South Holland hiking areas: these are the most beautiful areas
November 16, 2023
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A getaway or day out in the Netherlands and looking for inspiration? Then read on! If we have discovered anything in recent months, it is that the Netherlands has a lot to offer in terms of fun trips and outings. Touring with an oldtimer, collecting oysters in Zeeland and spotting typical Dutch icons such as the tulip and the windmill: Holland is super diverse and therefore incredibly fun to discover! We have collected 17 original outings in the Netherlands for a fun day out.
1. Day trip in the Netherlands: touring with a vintage car
An incredibly fun outing in the Netherlands is going on the road with a vintage car. Quietly touring the most beautiful roads, going from village to village and stopping at the nicest terraces: a day out in the Netherlands with a classic oldtimer is ultimate enjoyment. We rented a 2CV, or an "ugly" duckling at Rentenoldtimer.com and had the day of our lives. So this outing is definitely number 1 in our list of best outings in the Netherlands.
2. Visit the Zeeland coast for original activities in the Netherlands
If there is one place in the Netherlands that we have fallen in love with in the past year, it is the province of Zeeland. And we are talking particularly about the coast of Zeeland. In every season, Zeeland is equally magnificent. From sunbathing on one of the beaches (with the most hours of sunshine in the Netherlands!) to collecting oysters, the possibilities in Zeeland are endless. We already visited Vlissingen, Middelburg, Domburg and Yerseke. One thing we know for sure: we are far from finished exploring Zeeland.
5 original outings in Zeeland
Want to make your day in Zeeland just a little bit more special? Then these are some unique activities you can do:
Picking Oysters: Zeeland oysters you must have tried at least once in your life, and of course it is even more fun to pick your own. The nicest place to gather oysters is Yerseke. Not only can you gather and taste oysters here, but there are also a number of nice hotspots in Yerseke overlooking the oyster pits.
Go on a seal safari at Neeltje Jans: board one of the tour boats departing from Burgh-Haamstede or Sint-Annaland and look for seals sunbathing on the sandbanks.
Take a blokart ride on the beach at Brouwersdam: Do you like a little action? Then blokarting (beach sailing) on the wide beach of Brouwersdam is highly recommended. In a small sailing cart you race across the beach and feel the wind in your hair. Adrenaline guaranteed!
Visit a vineyard in Zeeland: you might not expect it, but Zeeland is home to some wonderful vineyards! At Wijngaard De Kleine Schorrein, for example, you can take a guided tour and enjoy a wine tasting with wines that naturally go very well with Zeeland oysters.
Tour with an e-chopper: e-choppers are nice and cool with wide tires, they ride great, are environmentally friendly and you hop from place to place with an e-chopper. We rented an e-chopper at Scooter Huren Zeelanden and had a great time with the wind in our hair and the view over the beautiful landscape of Zeeland.
3. Cruise a classic Venetian water limousine through Dordrecht's canals
An incredibly fun outing in the Netherlands is without a doubt a canal cruise with Si Barone in Dordrecht. During a cruise you almost imagine yourself in Venice, but through the canals of Dordrecht. Extra special namely that with Si Barone you will be sailed in a original Venetian water limousine! You sail through the historic harbors and along places that otherwise remain hidden, such as the many bridges, vistas and historic warehouses of Dordrecht. You can board Si Barone for a beautiful cruise through and around the old center of Dordrecht, but also for the beautiful nature reserve the Biesbosch.
4. Get lost in the magical Doloris Meta Maze
Looking for a unique and adventurous outing? Enter the surreal world of Doloris Meta Maze! This interactive maze is an artistic labyrinth full of surprising rooms, hidden passages and mysterious elements that will test your senses. Climb, crawl and discover the most bizarre spaces as you make your way through this extraordinary adventure.
We ourselves visited the Doloris Meta Maze in Tilburg and can definitely recommend it! Want to know what else you can do in this city? Then check out our blog article about Tilburg for more inspiration. Prefer a different location? Also in Utrecht you can immerse yourself in this fantasy world. One thing is certain: you are guaranteed to step outside again full of wonder!
5. Explore the Dutch countryside with an iconic VW T2 van
If you thought touring with a 2CV was already unique, we have another incredibly fun tip for you: on the road with a VW T2 van. Not only do the colorful vans instantly evoke nostalgia, you also experience an ultimate sense of freedom when driving around in them. We already got to cross the adventure with a Volkswagen T2 van off our list. And that wasn't just any VW T2, no it was a T2 completely converted into 100% electric campervan. We toured with it through the beautiful Limburg landscape. How cool is that? Does that sound like something you'd like too? Then quickly read more about our experience with the 100% electric Volkswagen T2 bus. We not only share where to rent vans, but also give all kinds of practical tips.
6. Take a look at the tallest windmills in the world
The tallest windmills in the world? You can find them just in the Netherlands, in the cozy town of Schiedam! This city is not only known for its impressive windmills, but is also the birthplace of the gin industry. Together they form an important part of the Dutch Distillers District, where you can discover the rich history of gin and craft distilling.
Make a fun and educational mill walk in Schiedam and combine it with a visit to the historic distilleries, charming canals, authentic drawbridges and fun stores. Schiedam is full of hidden gems and Instagram-worthy spots, making it a surprising destination for a versatile day out.
Also read: Visit the tallest windmills in Schiedam
That you can find the world's tallest windmills in Schiedam, not everyone knows. Find out for yourself with our tips for Schiedam!
7. Go on a city break in your own country
Why go abroad when you have the best cities in the Netherlands at your fingertips? A city trip in your own country is at least as surprising ánd you don't have to worry about check-in times and jet lag. Of course, you can take a weekend trip to a city in the Netherlands, but there are also many great options for a day trip. We find that Leiden, Rotterdam, Dordrecht and Eindhoven definitely belong in the list of nicest cities in the Netherlands, but our list also needs to be completed! Which city will you add to the list?
8. Get all zen during sup yoga in the Biesbosch
The Biesbosch is the largest freshwater tidal area in Europe. So paddling through a vast and rugged landscape, along the islands with willow forests and the creeks is one big adventure! Especially when you consider that you can also spot beavers here. But did you know you can make supping through the Biesbosch even more fun? You have Here you have the opportunity to take a yoga class on a sup board! You can rent a sup at Drijf Dordrecht and the lessons are given by Lifestyle Studio. Dordrecht.
9. Visit the beautiful Bulb Region
The Bulb Region is one of the most popular areas in the Netherlands if you ask foreign tourists. So how can we as Dutch people skip it? The endless colorful tulip fields are impossible not to like. A visit to the Bulb Region is therefore definitely one of the most enjoyable trips in the Netherlands. The flowering period extends until the end of May. This is therefore the best time to visit the Bulb Region, but it is also incredibly nice to be here in other months.
10. Explore the natural beauty of the Veluwe
The Veluwe is without doubt one of the most beautiful natural areas in the Netherlands, and in every season! In autumn it is wonderful to wander through the golden forests, winter is the ideal time to spot wildlife and in summer we love to cycle along the vast heathlands. There is always something magical to experience on the Veluwe. Our ultimate recommendations?
Go on a "safari" and search for the 'Big Five' of the Netherlands (red deer, wild boar, foxes, Scottish highlanders and deer).
Choose a special overnight stay at Buitenplaats Beekhuizen, located on the edge of the Veluwe. It offers the unique opportunity to sleep in a luxury lodge tent or cozy bush pod. Glamping pur sang, in the middle of nature and on the edge of National Park the Veluwezoom.
11. Take a day trip to the windmills of Kinderdijk
Like Schiedam, Kinderdijk is a popular spot in the Netherlands for spotting windmills. Where in Schiedam you can spot the tallest windmills, in Kinderdijk the most windmills can be found in a small area. You will find as many as 19 windmills here. Biking or taking a walk along the windmills of Kinderdijk is therefore highly recommended, especially on a sunny day!
12. Abseil from the Euromast
Abseiling the Euromast, do you dare? We conquered the 100-meter abseil (the highest in Europe!) and how awesome it was! While dangling from a rope, at a height of 100 meters, you enjoy the panoramic views over Rotterdam. This is definitely an insane outing in the Netherlands for the daredevils among us! Are you curious about how we experienced it? Read more about Our day abseiling from the Euromast.
13. Wild picking in the Netherlands: an adventure in nature
Did you know that nature in the Netherlands is full of edible treasures? From herbs to nuts and even mushrooms, there is so much beauty and deliciousness to discover. Wild picking is a unique way to get closer to nature, but it is important to do it responsibly. In the Netherlands, wild picking is not allowed everywhere. However, you can pick in some nature reserves, as long as you follow the rules. For example, Staatsbosbeheer and Natuurmonumenten allow wild picking under certain conditions, but it is always important to be aware of the rules in the specific area where you are.
What can you pick?
Herbs and edible flowers: think of nettles, chamomile, wild garlic and deadnettle. These herbs grow in many nature reserves, such as the Weerribben-Wieden, where you can wander along the quiet waters and marshes to collect your own herbs.
Nuts and fruits: in the Loetbos near Lekkerkerk you can pick walnuts, hazelnuts, plums and chestnuts. This forest even has a special 'edible route', developed by Staatsbosbeheer. In autumn you can also go to Culemborg to pick apples, pears and walnuts. The municipality has even created a survey map for this purpose!
Mushrooms: the Utrechtse Heuvelrug and the Drents-Friese Wold are known for their rich mushroom species. Please note that mushroom picking is an art in itself. Some mushrooms can be poisonous, and they also absorb toxins from the ground. It is advisable to take an expert with you if you want to pick mushrooms.
14. Spot original street art
Did you know that you can find incredibly beautiful street art and graffiti in many Dutch cities? The street-art capital of the Netherlands seems to be Heerlen, but unfortunately we have not been here yet. However, we did visit the most original street-art spots in Rotterdam and admired a very unique piece of art in Gelderland: Silo Art Tour in the Achterhoek.
15. Spend the night in a nature cottage
If anything has been on the rise this past year, it's a weekend trip to nature in your own country. Nature cottages are all the rage. And we understand why, because throughout the Netherlands you can find many nice nature cottages. We have compiled a list of nice nature cottages in the Netherlands compiled full of toppers of accommodations.
Also read: These are 6 unique nature cottages in the Netherlands
The nicest nature cottages in the Netherlands? You can find them in the most remote places. These are our favorite places where we would love to come again!
16. Discover iconic Volendam and the charming Zaanse Schans
Volendam is often seen as a tourist attraction and therefore skipped by the Dutch, but that does not mean it is not worth a visit! Its picturesque harbor, colorful wooden houses and cozy atmosphere make it a unique place to stroll around. After your visit to Volendam, it is a good idea to visit the nearby Zaanse Schans explore. This open-air museum takes you back in time, with historic mills, wooden houses and artisan workshops. Together, these two destinations offer a fun mix of culture, history and conviviality, or in other words: an archetypal Dutch day out!
17. Relax at a wellness resort
In need of relaxation? Treat yourself to a day of wellness at one of the most beautiful resorts in the Netherlands. Want to try something unique? Then go for a wine bath hotel package at Thermae 2000! You immerse yourself in the wine pulp of the Monarch grape, packed with antioxidants that protect and firm your skin. A relaxing and nurturing experience in one!
Discover the most beautiful wellness resorts in the Netherlands and plan your ultimate relaxation moment.
Travander
At Travander, we’re all about exploring hidden gems, unique destinations, and off-the-beaten-path travel experiences. Our motto, “Let’s Travel and Wander,” reflects our passion for discovering both local treasures and faraway adventures. As experienced travel bloggers and travel consultants, we share insider tips, personal stories, and practical advice to help you make the most of every trip. From city breaks and weekend getaways to tailor-made travel itineraries, we guide you to the most beautiful and inspiring places. Explore the world with Travander and let us spark your next unforgettable adventure!
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