When planning a holiday, your mind might immediately turn to faraway destinations, flight tickets and detailed itineraries. Although we often opt for long-haul trips and road trips ourselves, we’ve found that a few days away in the Netherlands is sometimes exactly what you need. After all, the Netherlands also has some surprisingly beautiful spots for a weekend break or a longer holiday. From the beaches of Zeeland to the forests of the Veluwe and the hills of Limburg: there’s more than enough to discover.
But let’s be honest: finding suitable accommodation often takes longer than you might think, even for a holiday in your own country. Especially when you have to compare different websites and look through dozens of holiday parks. Fortunately, there are handy platforms that make this a lot easier.
How to search effectively for the right holiday park
There is a huge range of holiday parks in the Netherlands, and we can tell you that this often makes it hard to see the wood for the trees. Are you looking for a holiday park by the sea, a place to stay surrounded by nature, or perhaps a park with plenty of facilities for children? In that case, it’s handy to be able to quickly filter your search based on what’s important to you.
Via Holiday Park Guide You can easily search through hundreds of holiday parks in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. For example, you can filter by location, facilities, type of accommodation or themes such as child-friendly holiday parks, wellness or a stay with a swimming pool. This gives you an immediate overview of the options that best suit your needs. What we always appreciate are honest reviews from other travellers. That’s why the independent reviews on the platform are a useful addition. They often provide that little bit of extra insight that you don’t always find on a provider’s website.
The Netherlands has a surprising amount to offer
Although the Netherlands is relatively small, there are significant differences between regions. That is precisely what makes a holiday in your own country so enjoyable. One moment you’re walking through the vast forests of the Veluwe, the next you’re enjoying long days on the beach along the Zeeland coast. There’s also plenty of choice for families. In Drenthe, for example, you’ll find various holiday parks with swimming pools and water attractions, whilst Limburg offers a lovely combination of nature, charming towns and attractions such as Toverland. Are you travelling outside the summer season? Then a holiday park with an indoor swimming pool or indoor play area could be a great choice.
What’s more, many holiday parks are ideal for a spontaneous weekend break. You can often reach your destination within a few hours’ drive and get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a while.
Which region is best suited to your holiday?
Still not sure where you want to go? If so, it helps to first think about what you’re looking for on your holiday. The Netherlands actually has a surprisingly wide variety of landscapes, and each region has its own unique atmosphere.
- The Veluwe: for nature lovers and walkers. The Veluwe is perhaps the best-known nature reserve in the Netherlands. Here you’ll find vast forests, heathland, sand drifts and plenty of walking and cycling routes. There are also charming towns such as Apeldoorn, Ede and Harderwijk nearby. For families, a visit to the Apenheul or Julianatoren is a lovely addition to your holiday.
- Zeeland: beach, sea and tranquillity. Would you like to wake up to the smell of the sea? Then Zeeland is a good choice. The province is known for its wide sandy beaches, charming coastal towns and numerous water sports opportunities. Places such as Domburg, Renesse and Zoutelande are particularly popular with holidaymakers. Even outside the summer months, Zeeland is a lovely destination for long walks along the beach.
- Limburg: a taste of abroad right here at home. Of all the Dutch provinces, Limburg perhaps feels the most like a foreign country. The rolling hills, half-timbered houses and cosy terraces create a completely different atmosphere to the rest of the Netherlands. Visit towns such as Maastricht and Valkenburg, or head out into the countryside for a lovely walk through the hilly landscape.
- Friesland: ideal for water sports enthusiasts. Friesland is a paradise for anyone who loves the water. Here, you can go sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, boating or simply enjoy the peace and quiet by one of the many lakes. You’ll also find charming towns such as Sneek, Leeuwarden and Harlingen. The Wadden Islands are also easily accessible from Friesland.
- Drenthe: nature and child-friendly holiday parks. Drenthe is one of the most popular provinces for families. There are plenty of holiday parks there with swimming pools, playgrounds and activities for children. The province is also known for its hunebeds, vast forests and beautiful cycle routes. It’s an ideal destination if you want to combine nature with fun for the whole family.
- The Wadden Islands: a chance to get away from it all. Do you really want to feel like you’re on holiday? Then the Wadden Islands are an excellent choice. Texel, Terschelling, Ameland and Vlieland all have their own character, but share the same relaxed island atmosphere. As soon as you step onto the ferry, it feels as though you’re leaving the hustle and bustle of everyday life behind you straight away.
Start planning in good time
Good preparation often makes the difference between a nice holiday and a brilliant one. Popular holiday parks, in particular, tend to fill up quickly during school holidays and long weekends. Have you found a holiday park that suits your needs? If so, you can usually book directly with the provider. This is often straightforward and avoids unnecessary middlemen.
Our advice? Start looking around in good time, compare different options and read reviews from other guests. That way, you’ll increase your chances of finding exactly the right holiday park to suit your ideal holiday in your own country.
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Useful tips for planning a holiday in your own country
A holiday in your own country might seem easier to plan than a trip abroad, but that’s precisely why certain things can easily be overlooked. With a few smart choices, you can often get more out of your holiday, save money and avoid unpleasant surprises. Below, we’ve put together some practical tips to help you plan your next holiday in the Netherlands.
1. Travel outside the school holidays for a quieter experience and lower prices
One of the biggest advantages of a holiday in your own country is that you aren’t tied to a long-term travel plan. Do you have the option of travelling outside the school holidays? If so, it’s often well worth it. Not only is accommodation cheaper, but popular destinations are also a lot quieter. We find May, June and September in particular to be wonderful months for exploring the Netherlands. The weather is often pleasant, the countryside is at its most beautiful, and you don’t have to worry so much about heavy traffic or crowded holiday parks.
2. Look beyond the best-known destinations
Many holidaymakers automatically opt for well-known regions such as Zeeland, the Veluwe or Limburg. This is understandable, as these areas are beautiful. However, there are also lesser-known regions that are definitely worth a visit. Think, for example, of the Achterhoek, the Kop van Noord-Holland, the Biesbosch or parts of Groningen. It is precisely there that you’ll often find more peace and quiet, lower prices and the feeling that you’ve really got away from the crowds.
3. Combine nature, the city and activities
A holiday is often more enjoyable when you combine different types of outings. So don’t just choose based on your accommodation; also check out what there is to do in the surrounding area. A holiday park near a lovely town, nature reserve or theme park often offers far more options. That way, you can go for a walk through a nature reserve one day and visit a charming town or sit outside at a café the next.
4. Don’t forget to take the weather into account when making your choice
The weather in the Netherlands remains unpredictable. That’s why it can be a good idea to consider not only the location but also the facilities at a holiday park. An indoor swimming pool, spa area, indoor play area or cosy restaurant can ensure your holiday remains a success even on a rainy day. Especially if you’re travelling with children, this can make the difference between a fun holiday and a disappointment.
5. Don’t always book the cheapest accommodation
It’s tempting to compare prices alone, but it’s often wise to look a little further. A slightly more expensive holiday park, for example, might be in a better location, offer more facilities or be closer to places of interest. Ultimately, you’ll often get more out of your holiday if you choose accommodation that really suits your needs, rather than just looking for the lowest price.
How we decide for ourselves whether to go for a package deal or organise things ourselves
We’re often asked: when should you opt for a package holiday and when should you organise everything yourself? For us, it’s actually quite simple: if we find ourselves spending more than a few hours searching for the right combination of flight, accommodation and transport, a sort of internal alarm goes off. This is certainly the case for shorter trips. In those situations, there’s a very good chance that a package holiday is simply more efficient: both in terms of the time you spend organising everything and in terms of cost.
Many people think that in such cases they have to compromise on adventure, but fortunately that’s certainly not the case. After all, with a package holiday, you’re only booking the basics: your flight and your accommodation. You can simply organise everything else yourself, such as day trips and sightseeing. If you’re keen to act quickly, it’s definitely worth checking the latest last-minute deals to see which destination has an adventure in store for you. Do you have any questions about our top 5 best last-minute destinations? Feel free to send us a message via Instagram!
This blog post about a holiday in our own country was written in collaboration with a partner. Thanks to collaborations like this, we can continue to travel and share free travel tips on Thousandtravelmiles.
