Koninginnedag

Koninginnedag or Queen’s Day (or Queensday) on April 30th is a national holiday in the Netherlands. On this day the entire country celebrates the official birthday of the Queen of the Netherlands.

Queen Beatrix’s birthday is actually on January 31st and April 30th is the birthday of her mother Queen Juliana. However, as the weather is warmer in April, Queen Beatrix has kept April 30th as the official date.

Queen’s Day Amsterdam

Koninginnedag is celebrated throughout the Netherlands but the big Queen’s Day celebrations are in Amsterdam. The partying and drinking start the night before which they call the Koninginnenacht (Queen’s Night).  All over the city there are parties, musical performances, concerts and entertainment on the canals.

Oranjegekte – Orange Madness

If you’re in Amsterdam during the Koninginnedag celebrations, you’ll see orange everywhere – orange banners, people dressed in all kinds of orange gear and accessories and even orange coloured food and drinks. It’s oranjegekte or the “orange madness” in reference to the House of Orange, which the royal family belongs to.

Vrijmarkt – Flea Market

A big feature of the Koninginnedag celebrations is the vrijmarktor “freemarket”. On this one day people all over the country are allowed to sell things in the streets without having to pay value added tax on their sales! People are allowed to set up stalls or have their goods on blankets in the parks or on sidewalks. It’s not just the car boot sales or flea market sales that are exempt from tax, commercial traders benefit from this one day of tax-free sales. Naturally, the amount of sales clocked up on this one day is huge.

Spring blooms at Keukenhof

Transport

The city centre is closed to cars and people are encouraged to catch public transport to the city. Whilst additional trains will be put on to get people to the Amsterdam city centre and back home after the celebrations, the services will be re-routed to distribute the station loads.  For more information on how the transport will work see the Koninginnedag website.  It is in Dutch only but if necessary, you can print it and have your hotel concierge explain the schedules to you.

Amsterdam in April

Spring is a marvelous time to be in Amsterdam. Not only will you get to share in the colourful Koninginnedag celebrations, it is also a fabulous time to see the famous spring gardens at Keukenhof.

For more detailed information on Koninginnedag events, see the Koninginnedag website.

Event: Koninginnedag Amsterdam
Date : April 30th

© Netherlands Travel, 2013. Written by Helen Page

Post tags: amsterdam 30 april, amsterdam in april, koninginnedag, queens day, queens day amsterdam in Categories: News & Events

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Tax free validation at Schiphol Airport

Except for minor variations, the VAT tax refund procedures are pretty much the same anywhere in the EU:

Option A.

If you have done a lot of shopping and prefer to pack your shopping into your check-in luggage, you will need to do your VAT refund before checking in your luggage and going through passport control. Here are the steps to follow:

Step 1 – Get your Customs Validation Stamp

The Customs Tax Free Validation desk is near Departures 2 on Level 1.

• You must get your tax form stamped by Customs (no Customs stamp, no refund!)
• You must have your goods with you (they do random checks)
• You must show your passport and travel itinerary (unlike in Rome, you are not required to show your boarding pass here)

Step 2 – Do Your Airline Check-in

Once you’ve had your tax refund form stamped you can proceed to do your airline check-in and deposit your luggage (with the goods checked in) .

Step 3 – Get Your Tax Refund

If your Tax forms are from Global Blue -

• The Global Blue office is just next to Passport Control (near Gate G). A supervisor will check your stamped form and receipts and ask if you want cash or a credit to your credit card. I suggest that you go for cash as you get your refund immediately and there’s no possibility of any kind of debit to your credit card later on. Once he has checked your documents, he will pass you on to the cashiers for payment.
  Note: this procedure takes time as well – since the queue of people at the Customs validation desk find their way here.

If your Tax forms are from Premier Tax Free -

• You can get your payment at the ABN-AMRO bank.

Unfortunately, if you have forms from both Global Blue and Premier Tax Free, you will need to go through the procedure separately.

Option B.

If you only have small or valuable items that you intend to hand-carry, you can process your VAT refund after going through passport control. The Customs tax free validation desk and Global Blue desk are to the right, immediately past the Passport Control. The procedure is the same as described in Option A above. If you can hand-carry your purchases, this appears to be the preferred way to get your VAT refund as there are less people doing it this way. When we went through Passport Control, we saw only one lady getting her VAT refund processed.

Allow Time

If you have VAT refund to claim at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, make sure that you allow time for this. There are only two Customs validation officers on duty and all you need is for someone with complications to hold up the process and you could be waiting a long time, which was what happened to us.  It took us about 45 minutes just to get the Customs stamp and cash refund. If there is a tour group in the queue, that will also take time if you’re unlucky to be standing behind them. The Customs officers do scrutinize your forms and receipts and we have seen them asking certain individuals to show their goods.

© Netherlands Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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My Trusty Bike

The Netherlands is well known around the world for its love of bikes – so where could be better for a cycling holiday in Europe? With great cycle highways (complete with their own traffic lights) and more bikes than people, Holland is a cyclist’s paradise.

This seven day adventure takes you along the North Sea coast past picture perfect scenes of canals and windmills to the vibrant city of Amsterdam, then on to the unspoiled island of Texel.

Before You Go

Thanks to the relatively flat terrain, you can cover a fair amount of distance on two wheels. There are cycle routes everywhere, with either a dedicated path for bikes or a cycle-only lane adjacent to the road.

Unlike in the UK, you’ll have right of way as a cyclist at crossroads and roundabouts, but it still pays to be careful at major intersections.

There are several route systems, although you’ll use the the long distance LF (landelijke fietsroutes) roads the most. Although it’s in Dutch, this LF map website is relatively easy to use as the place names are often the same as in English. You can pick up a map of LF and smaller routes at any tourist information shop in Holland, usually signed VVV.

What to Pack

• Padded shorts! They might feel odd when you walk about, but when you have to get back on the bike on the second day, you’ll be praising them as worth every penny.
• Sugary snacks, for when you need that last little boost.
• Sturdy bags. If you have a pannier rack on your bike, it’s worth investing. Although the extra weight at the back of the bike makes uphill ascents tougher than with a backpack, Holland is so flat that you won’t feel the strain and your shoulders will probably thank you.
• If you have an iPhone, download the Trails App to keep track of your route via GPS in case your map reading skills don’t come up to scratch.
• A decent lock (D-locks are best) is essential to keep your bike or rental safe – there’s a big problem with bike theft, particularly in Amsterdam.

Which Bike?

On the road in Holland

We took the ferry across from Harwich in the UK to the port of Hook in Holland so were able to bring our own bikes over. If you want to hire when you arrive, there are a handful of places in the town of Hook. Try K.v.d. Burg, Prins Hendrikstraat 235-241 (0174 382318) when you get off the boat.

Be aware that Dutch bikes are often single speed and you will have to pay more for a touring bike with gears. Some city bikes also have back pedal brakes, which can be tough to get used to. Make sure you take the rental for a quick spin to double check you’re comfortable with the style and all the parts are in good working order before you pay up.

The Route

Hook – Leiden

At a coffee shop in Leiden

Starting from the ferry port in Hook of Holland, it’s about 30 miles to the city of Leiden which is a good distance to break in your pedalling legs on the first day. Take the LF1 north – a wonderful scenic route along the coast through the dunes. At Katwijik, a pretty little town by the sea which makes a good pit stop for coffee or lunch, turn east inland and follow the canal to Leiden.

Leiden is a fantastic place to stay the night. The university town is as quaint as Amsterdam and has all the coffee shops, bars and restaurants, but has managed to escape the stag parties and crowds. It feels laid back and friendly and there are some great spots, such as the beautiful Botanical Gardens, to relax for the afternoon after your journey.

Leiden – Amsterdam

Canals in Amsterdam

No holiday in the Netherlands would be complete without a stop in Amsterdam. From Leiden, the LF2 runs all the way to the capital. Winding on narrow paths past canals and windmills, it’s a beautiful ride of about 30 miles. Along the route, you’ll need to cross some of the waterways, which is fortunately very quick, cheap and easy by ferry.

In Amsterdam itself, the excellent cycle routes continue and you’ll have no trouble navigating your way around the paths to the centre of the city. We spent an extra day here relaxing, sightseeing and biking around Amsterdam before heading further north. The leafy, bohemian area of Jordaan is a great place for a laid back day tour, or you could try the ‘museum loop’ through the city centre and hop from art gallery to museum.

Amsterdam – Den Helder

After a few days surrounding by crowds, it’s refreshing to head back out on the road, and the path to the northernmost tip of Holland is an unspoiled paradise of undulating sand dunes and chocolate box villages. The journey to Den Helder is a longer 50 mile trek, but after a bit of recovery in Amsterdam it’s easily completed in a day.

Den Helder – Texel

De Koog beach, Texel

If you’re feeling tired, you can make a stop off at Den Helder, which is a modern town with shops and restaurants, to refresh you. The main reason for coming here, however, is the ferry to Texel, which takes around 20 minutes from the port. The largest of the Wadden Islands, Texel is a remote, beautiful spot for riding – and about as far from the tour groups in Amsterdam as you can get!

Pine forests, tulip fields and sandy beaches stretch before you, and you’re more likely to see spoonbills and gulls on the road than cars. De Koog has the best beach and plenty of places to sleep or relax in a beachfront café with a beer, although Den Burg is a little livelier with its street market and shops.

The way back

As an alternative to retracing your steps, trains run regularly from Den Helder to Amsterdam and take 75 minutes. It’s easy to bring your bike with you, just buy a ‘day pass’ for the bike for a few Euros and you’re allowed it on any train in Holland that day. From the capital, you could take a train directly back to Hook (about 1.5 hours) or just go as far as Leiden before cycling the last few miles. There’s a great route via The Hague and Delft for some last minute photo opportunities.

© Netherlands Travel, 2012. Written by awoolliams

Post tags: bicycle, bike, cycling, cycling holiday, Holland, Netherlands in Categories: Sightseeing

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Port of Amsterdam

The Port of Amsterdam is a very popular stop for ocean cruises and the Amsterdam Cruise Terminal is also the starting point for hundreds of European river cruises. 

If your cruise to Amsterdam  or river cruise from Amsterdam includes some free time in this historic city, Viator (the day tour experts) have put together a few tours that are geared towards  visitors who are part of a cruise.

Worry-free Shore Excursion

Amsterdam has a lot to offer visitors, but if you’re afraid of straying too far from your ship and not getting back to your boat on time, Viator’s worry-free shore excursions come with the following guarantee:

• They will ensure that your excursion ends with ample time for you to return to the Amsterdam Cruise Terminal for your ship’s departure.
• In the extremely unlikely event that your ship has departed, they will arrange for transportation to the next port-of-call.
• If your ship’s arrival in Amsterdam is delayed and you are unable to attend a booked tour, your money will be refunded. See their terms and conditions for full details.

Amsterdam Sightseeing Tours

Not all Viator Amsterdam tours carry the Worry-free Shore Excursion guarantee, so if it is important to you to have this assurance, you will need to select the ones that are covered by their worry-free policy. Some of these include:

Keukenhof Gardens

The Keukenhof Gardens is one of Holland’s top attractions and if your cruise to Amsterdam is at springtime, a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens and Holland’s tulip fields should not be missed. There is a choice of four tours here, depending on how much time you want to spend at the Gardens. Keukenhof is only open for 8 weeks in spring so don’t miss this springtime extravaganza.

Amsterdam Shore Excursion: Zaanse Schans Windmills, Marken and Volendam Half-Day Trip

Enjoy a drive through a picture-perfect landscape crisscrossed with canals. Zaanse Schans is a museum village dedicated to preserving the Dutch way of life and on this tour you’ll get to see all things Dutch such as authentic wooden houses, windmills and fishing villages as well as witnessing traditional crafts from days gone by. The tour also stops at one of the few farms where cheese is still made in the traditional Dutch way.

Amsterdam Shore Excursion: Amsterdam City Sightseeing Tour

This tour takes you through the highlights of Amsterdam and there is the opportunity to add on a canal cruise as well.

© Netherlands Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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Edam Harbour - Courtesy Amsterdam Tourism

Edam is a city in the province of Noord-Holland that is famous for its cheese of the same name. Long before many of us would step on the shores of the city of Edam, the round ball of Edam cheese, coated in red paraffin wax, would already have made an impression on us.

The Origin of Edam

The origin of the name Edam is pretty simple. In the 12th century, the city was founded around a dam crossing on the river E or IJe and hence Ijedam. In the early days, the inhabitants used to charge a toll for goods that had to be shifted between vessels at the dam and from there on Edam went on to become a trading town and prospered from shipbuilding and fishing.

Edam Attractions

Many visitors are attracted to Edam by its cheese and Kaasmarkt (Cheese market) but there is certainly more to Edam than just Edam cheese. The city is rich in history and exudes of old-world charm. Edam’s old town centre, within the old city walls, is heritage protected and many of its medieval architecture are still in good form. A rare example of a Gothic wooden house, presumed to have been built around 1530 AD. can be found in this city.

Visitors taking a relaxed stroll around Edam’s cobbled streets will see a variety of well preserved facades, typical Dutch squares, peaceful canals, bridges and historic and medieval buildings. Some of these well preserved buildings include St. Nicholas Church, the Town Hall and the Church of Our Dear Lady. The Edam Museumis located in Edam’s oldest brick house which was built around 1530.

Edam Cheese Market - Courtesy Amsterdam Tourism

Edam Kaasmarkt

Like in Gouda, the cheese market in Edam is staged for tourists these days. It is held on the Jan van Nieuwenhuizen Square each Wednesday from 10:30 to 12:30 during the months of July and August.

Edam Hotels

Being less than 20 km from Amsterdam, many visitors make day trips to Edam. However, for those who plan to spend a couple of days in this city, The Hotel & Restaurant de Fortuna is one of the few hotels in central Edam. Set in five characteristic Noord-Holland houses, it provides for a cozy stay. You can also check out other Edam and nearby Volendam hotels Here.

How to Get to Edam from Amsterdam

By Bus – Catch bus nos. 110, 112, 114 (in the direction of Hoorn) and 116.
By Car – From the ringroad of Amsterdam (Road A10), you take the exit Volendam (S116)
By Train – There is currently no train connections to Edam.

Map of Edam:

© Netherlands Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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Noordwijk Beach

Noordwijk markets itself as a floral seaside resort. The town is blessed with 13 km of coastline and beautiful dune-backed beaches and being in the Duin-en Bollenstreek (Dune and Bulb Region), its sandy soil and coastal dunes make the area an ideal location for bulb cultivation.

The Two Sides of Noordwijk

Noordwijk  is situated in the province of South Holland.  The town  is made up of two communities – Noordwijk aan Zee and Noordwijk-Binnen:

• Noordwijk aan Zee was originally a fishing village in the 1200s, and the ‘Zeeers‘ were traditionally fishermen.  These days however, its stretches of sandy beaches make it a very popular resort town.
• Noordwijk-Binnen was once a pilgrimage location in the 15th century. The inland ‘Binders’ were traditionally bulb growers and the area around Noordwijk-Binnen has always been an important part of the regional bulb flower industry.

But Noordwijk is not just about sandy beaches and beautiful flowers. The town is the headquarters for the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) and its impressive Space Expo is Europe’s first permanent space exhibition. For anyone interested in moon landings, rocket launches, satellites and space research in general, Noordwijk is home to the largest of the European Space Agency’s technical complexes.

With its beach tourism, floriculture and space research centre, it’s not surprising that Noordwijk is rated the 12th richest region in the Netherlands. It is a popular congress destination and even beer magnate Freddy Heineken has a villa in Noordwijk.

Things to Do in Noordwijk

Bulb Fields in Noordwijk

Noordwijk is a great base from which to explore the bulb fields of Holland and the famous Keukenhof Gardens. Apart from the beaches, there are golf courses, museums, the Space Expo as well as adventure parks to keep children amused.

Noordwijk Hotels

There is a good range of beach-side hotels in Noordwijk aan Zee, including the elegant Grand Hotel Huis ter Duin, the Golden Tulip Noordwijk Beach and Palace Hotel, to name a few. For the complete list of Noordwijk hotels see Here.

Getting Here:

Noordwijk is 25 km from Amsterdam, 20 km from The Hague and 40 km from Rotterdam Airport.

By Train – The nearest train stations are Leiden train station (12 km) and Voorhout train station (7 km). For schedules and fares see Dutch Railways website www.ns.nl.  There is an extensive bus network and a number of taxi ranks around Noordwijk.

By Car – Noordwijk is centrally situated in the Randstad area. It is easily accessible and there are numerous routes to the nearby A44 motorway.

Map of Noordwijk:

© Netherlands Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

Post tags: beaches in the netherlands, bulb fields, noordwijk, noordwijk beach, noordwijk netherlands in Categories: Destinations

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Bloembollenstreek - Tulips in Holland

The Netherlands is famous for its tulips and other bulbous flowers like the daffodils, hyacinths, lilies, irises and lilies. In a 30 km area stretching from Haarlem to Leiden is Holland’s Bloembollenstreek or Bollenstreek (bulb district), the most important bulb-growing region of Holland.

Springtime in Bollenstreek

Early bloomers like the crocuses start flowering at the end of January and herald the arrival of Spring.  This is the season to enjoy the most popular of Dutch flowers – the mighty tulip. From around mid-April the bulb fields of Holland are a spectacular sea of colour and this floral extravaganza is extended until late May by the late-blooming lilies.

Along this 30 km flower belt, there are many restaurants, cafes and bars as well as some interesting attractions such as:

• De Croquins Museum – whose exhibits explain how polders and dams work in the Netherlands
• Linnaeushof – the largest adventure playgrounds in Europe
• The Frans Rozen nurseries in Vogelenzang, and
• The spectacular Keukenhof Gardens on the outskirts of Lisse should not be missed. The Gardens are only open for eight weeks each year in April and May.

Getting around Bloembollenstreek

If you don’t have a car, it is possible to rent a bike at Haarlem railway station and drop it off at Leiden Station.  Alternatively, you could rent a bike in Amsterdam and catch the train to Haarlem or Leiden.

But if pedalling around the tulip fields is not your cup of tea, it is possible to take a Keukenhof Gardens and Tulip Fields Tour from Amsterdam.

Map of Netherlands:

© Netherlands Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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Flora Holland Aalsmeer Flower Auction

Aalsmeer is a city just 10 km south of Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Aalsmeer’s claim to fame is that it is the largest flower auction centre in the world.  With its massive auction complex and surrounded by numerous nurseries, Aalsmeer is also sometimes called “The Flower Capital of the World”.

FloraHolland Aalsmeer

Holland is the largest commercial centre for flowers and plants in the world. The Aalsmeer auction complex is one of the six operated by FloraHolland, a cooperative of 6,000 flower growers. The Aalsmeer auction complex houses businesses that trade and export flowers and decorative plants. Although it is set up for processing and distributing large quantities of products quickly and efficiently, the Aalsmeer centre also has a Cash & Carry for smaller buyers.

Visiting Aalsmeer

For visitors, the flower auctions make for a fascinating experience. From a gallery, visitors will be dazzled by the sea of flowers stretching as far as the eye can see. The flowers and plants are auctioned at thirteen clocks in five auction rooms. Bidding is by Dutch auction which starts with a high price which works its way down. The clock dial counts down from 100 to 1 and as the number decreases so does the price of the auction lot. The first bidder to buzz in stops the clock and secures the lot at that price.

The FloraHolland auction is open to the public from Monday to Friday between 7.00 and 11.00 am with trading peaking before 9 am. So its worthwhile getting there early to see the best of the action. At the end of the visit there’s the possibility of buying something from their souvenir shop.

For those who want to learn more about the history of flower-cultivation in Aalsmeer, you can visit the Aalsmeer Historical Gardens, where you’ll find a replica of an auction room complete with original 1930s auction clock. On auction days visitors too can bid for lovely bunches of roses from the garden. The trick is not get carried away and pay too much.

There is a € 5.00 fee for visiting the auction centre or for € 13.00 you’ll get to visit the Historical Gardens as well.

How to Get to Aalsmeer by Public Transport

Aalsmeer can be easily reached by bus from various cities. The bus interchange in Aalsmeer is called Hortensiaplein.

From Amsterdam Zuid Station, the 171 to Kudelstaart goes through Aalsmeer; from  Amsterdam Centraal catch the 172 to Kudelstaart; from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport catch the 188, 198 or N72.

For journey details, see the journey planning website www.9292.nl and www.connexxion.nl.

Address:

FloraHolland Aalsmeer
Legmeerdijk 313
Postbus 1000
1430 BA Aalsmeer
Tel: +31 (0)297 – 39 39 39
Website: www. floraholland.com

Map of Aalsmeer:

© Netherlands Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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Gouda Kaasmarkt, Gouda

The name Gouda conjures images of bright yellow wheels of this Dutch cheese that is a common sight throughout the Netherlands. But more than just cheese, this typical Dutch city in the province of South Holland has plenty of history, old buildings and pretty canals that visitors will find a delight to explore.

A Slice of Gouda History

Gouda’s history can be traced back to the 11th century when the Van der Goude family built a castle on the Gouwe River. The area was originally marshland and a source for peat harvesting over the next two centuries. Gouda gained prominence as a city in 1272 when a canal was built connecting the Gouwe River with the Rhine delta. This allowed the shipment of goods to France and elsewhere.

Gouda had a successful brewing industry in the 15th century and the growth of the cheese industry in the 17th century brought more prosperity to the city. When a tax on cheese was introduced in 1667, it raised a lot of money for the town. The Waag (cheese weigh house) was built in 1668 so that the cheese could be weighed and tax collected.

Gouda City Centre

All the main sites of Gouda are within the city centre which is encircled by a canal. The area is small and easily explored on foot. Kleiweg, the main shopping street, is pedestrianized and bike free. At the end of this street you’ll reach the Markt (market square). The Stadhuis (the oldest Gothic Town Hall in the Netherlands) and Waag (now a cheese museum) are located here and the Markt is also where the kaasmarkt (cheese market) takes place during the summer months. Plan on being here on Thursday mornings when the cheese market is in operation.

Other Gouda Attractions

• St. Janskerk (St. John’s Church) – Famous for its beautiful stained glass windows, St. Janskerk is also the largest cross shaped church in the Netherlands.
• Windmills – There are three windmills remaining in Gouda, two of these are in city centre.
• Museumgouda (Gouda Museum) – Through its displays of archaeology, old clay pipes, pottery and paintings, visitors can learn more about the history of Gouda here. Information and guided tours are available in English.
• Museumhaven Gouda (Gouda Harbour Museum) – Gouda’s harbour and shipbuilding history are recorded in this museum. There are also some old ships and buildings to see. Unfortunately all the information is in Dutch.
• Verzetsmuseum Zuid-Holland (The Resistance Museum) – For those interested in the history of the Dutch resistance during World War II, information and guided tours are available in English at this museum.

Things to Buy in Gouda

Gouda cheese is a must-try from the town after which the cheese was named. Another Dutch treat to buy here is the traditional and delicious Dutch stroopwafels. These were first made in Gouda in 1784. If you haven’t tried these Dutch wafers before, the Goudse stroopwafels go very nicely with coffee.

Gouda is also famous for its smoking pipes and Goudse kaarsen, the traditional Dutch candles.

Gouda Hotels

There are not many hotels in Gouda as most visitors make day trips here. Hotel De Keizerskroon  is in the city centre and there are several other hotels that are about 4 to 7 kms away.  See here for complete list of Gouda hotels.

Getting Here

By Train – Gouda’s main station is 5 minutes walk to the Markt (market square).

From Den Haag or Rotterdam – Gouda is on the train route between Den Haag or Rotterdam and Utrecht. The train journey takes about 20 minutes. 
From Amsterdam – There is only one slow direct train each hour from Amsterdam to Gouda.
For schedules and fares, see the Dutch railway website www.ns.nl/.

By Bus – There are buses from Benschop, Bodegraven, Leiden and several other cities to Gouda. See the Connexxion website.

Map of Gouda:

© Netherlands Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

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Alkmaar Waag by M.Minderhoud

Alkmaar is a historic city and municipality located in the province of Noord Holland. Whilst most tourists come to Alkmaar to enjoy its traditional kaasmarkt (cheese market), one of the four traditional cheese markets remaining in the Netherlands, the city has 399 listed rijksmonuments (national heritage sites), most of which are situated along the city’s old canals.

Victory Begins at Alkmaar!

Alkmaar’s existence can be traced back to the 10th century. There are many medieval buildings in the city that are still intact, the most notable of these being the Grote Sint-Laurenskerk. Whilst its kaasmarkt (cheese market) may be a star attraction for the city, Alkmaar has another event that it is very proud of – Bij Alkmaar begint de victorie (“Victory begins at Alkmaar”). Each year Alkmaar still celebrates its 1573 success in fighting off the siege by the Spaniards which was the turning point of the Dutch War of Independence from Spain, or the Eighty Years War.

Alkmar Old City

Most of Alkmaar’s attractions are centred around the Old City which can be explored on foot. On the north side is Alkmaar’s main church, the medieval Grote Sint-Laurenskerk, a popular venue for weddings. The Stadhuis (Town Hall) is on Langestraat, the main street which runs from Sint-Laurenskerk and ends just past the Waagplein, the main market square.

The Waag (Weighing House) on Waagplein, is one of the more striking rijksmonuments and a main symbol of Alkmaar. The Waag was originally a church during pre-Reformation times, but these days it houses the Kaasmuseum (Dutch Cheese Museum) and the local tourist office. During the warmer months, a wholesale cheese market operates every Friday on the the square on the north side of the building.

Alkmaar Museums

There are several interesting museums in Alkmaar, including:

• the National Beer Museum – the Biermuseum De Boom is located just north of the Waagplein
• the Stedelijk Museum Alkmaar – this is one of the oldest city museums in the Netherlands and covers the history of Alkmaar and the region, and
• a Beatles Museum – If you are wondering why this traditional Dutch city would have a Beatles Museum – it seems that John Lennon’s first guitar was made in Alkmaar.

Hotels in Alkmaar

Hotels in Alkmaar old city include the Grand Hotel Alkmaar, a brand new 4-star hotel in the heart of Alkmaar. Hotel Herenhuys is a small 5-room hotel in a manor house just a minute’s walk from Waagplein. The Zorghotel de Palatijn is a 15-minute walk from the Waagplein.

Getting There

Alkmaar is about 10 km inland from the coast, and 40 km north-west of Amsterdam.

By Train – There is an Intercity train from Amsterdam to Alkmaar. From Amsterdam Central Station there are direct services to Alkmaar (four services per hour). There are also direct train services from Den Helder, Horn, Haarlem to Alkmaar.  See www.ns.nl for travel times and fares.

By Bus – Local bus services connect Alkmaar to surrounding villages and towns, up to about 30 km away. For public transport information, see www.9292ov.nl.

Day trip from Amsterdam to Alkmaar  – You can also join a day trip from Amsterdam which includes a visit to the Alkmaar Cheese Market.

Map of Alkmaar:

© Netherlands Travel, 2012. Written by Helen Page

Post tags: alkmaar cheese, alkmaar cheese market, alkmaar holland, alkmaar netherlands, alkmar in Categories: Destinations

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The post Alkmaar – Full of History and Cheese appeared first on Netherlands Travel.