Holland

[Aspman]

Looking to go on holibobs in the easter break.

 

Trying to find a place with nice things to do, not too far, not too hot, not too cold.

 

And Holland edged out Denmark.

 

Going with gf and 7yr old boy.

 

No plans yet, other than initially to start with a few days in Amsterdam.

 

Anyone suggest good things to see do or avoid?

 

It'll likely be the w/b 2nd but not the 2nd since flights are dearer.

[Bignij]

Having been to Copenhagen and Amsterdam. There's little to choose between the two; both very nice. Copenhagen was excruciatingly expensive though.

[Wet Kipper]

we werein Holland last year, went here:

https://www.koningshofholland.com/en/

 

you can go with Eurocamp (save on the ferry cost) but we booked direct, as we had also booked 3 nights somewhere else with eurocamp to get the cheap ferry, but had to forego that part due to child with chickenpox

We stayed in one of the chalet/static caravan style places, my inlaws who came as well did actual *camping*

 

It's pretty close to Katwijk and Nordwijk which have nice beaches (but vicious seagulsl as i found to my cost)

kids (7.5 and 4 at the time) loved the pool and the kids club activities, and the small size of the park meant we let them roam a wee bit. You can hire bikes to explore nearby, we also drove to Leiden for a nice day out, and you can get the train to AMS there as well

 

kids want to go back again this year

Edited 17 January, 2018 by Wet Kipper

[VRS Mike]

are you not tempted to drive? Could take in quite a bit more

[mac11irl]

Maastrict is quite lovely, and a short drive to the "highest point in The Netherlands above sea level" about 1500ft iirc and also meeting point of germany belgium and holland.

Bit of a distance from hamsterdam though...

[@Lee]

Avoid Utrecht like the plague. Especially as rush hour (06:00 -21:00) 

[SWBoy]

Zaanse Schans is well worth a visit Zaanse Schans

[Guest]

Be aware of this;

 

https://dutchaustralian.com/first-monday-of-the-month-test-siren-in-the-netherlands/

 

My wife and I had a brown trousers moment (after recent events it is now apparently referred to as an 'Hawaiin Pizza'! ) whilst walking back to our hotel in the outskirts of Amsterdam in 2013 and this went off.  It goes on (or off)  for about 15 minutes. 

[Frenchtone]

If you're interested in boats and steam, Dordrect, there's a basin off the main canal system with many small workshops repairing steam stuff etc and the basin has lots of old boats moored, and some under repair!

Pardon the pun, but whatever floats yer boat!

[gadgetman]

If you are doing Amsterdam, then the Ann Frank museum is a must. Very humbling 

[roo]

We've stayed here with the children for the last few years.

https://www.duinrell.com/holiday-park/duingalows/search-and-book

It's also used by the likes of Eurocamp and Alfresco, so they may be cheaper.

It is on the outskirts of a nice little village and it has a small theme park and a good swimming pool.  

 

It's about 20 mins from the Hague and roughly 40 from Rotterdam and the Amsterdam Park and rides.

there are lots of small towns nearby with museums 

There is an open air living history museum nearby called Archeon and a good one about the human body called Corpus only 5 mins away (although I think your child may be too young).

 

You would Ideally need a car for these.

 

[Chris]

If you can get a shuttle (sure there is one from. Amsterdam) then maybe make a day trip to Efteling. By far one of the best theme parks I've been to. Perfect for a family with lots to see and do for all. 

 

 

[Titanium_Man]

On 17/01/2018 at 17:13, Lee01 said:

Avoid Utrecht like the plague. Especially as rush hour (06:00 -21:00) 

 

Agreed... avoided the rush by going through Utrecht on a Dutch Barge, which is a great alternative to a UK barge hokiday. Beautiful place though.

 

If you fancy a trek, landgraaf in the far south east has an amazing indoor snow dome. 

[KenONeill]

You don't need a "specialist bus" to get to die Efteling like @Chris thinks: Just go to a railway station and ask for an inclusive ticket to die Efteling, which will give you return train to the nearest station, bus transfer and park entry.

 

If interested, there's the Dutch national maritime museum and Reijksmuseum (Van Gogh paintings) in Amsterdam, and their railway museum and Utrecht cathedral and tower are both in Utrecht.

Edited 19 January, 2018 by KenONeill

[Aspman]

Cheers folks some good suggestions.

 

I'm not driving, the nearest ferry I can find is in Newcastle and that's a 4hr drive.

 

One of the reasons for picking Holland is because it got good public transport.

[KenONeill]

@Aspman 4hr drive, and then 18 more each way on the ferry to Europort, and then you've got to get from the docks to your digs. Yeah, let the 'plane take the strain.

[@Lee]

Avoid it when it's a bit breezy. Yesterday.

 

[fabiamk2SE]

Amsterdam will open the little’uns eyes in sn evening   

 

nothin like the rest of holland though. Its a lovely place. 

[gadgetman]

23 hours ago, fabiamk2SE said:

Amsterdam will open the little’uns eyes in sn evening   

 

nothin like the rest of holland though. Its a lovely place. 

The only place I've ever seen a 2ft tall sex toy in the same area of a gift shop as tea towels, plates, kids pocket money items..... 

[fabiamk2SE]

5 hours ago, gadgetman said:

The only place I've ever seen a 2ft tall sex toy in the same area of a gift shop as tea towels, plates, kids pocket money items..... 

 

 

 

 

Its just so in your face compared to the rest of it. 

 

Driving there is a ballache too. Red lights seem to be a recommendation  

 

Just nothing like the rest of it. The place in general is really nice and the people are too. Not like amsterdam with the drugs  and tourism 

[Aspman]

So booked flights last night (bloody dear for a short hop).

 

Still got to sort out accommodation but we'll be doing two centres split between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Day to Efteling and the theme park on the agenda and some windmills.

 

Hopefully my boy's passport will get sorted quickly. It was rejected because my mate who countersigned neglected to mention his passport had expired

Edited 30 January, 2018 by Aspman

[Wet Kipper]

For windmills, we went to Kinderdijk

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windmills_at_Kinderdijk

 

on our way back to the ferry on our last day. It seemed to be well served by tourist buses, not sure about public transport.

You can go on a boat trip to see them, with commentary, some of them have museum exhibits inside, and next to it there is an actual pumping station - my wee boy was fascinated by the Archimedes screws pulling the water up out of the canal bay and out towards the river when it kicked in.

[Aspman]

Yep it was Kinderdijk we were thinking of and on a water taxi.

[Titanium_Man]

Loved Rotterdam. Stayed in the Citizen-M hotel, which was awesome and pretty well placed. 

 

The boat-thingy(!) was in the river you can see in the other image, which was taken from our room 

 

Erasmus Bridge was a nice walk along the canal, which is pretty striking in the evening. 

 

 

 

Edited 30 January, 2018 by jars
Changed pic

[Titanium_Man]

I drove over this particular trip in September 2016. We went up the Euromast, which I enjoyed, walked around the city looking at the architecture, then drove to Langraaf to the snow dome