Still on a high from our discovery of Oudewater, a recommendation from Teko’s dad took us on another small-town road trip, this time to medieval Elburg in Gelderland. Technically a city, since we stayed within the old center it still felt like a village, easily walkable, normally buzzing with tourists but looking very quiet on a sunny, Thursday afternoon. We found a parking spot on the Waterkeringpad that made it very easy to start our random tour of the town, taking in the atmosphere and enjoying the narrow, residential side streets that screamed storybook quaintness. Plus some of the most attractive and elaborate Christmas wreaths I’ve seen yet inspired me for any that’ll be found hanging on our front door in the future.

With Christmas trees on practically every corner, likely decorated by whoever lived close by, the streets felt more festive and authentic than any place I’ve seen in this country to date, akin more to German-level festivity which was surprising and definitely welcome. With most shops closed because of stricter regulations, we both felt it was a must to go back when circumstances have improved. Always nice to look forward to something.