Netherlands Things to Do Tips by tini58de

Kampen

Kampen was our first stop on the second trip to the Netherlands. We had read that it was supposed to be quite nice and in fact, it was not only "quite" nice, it was VERY nice!!!

The facades of the houses were stunning, the squares and streets are impressive and very different one from the other and the churches (and there sure are quite a few of them) were very special. Kampen has 3 city gates, all of which are different. Great place to visit!

Directions: Provinzie Overijssel

Website: http://www.kampen.nl

Workum

Workum is a lovely Frisean village with lots of nice houses and narrow streets, a huge church, a weighing house, an inviting market place and lots of pottery places that invite you to do (window) shopping! Do not miss it!

Website: http://www.workum.nl/

Urk

Urk is supposed to be the nicest fishing village in Friesland - and although I have not seen all that many, I must agree! This village has it all: a lovely marina, small streets with cozy little houses, a wonderful lighthouse - enough to let you enjoy it for hours!!!

The interesting part of this village is that it used to be an island, but after the dam was built that seperated the Zuiderzee from the ocean, and land was won, Urk became a mainland village. Still today fishery is the main income for the people of this village.

Directions: Flevoland

Website: http://www.urk.nl

Amsterdam

Amsterdam was our first city in the Netherlands to visit. It is huge, but the sightseeing spots are well within walking distance or easily to be reached by boat!

The old city center is shaped like a horseshoe, surrounded by three well known canals called the Herengracht, Keizersgracht and Prinsengracht. To the north of the city you will find the impressive 19th Century Central Train Station plus lots of museums, cultural and social activities.

For more information please have a look at my Amsterdam page.
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Website: http://www.visitamsterdam.nl/

Harlingen

Harlingen will always be special to me: not the city - no, we had seen even nicer ones, but the accomodation that we chose: a real harbor crane with a beautiful interior and the most spectacular views! For more information, please have a look at my Harlingen page

Directions: Friesland

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/309de/708fe/

Ijsselmeer

You can see it as a bunch of facts:

IJsselmeer, Ysselmeer

a shallow lake in the NW Netherlands; formed from the S part of the Zuider Zee by the construction of the IJsselmeer Dam in 1932; salt water gradually replaced by fresh water from the IJssel River; fisheries (formerly marine fish, now esp. eels).

or just as an area to relax, go surfing, boat trips or bicycle tours!!!

Alkmaar

Alkmaar is a fantastic place for a vacation!

You have a little bit of everything:
the city is very picturesque, has many fine museums and during the summer the famous Alkmaar Cheese Market is held every Friday from 10 - 12!

Other than that Alkmaar is only some 10 km away from the North Sea, 30 km from the Ijsselmeer and 40 km north of Amsterdam - so everything is within reach!

For more information please have a look at my Alkmaar page.

Kinderdijk

The Netherlands is famous for its windmills. Today there are still more than 1.000 mills. Nowhere in the world you will find as many windmills as near the Dutch village of Kinderdijk. Around 1740 no less than 19 sturdy mills were built here. They have been well preserved to the present day.

In 1997 the mills of Kinderdijk were put on the World Heritage List of UNESCO, so this was another highlight for me!

There is a path that invites you to stroll along this fabulous scenery, with interesting information and picnic areas! One mill is a museum now and is open to the public.
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Website: http://www.kinderdijk.nl/

Enkhuizen

At the most easterly point of the region stands Enkhuizen which owes its prosperity to the Zuiderzee in the Golden Century. In the monumental centre there is still much to discover that brings back the memory of the Dutch East India Company period such as the 16th century Drommedaris tower. Adjacent to the historic town centre, the Zuiderzee Museum portrays a picture of life and the past at sea.

In Enkhuizen the water-sports enthusiast will find modern marinas with all amenities and can berth his yacht right in the old town. The Enkhuizer Zand recreation area is suitable for the whole family and includes waterside recreations and Sprookjeswonderland (Fairy Wonderland). At Enkhuizen there is a busy lock in the dyke that leads to Lelystad, used a great deal by vessels of the 'brown fleet', the flotilla of old wooden boats. Enkhuizen is the home port of many vessels of the 'brown fleet'.

Egmond aan Zee

The borough of Egmond consists of a trio of villages. Egmond Binnen is the furthest inland, surrounded in spring by colourful fields of bulbs in bloom. The centre has modern shopping facilities as well as historical aspects such as Adelbertusakker, a field going back to the 9th century where the Christianisation of Europe began, and the abbey. The later was laid waste in the 16th century and rebuilt centuries later. Benedictine monks still live in the abbey. Lioba monastery which lies beyond it is still functioning.

Egmond aan Zee is the best known of the three Egmonds. It started off as a fishing spot but since the beginning of this century it has been clearly recognisable as part of the scene. The Jan van Speyck lighthouse stands prominently on the boulevard and can be seen from throughout the village. The wide beach offer numerous facilities such as pavillions and opportunities to sail and surf. The village offers the holiday-maker plenty of entertainment. Terraces, restaurants, a sub-tropical swimming paradise, sports facilities, and a shopping district with something for everybody. Where the buildings of Egmond aan Zee give up, the natural beauty of the Noord Holland Dune Reserve begins.