Holland - or "Kingdom of the Netherlands"? It doesn't matter, we're going on a discovery tour in our charming neighboring country along the Maas to the romantic Hanseatic cities! For most people from North Rhine-Westphalia, Holland = Zeeland and for us Aacheners and ex-divers, Zeeland was our second home for decades. We have long wanted to explore the other sides of Holland, away from the sea in the midst of windmills, cheese and tulips .... The "old" Holland with the canals and the imposing trading houses, the small ports and the flair of the former wealth through trading in towels, spices and coffee After weeks of "Corona" curfew in our adopted country of Belgium, we will start our tour on May 7th, 2020.
Day
Roermond - CP Marina Oolderhuuske, Niederlande
6041 TR Marina Oolderhuuske, Niederlande
51° 11' 36.6" N 5° 56' 44.7" E
51.1934984 5.9457559
• Head toward Sluisweg on Oolderhuuske. Go for 473 m.
• Turn right onto Sluisweg. Go for 613 m.
• Continue on Kanaalweg Oost. Go for 1.2 km.
• Turn left onto Kanaalweg Oost. Go for 847 m.
• Turn slightly right onto De Weerd. Go for 254 m.
• Turn slightly right onto De Weerd. Go for 803 m.
• Turn right onto De Weerd. Go for 368 m.
• Continue on Maaswaarderweg. Go for 618 m.
• Turn slightly right toward Hatenboer. Go for 74 m.
• Continue on Hornerweg (N280). Go for 1.3 km.
• Continue on N280 toward Venlo (A73)/Mönchengladbach (A73)/Düsseldorf/A52/Industriepark Roerstreek. Go for 2.8 km.
• Turn right and take ramp onto A73 toward Venlo/Nijmegen/Industrieterrein 0-1000. Go for 69.7 km.
• Take exit 4 toward Cuijk/Beers/Grave. Go for 530 m.
• Turn left onto Beersebaan. Go for 247 m.
• Turn left onto Raamweg. Go for 2.4 km.
• Turn left onto Lange Linden. Go for 123 m.
• Continue on Oostermeerweg. Go for 447 m.
• Continue on Kerkstraat. Go for 679 m.
• Turn right onto Hardweg. Go for 329 m.
• Turn left onto Hardweg. Go for 31 m.
• Arrive at Hardweg. Your destination is on the left.
☍
83,8 km
( 57 min.)
Maasseen in und um Roermond
For this vacation we have decided to drive only small stages. There should be a maximum of 100 km of driving distance between the places. We have time and after all, Holland is not as big as COZY!
The first stop is reached after 98 km: Roermond, CP Resort Marina Olderhuuske. The campsite is just outside the city on a peninsula. We get a seat in the first row and stand in the sunshine with a view of the Maas.
The peninsula is an Eldorado for water sports fans. On the specially created Maasseen, everything for small and large water rats is offered, from the heaped sandy beach to water skiing.
The campsite (one of many) is on the tip of the island and is therefore surrounded by water. Very clean and tidy with great sanitary buildings, children's playground, snack bar, restaurant ...... The places are spacious, well paved and very even.
In the summer months there is a small ferry from the campsite over to Roermond, otherwise you can easily get into town by bike or on foot.
Roermond is a charming little town with a harbor, lots of restaurants and shops. Really worth a visit. The huge shopping experience can of course be found in the huge outlet center. (Dogs allowed)
Day
Jachthaven 't Loo, Linden - Cuijk
The next stop is on the SP at the marina in Linden near Cuijk.
The SP is connected to the opposite CP. It is a large meadow along the harbor basin on which you can say "as you like" to the right and left. V / E and garbage cans are on the square.
Although the place is well filled, we are lucky again and get a place right on the water. Opposite us is the nice harbor restaurant with a terrace on the water!
We grab the bikes and do a little exploration trip to Cuijk. Nice place with everything your heart desires!
TIP: Eating kibbeling is a must in NL anyway, so we felt we have eaten kibbeling 1,000 times - but this one is an absolute dream! Freshly cut, breaded and fried in the small fish shop ..... and sooooo delicious breading :-) You have to try it!
Back on the SP, we walk with Henry (dog) along the harbor basin and romp on the sandy beach at the Maas basin. (free running is prohibited there during the day - swimming area)
It's so calm and relaxed here ..... good night!
The next day also greets us with sunshine. After breakfast we cycle to Cuijk and take the ferry to the other side to Plasmolen. There is also a nice SP right on the water at CP Eldorado.
Witteweg 18
6586 AE Plasmolen
+31 (0) 24 696 19 14
Hardweg 15, 5439 NG Linden, Niederlande
51° 45' 6.3" N 5° 49' 36.7" E
51.7517541 5.8268623
• Head south on Hardweg. Go for 31 m.
• Turn right onto Hardweg. Go for 329 m.
• Turn left onto Kerkstraat. Go for 679 m.
• Continue on Oostermeerweg. Go for 447 m.
• Continue on Lange Linden. Go for 123 m.
• Turn right onto Raamweg. Go for 2.4 km.
• Turn right onto Beersebaan. Go for 222 m.
• Turn right and take ramp onto A73 toward Nijmegen. Go for 14.2 km.
• Take the left exit toward Eindhoven/Rotterdam/Arnhem onto A73. Go for 4.9 km.
• Take the exit toward Rotterdam/Arnhem onto A50. Go for 2.4 km.
• Keep left onto A50. Go for 19.2 km.
• Take the exit toward Zwolle/Apeldoorn/Oberhausen/Arnhem onto A12/A50. Go for 6.5 km.
• Take the exit toward Apeldoorn/Zwolle onto A50. Go for 21.8 km.
• Take the exit toward Hengelo/Deventer onto A1. Go for 8.0 km.
• Take exit 22 toward Twello/Wilp. Go for 522 m.
• Turn right onto N791. Go for 11 m.
• Turn right onto N791. Go for 179 m.
• Turn right onto Molenallee. Go for 80 m.
• Turn left onto Knibbelallee. Go for 23 m.
• Turn right toward Molenallee. Go for 180 m.
• Turn right onto Molenallee. Go for 1.8 km.
• Turn left onto Rijksstraatweg (N790). Go for 3.4 km.
• Continue on Twelloseweg. Go for 518 m.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Worp. Go for 228 m.
• Arrive at Worp. Your destination is on the left.
☍
88,1 km
( 57 min.)
Day
Stadscamping Deventer / Camping De Worp
Worp 12, 7419 AD, Deventer, Netherlands
52° 15' 0.3" N 6° 9' 7.1" E
52.2500900 6.1519600
• Head southwest on Worp. Go for 196 m.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Hoge Worp. Go for 89 m.
• Turn right onto Lage Worp. Go for 246 m.
• Turn left onto Lage Worp. Go for 139 m.
• Turn right onto Rijksstraatweg (N344). Go for 1.0 km.
• Take the 1st exit from Emmaplein roundabout onto Kazernestraat (N344). Go for 285 m.
• Turn right onto Meester H.F. de Boerlaan. Go for 810 m.
• Continue on Zutphenseweg. Go for 558 m.
• Turn right onto Zutphenseweg. Go for 877 m.
• Continue on Deventerweg (N348) toward Zutphen/Almelo/Hengelo/Gorssel. Go for 525 m.
• Turn left and take ramp onto A1. Go for 36.0 km.
• Take the exit toward Osnabrück/Enschede/Hengelo onto A1/A35. Go for 3.9 km.
• Continue on A1 toward Osnabrück/Hengelo/Borne. Go for 23.4 km.
• Continue on A30. Go for 14.4 km.
• Take exit 4 toward Emden/Emsbüren onto A31. Go for 110 km.
• Take exit 11 toward Leer-West/Leer-Hafen/Oldersum. Go for 500 m.
• Turn left onto Deichstraße (K1) toward Gewerbegebiet Leer-West/Gewerbegebiet Leer-Hafen/Leer. Go for 1.9 km.
• Turn right and take ramp onto Emsstraße (B436) toward Papenburg/Aurich. Go for 3.3 km.
• Turn right onto Großer Oldekamp. Go for 291 m.
• Turn left onto Marienstraße. Go for 97 m.
• Arrive at Marienstraße. Your destination is on the left.
☍
198,5 km
(1 hrs. 48 min.)
Deventer - lebendige Hansestadt in historischem Gewand
We drive via Doesburg (a little city stroll is worth it!) On to Deventer to the city camping.
The campsite is opposite the city on the IJssel. A large meadow area on the edge of the city park. You stand free and relaxed by the water or under one of the large trees (no division), water, electricity, etc. everything is there. The sanitary facilities were closed due to Corona - so I can't say.
Water dogs and children have fun in the shallow water with large pebbles and many sandbanks. The ferry dock is at the entrance to the campsite. Ferryman bring us over = 1 €
Deventer is considered the oldest city in the NL. You heard from her as early as 806 ;-) Historically yes - but definitely not old-fashioned!
Modern artisans, cafes and international restaurants have moved into the bumpy streets and small merchants' houses. Modern life pulsates around the historic Lebuiniskerk.
Unfortunately, the sky darkens in the evening and evil, dark clouds do not give a good indication. We sped to the ferry and just before the first downpour reached the camper!
The rain pounds on the roof of the motorhome and the wind rocks us back and forth, so we spend a cozy evening inside.
Leer, Deutschland
26789 Leer (Ostfriesland), Deutschland
53° 14' 8.4" N 7° 28' 4.4" E
53.2356570 7.4679018
• Head toward Deddo-Cramer-Straße on Marienstraße. Go for 127 m.
• Turn right onto Bremer Straße. Go for 289 m.
• Continue on Mühlenstraße. Go for 150 m.
• Turn right onto Bahnhofsring. Go for 104 m.
• Continue on Friesenstraße. Go for 712 m.
• Keep left onto Friesenstraße. Go for 52 m.
• Keep right onto Ubbo-Emmius-Straße toward Krankenhaus. Go for 876 m.
• Continue on Deichstraße. Go for 2.3 km.
• Turn right and take ramp onto A31 toward Groningen/Meppen/A280. Go for 13.3 km.
• Take exit 14 toward Groningen/Bunde-West onto A280. Go for 4.8 km.
• Continue on A7. Go for 45.7 km.
• Take ramp onto Knooppunt Euvelgunne (N7) toward RING-Zuid/Amsterdam/Drachten/Assen (A28). Go for 6.1 km.
• Take ramp toward Groningen-Corpus. Go for 358 m.
• Continue toward Stadspark. Go for 34 m.
• Continue on Laan Corpus den Hoorn toward Stadspark. Go for 49 m.
• Turn right onto Jan Evert Scholtenlaan toward Stadspark. Go for 157 m.
• Turn left onto Mulock Houwerlaan. Go for 521 m.
• Turn left. Go for 56 m.
• Keep right toward Campinglaan. Go for 90 m.
• Turn slightly right onto Campinglaan. Go for 169 m.
• Turn right onto Campinglaan. Go for 44 m.
• Turn slightly left. Go for 211 m.
• Turn right. Go for 27 m.
• Arrive at your destination on the right.
☍
76,2 km
( 49 min.)
Unvorhergesehen nach Leer - SP Jümme Fähre
You became a motorhome driver because you want to be flexible ?!
In the evening, as always, we checked the mobile network for the ultimate mobile home and ... there it was: a Frankia! Like ours, only newer and inside more modern and chic! Um ... It is for sale in Syke near Leer, our German final destination on the Holland route. It would be about 220 km! We are flexible. Then we stop at the end of our intended tour and drive the rest of the Holland route back home. So, from the end to the beginning, so to speak.
Torsten calls the provider and he raves about his caravan. He was a professional yacht builder and made everything technically perfect and optically at its best!
Freshly supplied and disposed of, we move our Fränkia on the shortest route to Syke. When looking at the sale object, outside and inside, we unfortunately did not take any pictures of our facial expressions :-( .... In any case, we did not need 10 minutes to say goodbye to the owners and the camper "never to see you again"!
So, what do we do now? We want to experience another highlight on this day! It was found quickly:
SP Jümme ferry in Wiltshausen at the inn - Amdorferstr. 101, 26789 Leer
You can spend the night free of charge in the car park of the inn with a large outdoor restaurant. But now it was the first Corona and the second day of rest in the inn. The nice operator greets us and offers us to stand on the approach to the ferry with direct water and a view of the ferry. How lucky we are! When the weather is nice, we stand alone next to the bus shelter at the historic Pünte as a monument on the water! The small pedestrian ferry is moored on the other side of the water (empty) and we watch her swing on the water! Very romantic.
Unfortunately, unfortunately the inn is closed! Our mouths water when we read the menu. In addition to schnitzel, there is a lot of fish. Roasted eel, captain's pan, plaice .... hmm - what a shame :-( Then we just have to cook ourselves. After dinner we go for a nice walk with Henry along the dike and have a sundowner at this nice spot.
Über Leer und Winschoten nach Groningen
The next morning we leave our idyllic place. We want to continue our planned Holland Tour - only now from the end to the beginning.
But first let's take a look at Leer. In the middle of the city there is a parking lot where camper vans can and are allowed to stand (we are short 8.20 m long). The weather is not that great though. It's raining, it's cold and windy. This is how Leer looks a little bleak and empty. A short stroll is enough to give us an overview. Conclusion: very nice, we would like to come back when the weather is better and we do a "Germany-North" tour. Now off to NL :-)
On the way to our next planned stop, however, we still stop in Winschoten. There is an SP at the marina:
Marina, Hellingbaan 4 - 9672 Winschoten
Camping Stadspark Groningen
The CP is really in the middle of a huge park on the edge of the city. Relaxed standing under huge trees, on a small stream, on a meadow or "semi" attached ..... without division with lots of space! We really like it here.
From the campsite you can walk through the park to Groningen's market square in less than 10 minutes. In the park itself you can go for a walk with your dog, there is even a dog playground - great :-)
Campinglaan 6, 9727 KH, Groningen, Netherlands
53° 12' 11" N 6° 32' 11" E
53.2030500 6.5363800
• Head south. Go for 27 m.
• Turn right toward Campinglaan. Go for 209 m.
• Continue on Campinglaan. Go for 30 m.
• Turn left onto Campinglaan. Go for 169 m.
• Turn slightly left toward Mulock Houwerlaan. Go for 146 m.
• Turn right onto Mulock Houwerlaan. Go for 455 m.
• Continue on Mulock Houwerlaan. Go for 66 m.
• Turn right onto Jan Evert Scholtenlaan. Go for 157 m.
• Turn right onto Laan Corpus den Hoorn. Go for 230 m.
• Continue on N370. Go for 4.6 km.
• Keep left onto Friesestraatweg (N370) toward Aduard/Zuidhorn/N355. Go for 137 m.
• Take ramp onto Friesestraatweg (N355). Go for 7.5 km.
• Pass 2 roundabouts and continue on Rijksstraatweg (N355). Go for 9.3 km.
• Turn right onto Kievitsweg (N388) toward Industrieterrein De Rietlanden/Zoutkamp. Go for 3.5 km.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Hoekje (N388). Go for 4.4 km.
• Turn right onto Nittersweg (N388). Go for 4.6 km.
• Turn left onto N361. Go for 10.4 km.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Strandweg. Go for 315 m.
• Arrive at Strandweg.
☍
46,1 km
( 40 min.)
Groningen - du hast uns so gut gefallen! Wir kommen bestimmt noch mal wieder !
It is barely 10 minutes by bike through the park to the city center.
We are really lucky: even though it is early afternoon, there is still a weekly market on the market square. So quickly park the bicycles and look at the greengrocers, fish stalls, fishmongers, cheese stands and vending trucks with fragrant oliebollen. Ok, you can't walk past such an oliebollen stand, especially if you haven't eaten since breakfast. WE can't walk past such a fish cart without stocking up on delicious fish for the evening - the grill is calling!
Groningen is a lively, diverse student city. Modern meets historical monuments, nice little individual shops next to well-known fashion houses, great international restaurants and cafes.
In short, you should plan 2-3 days for Groningen - it's worth it!
Lauwersoog, Niederlande
9976 Lauwersoog, Niederlande
53° 24' 19.3" N 6° 12' 43.4" E
53.4053662 6.2120483
• Head north on Strandweg. Go for 226 m.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Marneweg (N361). Go for 1.3 km.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Zeedijk (N361). Go for 6.8 km.
• Pass 3 roundabouts and continue on Lauwersseewei (N361). Go for 8.7 km.
• Take the 1st exit from roundabout onto Lauwersseewei. Go for 1.2 km.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Rondweg-Noord. Go for 756 m.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Rondweg-Noord. Go for 839 m.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Rondweg-West (N356). Go for 149 m.
• Turn left onto Houtkolk. Go for 186 m.
• Turn right onto De Polle. Go for 17 m.
• Turn slightly left onto Mûnedyk. Go for 126 m.
• Turn left onto Hoedemakersweg. Go for 211 m.
• Arrive at Hoedemakersweg. Your destination is on the left.
☍
20,5 km
( 18 min.)
Hafen Lauwersoog und weiter über N361 bis Dokkum
As much as we liked the CP and Groningen - there is still a lot to see and we continue after 2 days.
Comfortable overland like to Lauwersoog. You can park and spend the night at the port. V / E is available, electricity and sanitary facilities are not available.
A dam separates the sea from the Lauwersmeer to prevent flooding. Lauwerskoog was only created after the dike was dyed in 1969, so nothing historical awaits us here, but a unique, extensive sand and lake landscape. It is a great bird sanctuary and today wild orchids and Konik horses graze on the former seabed.
The weather is right, we take a long walk on the dam and enjoy the peaceful natural spectacle. When we are back at the port, we notice that we have an appetite again (must be the good sea air). A large harbor restaurant and a fish hall with restaurant give us an idea that there is fresh fish, kibbeling and fried fish here! Just like that! In the fish hall on the ground floor, the freshly arrived fish is scaled, cut and sold. A part moves to the upper floor and is prepared there.
We opt for a portion of fried mussels and fried fish. What portions! Several people will be full and extremely tasty!
The wind whistles in the harbor basin and we decide to go a little further.
The N 361 leads us via Paesens, Wierum and Holwerd. The ferry to Ameland departs from Holwerd. The motorhome can be parked at the Holwerd Ameland Car Park for little money (€ 6). Use of the shuttle bus is included in the price.
Now it is already afternoon, the wind is fresh and we are drawn a little further inland to Dokkum.
SP Dokkum - Van Kleffensstraat 3, Dokkum, Niederlande
In front of us is the bridge over the canal from the Lauwersmeer into the city. We have to turn into a small residential area and immediately left again, between a rather narrow entrance made of high hedges. Ok as always if something seems "strange" or too tight, I park the camper and Sylke goes to see. She comes back with a bright smile and gives me to understand that I have to go through this "eye of the needle" and that I will pass "
So through the narrow hedge to a "backyard" and left again! There! A beautiful place right on the water opposite the lighthouse and the city! Great
Van Kleffensstraat 3, 9101 CL Dokkum, Niederlande
53° 19' 26.2" N 5° 59' 36" E
53.3239306 5.9933396
• Head toward Gosling Posthumastraat on Hoedemakersweg. Go for 312 m.
• Turn right onto Birdaarderstraatweg. Go for 434 m.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Rondweg-West (N356). Go for 539 m.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Rondweg-West (N356). Go for 716 m.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Lauwersseewei (N361). Go for 1.3 km.
• Take the 1st exit from roundabout onto N361. Go for 593 m.
• Take the 1st exit from roundabout onto Sintrale as (N356) toward Broeksterwâld/Leeuwarden/Drachten. Go for 20.9 km.
• Keep right toward Drachten/Groningen/(A7). Go for 44 m.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Waldwei (N31) toward Drachten/Groningen/(A7). Go for 9.0 km.
• Take ramp onto A7 toward Groningen (A7)/Bedrijventerrein Azeven-Zuid/Ureterp/Oosterwolde/Emmen/N381. Go for 30.1 km.
• Continue on A6. Go for 12.3 km.
• Take exit 17 toward Lemmer. Go for 687 m.
• Turn right onto Rondweg (N359). Go for 1.9 km.
• Turn right onto Plattedijk. Go for 110 m.
• Turn left onto Plattedijk. Go for 27 m.
• Arrive at Plattedijk. Your destination is on the right.
☍
78,9 km
( 47 min.)
Dokkum - klein, fein und sehr historisch. Die zweitälteste Stadt Frieslands
The city gained notoriety when the missionary Boniface was murdered there in 754. For the Catholics, Dokkum is a place of pilgrimage. But it is really a very charming town. From the SP you walk quickly over the bridge and you are right in the middle of it. Historic buildings line up, small cafes and lots of restaurants. It's cold but the blue sky and the sun encourage us to have ice cream from our own production and milk production. Hmm delicious. We stroll through the alleys past the small shops / shops and expect a knight to come around the corner on horseback at any moment :-) Orientation is easy for us, the mill on the small island in the canal can almost always be seen and across the street is the SP.
So we walk towards the canal and pass the tiny Frisian houses. All brightly painted and lovingly decorated. Really, really lovely. Over a small bridge we get back to the other side and let our Henry "off the leash". There are some dog owners out and about and Henry is having fun.
You cannot leave Dokkum without having had a cup of Dokkumer koffie. A good cup of coffee is accompanied by a shot of Beerenburg (herbal brandy) and topped with a cherry on top! Beerenburg is said to be the most famous and popular drink of the Frisians and originally comes from Dokkum.
Jachthaven Lemmer Binnen, Plattedijk, Lemmer, Niederlande
Plattedijk 10, 8531 PB Lemmer, Niederlande
52° 50' 50" N 5° 41' 48" E
52.8472222 5.6966667
• Head northwest on Plattedijk. Go for 50 m.
• Turn right onto Plattedijk. Go for 92 m.
• Turn left onto Plattedijk (N359). Go for 1.9 km.
• Turn left and take ramp onto A6 (Rijksweg) toward Emmeloord/Zwolle. Go for 9.7 km.
• Take exit 16 toward Luttelgeest. Go for 595 m.
• Turn left onto Oosterringweg (N715). Go for 110 m.
• Pass 2 roundabouts and continue on Oosterringweg (N715). Go for 8.1 km.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Oosterringweg (N715). Go for 2.8 km.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Vollenhoverweg (N331). Go for 610 m.
• Pass 4 roundabouts and continue on Flevoweg (N762). Go for 14.9 km.
• Turn left onto Beulakerweg (N334). Go for 3.9 km.
• Turn left onto Cornelisgracht. Go for 51 m.
• Turn right onto Kanaaldijk. Go for 521 m.
• Arrive at Kanaaldijk. Your destination is on the left.
☍
43,3 km
( 35 min.)
Lemmer - Ballermann am IJsselmeer
Somebody told us: "... and then you have to go to Lemmer ..."
Since it is on our route and also has an SP at the marina, we will do it. Even the first impression makes us skeptical. We drive to the marina and stand on the empty SP. A concrete parking area without any charm. We kindly ask the harbor master whether we can only park here to see the city and then decide whether we should stay. NO! He explains to us quite unfriendly (although the whole large square is empty) that we now have to pay the € 19 parking fee whether we stay or not. We are a bit puzzled by the sound and decide to leave this unfriendly place quickly.
A few meters further towards the city center there is a huge parking lot with a machine. We buy a ticket for 2 hours and first go to the opposite beach. Lemmer is located directly on the IJsselmeer and is probably a very popular seaside resort. This is what the beach looks like. Children's playground with a fence around it, separate areas for swimmers and non-swimmers, dogs are only allowed in a small area ... Signs regulate the beach fun!
Then let's take a look at the fishing village! Yes, two short streets with nice buildings but a lot more bars. Pub to pub: Irish pup, Scottish, Spanish bodega ....... Musikantenstadel, brewery .... oh dear, it looks like a Ballermann! We can guess what's going on here in summer! It is not our taste and we move on to Giethoorn.
Camperplaats Haamstede
The place, a former farm is located a few meters outside of Giethoorn on the canal. We are greeted warmly by the bearded owner as we drive in. With him is the farm dog, an older, very relaxed dog lady.
We are allowed to choose a place and choose the "Heckenplatz" in the corner. Henry can hardly wait to come out of the camper to pay his respects to the lady-in-waiting :-) A quick sniff is enough to establish a certain sympathy for each other and so the two of them move across the yard and the parking space together. OK, let's get rid of our dog first! but, we are quite sure: he'll be back! (was also like that)
We feel at home straight away. The sanitary facilities are in a former shed, not luxurious but available. A notice board announces that you can also order something to eat. Small typical Dutch dishes: Frikandeln with fries etc. The garden terrace is open in summer and when it is not Corona. Now the pre-ordered food is delivered to the camper.
Kanaaldijk 17, 8355, Giethoorn, Niederlande
52° 43' 42" N 6° 4' 35" E
52.7283333 6.0763889
• Head toward Geythoornweg on Kanaaldijk. Go for 521 m.
• Turn left onto Cornelisgracht. Go for 51 m.
• Turn right onto Beulakerweg (N334). Go for 3.9 km.
• Turn right onto Veneweg (N762). Go for 7.8 km.
• Pass 2 roundabouts and continue on Flevoweg (N331). Go for 1.6 km.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Repelweg (N352). Go for 4.8 km.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Zuiderringweg (N352). Go for 5.3 km.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Oostereind (N352). Go for 917 m.
• Take the 1st exit from roundabout onto N352. Go for 663 m.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Schokkerringweg (N352). Go for 524 m.
• Pass 3 roundabouts and continue on Domineesweg (N352). Go for 9.8 km.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto A6 toward Lelystad/Amsterdam. Go for 46.1 km.
• Keep left onto A6 toward Amsterdam. Go for 6.7 km.
• Keep right onto A6. Go for 5.1 km.
• Take the exit toward E231/Amsterdam onto A1. Go for 10.6 km.
• Take the left exit toward Purmerend/Zaanstad onto A10 (Ring Amsterdam). Go for 7.2 km.
• Take exit 16 toward Volendam. Go for 587 m.
• Turn right onto Nieuwe Leeuwarderweg (N247) toward Purmerend-Zuid/Volendam/Marken. Go for 12.2 km.
• Turn right onto Zeddeweg (N517) toward Volendam. Go for 1.9 km.
• Take the 1st exit from roundabout onto Kathammerzeedijk toward Centrum/Haven/Industrieterrein Slobbeland/Industrieterrein Julianaweg. Go for 352 m.
• Turn right onto Kathammerzeedijk. Go for 215 m.
• Turn right onto Pieterman. Go for 174 m.
• Turn slightly left onto Pieterman. Go for 71 m.
• Turn left onto Pieterman. Go for 81 m.
• Turn right onto Pieterman. Go for 143 m.
• Arrive at Pieterman.
☍
127,2 km
(1 hrs. 24 min.)
Giethoorn - Das Venedig des Nordens
The Venice of the North! Great city marketing, I think, we're looking forward to "Venice".
We get the bikes ready and cycle from the square a bit along the canal to the next bridge in the village / center. There is a small, well-stocked supermarket and a landing stage for the "whisper boats" and the larger excursion boats. Due to the corona, the excursion boats are not allowed to operate. Whisper boats are small, low-noise motor boats with which you can chug through the canals. We'll stick to cycling though. But this is only possible in the narrow paths along the canals because there are hardly any tourists. In a "normal" summer, crowds of people have to push their way through the "streets". We enjoy it so empty and are just amazed! What an extremely extraordinary and charming place!
Almost car-free, idyllic and incredibly romantic - that's how you can describe the small village of Giethoorn. The canal meanders through the town for around eight kilometers, and more than 180 bridges connect the reed roof houses, some of which are hundreds of years old, with each other and with the canal. The small "land islands" are all very neat and landscaped, the houses are often decorated and / or decorated. Restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlors invite you to stop. Since these are waterways, you can moor your boat anywhere and take a break, eat an ice cream under the weeping willow or have a cocktail on one of the many romantic water terraces. Oh, it's beautiful here !! We can't get enough of the pretty houses and gardens ....
On the way back we buy some salad and meat to grill. The CP and the weather invite you to barbecue.
We are totally relaxed and somehow "happy" from the pitch, the place ...
The next morning we are drawn to the romantic canal and island world again. The Weerribben-Wieden National Park begins at the end of the canal. A swampy landscape that used to be a popular peat and reed mining area. Next to the park is the Museumboerderij 't Olde Maat Uus, a museum farm that tells the history of the region.
A delicious scent rises in our noses here! It smells like fish. We get a bag of kibbeling and prawns and eat them on a bench by the canal. It is fun to watch the families with the rental boats! Some "stumble" around on the water - bump into here and there and often manage to get out of the way of oncoming traffic in the last second!
We cycle around a bit, look at the other parking spaces, take a long walk with Henry through the fields .......
The next day, a Saturday, there is a market in Steenwijk, 20 km away. The weather is a bit overcast and windy. We consider taking the bus, but then decide to use the bikes so that we are flexible. The bike paths in Holland are a dream! Always separated from the car lane, you roll along very relaxed. A bit along the canal and then through a small residential area we arrive in Steenwijk. The market is quite small but very busy. The place ...... ugly. We don't feel like staying here any longer and cycle back to the parking space along the canal.
We spend a quiet afternoon, going for a walk, supplying and disposing of the camper because tomorrow it will continue.
Marina Volendam, Pieterman, Volendam, Niederlande
The motorhome pitch belongs to the Roompot holiday resort "Marina Volendam". It is on the edge of the harbor basin, pretty much directly on the water. A large parking lot marked out by hedges. V / E and electricity available. 20.- € for 2 people.
We didn't like it. It looked a bit "useless" and neglected for € 20 you can find something nicer.
The SP in Edam is much more charming - but: no dogs allowed!
Pieterman 12, 1131 PW Volendam, Niederlande
52° 29' 18" N 5° 3' 53.9" E
52.4883367 5.0649611
• Head south on Pieterman.
• Turn right onto Pieterman. Go for 82 m.
• Turn right onto Pieterman. Go for 434 m.
• Turn left onto Zuideinde. Go for 115 m.
• Turn left onto Julianaweg. Go for 209 m.
• Continue on Kathammerzeedijk. Go for 332 m.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Zeddeweg (N517). Go for 1.8 km.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Monnickendammerjaagweg (N247) toward Monnickendam/Marken/Amsterdam. Go for 12.6 km.
• Turn left and take ramp onto A10 (Ring Amsterdam) toward Ring/S115/Utrecht/Hengelo. Go for 7.1 km.
• Take the exit toward Hengelo/Almere onto A1. Go for 3.1 km.
• Keep right onto A1 toward Hengelo/Groningen/Almere/Utrecht/Haarlem/Luchthaven Schiphol/A9. Go for 7.9 km.
• Continue on A6 (Knooppunt Muiderberg) toward Groningen/Lelystad/Almere. Go for 3.4 km.
• Keep left onto A6 toward Groningen/Lelystad/Almere/Afrit 4-8. Go for 3.8 km.
• Keep right onto A6 toward Afrit 4-5/Almere-Stad/Almere-Haven/Ring. Go for 4.4 km.
• Take exit 5 toward Almere-Stad/Almere-Parkwijk/Almere-Overgooi. Go for 501 m.
• Turn right onto Waterlandseweg (N305) toward Almere-Overgooi/Almere-Hout. Go for 14.2 km.
• Turn right onto Nijkerkerweg (N301). Go for 5.0 km.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Nijkerkerweg (N301). Go for 1.8 km.
• Turn right onto Nijkerkerweg. Go for 432 m.
• Turn left onto Slingerweg. Go for 166 m.
• Continue on Erkemederweg. Go for 1.5 km.
• Turn right onto Erkemederweg. Go for 134 m.
• Turn left. Go for 82 m.
• Arrive at your destination on the right.
☍
69,2 km
( 51 min.)
Ijsselmeer Nordholland
The sun is shining, Henry dreams of his vacation acquaintance, the farm dog and we roll to Enkhuizen. Enkhuizen is a lovely harbor town whose former wealth cannot be overlooked. Monuments in the classical style, Renaissance buildings line up between stately villas, small, colorful fishermen's houses, artisan yards, small shops and restaurants. A colorful mix of centuries. In the harbor, the sails clink on the masts of the many sailing boats next to beautifully decorated wooden boats, fishing boats and motor boats.
The Zuiderzeemuseum (Zuiderzee = southern lake) is the most famous museum in the city with the largest collection of wooden ships in Holland.
In the summer months and when no corona is affecting life, a historic small steam train travels the "historic triangle" Hoorn - Medemblik - Enkhuizen. A nice trip, also for children.
Enkhuizen and the surrounding area have a lot to offer and a stay of several days is worthwhile. However, our time is limited and after we have got a first impression we are sure that we will come here again for a longer stay.
Via Voldendam (we don't like the SP here) to Edam (dogs are not allowed on the SP), we surround Amsterdam and head for Camping Erkemeder Strand, which is hyped by dog owners.
In the forums and FB "dog groups" this place is touted as the "Holy Grail". We are very curious.
ERKEMEDERSTRAND
Even on the long and somewhat "lonely" journey to the campsite, it quickly becomes clear that you should have done some shopping beforehand and that a nice stroll through town will probably not work!
It is far away from any civilization in a wooded area. The next place would be Zeewolde (approx. 6 km). But good: the dogs should also have their vacation fun! So we check in. The "first row" is full - but behind it we are given a nice place with a view of the water! Reached place, water view? Um ..... yes in a water glass! OK don't be put off and explore the place. Dogs on a leash - no, that's clear! Except for ours, probably nobody is on a leash. On to the water and marvel at the great beach / dog beach. In the "first row" there are almost exclusively caravans with awnings and dog fences around them. We have to go this way to get to the dog beach. It's a bit like in an animal shelter: all the dogs stand yapping behind their fence and the people sit comfortably with a beer / coffee ... look up and then devote themselves to the card game or the cake - the dogs keep on yapping. But at the end of the path you can see our target: a beach with about 30 large, unleashed dogs that frolic with each other and on top of each other. The associated can openers stand together in groups and tend to care less about what their dogs are doing. Until a dog howls so loud in pain that you can't miss it. Probably not the first bite of the day. What fun - but not for our 5 kg dwarf!
We turn back, along the "dog fence mile" and want to take a walk on the green dike. We try to skip the hundreds of piles of manure or to walk around ...... no, that's not really fun either. Then we take a look at the on-site restaurant. Always follow the smell of french fries! Yes it's there and it's a takeaway.
This is not our place! It's good that we only booked one night!
Erkemederweg 79, 3896 LB, Zeewolde, Netherlands
52° 16' 8" N 5° 29' 17" E
52.2688900 5.4880600
• Head north. Go for 82 m.
• Turn right onto Erkemederweg. Go for 134 m.
• Turn left onto Erkemederweg. Go for 1.5 km.
• Continue on Slingerweg. Go for 166 m.
• Turn right onto Nijkerkerweg. Go for 432 m.
• Turn right onto Nijkerkerweg (N301). Go for 1.1 km.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Berencamperweg (N301). Go for 1.5 km.
• Turn right and take ramp onto A28 toward Amersfoort. Go for 8.0 km.
• Take the exit toward Apeldoorn/Amersfoort onto A1. Go for 10.5 km.
• Take exit 15 toward Arnhem/Ede/Barneveld onto A30. Go for 16.7 km.
• Take the left exit toward Ziekenhuis Gelderse Vallei/Ede-Zuid/Arnhem/Oberhausen onto A12. Go for 15.0 km.
• Take the exit toward Eindhoven/Nijmegen/Arnhem-Zuid onto A50. Go for 21.3 km.
• Take the exit toward Druten onto N322 (Maas en Waalweg). Go for 7.3 km.
• Take ramp toward Druten/Horssen. Go for 635 m.
• Turn right onto Scharenburg. Go for 1.0 km.
• Pass 3 roundabouts and continue on Scharenburg. Go for 812 m.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Raadhuisstraat. Go for 327 m.
• Turn slightly left onto Raadhuisstraat. Go for 226 m.
• Turn left onto Kasteellaan. Go for 23 m.
• Turn right onto Kasteellaan. Go for 85 m.
• Turn right onto Piet Verslootstraat. Go for 175 m.
• Continue on Kloosterlaan. Go for 281 m.
• Turn right onto Boldershoflaan. Go for 17 m.
• Turn left onto Veerstraat. Go for 138 m.
• Continue on Veerdam. Go for 73 m.
• Arrive at Veerdam.
☍
87,4 km
( 57 min.)
Jachthaven en Camperplaats Veerdam Druten, Veerdam, Druten, Niederlande
Veerdam, 6651 KB Druten, Niederlande
51° 53' 48.2" N 5° 36' 16.5" E
51.8967313 5.6045925
• Head toward Waalbandijk on Veerdam. Go for 73 m.
• Continue on Veerstraat. Go for 138 m.
• Turn right onto Boldershoflaan. Go for 17 m.
• Turn left onto Kloosterlaan. Go for 281 m.
• Continue on Piet Verslootstraat. Go for 175 m.
• Turn left onto Kasteellaan. Go for 85 m.
• Turn left onto Kasteellaan. Go for 23 m.
• Turn right onto Raadhuisstraat. Go for 509 m.
• Take the 2nd exit from roundabout onto Scharenburg. Go for 163 m.
• Pass 3 roundabouts and continue on Scharenburg. Go for 2.1 km.
• Take ramp onto Maas en Waalweg (N322) toward Nijmegen/Arnhem. Go for 6.7 km.
• Keep left onto A73. Go for 5.2 km.
• Take the exit toward Nijmegen-Dukenburg/Venlo/Köln onto A73. Go for 61.5 km.
• Take exit 14 toward Baarlo. Go for 394 m.
• Turn left onto N273 toward Baarlo. Go for 480 m.
• Take the 2nd exit from Rotonde Hoverhof roundabout onto N273 toward Baarlo/Maastricht/Roermond. Go for 3.8 km.
• Continue on Napoleonsbaan Noord (N273) toward Kessel/Roermond/Maastricht. Go for 3.8 km.
• Take the 3rd exit from roundabout onto Baarloseweg. Go for 1.4 km.
• Turn left onto Baarloseweg. Go for 25 m.
• Continue on Ondersteweg. Go for 61 m.
• Arrive at Ondersteweg. Your destination is on the right.
☍
86,7 km
(1 hrs. )
Gelderland an der Waal
The direction is given: to the west, roughly towards Aachen.
Our next stop is the SP at the Veerdam-Druten marina on the Waal. The place is next to the harbor on meadow / gravel / sand with a view of the Waal. You can also stand on asphalt in the small harbor basin. We park in the meadows / sand area. 5 steps from the camper you are already on the beach of the Waal. Directly from the square you go on one side along the Waal over meadows, trails or on the pedestrian / bike path through nature and on the other side you are in the village in a few steps.
The place isn't particularly charming, although there are a few fun bars and nice restaurants. There is also no lack of international snack cuisine. We treat ourselves to a Turkish specialty "to go" and sit in the sun. It's a shame - our tour is coming to an end and we still have so much to discover! But don't get moody, it's not over yet!
After refreshment, we walk through the village and take some necessary groceries with us in the large supermarket. With your stomach and backpack full you go back to the camper van.
Well, now Henry wants to take the Waalsandstrand under his paws. We have fun in the small bay and when the big ships come by the water sloshes onto the beach. Henry is thrilled.
The Meuse flows parallel to the Waal and the town of Appeltern (approx. 6 km) with the "Gardens of Appeltern" is well worth seeing! info@appeltern.nl
The entrance fee is 12.50 € / pp not exactly cheap - but it's worth it. Great park and garden with lots of garden inspiration = you should treat yourself to it. Dogs are allowed on a leash!
Gravenhof, Ondersteweg, Kessel, Niederlande
Water sports campsite Gravenhof is right on the Maas and right on site.
Actually more of a permanent campsite for water sports enthusiasts with direct access to the water. But, they also have tourist sites (you don't necessarily see that at first glance) :-)
We are there on weekdays and apart from us no one else and certainly no mobile home! So we ring the groundsman's doorbell and ask somewhat shyly whether we could possibly stand here ?! But sure is the answer. "I'll go with you and show you where you can stand". We walk across the square with the groundskeeper and gradually he thaws out and tells us something about the square and the people here. Many boat owners from NRW have their permanent camping here and on the weekends / holidays it is all very "familiar". There isn't much going on during the week (we'll see - it's fine with us). We quickly found a large meadow with a view of the Maas!
It's a bit strange being all alone on a CP, but it's our last day and evening and we want to have it cozy and romantic, maybe have another barbecue .....
We like it very much here! And Henry has the "great freedom"
Ondersteweg 1, 5995 PS Kessel, Niederlande
51° 17' 32.3" N 6° 3' 36.3" E
51.2922955 6.0600905
Kessel - Maasboulevard mit Schloss
The last day of our journey of discovery through NL :-(
On the way to Kessel there are some signs to the right and left of the path with information on SP or CP. We follow one or the other, but don't find anything really convincing. The last day, the last evening ... it should be something special! On the outskirts of Kessel we see the very often recommended parking space for Kessel. We drive to that too ... but, it's a "flat" place with a bit of green in nothing. No water view and a long way to the place. Sylke got an "insider tip". A water sports campsite in the former Gravenhofe estate in the village. Let's see. Great - here we stay! It's according to our taste!
From the campsite you are right on the water, on the Maasboulevard / Loswal or in town on the historic market square. Such a brilliant location is really rare. The place itself is not big, but nice. From the market square there are a few streets with old mansions or small, typically Dutch row houses. A well-attended ice cream parlor - the Clevers ice cream shop is a real institution in the Limburger Land! It also has a butcher, baker and corner shop. Some quaint and also high-priced restaurants ... for example the "Baron Frits" with a huge outdoor terrace on the Meuse. However, it is not a snack bar, as one might assume, it is an excellent hotel-restaurant in the former outbuilding of Castle De Keverberg. Here you can enjoy wonderful coffee and cake or a delicious cocktail in the afternoon. The sublime view over the Meuse and the Meuse valley is unique. But so is the food! From interesting burger variations with frits to delicious fish dishes and menus, everyone will find something for every occasion and budget. In the evening the hotel and the castle are beautifully lit, very romantic!
We stroll through the town and lick our ice cream, wonderful! At the ferry terminal, we turn onto the path along the Maas and arrive directly at our campsite.
We got ourselves something tasty to grill for the last evening and put a bottle of Cremant in the freezer!
So in the late afternoon we sit happily in front of our camper and sip the delicious Gremant. The vacation was a complete success and even exceeded our expectations. We have seen a lot and know that we still want to see a lot! YES, we'll be back!
The sun sets over the Meuse valley and finally goes swimming in the Meuse.
Wonderful! Good night and see you soon :-)