Destination: Roadtrip the Netherlands!
My Day 6 was going to be a super busy day. I was planning on having a quick trip to Keukenhof, for the tulips (thanks to Kidde and Ulrich) and then heading for Zaanse Schans to check out the windmill museum. For the last part of my day, I was hoping to get to the Afsluitjijk before a considerable drive to my overnight stop.
It was such a peaceful morning, I could have just sat with a coffee listening to the birdsong for hours. Honestly Amsterdamse Het Bos is such a great site, a real tonic after the hustle and bustle of the city. If you don’t believe me, just check out the video and appreciate the peace for a few seconds!
But I had a lot planned so I had to get a wiggle on … my first stop would be at the tulip centre at Keukenhof. My previous days neighbours had recommended I pay it a visit, and although I didn’t expect to find tulips a whole bunch of fun I thought I’d drop in. Maybe I could spend half an hour or so checking them out and getting a few pictures before heading off … haha …. how wrong I was!!!
Stop 1: Keukenhof
When I checked the Keukenhof website for tickets, it was saying it was sold out for the day. It seems that tickets for the Spring season go on sale the previous October, so if you are really keen to visit it’s best to book early!
But as it was only around half an hours drive, I thought I’d try anyway, in case they had any tickets on the gate. By the time I got there, the day had thankfully brightened considerably and I was soon wondering if I would actually get in. I was quite taken aback by the amount of traffic heading into the tulip centre, which was just outside the village. There were literally thousands of visitors, and I could see vehicles from all over Europe.
It was really well organised though and we were directed to the parking. From there it was just a couple of minutes walk to the entrance, and I could see people queuing at the ticket machines. I might be in luck!
It turned out that I was able to buy both the parking and entrance ticket at the machine, and together they cost 30€ which wasn’t too bad. With your tickets, you are given a map of the centre to help you find your way around.
It quickly became clear that I might be spending more than ’30 minutes or so’ at Keukenhof and this would definitely not be a quick visit! The displays are nothing short of spectacular. Keukenhof is known as the most beautiful spring garden in the world for a reason.
If you’d told me before my visit that I could be a fan of tulips, I’d probably have nodded and given a very wry smile. But here I am, already planning to go again next year and share the wonderful secret with my mum. Thank you Kidde and Ulrich for persuading me to go!
I have literally thousands of pictures, here are a very small selection of some of the incredible blooms and planting.
In the end I spent 3 and a half hours wandering around the gardens, and I could easily have stayed longer. You could definitely fill a day here. As well as the outside displays there are hothouses for those blooms that prefer warmer climates. There are also several cafe restaurants and shops selling souvenirs and tulip and other bulbs. It really is deserving of a decent amount of time, and I will 100% be staying a whole day next year!
Stop 2: Zaanse Schans
Conscious that I had other plans for my day, I eventually tore myself away from the flowers. Luckily my next stop was just under an hour away to the north of Amsterdam at the windmill museum in Zaanse Schans.
Again, I had rather foolishly underestimated how busy it would be. It was Easter break and of course, everyone wanted to see the windmills! Although it was easy enough to reach, the car park at the museum was rammed and I did have to wait a while to get in. As I was now running really short on time, I decided not to visit the actual museum, and focus on seeing the windmills and village. So I bought a map and headed in the direction of the windmills. There are lots of craft houses and shops in the village. I visited a few of them, my particular favourite being the Cheese farm ‘De Catharing Hoeva’.
Everyone at the village was really friendly, and I had a lovely chat with a guy selling waffles, and another with a lady at the cheese farm. Having sampled quite a lot of the cheeses, I made a couple of purchases then went for a wander around the windmills.
It had turned out to be a really beautiful day and it was just perfect to be beside the water enjoying the sights and sounds. That was right up to the point I got stealth attacked by some ducks ….
I’d had an absolutely glorious afternoon, and after stopping to pick up some gifts I headed back to the car.
Now for the final leg of todays journey, and my last stop of the Netherlands. There was just one thing I’d not really seen up close yet, and that was a dyke! After all, who could possibly come to the Netherlands and not see what they are absolutely famed for?
Stop 3: The Afsluitdijk
The Afsluitdijk is located in the north of the Netherlands. It is a huge dyke that holds back the waters of the Wadden Sea. It’s a huge feat of engineering and I really wanted to visit it while I was in the Netherlands.
Given that I’d spent so much time looking at tulips and eating cheese, I was now way behind schedule, and there was a chance that it’d be dark before I reached my destination. But not one to ever give up easily I decided to make the drive anyway. Luckily I made quite good time, as the A7 road over the dyke was not too busy.
It really was incredible driving along the entirely man made 32km structure. It was also wonderful to see the number of wind turbines operating in the IJsselmeeer waterway inside the dyke. Built as part of the Fryslan Windpark, the Fryslan farm is the largest inland water windfarm in the world.
Nearing the top end of the road, I decided to stop and try to get some perspective on the size of the structure. What you don’t realise while you are driving is the huge scale of it. It is over 7 metres high at it’s lowest point and almost 8 metres at it’s highest.
When you are standing at the top it’s actually really sobering to look at the vast expanse of the powerful sea, and then to the lower, inhabited land the other side.
It was nice to stop and get some fresh air and I was glad I’d made the trip. But it was time for my last drive through the Netherlands to my campsite for the night in the De Hoge Veluwe national park.
It was a huge drive, and as I approached my destination, the winding roads didn’t make it any easier. It was quite late by the time I arrived so I had to follow the late check-in process.
I was staying at another EuroParcs site, Resort de Wije Werelt, that I’d booked through Pitchup. Although there was a really good late check in system in place, my site entry pass had unfortunately not been included in my check in pack. This meant that I couldn’t get access to the site until I’d been remotely registered by the on call service. This took well over an hour and it was gone 11pm before I was onto my pitch and setup.
Aside from that, the park itself was great. Located on the edge of a forest it’s super peaceful and has really nice facilities. I’d definitely recommend a stay there, and will visit again when I’m next in the area … hopefully arriving earlier next time.
