Advice for 1st timers

Jul 11, 2006
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Holland is a great place to stay, rather than just driven through as is the norm.
Tips:
First and most important, your breakaway cable MUST be attached to the tow bar on the car - it is not acceptable to hoop it over the ball as is the norm over here. Dutch Police often site outside Europort, pull UK outfits, and give them an instant fine.
Holland doesn't seem to have large supermarkets as here or especially in France. Lidl is often found and is probably as good as any, whereas Aldi is very much at the bottom of the market.
Travel by public transport whenever possible. It is integrated and in many places - especially Amsterdam - tickets are valid on both buses, local trains, and trams. Train services are regular, fast, smooth, and the trains are clean.
Many Dutch speak English - surprisingly more the older people (their Baby Boomers) - but it is by no means universal. Even campsites that get tourers (you'll be surprised how few Brits you see) usually speak English but all the signs are in Dutch/Flemish which is not a language at which you can take an educated guess (like French or Spanish.)
Don't just go for Amsterdam. Dordrecht, Utrecht, and Alkmaar are worth a visit as is the Gelderland - the higher ground in the east of the country. You will know of Delft and Edam but both are small places little more than suburbs. Rotterdam is big and ugly, The Hague is all glass and difficult to park. You must visit the coast - go west from Alkmaar to Bergen an Zee. Zandvoort is also pleasant but heaving with townies at the weekend.

Finally, the windmills at Kinderdijk - a UNESCO World Heritage Centre - are worth the drive escpecially at sunrise or sunset. Kinderdijk is at the confluence of the Lek Nd Noord rivers east of Rotterdam.
Holland has much to offer - go enjoy it.
 
Apr 1, 2010
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We went to Holland this Summer for the first time, on our way home from Germany and Austria. We really enjoyed it and we were joined on a site very near to Arnhem by Dutch friendswe met caravanning in Germany in 2009. These friends took us about to visit interesting places Delft was marvellous and worth a days visit. We went on the Canal. Sat in the main square and drank coffee and ate cake, then we walked to the famous Delft Pottery Factory. Here it was interesting to look around, they have a nice cafe and we had our lunch in a lovely little garden before continuing the tour and visiting the shop. Must admit everything seemed very expensive but we did buy 2 little momento's. We did stop more to the South East of the country from Amsterdam but as our Dutch friends said Holland is not a large Country. More details of our visit on my website as in signature below.
 

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