"sandravdp's new Haarlem Page" a Haarlem Travel Page by sandravdp

I have lived all my life in Haarlem and my fathers family has its history here. Haarlem is a beautiful city, over 750 years old and it has 350.000 habitants. Everything is in and around this city. In the city: historic buildings, , 20 churches, shoppingstreets, shoppingmall, offices, light industry in some suburbs, 5 postoffices, 80 schools (small children, youngsters and adults schools included), cityhall, communityservicesbuilding, touristoffice, 2 stations, 5 libraries, a courthouse, a jailhouse, 4 hospitals, concertbuilding, theaterbuilding, 3 museums, 2 big cinemas and several restaurants and bars.

Around Haarlem are Amsterdam, the countryside, the sea / beach, woods and dunes. Haarlem is known for being the capital of the province of North Holland. It is also the city of jazz, flowers, funfairs, circusses and festivals. Some of the festivals mentioned: JUNE: Avondvierdaagse (four day walking festival for children and adults with music and snacks); AUGUST: Flowerparade (special cars with flowerstatues travel from Noordwijk to Haarlem, when they arrive a twoday festival begins), Flowercarpet (when the flowerseason is finished a carpet of flowers is made on the townsquare 'The Grote Markt'. The carpet stays here for four days. Boatingfestival (Boats come to Haarlem and stay there for a day, live music is played and people can take a look on several boats); SEPTEMBER: TROS-loop (national walk in Haarlem, promoted by a national tv station).

More things about my hometown like the history of it (with pictures)or extra pictures and specialties like other cities around Haarlem (Zandvoort/Bloemendaal, Santpoort and IJmuiden at the beach) you can find in my TRAVELLOGUE!