Netherlands Off The Beaten Path

  Windmill Oranjemolen
by vtveen
 
  • Windmill Oranjemolen
      Windmill Oranjemolen
    by vtveen
  • Barge leaving the Locks
      Barge leaving the Locks
    by hanleo46
  • Back of 'De Wildenborch'
      Back of 'De Wildenborch'
    by vtveen
  • The Loonse en Drunense Duinen
      The Loonse en Drunense Duinen
    by DorotheeZ
  • Havelte: Hunebed D53
      Havelte: Hunebed D53
    by vtveen
 

Most Viewed Off The Beaten Path in Netherlands

1.

Daytrip outside Amsterdam: Volendam / Edam / Marken / Monnickendam   Amsterdam

Daytrip outside Amsterdam: Volendam / Edam / Marken / Monnickendam, Amsterdam

 31 Reviews  If you are looking to spend a day outside Amsterdam to see Dutch landscape and traditional villages, probably the best choice is to take a trip to villages Edam, Volendam and Marken. All of them are... 

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2.

Sonneveld house   Rotterdam

Sonneveld house, Rotterdam

 24 Reviews  Note the lights in the ceiling. The original Gispen furniture. The central heating which has not changed shape till the present day. The only difference now would be that the curtains would be to the... 

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3.

Surrounding area   Maastricht

Surrounding area, Maastricht

 41 Reviews  Postwar Maastricht develloped itself in a fast way; new suburbs were created in a srtict tempo. As in the early 60's the suburbs Belfort and Daalhof came into being, local authorities decided that the... 

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4.

City landmarks   The Hague

City landmarks, The Hague

 40 Reviews  The original town hall was built in 1564 Next to the 15th century Grote Kerk (Great Church). This is a relatively small building reflecting the humble beginnings of Den Haag. Will the new town hall... 

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5.

Coffeeshops   Eindhoven

Coffeeshops, Eindhoven

 1 Review  Lots of coffeeshops in Eindhoven, in every district as well in the center. In our district Gestel close to my home isIndian Dylan On the Stratumseind 95, there is a pub called "De Bakkerij", in the... 

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6.

Hofjes   Haarlem

Hofjes, Haarlem

 8 Reviews  There are several hofje (what we would call 'almshouses' in the UK) in Haarlem (as in other Dutch towns/cities). Basically, they were created to provide housing for the elderly from the 1600s onwards... 

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7.

Surrounding area   Utrecht

Surrounding area, Utrecht

 15 Reviews  In and around the city Utrecht, there are 8 stone forts (small fortresses) to be found, which symbolize some of the history of the city in the Netherlands. 5 of these forts can be found in the city,... 

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8.

Castle   Breda

Castle, Breda

 8 Reviews  Our guide a real "Bredanaar" (person who lived all his live in Breda) here in the picture, told us that this is the original castle door, in the old days it has two stairs beside each other, because... 

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9.

Surrounding area   Tilburg

Surrounding area, Tilburg

 15 Reviews  Not far from Tilburg (between Kaatsheuvel and Drunen) there is a very beautiful and exceptional area. It's part of a national park (2400 hectares). In summer and during the weekends many people go out... 

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10.

Rokkeveen   Zoetermeer

Rokkeveen, Zoetermeer

 14 Reviews  Rokkeveen was built from 1981 by a new generation of planologists. The suburb is planned in geometrical pieces around the water tower (which I did not photograph although I drove past it). Each... 

 See All 20 Off The Beaten Path in Zoetermeer

11.

Daytrip outside Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans   Amsterdam

Daytrip outside Amsterdam: Zaanse Schans, Amsterdam

 18 Reviews  A day trip to Zaanse Schans is a must for the following reasons - View the windmills, Relax in the country, Inexpensive way to spend the day. Check out my travelogues and also the site below on how... 

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12.

Kinderdijk (around Rotterdam)   Rotterdam

Kinderdijk (around Rotterdam), Rotterdam

 8 Reviews  Whenever you will get the chance, you could pay a visit to Kinderdijk/Childsdike. Here you may watch the best of many windmills together in Holland. The same windwills Neil Diamond sang about ... The... 

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13.

St. Pietersberg   Maastricht

St. Pietersberg, Maastricht

 7 Reviews  Grotten St. Pietersberg-Noordelijk gangenstelsel Address Luikerweg 71, 6212 NH Maastricht Entrance fees Adults € 3.25 Children (-12) €2.25 These are the caves of the St. Pietersberg just outside... 

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14.

Scheveningen\Kijkduin   The Hague

Scheveningen\Kijkduin, The Hague

 17 Reviews  One can walk to Scheveningen, bout a half an hour walk. One then passes through the Scheveningse Bosjes, a parc like area. There also runs a tram and if you aren t into walking you can take tram 10,... 

 See All 169 Off The Beaten Path in The Hague

15.

Pihilips Factory   Eindhoven

Pihilips Factory, Eindhoven

 1 Review  The Philips Incandescent Lamp Factory of 1891 In the oldest Philips factory building an impression is given of how incandescent lamps were made over a hundred years ago. It is probably the only... 

 See All 21 Off The Beaten Path in Eindhoven

16.

Zandvoort   Haarlem

Zandvoort, Haarlem

 5 Reviews  Not really off the beaten path, since millions of people go to Zandvoort every year. Zandvoort is one of the most important seaside resorts. It is famous for it's long beach (9 km), it's casino and... 

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17.

Old architecture   Utrecht

Old architecture, Utrecht

 5 Reviews  This castle is build in the late 19th century, it replaced a old former castle. In the grounds used to be a village, but it has been rebuild, and the village, called Haarzuilen is a nice little one.... 

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18.

Museums   Breda

Museums, Breda

 5 Reviews  Stanislaw Maczek was a Polish general who liberated Breda in 1944. He was made an honorary citizen of the city. When he died in 1994 at 102 years of age, he was flown to Breda to be buried at the... 

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19.

Train station   Zoetermeer

Train station, Zoetermeer

 5 Reviews  there's the superb entry to the pedestrian bridge again. Halfway there is the train station running along the motorway A12 between The Hague and Utrecht (passing Gouda which is another of my special... 

 See All 20 Off The Beaten Path in Zoetermeer

20.

Canals / Amstel River / Harbour   Amsterdam

Canals / Amstel River / Harbour, Amsterdam

 52 Reviews  Cross the 'IJ' behind the central station with the 'ijplein'-ferry. When you get off, walk along the waterside to the east (right) untill you arrive at the orange building called 'wilhelminadok' to... 

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21.

Delfshaven -   Rotterdam

Delfshaven -, Rotterdam

 4 Reviews  In the 3rd floor you can see the houses and shops of workers and simple self-employed persons. All you see are replicas in every detail. On the attic you enter the....of the shadowy figures and... 

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22.

Culture and arts   The Hague

Culture and arts, The Hague

 42 Reviews  The palace Lange Voorhout nowadays houses the Escher Museum. There is much to see.. from famous work like Ascending and Decending, Babel's tower and Day and Night to the announcement card he made for... 

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23.

Parks   Eindhoven

Parks, Eindhoven

 2 Reviews  Look closely in the parks!! Day or night, you'll often see ducks and rabits having fun!! :) I have never seen so many rabits..they just run all ver the place.. I just thought it was cool. Specially... 

 See All 21 Off The Beaten Path in Eindhoven

24.

Grote Markt   Haarlem

Grote Markt, Haarlem

 5 Reviews   Who it is, standing here all by himself, Erasmus maybe? Dunno, too long ago! But maybe one day I will know again! Well, the mystery is solved!! Thanks to Sandravdp! who told me that this is Mr.... 

 See All 73 Off The Beaten Path in Haarlem

25.

Canals   Utrecht

Canals, Utrecht

 3 Reviews  Just a tip, there are a few operators who can give you a great time if you try one of those "party boats" you got to be with at least a few people, but then in summer you will have a great time on... 

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Reviews from VirtualTourist Members

DUTCH RECORD SHOPS (outside Amsterdam)

by pieter_jan_v

N-HOLLANDDROPSTYLE-Grote Oost 3-HoornPEPERBACK-Westerstr.19-EnkhuizenGOOD TIMES-Wageweg 74-AlkmaarDE TWEEDE RONDE-Laat 54a-AlkmaarYESTERDAY AND TODAY-Wandelweg 104-WormerveerDE MUZIEK FREAK-Raadhuisstr.41-Koog aan de ZaanDE PLATENKELDER-Zuiddijk 107-ZaandamDE JONG JUKEBOX SINGLES-Kaasmarkt 11-PurmerendTONI MUSIC-Heereweg 212A-LisseDISCOUNT-Oostermeent West 15-HuizenFRIESLANDKING KONG RECORDS-Voorstreek 11-LeeuwardenDéjà Vu-Slotmakersstr.1a-LeeuwardenGRONINGENSWINGMASTER-Kruitlaan 21-GroningenPLATENWORM-Steentilstr.8-GroningenZINNEBEELD-Pelsterstr.14-GroningenOVERIJSSELDISKID-Vechtstr.35-ZwolleMINSTREL MUSIC - Assendorpstr.95-1-ZwolleFEEDBACK-Gronausestr.90-LosserGELDERLANDFREAKS-Asselsestr.72-ApeldoornPLAY IT AGAIN-Zwanenstr.17-ArnhemWAAGHALS-Walstr.15-ArnhemWAAGHALS-Achter de Hoofdwacht 7-NijmegenVINYLARCHIEF-Lange Hezelstr.68-NijmegenFLEVOLAND't OOR-Brouwerstr.10-AlmereUTRECHTDE...

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Assen - Drents Museum

by vtveen

Although Assen is dating back to the 13th century - when the monastery Mariënkamp (or Maria in Campis) was transferred to the town - it doesn’t really look like an old city. The oldest and most interesting part of the town is situated around the Brink, a village green in the centre of the town. The monastery doesn’t exist any longer and on their site are a couple of historical buildings (former Provincial Government Building, Drostenhuis - former home of the home Queens Commissioner, Kloosterkerk/Abdijkerk - once belonging to the monastery and the Ontvangershuis - the former Tax Collectors House).All these buildings now house parts of the Drents Museum. We visited the Drents Museum, especially for an exhibition of ‘China’s Golden Age’. The museum often has very interesting and famous temporary exhibitions like this one. In the past they had for instance exhibitions like ‘Gold from...

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Hasselt, see the rare Snake's Head flowers

by vtveen

Snake’s Head has a couple of names, like Snake’s Head Fritillary, Checkered Daffodil, Chess Flower and Leper Lily. In the Netherlands it is called ‘kievitsbloem’ and it is a very rare flower. Most of them – about 80% - can be found around the city of Hasselt in the province of Overijssel.Sometimes there are many flowering together and people call it the natural bulb fields of the Netherlands. It is commonly found growing in grasslands in damp soils and river meadows along the rivers ‘de Vecht’ and ‘Zwarte Water’. Snake’s Heads are flowering from mid April till early May. From Hasselt there are two ways to see these rare flowers:- by a guided tour (boat/covered wagon)This tour will bring you to a nature reserve called ‘De Brommerd. These tours and the number of people on each tour are rather limited. For more information about these tours: VVV (Tourist) Shop in Hasselt: phone 038-4771329...

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Vorden - Wildenborch:thousands of winter aconites

by vtveen

The Wildenborch is a castle between the villages of Vorden and Lochem. The castle was first mentioned in the year of 1372, when it was owned by the infamous Count Sweder Rodebaert van Wisch, a knight who loved robbing and looting. The Wildenborch (“castle in a wild swamp region”) was surrounded by swamps and was an ideal hideout after raids in the surrounding areas.Another famous resident of castle Wildenborch was the Dutch poet Anthony Christiaan Staring (1767-1840). The family still provides opportunities for historical and literary research. The estate is accessible, but the house – still inhabited - is closed to the public (except during the annual Staring Nights).The lovely gardens of the Wildenborch are open for the public a couple of times a year. We visited during a grey and gloomy Sunday afternoon, especially to see the blooming winter aconites (and snow drops). We followed a...

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cycling the LF routes

by ardnas67

The Netherlands is perfect to have a cycle holiday. The country is flat, so no heavy work. And a perfect way to see the real country.There are many LF routes through the country with several theme's. On the website an explanation in Englisch.

Havelte – dolmen and chamadron

by vtveen

Havelte is a rural village in the Dutch province of Drenthe, located in the south western part nearby the town of Meppel. It is just a couple of kilometres from the highway A 32 to Leeuwarden. Havelte is an ideal base for exploring the area on foot or by bike. Havelte has two ‘hunebedden’ (dolmen), which are located 3 km’s north of the village. Along the ‘Van Helomaweg’ you will find a sign to the ‘Hunebedden’ and a car park. From there just walk 250 meters and on your left hand side you will see the first dolmen: ‘Hunebed D53’. That is the second largest dolmen of the Netherlands. Hundred meters further lies the second dolmen (Hunebed D54), which maybe is the most beautiful located dolmen of the Netherlands. It is situated at the foot of the soft rolling hills of the Havelterberg and especially during the month of August, when the heath is blooming it is a very pleasant and beautiful...

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Houthem - St. Gerlachus Church

by vtveen

The St. Gerlachus Church is one of the most famous Dutch places of pilgrimage. Even in these days there are about 30.000 pilgrims a year visiting the church and especially the tomb of St. Gerlach who lived in Houthem in the 12th century. He died in 1164 or 1165.The new church (from 1727) is part of a huge compound, also including the famous hotel "Chateau of St. Gerlach". This is perhaps the most luxurious hotel in the Netherlands, surrounded by lovely gardens with lots of sculptures. Real 'cool' to walk around.What a difference with the quietness in the rather little chapel. This is really an unique spot with several beautiful paintings on the walls, the ceiling and the organ loft. Fifteen of them are showing the life of St. Gerlach. In the middle of the church is a simple tomb of the Saint. There is also a small museum 'De Schatkamer' next to the church in one of the old cloisters. It...

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Holland Casino, Schiphol International Airport

by hopang

We placed Holland Casino at Schiphol International Airport under "off the beaten path" tip as this casino is not really a "nightlife" tip nor "things to do" tip! The Casino opens to all international passengers with minimum age of 18 years old between 6.30 a.m. and 7.30 p.m. daily. You may try your luck at the casino in the airport while waiting for your flight out of the Netherlands. Schiphol International Airport is probably the only airport in the world with its own casino!The Holland Casino in the airport has more than 100 slot machines together with several table games such as American Roulette and Black Jack. Admission to the casino is free but minimum age of 18 years old is strictly applied as required by the law of the country. The casino is located between Gate E and Gate F.

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The first in-Airport Museum of the World.

by csordila

Although international airports in San Francisco and Mexico City also feature art museums, but the Rijksmuseum is the first museum in the world to have an annexe in an airport and Schiphol is the first airport to have a museum in its terminal focusing on 17th-century masters of the Dutch Golden Age, Jan Steen. Pieter de Hooch. Jacob van Ruisdael and Rembrandt. The ten works of portraits, landscapes, still lifes and paintings of life in 17th-century Netherlands have been selected from the Rijksmuseum collections. The museum was officially opened in December 2002 by His Royal Highness, Prince Willem-Alexander. In addition, frequently changing exhibitions of applied arts, such as ceramics and silverwork, from other museums are also on show.Do not expect queues at the entrance, because the exhibition has cca. 500 - 600 visitors each day, an average visit lasts 15 to 20 minutes.You will find...

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Nieuwerkerk a/d IJssel: 6,76 below sea level !!

by vtveen

Lowest point of the NetherlandsThe Netherlands is well known as a ‘low country along the North Sea’. Main parts of the country do exist of polders and are protected by dikes. But to realise what it means to live in a country below the sea level one has to go to the lowest point of the Netherlands.This point is located nearby the town of ‘Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel’ in the province of Zuid Holland. Close to the motorway is a monument which indicates clearly how deep below Normal Amsterdam Level (NAP) this point is with: - 6,76 metres (although the monument says still it is – 6,74 metres) !!If you are by car drive over the dikes in this part of my country and see again what it means to live below the sea level. You will understand why ‘we’ are a little bit scared about the global warming and rising of the sea level.DirectionsFrom Rotterdam:Turn off at the motorway A20 (between Rotterdam...

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Top 3 Hotels in Netherlands

Seven Bridges Hotel  Amsterdam

 4 Reviews and 488 Opinions  We almost stayed here. Looked like a charming hotel, although we didn’t see the rooms. It’s in a... 

 Hotels in Amsterdam

The Manhattan Hotel Rotterdam  Rotterdam

 6 Reviews and 138 Opinions  Right opposite Rotterdam Centraal train station on Weena, is the imposing 5 star Westin hotel. It... 

 Hotels in Rotterdam

Novotel Maastricht  Maastricht

 4 Reviews and 178 Opinions  It's great to see and witness that the hotel has a heated outdoor swimming pool, which you can use... 

 Hotels in Maastricht

The Place

Reviews and photos of Netherlands attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Netherlands sightseeing.

Experience Netherlands
 

Questions and Answers

dnwitte profile photo

Q:  A couple of years since I've been back. Nothing stays the same. So, is the old strippenkaart system finally over? I can read... 

mccalpin profile photo

A: chippenkaartenmarken ;-) 

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