Netherlands

The Netherlands has a temperate maritime climate with mild summers and cool winters, heavily influenced by the North Sea. Amsterdam averages 3°C in January and 18°C in July, with about 130 days of rain per year spread evenly across the seasons. Spring (April to May) is tulip season: Keukenhof gardens open from late March to mid-May, and the flower fields peak in the second half of April. Summer days are long (sunset after 10 PM in June) with temperatures of 20-23°C, though rain can appear any time. Autumn brings reliable rainfall but also pleasant crisp days in September and October for city exploring. Winter rarely drops below freezing for long, but when canals freeze (every few years), informal skating events spring up across Amsterdam.