Holland Bulbfields

[AndrewWimborne]

Next year in late April we are planning to visit the above. The limited knowledge I have is that late April is the best time and the fact that the site we are looking at does not accept Camping Cheques at the end of April tends to back this up.

The site we are looking at is KONINGSHOF. Rijnsburg. According to the guide book the standard pitches are only 80sq mtres which is quite small compared to sites we normally stay on.

Anybody got any general advice for this trip and any other site recomendations. It is adults only going.

Thanks

 

[Tankie]

Hi Andrew

We went to Konigshof April 05, to see the Bulb fields & Keokenhof Gardens, only about 20 minuets drive.The site is very good, the pitches being are not very big & are grouped together in 8s or 10s, surrounded by a high hedge, wich, funnily enough does little to shield against the wind! There is a well stocked shop, with fresh bread & rolls every morning, but you have to be there at opening time!!. there is a very good restraunt, bar & take-away.The flower gardens & fields are only a few minuets away. There is also a European Space Agency very close where you can see sattelites being built & a briliant collection of space exhibits. worth a visit on a rainy day, as the guide said to us "no-one goes to Holland for the sun!!" The Swift Owners club are holding their bi-annual rally there in April. If you want any more info let me know!!!

Gordon

 

[AndrewWimborne]

Thanks Gordon. Holland is a new destination for me having gone to France for years so your info is much appreciated.

Andrew

 

[rob_jax]

Hi Andrew,

Most of the year I work in Holland, between Delft and the north of Rotterdam - so you may find the following useful:

Koningshof (Rijnsburg is near Amsterdam) is a part of the group that also owns the popular Delftse Hout camp-site (a city centre site just outside Delft) and these two sites I think of as "city centre" sites - so are like the Caravan Club York Rowntree site - relatively small pitches but with good quality toilet blocks, clean, etc.

High season for Koningshof includes the busy weeks at the Kitchen gardens (Keukenhof) - so you won't get a discount (or much of one) when the gardens are open

Something like 25% of Dutch families own a caravan - Dutch drivers know about caravans so don't expect any troubles towing - except for three items:

1. The Dutch speed limit on motorways (when towing) is 80 kph

2. In Holland, the only legal way to attach the caravan breakaway cable is to a fixed point on the tow-bar - looping over the tow-ball is illegal - and will attract a 30 Euro fine - and this is regularly checked at the Dutch ferry ports (and no where else).

3. Road junctions and roundabouts - take care - there are always two stop points - one where the roads meet and one just before where the cycle path crosses your road - and cycles have priority

Most Dutch people speak English, but it's nice if you learn a few Dutch words - like "Dank U" (Thank you) - "Alstublieft" (Please - pronounced AL SHOE BLIEFT - and is used everywhere) - "Nee" (No - pronounced "NAY") and "Ya" (Yes)

It's always windy in Holland, particularly the west - and temperatures are very similar to the southern Midlands - Oxford / Birmingham - and can be rainy and wet (so called English weather)

Other nice day trips - Delft, Leiden, Amsterdam - don't take your car - use the excellent and fairly priced train / tram system or Park and Ride (P+R signs)

Anything else, like how the Dutch drink beer or where to eat, just ask

Robert

 

[AndrewWimborne]

Thanks for all the info. Very helpful.

Andrew