{"id":11589,"date":"2022-06-13T11:00:27","date_gmt":"2022-06-13T09:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.homesandantiques.com\/?p=31748"},"modified":"2022-06-13T11:16:18","modified_gmt":"2022-06-13T09:16:18","slug":"netherlands-travel-guide","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/homesantiques\/rss_feed\/netherlands-travel-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"Netherlands travel guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By Karen Harvey\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 13 June 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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A spacious yet compact country, the Netherlands offers so much more than just its beautiful capital city of Amsterdam. Taking only a couple of hours to travel across the country from Holland to the Achterhoek region, in each direction you\u2019ll see something beautiful \u2013 from vibrant tulip<\/a> farms and windmills on the Waterland, to country houses and castles<\/a>, and some of the best museums<\/a>, galleries and shopping experiences, too.<\/p>\n

Traditionally, the Dutch had no curtains in their windows (apparently so the Golden Age traders could show their honesty), but now this just adds to the ambience of an evening meander along the canals in some of the Netherlands\u2019 most magnificent cities.<\/p>\n

Haarlem<\/h2>\n
If you have a few days that you\u2019d like to fill with wonderful things, then Haarlem is the perfect city to visit. It\u2019s like a scaled down, less populated Amsterdam, with several excellent museums, relaxed cafes and restaurants, and streets full of interesting shops. It\u2019s easy to walk around Haarlem and feel comfortable and connected. On some days you\u2019ll find a street market, full of all sorts of collectables and vintage<\/a> goods \u2013 nothing fancy, just honest bric-a-brac to have a good rummage through for treasures to bring home.<\/p>\n

Where to stay<\/h3>\n
Hotel Lion d\u2019Or<\/h4>\n
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Perfectly located just opposite the train station, the hotel is peaceful and welcoming. The rooms are calm and subtly decorated (with comfortable beds and good showers), the staff are kind and helpful, and the breakfast includes tiny ring doughnuts with jam in them.<\/p>\n
Stay at Hotel Lion d\u2019Or<\/a><\/p>\n
What to do<\/h3>\n
Corrie Ten Boom House<\/h4>\n
Corrie and her family sheltered around 800 people during Nazi occupation in the Second World War. Corrie was imprisoned in a concentration camp, and released due to an administration error. A week later, all the women of her age \u2013 around 90,000 of them \u2013 were killed in gas chambers.<\/p>\n
She returned home and opened her doors to the mentally disabled who were in hiding. After the war she created a rehabilitation centre for anyone who needed it, and then spent the rest of her life travelling the world, preaching. The house remains as it was, and the tour starts with everyone seated in the living room. You need to book in advance, but it\u2019s well worth it for an intimate tour and a real insight into this incredible and significant story.<\/p>\n
Visit Corrie Ten Boom House<\/a><\/p>\n
Teylers Museum<\/h4>\n

Teylers Museum<\/h4>\n

Scheepswerf Groot<\/h4>\n
Visit this 15th-century shipyard for a real insight into a historic industry. The Dutch Golden Age was built on the network of canals and the great ships that enabled travel and trade with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n

Edam Museum<\/h4>\n
This small city museum, in an old merchant\u2019s house, explores the history of Edam; its shipbuilding, ceramics<\/a> and architecture. Most interestingly it has a floating cellar, with a floor that moves up and down on the groundwater below.<\/p>\n
Visit Edam Museum<\/a><\/p>\n

Noordeinde Palace<\/h4>\n
A short stroll from Hotel des Indes, you can see the exterior of the Noordeinde Palace, the working palace of the Dutch royal family. The palace lies on Noordeinde, a street filled with design and interiors shops, galleries and restaurants.<\/p>\n

Haagse Antiek en Boekenmarkt<\/h4>\n
Antiques markets are held regularly in the square outside the Hotel Des Indes, and have been for the past 50 years. Even if you\u2019re not there for shopping, it\u2019s worth visiting for the absolute beauty of it all.<\/p>\n
Visit Noordeinde Palace<\/a><\/p>\n

Binnenhof<\/h4>\n
This ancient Gothic castle, next door to the Mauritshuis museum, is the home of the Dutch government and Knights\u2019 Hall. There\u2019s a golden neo-Gothic fountain and an incredible array of architecture, not to be missed.<\/p>\n
Visit Binnenhof<\/a><\/p>\n

Scheepswerf Groot<\/h4>\nVisit this 15th-century shipyard for a real insight into a historic industry. The Dutch Golden Age was built on the network of canals and the great ships that enabled travel and trade with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n

Noordeinde Palace<\/h4>\nA short stroll from Hotel des Indes, you can see the exterior of the Noordeinde Palace, the working palace of the Dutch royal family. The palace lies on Noordeinde, a street filled with design and interiors shops, galleries and restaurants.<\/p>\n

Haagse Antiek en Boekenmarkt<\/h4>\nAntiques markets are held regularly in the square outside the Hotel Des Indes, and have been for the past 50 years. Even if you\u2019re not there for shopping, it\u2019s worth visiting for the absolute beauty of it all.<\/p>\n

Scheepswerf Groot<\/h4>\n
Visit this 15th-century shipyard for a real insight into a historic industry. The Dutch Golden Age was built on the network of canals and the great ships that enabled travel and trade with the rest of the world.<\/p>\n

Noordeinde Palace<\/h4>\n
A short stroll from Hotel des Indes, you can see the exterior of the Noordeinde Palace, the working palace of the Dutch royal family. The palace lies on Noordeinde, a street filled with design and interiors shops, galleries and restaurants.<\/p>\n

Haagse Antiek en Boekenmarkt<\/h4>\n
Antiques markets are held regularly in the square outside the Hotel Des Indes, and have been for the past 50 years. Even if you\u2019re not there for shopping, it\u2019s worth visiting for the absolute beauty of it all.<\/p>\n
Visit Noordeinde Palace<\/a><\/p>\n