HOLLAND

[Andrew_5105555]

Hi we are thinking of taking our first visit over seas with caravan next year, we have seen a site in delft holland,we live in lancashire do we sail from hull or harwich?who is the best to sail with?how long a drive is it from port in holland to delft area?is this area good for children?(they are 10+2)is it best to book direct or is their a way to book a package?as you can see we are new to caravaning abroad and want to try +get it right,any help would be greatly appreciated, andrew.

 

[rob_jax]

Andrew,

I'm sure you are thinking of the "Delftsehout" camp-site just to the East of Delft city centre.

It's a first class camp-site with restaurant, pub, pool, shop and the other usual facilities to Caravan Club standards - located in the larger recreation park for Delft (with children's zoo and other family stuff).

Take a look at their web-site www.delftsehout.nl

The camp site is within a 10 or 15 minute walk into Delft city centre (probably longer with trouser tuggers) with great bars, restaurants, tourist attractions, and a great market.

There is a public transport bus service that runs from the Campsite / Recreation Park to the Delft railway station, and Delft is on the high speed rail link between Rotterdam and Amsterdam - rail, tram and bus travel is efficient and cheap.

Delft is just to the North of Rotterdam, and the ferry ports are on the seaward side of Rotterdam - so under an hour from the ferry.

I work in Rotterdam and commute using the Calais - Dover ferry or tunnel services, so I don't have a lot of experience with the Hull service (used it once a few years ago - it was OK). But I have travelled the high speed ferry - and that was good.

Holland is a great country to visit - expect the same weather as the South of the UK - most people speak English (for years it's been taught at school to everyone older than 5) - very child and family friendly.

If your children like fairy stories and theme parks, a visit to the Efteling theme park is probably essential. Located near 's-Hertogenbosch (sometimes Den Bosch on road signs) is centred on European folklore rather than American commercialism - http://www.efteling.nl/home.aspx?LanguageId=2 - and about a 1 hour 30 drive from Delft.

And whilst you are in Den Bosch - you may want to take a visit to "Camping Sport De Wit" http://www.de-wit.nl/

- it's the largest camping and caravaning shop in Europe - and the prices are often very much better than the UK.

A note of warning: Most places take standard European credit / debit cards, but with these notable exceptions - public transport only takes cash (or Dutch PIN cards) and some supermarkets only take cash or Dutch PIN cards. Not a problem, there are plenty of cash points around.

Beach: If you want a day at the beach, then a drive back to the coast and then southwards down the A57 towards Middelburg takes you across the top of the coastal dykes, and for about 50 km around the town of Renesse there are fantastic sand dunes and large flat beaches.

Robert

 

[rob_jax]

Andrew,

Use www.viamichelin.co.uk for an interactive road map of the area.

Robert

 

[bluenose1]

hi, just like you we live in Lancashire, have two kids (now 15+11)and we have been to holland 3 times now. It really is so easy and for your first time it is ideal. We have been each time via Hull to Rotterdam. It is an easy route, good motorways and well signposted( there's a couple of big hills, but nothing to get worried about. you can save money by going to Harwich, but that route increases your travelling time both in this country and in Holland. Going via hull, approx 4hrs drive from Lanc's with a food stop on the way. You can get on the ship from 1730 onwards usually, you have a cabin and there is plenty to do. Younger kids have a play area, there are bars and restaurants. This really chills you nicely for the overnight ferry.

Caravans are put in with the lorries, and they don't like hanging around when you dock in rotterdam. We recommend the breakfast deal, sets you all up for the day,buffet style, buy the tickets when you board.

We use Koningshof campsite, in the middle of the bulbfields, lovely!!!! This site is a bit further than Delft but i think is owned by the same people. It takes us no more than 2 hours to reach the site. They are nice flat roads, good motorways, you have to be carefull checking the road signs (we've had to do U-turns in some strange places). We love it, and some of our best holidays have been at this site. Cycling in this area is fantastic, there are some beaches within 4km. The pools on this site are brilliant for kids.

Both the clubs use this site, and can arrange a package for you. I can't praise this holiday enough, and will certainly be going back in the future. Any more questions please ask.

stevec

 

[rob_jax]

Koningshof is owned by the same group. It's another fine camp site in Holland, pitches are a tad smaller than Delftsehout, but in facilities it's good. And it is incredibly popular during the bulb season.

And don't worry about driving in Holland, outside of rush hour, the motorways are usually free flowing. And since most motorways in the "Randstad" between Rotterdam and Amsterdam are limited to 100 kph (almost 60 mph) you shouldn't have trouble.

Steve is incorrect on one point - one ferry arrives at Hoek van Holland (Harwich speed ferry) and the other ferry arrives at Europoort (Hull) - and since these two places face one another across the river there is no significant difference in driving distance once in Holland - especially as the two roads join together at the Benelux tunnel on the Rotterdam ring road.

Oh - and have fun pronouncing Dutch words - Thank you (Dank U) - Please (Austublieft)

Robert