In summer, we did a few trips in our own country. We had wanted to visit Giethoorn, also known as little Venice and when we were planning for a daytrip there, we saw that the lovely city of Zwolle was on the way. So we booked an high tea and visited the city when we were done in Giethoorn.

The first stop in Zwolle was lunch. We had booked an high tea at De vier Jaargetijden and it was delicious. We had sandwiches with carpaccio and salmon, scones, apple pie, muffins, cheesecake and other baked yummies! And of course, lots and lots of tea. It was delicious!

After lunch we wanted to visit the famous bookstore of Zwolle, namely Waanders in de Broeren. It’s located in an old church that now serves as a bookstore and coffeebar and has been on lots of ‘beautiful bookstores’ lists. And it really is quite pretty!

I can say that this is one of the most beautiful bookshops I’ve ever been to. And I’ve been to a lot of them. I love how calm it is. Some bookstores are crowded, stuffy and hot but this one was very open and bright and you got the feeling that you could really take your time browsing books. And I did, of course. Can’t leave the bookshop with some new additions to your shelves!

After the high tea and the bookstore, we just browsed the city a bit. There are lots of fun shops in the historic city center I can only describe as gezellig.

I loved the old houses and the little terraces. The city felt warm and welcome and we’d happily spend a couple of hours here, just wandering and discovering this new city. But it was getting late already, and we wanted to go back home.

We made a new friend on our way back to our car. This little guy didn’t want us to leave the city. But don’t worry, kitty, I’m sure we will be back!