In an earlier blog, we wrote that we had drastically revised our travel plans for summer 2024. Not to Scandinavia, not to Germany. Just nice holidays in the Netherlands without driving huge distances. And we haven’t regretted that for a moment. A small selection of the places we visited.

Holidays in our homeland. That doesn’t quite apply to us, because we have been living in Spain for a year now. We have a great time there, but we find the summer months too hot for pleasant relaxation. After all, with temperatures of around 40 degrees Celsius, there is little else you can do. That leaves only sitting inside with the air conditioning on the highest setting.

Cycle Route Network

So this spring we decided to spend three months on holiday in the Netherlands. We really enjoyed it. An occasional shower to keep the dust at bay, but otherwise we had wonderful weather. And we visited a lot of attractive places.

We also discovered the cycle route network. What a wonderful concept. With the app in hand, you can plan the most beautiful routes. All you have to do is cycle from junction to junction. You can also focus all your attention on the surroundings. Highly recommended.

For example, we had a wonderful trip from the old fishing town Huizen (space for nine mobile homes, ten euros per night) to the historic fortifications of Naarden Vesting. We also cycled from one junction to another in Friesland, in the North of the Netherlands. From the tiny village of Veessen, more on that later, we cycled through the fields on the banks of the river IJssel to the Hanseatic city of Hattem.

On the Banks of The Frisian Lakes

The forests and the Veluwe nature reserve are absolutely stunning. And the province of Drenthe is just as beautiful, but our heart is with the water. That’s why we’re thrilled to have the chance to spend some serious time in the province of Friesland, in the north of the Netherlands. We can’t wait to set sail again for another boat trip on the beautiful inland waters of our homeland.

While that is not currently an option, good friends have invited us for a trip from the little town of Woudsend over the Fluessen, the nearby lake, which is just as exciting. We’re also going to camp for a few days on the Starteiland in the Sneekermeer. We’ll be immersed in the unparalleled atmosphere of the Sneekweek.

Although we have been there countless times, we just can’t resist a visit to Hindeloopen and Stavoren now, too. You have to visit these two places – they’re amazing. In the past, you could spend a night with your camper at the lock in Stavoren. And the best part? It was completely free of charge! Now, the site is closed and only accessible to lock staff, but it’s still worth a visit. Now, campers like us can only use the marina’s parking lot, but it’s still a great spot to experience the charm of Sneekweek. Get ready for the most amazing sailing event you’ve ever seen, the biggest of its kind in Europe.

On Our Way to Ooltgensplaat

We were amazed to discover this place: Ooltgensplaat. To help you on your way, it is located near the Volkerak locks in the south of the Netherlands. We stumbled upon it by chance while searching for a camper spot near the historic town of Willemstad. We had arranged to meet friends there who were moored in the harbour for a few days with their boat. The great thing about Ooltgensplaat is that Willemstad is just a short bike ride away.

We also drove to Middelharnis, which was a great experience. There, we had the brilliant idea of parking our camper near the canal close to the harbour, which turned out to be an absolute gem. The centre was just a hop, skip, and a jump away, and it was so convenient. The marina building had fantastic sanitary facilities, just like in Ooltgensplaat, which was a huge bonus.

Veessen, On The Banks Of The River IJssel

We simply have to mention Veessen separately. This village on the IJssel is a hidden gem, with only a few hundred inhabitants and minimal facilities, making it a true haven for those seeking a more authentic Dutch experience. The baker, a true artisan, only bakes his bread on Friday and Saturday, ensuring that his loaves are fresh and ready for the locals and visitors alike. The quaint shop annexe coffee house next to the mill is the perfect spot for refreshments. And if you’re looking for a place to stay, there’s a charming marina and camper spots.

They are worth it in every way. From the camper, you have an amazing view of the IJssel. And the best part? You can use the harbour’s excellent sanitary facilities. And if you want, you can even use the shore power for a small fee. In short, this is the perfect place to completely relax.

And if you’re into cycling, Veessen is the perfect base for your next adventure. We went on some fantastic cycling trips in the Gelderland area of the river. We went shopping in Heerde, a town nearby and drove via Wapenveld, another typical Dutch town, to the atmospheric historic Hattem.

And if you want to cycle on the Overijssel (the neighbouring province) side, you can hop across to Olst by ferry. From there, you can head towards Zwolle, for example, and explore this beautiful area. And at Hattem, you can cross the IJssel again by foot ferry – how cool is that? It is only about twelve kilometres back to Veessen.