I’ll say up front, I’m a fan. I really like the Netherlands, enjoy visiting there and generally think it’s a pretty cool place. It’s not always been the case, the first time I visited it thought it was no better than okay.
It must be said the first time I ventured to the Netherlands it was only on a day trip to Amsterdam. I didn’t have enough time there to formulate a proper opinion; well you wouldn’t when you are clocking watching so you don’t miss your train (and then plane) would you? The main thing I learned from that trip is that Amsterdam is not really a ‘morning place’; I didn’t really come to life until after lunchtime.
At the time the Easyjet flights from my nearest international airport (Liverpool) made Amsterdam a much cheaper option to visit than London – what a strange world we live in. Easyjet still operate from Liverpool to Amsterdam and arriving at Schipol airport its hard not to be impressed with the integrated transport system, namely the train station that is there which has trains running every twenty minutes to Centraal Station in Amsterdam.
Some years later I found myself on another budget airline, Jet2.com I recall, only this time I stayed for a few days. This really was a proper chance to see the Dutch capital for real.The look of the city was beautiful; wonderful museums, cake slice buildings on the side of canals, fantastic open spaces like Vondel Park, Dam Square, the Leidsplein, with Anne Franks Museum and the Rijksemuseum, plus the boat trips on the
miles of canals – all worth while spending time at for different reasons. All very tourist-y and lacking in originality to some, but when starting to explore a new city why not start with the tourist attractions?
One of the most famous (or infamous) ‘attractions’ in Amsterdam is of course the red light district. I think it is such a shame that this area seems to sum up to certain people what Amsterdam is. There is far, far more to see that the red light district and it demeans the whole of a quite beautiful city to assume that they are one and the same.
A variety of things to see, means of transport and types of food all add to the enjoyment of the city. My favourite eating venue was a place near Dam Square called Green Planet. Located at 122 Spuistraat Green Planet was an excellent place for vegetarians (like myself) to enjoy beautiful food from the Austrian Head chef who really understood what being a veggie was about – no hidden animal ingredients here. Meat-eaters don’t be put off, the food is good and surely you can take one night off can’t you?!
There was also a brilliant falafel bar I visited called Maoz on Muntplein (there is another Maoz by Centraal Station too). Lovely food.
Gelderland
Gelderland is a very green and beautiful part of the Netherlands in the East of the country. Gelderland is (as I am told by my Dutch dentist) a place where residents of large cities escape to the country. It is very peaceful and really nice place to relax and recharge the batteries. There are number of holiday parks (like CentreParcs) in the Netherlands, several are located in Gelderland and it was in one of these parks I stayed in 2006.
Landal Stroembeck was the name of the place I stayed (Landal being the name of the chain). Just a ten minute drive from the border with Germany Stroembeck is a very small village with a reasonably new holiday park in it.
The real plus for Stroembeck over some of the other parks is the fact it has a fantastic lake with a man made beach by its side. The indoor pool was a little on the small side but with cycle hire and bowling alley as well as a modest food shop and restaurants; it has plenty to keep most amused.
Probably because of the proximity to the border the activity timetables and maps are in German as well as Dutch, not however in English. Without exception every member of staff could speak English, but it is nice to be able to understand the literature – after all it is advertised in the UK in the ’Hoseseasons’ brochure.
The nearest town was Doetingchem. Doetingchem is a pleasant if unremarkable place to visit, very keen on the pay and display parking. The town centre has a decent pedestrianised shopping area with a C&A there – it’s a little trip down memory lane going in there. I did actually buy a rather cool green tie in the Amsterdam C&A a couple of years back.
Doetingchem also has an excellent health food shop with lots of vegetarian food in, tends to be the way in the UK too – where there is a large college or university there is usually a shop somewhere with a decent vegetarian food shop. As well as a university Doetingchem is also home to Eredivise football team De Graafschap. I mention that because across the Netherlands you will see merchandise of the big three in Dutch football (Ajax, PSV Eindhoven and Feyenoord), so it was nice to see the blue and white colours of De Graafschap.
Twenty minutes down the road is Arnhem. Made famous by several films about the Second World War Arnhem’s most striking feature is its large bridge to the south. It is a pleasant town centre but having heard so much about it in history lesson at school and of course movies I was little surprised how understated it was.
There was a nice water feature outside the main church in the town centre, my little boy loved playing on it and I bought a couple of pairs of very reasonably priced shoes there too. As a little aside, it is a pleasure shopping for shoes in the Netherlands – sorry, I don’t mean to sound all girly, but as the Dutch are statistically the tallest race on Earth it does mean getting size 11 shoes is not a problem for me!
The new football ground to the south of the city (the Gelderdome) looked pretty impressive too.
I actually had my car broken into when I stayed in Arnhem, a lot of glass and mess, but the only thing that was taken was a mobile phone charger. That was weird, because it wasn’t a car charger it was one that was used in the home, so presumably it wouldn’t have been much use to anyone in the Netherlands.
All the people at the hotel and the Car-Glass garage were really sympathetic and seemed disappointed and even a bit ashamed. Again, they were helpful so we didn’t let it spoil our holiday
Limberg
Following the success of the trip to Gelderland, the following year I went for another CentreParc type holiday only this time it was in the province of Limberg.
Facilities at Landal De Lommerbergen were even better that at Stroembeck the previous year, but I personally felt the immediate region around the park wasn’t as nice.
Close to the small town Reuver and fifteen minutes drive from Roermond I was slightly disappointed with the area. I had spoken to a colleague at work who was born and raised in Limberg and she gave it rave reviews. Maybe I didn’t see some of the prettier aspects province in what was a relatively short visit.
Bordering Belguim to the West and Germany to the East you really can make Limberg a base for exploring a few countries.
The large scale road works around the outskirts of Roermond will no doubt help traffic flow around the town in the fullness of time, but it doesn’t do a lot for a first impression. Once in the centre it is a pleasant enough town with a couple of nice squares, one with a very ornate bandstand in it.
A couple of really good toy shops were there, in which you could spent a fortune on the handcrafted toys, as were some nice cafes and department stores. Despite excellent signage directing you to the tourist office what was there was disappointing. I suppose they cater for their customers and only having three publications in English is probably an indicator that they don’t get many Brits there.
Also in the area are Eindhoven and Maastricht, I didn’t visit either but would have liked to if my stay had been longer. Neither are very far from the holiday park, about half an hour drive away I’d guess.
Landal De Lommerbergen was very child friendly, from babies to big kids like me. Mainly focussed around the pool area there was plenty to enjoy. Slides, a wave pool, spa baths, saunas, an indoor/ outdoor pool. Also on site a mini farm, indoor kids play area, cycle hire, Alice in Wonderland mini-golf and local ‘entertainers’ for children.
All told Landal De Lommerbergen is an excellent choice for a family holiday, and even when you add in ferry or tunnel cost it can still work out cheaper than a similar holiday in the UK.
People
As you will have guessed I’m a fan of the Netherlands and a fan of the Dutch. I’ve been fortunate to visit a few countries now and despite what it says in guide books the world isn’t always full of happy, helpful and welcoming people. The number of times you read “the people are famous for their warn hospitality” and it really isn’t true. The Dutch however, along with Sri Lankan and Canadian people are the most friendly I’ve come across.
The most noticeable thing about the Dutch people I encountered was how well so many spoke English. I know it sounds like a typical ‘Brit-abroad’, but it really is nice to go somewhere that is so obviously a foreign land and be understood. It’s just as well really, because my knowledge of Dutch extends only to that of footballers names.
Not only do most Dutch people speak English but in all of cases of people I’ve had dealings with, they are so helpful too. I’ve read some other reviews on Ciao where people have not had good experiences in the Netherlands; I’m disappointed for them because it’s not the Netherlands I know.
Probably the only downside is the heavy traffic on motorways and certain times of the day. My Dutch colleague and dentist both warned me about this but I must have been lucky because I didn’t really get stuck in any traffic jams.
I’d recommend the Netherlands, whether it’s for a visit to a large city, a stay in a small town or to spend time in the beautiful countryside. Loads of people go to France but I honestly believe the Netherlands is the best kept secret in Europe, every time I go the weather is always considerably better than at home too. Hardly anyone I know goes there on holiday but it’s great, trust me!
I totally agree that it's an underrated holiday destination. I've enjoyed several trips there and not limited to Amsterdam. Excellent review. David
Sgathach 03.04.2008 21:33
It sounds really nice and all the little place you've been to sound very interesting, I have been to Holland, but years ago and can't even remember the names of the places I visited.
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Advantages: Only an hour from London, Cheap deals available, Lots to do no matter what your tastes Disadvantages: Too much to do within a couple of days! Expensive alcohol
Aug 10th, 2007
exceptional by (4%):
very helpful by (96%):
