Nice places to visit in Holland??

Ensign Elliott · May 11, 2015, 12:49:24 PM

Hi all

I'm going over to the continent next month by car, to take part in the 200th Anniversary of the battle of Waterloo - 5000+ re-enactors taking part etc, so should be a good event.

I'm going over a few days beforehand with the intention of spending a few days in Holland. Does anyone know of any nice places to visit/stay, specifically in the West and South of the country?

I'm not too fussed about cities and my Fiance wants to visit pretty areas (think bulb fields and windmills etc..) If anyone has any ideas or recommendations, that would be great.

joe cassidy · May 11, 2015, 12:52:03 PM

I would recommend the town of s'hertogenbosch (approximate spelling).

It has many bars !

Bon voyage,

Joe

Steven B · May 11, 2015, 12:58:36 PM

Most of the bulb fields are in the North.
The south west corner has some lovely beaches (Renesse).

Holland's not a big country so a trip to the Dutch National Railway Museum in Utrecht could be do-able www.spoorwegmuseum.nl and is well worth a visit.

Happy modelling.

Steven B.

Malc · May 11, 2015, 01:22:29 PM

The Hague is a nice place to wander around.

Maurits71 · May 11, 2015, 01:39:30 PM

Quote from: Steven B on May 11, 2015, 12:58:36 PM
Most of the bulb fields are in the North.
The south west corner has some lovely beaches (Renesse).

Holland's not a big country so a trip to the Dutch National Railway Museum in Utrecht could be do-able www.spoorwegmuseum.nl and is well worth a visit.

Happy modelling.

Steven B.

you mean west

Parky · May 11, 2015, 06:55:28 PM

We are off to The Netherlands next month as well. If you want real steam there is VSM in Apeldoorn

http://www.stoomtrein.org/

They are steaming on a Sunday so I have found out, so part of our itinerary

Ditape · May 11, 2015, 08:20:23 PM

I can thoroughly recommend MADURODAM near the Hague it is a massive 1/25 scale model city, it includes all the major Dutch land marks,canals and shipping,airport and of course about 4 miles of railway. I have many photos that people can not tell the model from the real thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9lojDRcvpQ

joe cassidy · May 11, 2015, 08:54:08 PM

Quote from: Parky on May 11, 2015, 06:55:28 PM
We are off to The Netherlands next month as well. If you want real steam there is VSM in Apeldoorn

http://www.stoomtrein.org/

They are steaming on a Sunday so I have found out, so part of our itinerary

I once saw a big steam loco (pacific ?) at Apeldoorn with period coaches. It's a one and a quarter hour train journey from Schipol (about the same by car). There is also a royal palace to visit in the vicinity. If you want to stay overnight I recommend the hotel 'De Cantherel' at Ugchelen, about 10 mins drive from Apeldoorn. Great food and drink at reasonable prices.

Best regards,

Joe

fisherman · May 12, 2015, 04:38:17 PM

It's a shame not to 'do' Amsterdam....

such a lot to see in a small space !!!

go via double decker coach train....

canals, trams, pancakes.....

and the red light district is fascinating...

keithfre · May 12, 2015, 05:12:14 PM

I would endorse the recommendations for Madurodam and the Utrecht rail museum. There's a nice narrow gauge train at Valkenburgse Meer http://www.stoomtreinkatwijkleiden.nl/ .

A longer ride can be had on http://www.museumstoomtram.nl/en.

Delft is a pleasant small town with canals.

Railwaygun · May 12, 2015, 05:54:03 PM

MOre

for the Utrecht rail museum - there is a little diesel shuttle from the Railway station.

http://www.spoorwegmuseum.nl/

I strongly recommend the Dutch rail system - fast, reliable and pretty cheap for all travel ( and integtarted with the buses!)

steve836 · May 12, 2015, 07:50:51 PM

Quote from: Ditape on May 11, 2015, 08:20:23 PM
I can thoroughly recommend MADURODAM near the Hague it is a massive 1/25 scale model city, it includes all the major Dutch land marks,canals and shipping,airport and of course about 4 miles of railway. I have many photos that people can not tell the model from the real thing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9lojDRcvpQ

I second that! fascinating.

Ensign Elliott · May 13, 2015, 08:37:54 AM

Thanks all, some good suggestions there

Jerry Howlett · May 13, 2015, 04:24:48 PM

Madurodam must be worth a visit if people are recommending it. I last visited it with a girlfriend back in the 70's and it was a brilliant then. For your "other half" it will be a definite good idea. And they serve beer at the cafe.

Jerry

Railwaygun · May 13, 2015, 07:51:09 PM

Rotterdam - go up the Euromast, by the docks. Great views and excellent restaurant, and you can abseil down afterwards.
http://www.euromast.nl/en

Also the Rotterdam Miniworld

https://en.rotterdam.info/visitors/places-to-go/detail/?id=377&prefix=attractions&name=miniworld-rotterdam

Near the railway station - check opening times.

http://www.miniworldrotterdam.com/ENGindex.htm

Also link to the Eurotower abseiling!