Why You Should Never Say Never to The Netherlands
The
Netherlands are an often overlooked European holiday destination,
generally dismissed in favour of showier beach destinations such as
Italy, Spain, and France. To dismiss the Netherlands as a vacation destination,
however would be a huge mistake. Holland has so much to offer to every
different kind of travellers: young singles and couples will love the
vibrancy and excitement of Amsterdam, whilst families will delight in
the miles of cycle paths, pristine beaches, and the old-world charm of
world-renowned theme park, Efteling. Here are just some of the many
benefits of choosing to travel to the Netherlands for your next holiday,
no matter what the season:
City Breaks in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
has a world-wide reputation for being a sin city that is simply not
suitable for families. Whilst there certainly are areas of the city it
is advisable not to venture into with children after dark, this is no
different from any other major European city and the reality is these
areas of the city are self-contained and easy to avoid. With a wealth of
cultural offers, Amsterdam is the perfect city break destination.
Amsterdam is a city built on canals, meaning that a canal tour is a
great way to explore the architectural highlights that the city has to
offer whilst relaxing in the sunshine: with dozens of tour boats
departing from right next to central station every hour, be sure to
choose one which offers their commentary in English, in order to make
the most of your experience. Once your journey is completed, there is a
host of other cultural opportunities to enjoy: from visiting the house
of Ann Frank to appreciating the artistic works of the Netherland’s most
famous painters. Don’t forget to take time out from your busy schedule
to enjoy a glass of beer and a potato pancake: this simple but delicious
dish is a national delicacy.
Lazy Summers By the Beach
If you’re visiting Holland during the summer months then a trip to the coast is essential. Most
people wouldn’t think about the Netherlands as the home to some of
Europe’s best beaches, but when the sun is shining people flock to
Holland’s beaches in their thousands to take advantage of the soft
sandy, miles of restaurant-lined promenades and water sports.
Scheveningen close the The Hague is considered to be one of the best
beaches if you’re looking for somewhere that Is easily accessible from
Amsterdam, whilst Wassenaar boasts an 8km long stretch of beach that
tends to be much quieter and is known to be one of the Hollands most
affluent towns. Wassenaar is also home to Duinrell: an amusement park
and swimming pool complex with twelve incredible water slides that was
recently named as one of the top ten water parks in the world. Visiting
the beach in Holland means so much more than simply building
sandcastles: you can also try your hand at kite surfing, wind surfing,
horseback riding, and even cycling along the beach front.
The Practical Benefits of Choosing the Netherlands
From
a practical point of view, there are many benefits of choosing to take a
holiday in the Netherlands: As a member of the European Union,
currency exchange is easy and straightforward both
in Amsterdam and the rest of the country. The use of English is
widespread across the country, meaning that communication is rarely lost
in translation, and making it much easier to get around. Public
transport links are exceptional, and with bike hire available in even
the smallest town, and miles of expertly managed cycle lanes covering
the entire country, you can hire a bike once you reach your destination
and easily travel from A to B. Finally, Holland is easy to get to,
particularly if you are travelling from the UK. You can choose to take
advantage of the daily budget airline routes into Amsterdam from all of
the UK’s major airports, alternatively, there are several affordable
ferry links between Holland and the UK making travelling between the two
countries easier than it has ever been before.
If
you’re looking for to experience a new holiday destination without any
hassle, then a trip to the Netherlands is well worth exploration: visit
once and you’ll want to go back again and again!