery
I sometimes marvel at serendipity. I have been so struggling as of late (remembering that transitions and such lead to such open possibility) and Holland is a place that has always been written on my heart. Windmills, canals, flowers, the buildings, and I have always been compared to a doll of Holland, smiles. I lit up upon seeing these photos of yours. You have sent me to cool breezes and a dreamland and I am forever grateful for your friendship, patience, and sweetness. You are so talented and can create mood instantly. I am lucky and grateful. Blessings always!
Georgianna!….I am so envious, your trip just makes me drool……and I love that bike!….smiles
Hi G ~ I have always wanted to go to Amsterdam. It's such a cool place and your pictures captured it perfectly. I love that shot of the church steeple and the bird. Very cool! xo
Looks like you had a wonderful day. I was able to travel to Amsterdam via your gorgeous photos. Thank you:) Jen xox
Every single photo is gorgeous. What a charming city Amsterdam is! :)
So pretty! Nice work!!
As usual your photos are divine. Those little streets actually make my heart rate go up. I have British heritage and I'm convinced somewhere along the line I have European blood in me somewhere as it resonates so deeply with me as a desirable way to live – cafes, bikes, small pedestrian streets, greenery, time with loved ones.
How enchantingly, invitingly gorgeous! Tony has been to Amsterdam once very briefly (before I knew him) for work, but I've yet to see it. Hopefully one day, it's a city whose history and spirit (which you've captured superbly) beckon to me.
Endless hugs, dear friend,
♥ Jessica
I love this photos!! and Amsterdam is a fantastic city to be in ….
You have caught the soul of the city in a fantastic way! :)
What a perfect day this must have been.
Your photographs are just beautiful, Georgianna, and thank you for "taking us along" with you!
xo.
There's nothing like a home-grown resident host to make a trip more special, sharing all the secrets that you really want to see when you visit a city. Looks like it was an amazing side trip!
A delightful, charming set of images! It sounds like your host did a great job of showing you around. I'd love to visit there! I forwarded your blog to a Dutch friend who just visited Amsterdam (where she's from). Actually, I'm part Dutch so maybe that's why these images resonate so much with me! I'm sure you have a zillion photographs to go through since your return home…what a pleasurable experience that must be!
The whole thing looks pretty heavenly. Your photos are beautiful, as always. xo
Guess what I did after this post? Searched for Amsterdam hotels! I've wanted to go for a long time and this didn't help. All of these houses, the rooftops, the colours, the canals, and everything in the middle of this green spring! You must have enjoyed it so much!
It sounds like you had a lovely day with Eline. I haven't been to the Netherlands for years now but your wonderful photographs tempt me (as always). Hope you're having a lovely week G! xo
Hi! Your blog is beautiful!! Your photos, incredibles!! You're a great photographer. Kiss =)
Love love love Amsterdam such a fun and exciting city and your images are just breathtaking G..have a lovely week
Carla x
I've never even entertained the idea of a visit to these places, but after seeing your lovely photos, my mind has been changed!
I can even begin to tell you how Absolutely beautiful!! each is. I thought I had a fav and then they just kept on coming. Nice way to end My night.
Lovely beyond words.
Beautiful! Simply lovely. Found your blog via Summerwalk Designs. It is a gorgeous blog. Thank you for sharing
What perfect Old World Charm!!! These photos are such delightful images…
I especially adore the black fenced church door – with the sweet roses, humble bicycle, and welcoming gate! LOVE that photo!!
As always, thank you for sharing your beautiful art with us, Georgianna!
love,
Sherilyn
I'm getting caught up looking at your posts…..everything is so beautiful! How fun to have blog friends over seas to hang out with, as so many of us have similar interests.
Thanks for sharing your art!
xoxo
HI Georgianna! I have been around much lately; I am sorry. But with a busy schedule there was not much time left for blogging.
I love your new blog ( looks great!) and I have been catching up. As a Dutch girl :) I was thrilled to look and read this post.One of my sisters is livng nearby Haarem and I know both cities as I may say so. You captured both cities in a wonderful way. Your photos are amazing. I just love this..
XX