Dutch Heat Plan! We do this in the Netherlands when it is nice and warm for a long time
You will find a list on this site great places in the Amsterdam city to cool down when the mercury rises above 25 and even 30 degrees for a longer period of time. One for everyone and one for the kids. Don't mention it.
But Amsterdam is only a tiny part of the Netherlands: there is much more! Time for a growing (laundry) list of cooling off and swimming spots throughout the country.
We know a lot, but not everything That's why we're curious about your very best undiscovered tip! You can send your entry to info@bartsboek.com. Sharing is caring!
#SPLASH: SS ROTTERDAM: A boat? But I'm not going to sit on a boat that is still stationary, am I? Yes really! This boat not only has a dike terrace where the sun has free rein, but also a swimming pool, which is quite cool and refreshing, especially when the mercury rises above 25 degrees.
THE GARDEN OF THE FOUR CENTERS: Cycling (or driving) just a little bit out of the city is always worthwhile, even in Rotterdam. If you do that, head to the Garden of the Four Winds on the Kralingse plas, as we mentioned above, one of the most beautiful and relaxed places in Rotterdam, anyway, but even more so when the sun shines. Here you are on the water. The terrace has recently been completely renovated and is now even more worth a visit. Tip: go at the end of the day. Thanks to the lights above the wooden deck on the water, it is even more idyllic.
More summery goodies in Rotterdam you read here.
You really have to (nothing has to!) go to At Sea Dronten. There is one camping, there is water, there is good food, it is not busy, there is a playground for the kids and it is just a really good tip!
Un-Dutch luxury at the classic Het Roode Koper estate, in the middle of the Veluwe, a nature reserve which on its own is impressive, but thanks to staying at Het Roode Koper estate gets even more cachet if possible. What causes that? Where to start... Let's get started: the approach route is one like something out of a fairy tale: a long avenue through the trees. A spooky fairy tale in winter, a fairytale when the sun peaks through the green leaves. That forest avenue ends at a stately white-and-timbered country house surrounded by an enormous English garden on one side, horse stables on the other, where time seems to stand still but where all modern luxury can also be found. Oh, and there is a lovely swimming pool. Read more.
With the first degrees above the 'bare-legs point', we prefer to look for water immediately. And luckily we have more than enough of that in the Netherlands, water, ha! A terrace right on the water, with your toes in the sand of you favorite beach or: sailing.
Enjoy floating with the sun up. We want it and we just can't get enough of it. So yes, of course (we only talk about 'must' when the need is great) a list had to be made about that. A list of holidays on the water. Literally yes, on a boat. Because sleeping on a boat? This is how you do it (and especially here):
No, we're not going to talk about this again Freeport Zwier in Vinkeveen. We don't tell you that Vrijhaven is less than fifteen minutes from Amsterdam and that Zwier has incredibly nice Havenhuisjes, comfortable Designhouses in the harbour where you can sleep like a prince with four people and enjoy all the pleasures of Vinkeveen (and of Vrijhaven Zwier). And also not that there are even bubble baths on the jetty these days. That would be crazy, because if we did, we would have mentioned Zwier in all our books. No, let's mention the Apollo Hotel. Excuse me? Yes! Surprise. The hotel on the highway is a pretty ugly spot (sorry, that's just the way it is), but you don't notice it anymore inside. Inside, the hotel is a simple, but fresh hotel from which you enter the restaurant The Harbor Club Vinkeveen walks. And man oh man, what a holiday gift that is! Delicious food, a view over the water and a hotel bed that (with a bit of luck) will cost you less than 60 euros per room per night. Rented a boat and enjoyed looking at all those holiday homes on the water? If that's a good idea: you can rent many of them and take a tour Airbnb delivers guaranteed results. Don't feel like searching yourself? One of our favorites is Boutique Hide and Seek, a cozy black-lacquered wooden hut where lights hang in the trees, colorful mattress cushions are stacked under the canopy and that is exactly what you hope for from an island house.
Okay, the summer of 2020 was eventful, but there was sun! That reminded us of the holidays from our youth (yes, of course we only remember the good parts) when summers seemed to last forever and we 24/7 lived outside. We want more of that. Also 'just' between companies if possible. Long weekends or just very long holidays in your own country. What adds to the festive spirit? An outdoor swimming pool. Hence this list of Dutch holiday homes and hotels with an outdoor swimming pool. Read more
When you say water, you say Friesland – duh! But where are we going? It doesn't really matter that much, of course: where there is water, we can cool down. And lord knows that there is enough in Friesland!
BEACH BAR THUISHAVE, MAKKUM: Right on the IJsselmeer is a wonderful spot to watch boats and drink beers: Strandbar Thuishaven in the fishing village of Makkum. At the helm are two young sisters who made things big in 2019 touch-ups have provided, from interior to menu. Elke and Evelyn transformed the former building into one laid back place to have breakfast with the whole stuff (the acai bowl is perfection, croissants for the small stuff) or for lunch. If you decide to stick around after a day at the beach, this is the ultimate spot for a hearty burger or a well-filled salad. You might even make do with a fresh glass of rosé picture a perfect catch the sunset. Give the little one an extra rocket.
And there is much, much more. Read more here.
And here.
Man, oh man, what a wonderful place the Paterswoldemeer is just below Groningen. You can sail, SUP, swim, paddle - enjoy the water in every possible way. There are numerous islands and crawl-through-sail-through routes (just go and get lost, the mainland is never too far away). It's busy on nice days, but there are enough secret places and mooring spots to pretend you have it all to yourself. Also nice to know: there are plenty of catering establishments around and around the lake so you don't have to leave home all packed (at the reed ramp you sit like a king and you can moor your boat).
The beach of Velsen-Noord is slightly more difficult to reach than the neighboring Wijk aan Zee (and therefore slightly quieter) with lovely beach bars. Aloha en TimbuktuDuring the day it's all about relaxing and building sandcastles, in the evening you can have an honest meal and then it's time to hit the dance floor. It's also a good place to go surfing (yes, such a relaxed vibe so), so take that board with you. The beach is on the North Pier, also nice to stretch your legs and get some wind in your hair.
In the Weerribben-Wieden National Park you can enjoy sailing through the largest peat bog area in the Netherlands. How about
a breathtaking green oasis that you can go through by boat, canoe or SUP? We like it. You only hear the sound of your own paddles and the singing of the birds. Oh and if you're lucky you might see an otter in the water.
With this inside tips you are assured of a lot of hidden information hotspots where you can really leave the busy city life behind. Endless greenery, tea gardens, boating, museums and, above all, lots of delicious (organic) food and drinks (read: the necessary wine) is what awaits you. And hey: of course a lot of this is fun too kid proof. So call that babysitter off. In addition, this beautiful region is less than a half-hour drive from Amsterdam. Proves again that holidays don't have to be far away!
