Holland & Belgium recommendations please

Discussion in 'General Discussion' started by paulcalf, Jun 16, 2019.

  1. Trip report

    http://thelatebay.com/index.php?thr...-netherlands-belgium-luxembourg-france.84557/


    Hoping to have a little jaunt to Holland & Belgium this summer

    I'm looking for recommendations on places to visit, must do activities & campsites that you've stayed at please.

    We will be definitely be visiting cities and towns on the trip, but on the whole I prefer nature, water and open spaces. I prefer a simple field with basic facilities to a regimented style of campsite, but I know that won't always be an option!


    I'm updating my original post with some of the recommendations - so its easier to find when I'm there!

    The Netherlands
    Broad plan is to get the ferry to the Hook of Holland
    Perhaps stay in Delft, visit Rotterdam & The Hague
    Leyden has been recommended to us?

    Amsterdam

    https://www.gaaspercamping.nl/directions/
    or by the beach at Zaandvort and got a train into Amsterdam

    Edam -Volendam? - Volendam is a nice fishing town worth a visit

    Giethoorn?

    Any must sees in The Netherlands - @Sick Boy John any suggestions?

    For a amazing art place set in a forest this is a good place to go
    https://krollermuller.nl/en/unique-in-every-season


    Belgium
    Bruges is on the list but where else should we be heading to in Belgium?
    Camping Memling about 2 miles to Bruges http://www.brugescamping.be/en/home
    You must do Brugee we have stayed at this site and got the bus in so you can try the beers
    http://www.select-site.com/campsites/overview.cfm?mc=1099

    Antwerp: lovely old town, nice docks, oldest frites shop in belgium and home of The Joker bar

    France
    We will probably stop off in a a few places in France on the way back to Blighty.
    Dunkirk coast etc

    https://www.chateau-gandspette.com/campsite-france-pas-de-calais.html
    Big family site with all the whistles and bells but well run and half an hour from Calais and Dunkirk - great if you need a night or two near the ports . Great V2 site musee next door

    So hit me up with your recommendations please people.

    Thanks
     
    Last edited: Sep 1, 2019
    Popsy and beatnick like this.
  2. Antwerp, lovely old town, nice docks, oldest frites shop in belgium and home of The Joker bar, oooooooooohhhh the joker bar , what a place
     
  3. Dont go to France thats where everybody breaks down !
     
  4. National Belgium day in Brussels, around the end of July I think.

    Also TTB day if they still do it - trains, trams and buses, one ticket, 24 hours to travel to as many places as possible and meeting lots of folk doing the same thing! It’s exhausting but sooooo much fun! :D

    Ghent is lovely and I liked Charleroi but it was a while ago. Brussels for breakfast before all the tourists arrive :D
     
  5. Thanks

    Keep the suggestions coming
     
  6. What happens at the joker bar?
     
    Moons likes this.
  7. stays at the joker bar
     
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  8. Dub and Dubber

    Dub and Dubber Supporter

    Ask Colin Farrel ;)
    Edit: about Bruges, not the joker bar ...
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2019
  9. Dub and Dubber

    Dub and Dubber Supporter

    ... Vondelpark on a Sunday in Amsterdam if space cake is your thing.
    Lots of family picnics.
    The two are apparently not mutually exclusive ...
    City as a whole used to be pickpocket central but might be better these days. Basically, if there are street musicians or entertainers, there'll be Oliver Twists about as well.
     
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  10. matty

    matty Supporter

  11. Is efteling still going? I went there at least fifty years ago, great place
     
  12. I try avoid staying in cities but would deffo stay again if i was Amsterdam bound ....

    https://www.gaaspercamping.nl/directions/

    Great location on the outskirts of Amsterdam and at the end of a metro line into the centre , more`s the point it seemed very secure - a valid consideration in Amsterdam .

    I tend not to book campsites in advance unless i have a specific reason to be there , i just drive until i get somewhere i like the look of and start looking for a local` camping` . Not everones idea of a holiday but i like the freedom .

    Ended up in Colditz one night , i kid you not :D

    :hattip:
     
    Last edited: Jun 16, 2019
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  13. nicktuft

    nicktuft Supporter


    Totally agree train ride into downtown Amsterdam and a secure site. :thumbsup:
    Only stayed 2 nights but good enough get the vibe..the canal boat trips beggar belief!
    Beware of the bicycles and their randometry.
     
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  16. Betty’s sons just come back from duinrell in Holland Wassenaar, great place for the kids .
     
  17. Sproggy4830

    Sproggy4830 Supporter

  18. Brussels was great years ago not so much now, my van came from there by the way
     
    Ermintrude likes this.
  19. I can’t really recommend anywhere in Holland - the last time I went there we got some smoke in Amsterdam, had a whitey in McDonald’s and then got back to the campsite miles away, had another spliff, and ran around confused into a volley ball net and hid in the tent for what seemed like a week. We were on a Scout trip...
     
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  20. Baysearcher

    Baysearcher [secret moderator]

    Ha ha ha I forgot about the volleyball net!
     

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