Netherlands Things to Do Tips by ATLC

Someone asked to see the real Holland with windmills, tulips, country views...
I suppose the real Holland is a different one for everyone :-)

I'll give you your real Holland yet a little off the beaten track:
- a little village north of Amsterdam called De Rijp. Throw in Zaanse Schans, Hoorn, Enkhuizen.
- much more up north a village called Staphorst with lovely coloured farms and people who wear traditional costume daily. Throw in Giethoorn (Venice of the North) and Blokzijl
- Neeltje Jans (Deltaworks) with a visit to the beautiful old town Veere
- The Aalsmeer Flower Auction where more flowers are traded than anywhere else (early morning visit before 9 am)
- The village Haarzuilens with its quaint houses and nearby the impressive Castle De Haar
- or the old castle fort Muiderslot in the little town Muiden, just east of Amsterdam. With a boat ride to the island Pampus to visit the fort there.

AMple info about all of these right here on VT!

Leave a Comment

Directions: use www.viamichelin.com for maps. And use this tip for all public transportation.
Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/2bf0c/312/

Leiden is the oldest university city of The Netherlands. One of the attractions is a walk along old hofjes (beguinages) or enclosed housing where retired men and women used to live (often separately).
There are excellent museums in Leiden too.
Read more on my Leiden page (link below).

Leave a Comment

Address: 51 kms south of Amsterdam
Directions: From Amsterdam easily reachable by train or 50 car minutes along A4 until junction Leiden. For a map see 2nd photo in this tip. And plan your road trip with www.viamichelin.com
Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/2bf0c/70358/

Urban living in an otherwise not too interesting place. Highlight is the sluice and two bridges for quite heavy touristic boating traffic. The sluice and bridges are worked by hand.
Read more at the link below.

Leave a Comment

Address: 63 kms south of Amsterdam
Directions: Follow A4 direction The Hague/Rotterdam, turn off at junction 8 Leidschendam
Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/2bf0c/70356/

The capital of Zeeland certainly merits a visit. Just to admire the town hall, visit the abby, do some shopping and visit various museums or do a canal tour. It's also a great base to explore the famous Deltaworks or visit nearby villages and towns for a beach day.

Leave a Comment

Address: 200 kms south of Amsterdam
Directions: Can be reached by train. By car, take direction Rotterdam (or via Utrecht), then the most scenic route is along the N57 (plan route by www.viamichelin.com). For a map how Middelburg is located in relation to Amsterdam: see 2nd photo in this tip.
Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/2bf0c/701bd/

A small, very old town (1265) in the green heart of The Netherlands. Quaint and lots of old traditions like Witch Weighing and the Oudewater Murder in 1575.

Visit my Oudewater page

Leave a Comment

Address: 62 kms south east of Amsterdam
Directions: Take route to Utrecht (A2), turn on A12 towards The Hague/Rotterdam. Leave motorway at De Meern (just south of Utrecht) and keep driving until you come to Oudewater. See map in 2nd photo in this tip. It's about 70 kms.
Website: www.vvvoudewater.nl

The Vecht estuary is at the little town of Muiden. It also boasts a fine castle. Have a read at my VT page (link below).
And for the castle, see my Muiderslot page!

Leave a Comment

Address: 14 kms east of Amsterdam
Directions: Take the A1 out of Amsterdam, junction 3 is Muiden. Only 23 kms! For a map, see the 2nd photo in this tip. Or plan your route by www.viamichelin.com
Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/2bf0c/70127/

Assen is the kind of place that you don't visit but always pass by, somehow. But it does have a few nice features including an old town hall and the family outing to the Traffic Park which is great for young and old.
Assen is the capital of the province Drenthe, known for its pre-historic gravemonuments called Hunebedden (Dolmen).
Visit my Assen page at the link below.

Leave a Comment

Address: 188 kms northeast of Amsterdam
Directions: Take A1, change to A6 at Muiderberg, to A7 at Joure & A28 at Groningen direction Assen.
Website: http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/2bf0c/711c9/

Meppel is the city of printers and there is even a printers museum with a special interactive tour for children (they can even try their hand at printing). Meppel is also famous for its 'Donderdag Meppeldag' on Thursdays in summer when there are themed markets and live music.

If you visit Meppel, then don't pass by Staphorst and Giethoorn. Two most beautiful places. Staphorst, a rural village where people still wear traditional costume daily, and Giethoorn, Venice of the north.

Leave a Comment

Address: 129 kms northeast of Amsterdam
Directions: Will take you 1 hr 40 mins by car from Amsterdam but also easily reachable by train. Distance: 144 kms. Plan your trip with www.viamichelin.com. And for a map, see the 2nd photo in this tip.
Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/2bf0c/701d4/

The inhabitants of Orvelte have turned their rural village into a museum. Lots of art galleries, souvenir shops, and the possibility to visit authentic farms, cheese museum, and shops reminiscent of the old days.
Just a few kms east of Assen.

Have a look at my Orvelte page

Leave a Comment

Directions: For a map, see 2nd photo. Distance from Amsterdam is 193 kms. Calculate your route with www.viamichelin.com
Website: www.orvelte.net

My Lelystad page concentrates on the nature park near the city.

Leave a Comment

Address: 59 km. from Amsterdam
Directions: Leave Amsterdam by A10, onto A1 and direction Lelystad via A6. For map see 2nd photo.
Website: www.virtualtourist.com/m/2bf0c/70349
Other Contact: www.vvvflevoland.nl Tourist info