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Carry On · Mar 29, 2026

spring bucket list, wish list, and playlist

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Alicia Valenski · Carry On

There are many things I wish I’d known when we moved from the U.S. to the Netherlands, but one thing in particular that still trips me up each year is Daylight Saving Time.

Because what do you mean the U.S. changes its time zones a full three to four weeks before countries in Europe and the U.K. do each spring?!

I had no idea, and I can’t imagine I’m the only one.

Turns out, as part of the Energy Policy Act of 2005, the U.S. officially changed the start of DST to the second Sunday in March and the end of DST to the first Sunday in November—adding roughly four weeks to DST overall—while the EU did no such thing.

Which means that for about a month each year, I get confused as hell about what the time difference is between us in the Netherlands and our family and friends back in the States. Usually, we’re six hours ahead of the East Coast. For most of March, we’re five hours ahead. Then we’re back to six hours ahead. Then November comes, and there’s a week or two where we’re seven hours ahead.

At which point I throw my hands up in the air and abandon my efforts at mental math-ing the time difference and instead place blind trust in my devices. World Clock, take the wheel.

But what does reliably signal springtime here is everything else: the flowers, the markets, the terraces… which is why I’ve started making a little seasonal reset list for myself each year.

In celebration of the Netherlands and the rest of the EU fiiiiinally springing forward this weekend, I thought I’d share what’s on my spring bucket list, my spring wish list, and my spring playlist as things around us finally finish thawing out and begin to bloom again.

Spring is notoriously one of the most popular times for people to visit the Netherlands (because tulips!) and it was the first time we originally traveled to Amsterdam before we moved here, too. I get nostalgic about that first visit every year as the weather starts to warm up—and extra motivated to take advantage of living somewhere that celebrates spring so enthusiastically.

I mean, we’re back to riding our bikes without gloves on! And drinking biertjes on terraces in 12°C sunshine, fully convinced it’s act! If that’s not worth celebrating, what is?

Here’s what I’m setting out to do over the coming weeks to make the most of the season:

For us, that’s:

In Haarlem, our go-to farmers market takes place at the Grote Markt on Mondays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. each week.

There’s also the Botermarkt, which plays host to farmers markets on Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. as well as a second-hand and vintage clothing market on Mondays and a books and antiques market on Wednesday during the same timeframe.

The closest park to our place is quite literally steps away at the Staten Bolwerk. A unique blend of history and greenery, this park was built on old city fortifications but now provides elevated walking paths for people and doggos alike. This is one of our favorite places to walk our pup, Stella—and it’s lined with trees on both sides that burst into bloom every April, then offer ample canopy for us to find shade beneath all summer along.

But there are plenty of other parks in Haarlem to choose from if we’re feeling adventurous, like:

  • Florapark: Lined with stately 19th-century homes and, since 1900, home to a statue of Frans Hals sculpted by Henri Scholtz

  • Frederikspark: A peaceful green retreat, with wide-open lawns typically full of locals lounging in the sun

  • Haarlemmerhout: The oldest public park in the Netherlands, dating back to the middle ages—featuring winding trails, open meadows, ponds, a petting zoo, a teahouse, and more

  • Kenaupark: Named after local heroine Kenau Simonsdochter Hasselaar, combining landscaped gardens with tall trees and open lawns

I’m nothing if not a botanical garden bitch, and unlike David Rose, I will happily go to the botanical garden by myself. Ever since we moved to the Netherlands, I’ve been obsessed with the Hortus Botanicus in Amsterdam.

Though I admittedly do wish our Museumkaarts secured us free entry here, I’ll still gladly fork over €13 for a ticket to spend hours wandering through the gardens, butterfly house, and more.

So many choices in Haarlem! A few favorites:

  • Café de Paris: Known for their sunny terrace and iconic French onion soup (which, the menu notes, requires at least 20 minutes to prepare) as well as a kitchen open daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. serving all kinds of other delicious soups, sandwiches, salads, and more

  • Theehuis de Haarlemmerhout: Right in the heart of the Haarlemmerhout park, this little teahouse offers tasty tea and treats you can either warm up with inside or enjoy on the massive green terrace

  • Spaarne66: Technically, this is actually a restaurant and you could order whatever you want there—but ever since my pal Rachel invited me here to enjoy a tipple on the waterfront terrace, it’s been my go-to spot for a glass of wine with friends

Like, a real spring cleaning. Not just murdering dust bunnies, but ruthlessly emptying out all of our closets and drawers to sort through our constantly-accumulating mounds of crap so we can sell, donate, or throw out anything we no longer want or need. Clear out the clutter and bring on the zen.

Maybe even plant some flowers in the back garden, if we’re feeling ambitious!

Hazel Cafe and Westhoff tend to be our go-to spots (and both for good reason), but I’m thinking about potentially becoming a regular at:

  • Ax Specialty Coffee: A specialty coffee bar with a focus on quality and sustainability, and some truly groan-inducingly good artisanal pastries

  • Maeva Cafe: An espresso bar serving delicious coffee and tasty treats with warm Tahitian vibes

  • Mogador Cafe: Specialty coffee roasted in Amsterdam, in a space that feels like an extension of your own living room

We used to do this all the time at the U.S. National Whitewater Center when we lived in Charlotte, but for some reason, I always forget that we could also get out on Haarlem’s canals to kayak, canoe, or paddleboard if we wanted to!

Free Movement rents out all of the above—or if we just feel like being on the water without the exercise bit, we can always rent an electric sloop through Greenjoy for a sunny afternoon on the water.

Albert Heijn says all I need for “limonade maken” is six lemons, two tablespoons of sugar, 200ml of water, and a sprig of fresh mint, but I find making homemade iced tea even easier: Just drop two bags of green tea and one bag of mint tea into 500ml water, pop it into the fridge, and wait a few hours. Garnish with a lemon slice (or a sprig of mint, if you like) and boom, all set.

Pairs well with the above—and you can find my spring reading recs below.

Because it would be nice to snip off a little basil or thyme that I grew myself from the front windowsill to add a burst of flavor to a dish, no?

A beach day at Zandvoort, maybe, or an afternoon among the windmills at Zaanse Schans. They’re both so close!

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In support of enjoying all of the spring bucket list items above, naturally—for April showers, May flowers, etc.

full wish list (with links!) here on shopmy

I can kinda split this wish list into three parts, I think—everything here is either (a) helping me get outside more, or (b) making being inside feel less like I’ve been in hibernation since November.

Refer a friend

What I’m watching, reading, and listening to now—and what I’m looking forward to watching, reading, and listening in the weeks to come.

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Bucket list, wish list, or playlist—whatever you’re planning or pining for or immersing yourself in this season, I’d love to hear about it!

In the meantime, if you need me, I’ll be stocking up on non-drowsy allergy medication and pretending I’m the kind of person who can casually “stop to smell the flowers” without immediately sneezing up a storm.

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