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!