|
|
 |
Netherlands Driving Trip Planner |
|
Have fun driving in Netherlands! |
|
This driving trip planner has been especially written for Netherlands. |
|
Holland, also known as Holland, is one of Europe’s most charming nations. Due to its compact size, cosmopolitan Amsterdam, the sedate north and chic Den Haag can all be reached in one short trip.
Driving in Holland is a pleasure as the roads are excellent and allow access to areas far from the tourist trail. If you travel between March and May you’ll catch the tulips in full blossom, a wonderful sight best seen on the road between Haarlem and Leiden.
Day 1-2
Arrive in Amsterdam’s Schipol airport, and begin your exploration of one of Europe’s great cities. A day is surely not enough for all Amsterdam has to offer, so take a couple of
days and explore at your leisure. Although a car is invaluable for
some of the sights on the periphery of the city, much of the centre
is best explored on foot and frequent trams ease the pain of sore
feet. During the Dutch Golden Age Amsterdam was a dazzlingly wealthy
city and the old centre retains this feel today. Walk at leisure
through the concentric canals and admire the fine-gabled merchant
houses and the elegant churches. The city was home to a number of
brilliant artists and today holds some of the world’s greatest
galleries. The Rijksmuseum holds a magnificent collection of Dutch
old masters, including some of the finest example of Rembrandt’s
art. The nearby Van Gogh Museum holds an impressive collection of
that artist’s work and the adjacent Stedelijk Museum of Modern Art
is equally worth a visit. For an alternative experience check out
the Anne Frank House which gives great insight into the life of the
world’s most famous diarist and the persecution of European Jews. Be
sure to take a nighttime ride along the canals, as this wonderful
city looks best from the water.
Day 3
Holland has always existed in tension with the sea and floods have regularly devastated low-lying regions. The dams which were constructed to protect the land, and to reclaim territory from the sea, are some of the world’s greatest feats of engineering. The parcels of land, won back from the Zuider Zee (Southern Sea) are known as polders, and although they have few distinguishing characteristics, they are fascinating places to visit. Drive east along the A6 and stop off at Lelystad to see the achievements and failures of these brave new communities. Continue along the A6 towards Friesland, the relatively remote north of the country. Pass Leeuwarden, the regional capital, on the A32 and carry on to Harlingen, one of the
most charming ports in Holland. If you prefer, you can continue on
from here to the isolated communities of the Dutch islands.
Day 4
Drive along the A7 in a westerly direction on the amazing road that runs atop the enormous dam at the mouth of the Zuider Zee. For over 20 km the sea laps at either side of the road. Carry on to the south on the A7 and then take the N242 in the direction of Alkmaar and Haarlem. Stop off in Alkmaar for lunch,
especially nice to visit on Fridays for the famous cheese market.
Continue on to Haarlem for the afternoon. This lovely and sedate
town is within 30 minutes of Amsterdam but has little of its bustle.
Check out the Mauritshuis collection which is widely considered one
of the finest art galleries in Europe.
Day 5
Take the A9 to the south and then the E19 to the west. Within a short distance you will arrive in the famous university town, Leiden. The university claims to be the oldest in the world and you can learn of its history in the Academisch Historisch Museum. A number of other museums are also worth a visit, especially the Rijksmuseum Van Oudheden and the Stedelijk Museum. However, if you simply want to stroll the streets and enjoy the atmosphere of the medieval centre you’ll find it a most pleasant alternative. You may wish to stay the night, or you might carry on to Den Haag, a few miles
further along the E19. This stately and dignified city is the seat
of Holland’ government. It is a pleasure to stroll the
streets, admiring the many fine buildings and absorbing the town’s
unhurried atmosphere. The 13th century Binnenhof parliament building
is very impressive while the city’s myriad museums repay many days’
exploration.
Day 6
Having spent time in the national centres you may want to explore a smaller Dutch town. Take the A13 in the direction of Rotterdam, Europe's busiest port, but take exit no. 9 for Delft. The compact centre is picture book Holland with gabled red-roofed houses and tree-lined canals. It is the home of the famous ceramic which takes its name from the town and the great painter Jan Vermeer. You may want to pick up some delftware on sale throughout the town and you should certainly check out the burial chambers of the Dutch Royal Family in the Nieuwe Kerk. The town should occupy at least half a day though you’ll find plenty to do if you stay longer. Carry on along the A13 until you reach the outskirts of Rotterdam, and then take the E25 to the east until you reach the exit for Gouda, the home of the famous cheese. This
is truly a perfect little town with pretty canals, ancient buildings
and fine old docks. Head straight for the Markt, the central square,
which is the biggest on Holland. If you’re a cheese-enthusiast you
may want to visit the Cheese Museum, though you may simply want to
sit in a café and enjoy the atmosphere.
Day 7
Time to go back to Amsterdam. Take the N11 towards Leiden, and then
turn to the east on the E19. It won’t take long to reach exit number
2 for Schipol airport.
|
|
|
del.icio.us
Digg it
Yahoo MyWeb
Stumble It!
