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June 2020, Netherlands
Let the summer roadtrip begin!
We were reluctant to getting out of the house too much or too soon, but things started to improve in the Netherlands. People are generally keeping distance and there are lots of places to explore outdoors.
Even if we thought the entire traveling season would be ruined, we decided to explore the Netherlands this year. Why not try a local roadtrip? 😀
So we drove across the country for 1 week, and here’s what we discovered on the way. Hope that you are also looking for safe destinations to spend your holiday. If so, this might serve as a useful 1-week roadtrip itinerary in the Netherlands.
Goede reis! Bon voyage! Drum bun! 🙂
Netherlands 1-week roadtrip itinerary
GIETHOORN
Day one of the roadtrip takes us to Giethoorn, or the ‘Venice’ of the Netherlands.
Little did we know that we will be the only visitors for the day. Can’t believe this village exists!
Looking back, the “tourists-free” Giethoorn was the highlight of our summer roadtrip.
Even though we crossed the country for almost 1000 km, my heart was stolen by the colorful villages surrounded by water. When nature was harsh, people have found unbelievable and ingenious resources to make a living. They even reclaimed land from the sea! And this is what i truly admire about Dutch people.
ORCHID FARM
Not far from Giethoorn, we find a hiddem gem along the way.
The Orchid Farm is the perfect stop to escape a rainy day and explore the jungle. Flamingos, turtles, butterflies, monkeys, fish, ducks and even alpacas will be your companions along the journey.
It’s really hard to leave without taking with you one of the beautiful orchids inside the Exit Shop. I tried to resist, but couldn’t. 🙂
BROEK IN WATERLAND, MONNICKENDAM, MARKEN
Buckle up, colorful villages are coming next!
Driving through North Holland province is a dream. Passing by the picturesque Broek and Monnickendam, we make a stop in the fishing port of Marken. Formerly an island, it is connected to the main land by a dike since 1957.
The cute wooden houses, white lighthouse with red hood and the beautiful water view, make us feel like time stood still. Needless to say we are again the only visitors in town.
Broek, Monnickendam and Marken are not the only colorful villages in North Holland. Our trip to Edam and Volendam is in a previous article. Back then we had no idea that we will actually live here. 🙂
ARCHEON MUSEUM PARK
Back to Stone Age!
From prehistoric times, to the Roman legion and medieval crafts, our first museum visit after a long long time is a real joy. If you want to feel the old times vibe, Archeon park is a good place to start with.
MADURODAM
Seeing the highlights of Netherlands in 1 hour? Sure you can!
At Madurodam you have the whole country at your feet: mini streets, buildings, ships, trees, basically mini-everything at a 1:25 scale.
It’s like in Gulliver’s travels! 🙂
SCHEVENINGEN STRAND
Then, after all the hustle and bustle of the city, we run to the beach. Scheveningen, the most famous stretch of sand in the Netherlands, is completely empty. The pier stands majestically far in the distance, with unlimited view over the the North Sea.
Perfect setup to end a beautiful day!
BEEKSE BERGEN SAFARI PARK
Driving among giraffes in the Beekse Bergen Safari Park is a real adventure. Fun fact: their only interest is licking the cars.
We even spot wooden treehouses, tents and lodges where you can spend the night. All accommodations are scattered between two savannahs and a lion area. Now THAT is the ultimate experience. Maybe next time. 🙂
NETHERLANDS OPEN AIR MUSEUM
Looking for green areas takes us to the Netherlands Open Air Museum, near Arnhem. We have 44 hectares and lots of authentic Dutch buildings to start the journey into the past. Bonus: a hop-on hop-off tram that takes us around the park. That’s perfect after a full day on the ground.
Learning history while walking in nature can be fun!
HOGE VELUVE NATIONAL PARK
Could not end the roadtrip without a nature escape.
Grab a bike and spend the day in the immense surroundings of the Hoge Veluve National Park. Exploring the sand dunes and the woodland, while trying to spot a deer or two, can easily take the whole day.
Note to self: get up earlier next time. 😂
If you have more time
We will definitely try to reach the extreme points of the Netherlands with the next holiday. Here are some ideas if you have more than a week:
- Limburg in South;
- Groningen and Bourtange in North-East;
- The Frisian Islands in the North-West: Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermonnikoog.
Map
Fun fact: we were not sure how the hotels work during the corona-times, and didn’t want to take any risks. So we started our roadtrip in Utrecht, in the middle of Netherlands, and returned back in the evening after every visit. It was quite fun to have the holiday feeling again, while getting cozy at home during the night.
Prices
Car rental: 240 EUR/week, insurance included
The Orchid Farm: 14.5 EUR/pers
Archeon Museum Park: 23 EUR/pers; *Free with MuseumCard
Madurodam: 17.5 EUR/pers
Beekse Bergen: 24 EUR/pers
Netherlands Open Air Museum: 19.5 EUR/pers; *Free with MuseumCard
Hoge Veluwe National Park: 11 EUR/pers; Day pass car/motorcycle: 7.75 EUR
All of the above have reopened with a limited number of visitors per day. So make sure to reserve your ticket&arrival time in advance on their websites.
What’s next
All in all, we did pretty good for a first vacation during a pandemic. We are still exploring what roadtrips are achievable this summer.
Do you have recommendations? Drop us a line! 😀
Happy travels and stay safe!
Wow! It looks so calm and beautiful in Giethoorn 🙂
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Yes, it is absolutely gorgeous!❤️ I have to say that in the old days it was invaded with tourists… At least one good thing that corona did, emptied the crowded touristic places! 🙄
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Totally agree! It’s the only good news during these days.
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Wow its so beautiful!
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Thank you! 🤗 In the end we found a way to have a vacation during these weird times… Cheers!
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Awesome post!! There are a few places you mentioned that are on my list!
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Oh, thank you so much! 🙏 We are just discovering the Netherlands, so more articles like this one will follow! 😁
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Amazing!! Yes please ☺️ I am also just discovering NL – I only moved here in January!
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Haha i was just writing to you 🙂 We also moved to NL for less than a year. Keep in touch! 😁
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Hi Anita & Geo, Really Appreciate your efforts and time for making your travel blog very attractive and Inspiring us to visit the places. Pictures are very Good Quality. To be honest, These are very clear pictures that I had seen through till now in my lifetime. Really Impressed with your Photography skills. Heartfull wishes to your skills…
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Hi, thank you so much for the nice words! Messages like this one make us keep documenting the places we visit! Happy you liked the article, and i hope it will be useful for your future visits in the Netherlands. 😊 Anita
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Hello from Atlanta. Love your stories and adventures! My husband and I are going to Amsterdam in July and want to do some day trips…right now all we have planning wise is a hotel room for four nights at the Kimpton. I’m intrigued by Giethoorn and so many other small towns, but can we get there by train and are they worthy to spend a night? If we wanted to tack on a couple days after Amsterdam, where would warrant a couple overnights? We love it all: being out in nature, architecture, a charming village, and walkability. I have read so many articles and each one has a different list of best small towns.
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Hey Lisa! Thanks for dropping by. Well, if 2 years ago we only visited the touristic places, now the list keeps expanding. 🙂 So, while you are staying in Amsterdam you can easily go by train or bus to a different place and return in the same day. What i would do as day trips :
1.Waterland villages (Edam, Volendam, Marken)
2.Zaanse Schans
3.Utrecht (my favorite city because we live here:))
Then i have more favorites, which imply a longer journey, 2-3 hours:
4.Giethoorn
5.Valkenburg
6.Groningen
7.Middelburg (Zeeland province)
For the last ones, since it’s not a direct train connection, i would rent a car and also spend the night maybe.
And since you asked about Giethoorn specifically, i think it’s definitely worth the visit, even if for a few hours of walking around or renting a boat tour. With a car it takes 1.5 hours, but if you need a train + bus and it takes 3 hours only one way.
Hope it helps and i didn’t create more confusion 🙂 If you need more details or advice i’m happy to help.
Enjoy your holiday!
Anita
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