A short trip to the Netherlands
Beaches don’t immediately spring to mind when thinking of the Netherlands but the Rawlings family were delighted to discover superb, long sandy stretches during a short two-site break in this fascinating, friendly country.
After jumping on the overnight ferry from Harwich to Hook of Holland the family also enjoyed:
- Exploring the city of Leiden
- Cycling along the banks of canals
- Visiting a medieval castle
- A bike tour of ancient underground mines
- Hurtling downhill on a toboggan
- A day in Amsterdam
A beach for all seasons
Our first campsite at Vakantiepark Koningshof, near Leiden, was less than an hour’s drive from the ferry so we quickly pitched the caravan, unloaded the bikes and set off exploring.
It was only three miles from the campsite to Katwijk aan Zee, where we were greeted by a sea-facing boulevard of restaurants, bars, hotels and shops. There were also monuments to action that took place here during the Second World War, but, thankfully, these days, the beach is the scene for relaxation and activities such as kite surfing and horse riding. Even in October, there were plenty of families out strolling and, like us, enjoying lunch in trendy eateries.
A mini-Amsterdam without the crowds
The following day we jumped on our bikes again and headed to Leiden, described as a smaller version of Amsterdam due to the proliferation of canals, bridges and historic buildings.
Take a relaxing boat trip from the market square or embark on a self-guided walk. Highlights include the Leidse Schouwburg (the oldest working theatre in the country), the medieval Pieterskerk, the 1,000-year old citadel of Burcht van Leiden and the peaceful Hortus Botanicus – the oldest botanical garden in the Netherlands.
For a great view of the city, try the restaurant at the top of the Hudson’s Bay department store. It’s right next to Leiden’s large Saturday market, where you can feast on traditional Dutch herring, local cheese and waffles.
Anne Frank House and Van Gogh
The Hague and Delft are also easily accessible by train, while Amsterdam, to the north, is just 30 minutes away. Having school-age children, visiting the Anne Frank House in the capital was a must, as was a trip to the Van Gogh museum where we viewed the largest collection of works by the Dutch genius in the world.
The beautiful south
We spent the second part of our break in Valkenburg in the country’s southern extremity, and were surprised by the contrasting scenery - there are hills in Holland!
Stay at Camping Valkenberg-Maastricht
Less than 2km from the campsite, come and discover Valkenburg and its many historic sites. Visit the ruins of the only hilltop castle in The Netherlands and the caves of Valkenburg. Want to relax and unwind? Head to the town's thermal baths.
Castles and caves
The site is right next to Valkenburg Castle – the country’s only hill fortress – while you should also make time to see the marl caves (excavated by the Romans for marl about 2,000 years ago). The latter can be explored by foot or tourist train, but the most exciting option (we thought) is the bike tour which took us 40m underground.
There are good biking (and hiking) routes to enjoy above ground in the area too but remember – they won’t be flat!
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