Travel Archives - DutchNews.nl

Motorway accidents and deaths at highest level in a decade 10 years

Dutch motorways are becoming more dangerous and deadlier, according to road safety organisation SWOV. The number of motorway deaths rose to 81 in 2018, the highest figure in more than a decade. The total number of accidents has more than doubled in five years, from 17,000 in 2014 to more than 38,000 in 2018. Motorways accounted for just under 12% of all deaths on the roads last year. SWOV said the main causes of collisions were speeding and drivers being... More >

Dutch destinations: I thought I’d hate the Efteling. I was wrong

With the autumn half term upon us, your thoughts may be turning to taking the kids to an amusement park. Deborah Nicholls-Lee was dreading her visit to the Efteling, but it turned out to be the ‘best family day ever’. Our children told us that they were the only ones at school who had not been to the Efteling theme park. Apparently, we had not parented them correctly and this was a deprivation of sorts. My husband and I had... More >

Dozens of Dutch among tourists stuck in Ecuador because of protests

At least 35 Dutch tourists in the South American country of Ecuador have been stuck for days because of road blocks put up by locals in protest against government cutbacks. The Dutch foreign office said it is in touch with two travel companies who together represent some 35 tourists from the Netherlands. ‘A number of individual travellers have also contacted the ministry saying they feared for their safety,’ a ministry spokesperson told broadcaster NOS. Travel organisation Sawadee said its 16... More >

Kiss farewell to Schiphol pick-up chaos, says chief executive

‘Kiss & Ride’, the drop-off and pick-up procedure at Schiphol airport is too chaotic and will change as part of plans for a greener, more efficient airport, Schiphol director Dick Benschop told the Telegraaf. Benschop, who was addressing an audience at knowledge institute Airneth about a greener future for Schiphol, did not say what the new pick-up and drop-off zone would look like. The change is part of a bigger overhaul which should see shorter waiting times to speed up... More >

Image of NS double decker Dutch train sitting in station

Passengers’ pain as train hits crane near Breda

A train with hundreds of people on board had to be evacuated after it collided with a crane on the main line near Breda. Nobody was injured in the collision, which happened just outside Prinsenbeek station on Monday morning, but all 250 passengers had to be transferred to another train to Rotterdam. All services between Lage Zwaluwe and Breda were suspended and no trains were running on the high-speed line to and from Rotterdam. The disruption was expected to last... More >

Dutch destinations: a mid-week in Amsterdam, avoiding tourist crowds

Amsterdammers may go on a lot about over-tourism, but there is plenty to see and do in the Dutch capital which does not involve waiting in queues for hours, or fighting your way through the hoards. A couple of years ago Amsterdam launched a deliberate strategy to try and spread tourism by pinpointing the highlights outside the centre, and urging visitors to spend time there. At the same time, it has attempted to hijack attractions well outside the city –... More >

Hook of Holland ferry delayed after three illegal migrants found on board

The overnight ferry from Hook of Holland to Harwich was delayed for two hours on Sunday after three men were caught trying to cross the North Sea illegally. The three Moroccan nationals were found on board after border police received a tip-off about possible stowaways. Coastguard and harbour police boats were also used to search the waters around the ferry. Border police spokeswoman Marloes de Ridder said it was not clear how the men had managed to evade detection during... More >

Ground staff strike at Schiphol forces KLM to cancel flights

KLM has cancelled 11 flights on Monday morning after airport ground staff at Schiphol staged a two-hour strike in a dispute over pay. The airline did not say which flights would be taken out of the schedule during the stoppage between 8am and 10am, but told passengers to check departure times before travelling. The FNV union called the strike after a deadline to reach a new pay agreement expired on Friday. The union’s demands include an 8% pay rise spread... More >

Dutch Destinations: miracles and Mondrian in Amersfoort

Home of monastic miracles and medieval architecture, but also birthplace of Mondrian, icon of Dutch Modernism, Amersfoort, in Utrecht province, is a rich blend of the new and the old with plenty to discover. An unexpected guide accompanies us on our 15-minute walk from the station to Amersfoort’s historic centre. ‘Sofie’ – as she is known – steers us through the city’s trafficky outskirts, her iconic swishing ponytail and stout mini-skirted form illuminated in red and green on the traffic... More >

Forget the skates. Visit the 11 cities of Friesland at any time of the year

The 11 cities of Friesland very occasionally host a gruelling 200 kilometre skating race – if temperatures dip below zero for long enough, and just recently a swimming marathon. But you can also travel the famous route by bike, by boat, on horseback, on foot… however you like. Fansels! (That’s Friesian for ‘of course’). 1 Dokkum (the only one of the 11 without a different name in Friesian) In olden times Dutch school children were taught that ‘Bonifacius was killed... More >

Dutch destinations: good food and great shopping in Haarlem

It’s the namesake of the New York City borough, the city saved by a finger in the dike and was the epicenter for tulip mania. Haarlem is a mere fifteen minutes from Amsterdam and should be next on your list of places to visit. Founded somewhere in the 10th century, Haarlem was given city status in 1245. It is located on a small bit of land above sea level which connects Leiden to Alkmaar and its geography provided the locals... More >

Weird places to spend the night in the Netherlands

Normal hotels can be soooo boring. If you’re looking for a place to stay in the Netherlands that offers something beyond mere conventionality, why not try one of these unusual lodgings? Crane Hotel Faralda – Amsterdam It’s become one of the country’s most famous and downright bizarre hotels, but it’s also among the most expensive. A single night at Crane Hotel Faralda will run you upwards of €795. It’s hard to dismiss the view up there though, and the experience... More >

Dutch destinations: a weekend exploring the former island of Walcheren

Walcheren was once an island but a dam, several bridges and a lot of reclaimed land have put paid to that. Today, it is at the heart of Zeeland, with beaches, pretty villages to visit and plenty of things to see and do, whatever your age. Beaches seem to be a key part of so many of DutchNews.nl’s destination guides – hardly surprising when you consider the length of the coastline, and how easy it is to get to from... More >

Dutch destinations: The Wadden Sea island of Terschelling

If you want to get away from it all for a few days, the Wadden Sea island of Terschelling is easy to get to, offers great empty beaches and has enough to keep you busy even if you hit a wet weekend. Terschelling and Texel are the most touristy of the Wadden islands, yet both are very different. Texel is bigger and less dominated by holidaymakers. Terschelling is more an elongated sand dune and tourism is clearly its main source... More >

Blowin’ in the wind: traditional windmills you can visit in the Netherlands

What’s the first thing that springs to mind when most people think of the Netherlands? If this were a question on a game show, windmills would probably be the number one answer. If you’ve never experienced the joys of climbing to the top of one of these ubiquitous structures, or merely drinking a biertje beside one, here’s a few that you can visit (and, in some cases, even spend the night in). Zaanse Schans – Zaandam Okay, let’s get the... More >

Dutch destinations: 14 suggestions for that perfect spring break

With the weather turning warmer, what better thing to do with your weekend than go on a spring break? Since last year, DutchNews.nl has carried a monthly travel feature in which we give you the lowdown on a Dutch destination. Here’s a round up to inspire you to see more of the Netherlands. Enjoy suikerbrood and sailing in Sneek Explore Leiden without the tourist hustle Deventer is an under-rated gem Explore Utrecht from high up and from way down Get... More >

Thinking of renting a Dutch holiday cottage: here’s what you should know

The Netherlands is stuffed full of places where you can rent a cottage for a few days to get away with friends and family. Center Parcs is, after all, a Dutch invention. But there are a few things you should be aware of before you get too excited. It looks so great on the website – that May holiday bargain cottage for four, which will cost you just €319 for three nights. But, as we at DutchNews.nl have all discovered... More >