Our day kicked off bright and early with a memorable 6:00 a.m. breakfast which was a cucumber sandwich and a bag of paprika chips. It was an unexpected combo that gave us all a good laugh and the energy we needed for a packed day.
Our first stop was Royal FloraHolland, the world’s largest flower and plant trading hub. The factory opens at 6:00 a.m., when workers begin moving flowers rapidly across the facility according to live auction results. There’s no set end time so things wrap up once the day’s supply is sold, usually by late morning. The auction system, which uses a 100-year-old Dutch auction clock, is incredibly efficient. Prices start high and drop until someone bids, triggering the quick delivery of flowers to the buyer. Sustainability is a core focus here. The facility runs on rechargeable electric machines, has strict quality control, and minimizes waste at every step. It’s an impressive blend of tradition and modern logistics.
Later in the morning, we visited the NDSM Wharf, a repurposed shipyard turned creative district. From there, we toured Schoonschip, a one-of-a-kind floating neighborhood built on a canal. Led by two residents, we learned about its cutting-edge sustainable design. Each home floats on a recycled concrete base and is anchored with poles that let it rise and fall with the water. The entire community is powered by ground-source heat pumps and solar panels, with in-home batteries storing excess energy. These systems make Schoonschip nearly energy self-sufficient, using just 1/8 the electricity of a typical neighborhood. All homes also feature green roofs, which help with insulation, manage rainwater, and support local biodiversity. The residents strive to grow their own food and share resources without living communally. Their model shows how future cities could be more resilient, sustainable, and community-driven.
After the tour, we had lunch at Pllek, Amsterdam’s largest green restaurant. Built from old shipping containers, it focuses on local, high-quality ingredients. I tried the wild boar burger, which was unexpectedly delicious and became a group favorite. The atmosphere and mission of the place reflected much of what we’d seen throughout the day which was creativity paired with sustainability.
After lunch, we split up to explore more of Amsterdam.