The Itinerary For 4 days in Netherlands By Automotive (excl. Amsterdam)

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On this article, I’ll share our itinerary for 4 days within the Netherlands by automotive, visiting plenty of thrilling locations throughout the nation however skipping Amsterdam (it’s higher to not go to Amsterdam by automotive, and it positively deserves 3 days alone). I’ll deal with one of the best and most lovely locations to go to within the Netherlands in addition to Amsterdam, from Giethoorn to Delft! 

On day one, we visited Breda, Heusden, and S-Hertogenbosch, three charming locations that boast a wealthy cultural heritage. Day two was all about exploring the well-known Dutch countryside – Giethoorn, Edam, Hoorn and the well-known Keukenhof flower backyard close to Lisse. Keukenhof and the flower fields can solely be visited from March to Could, so for those who’re planning to go to the Netherlands outdoors this timeframe, I like to recommend skipping it and visiting Haarlem as a substitute. On day three, we explored Leiden, De Haar Citadel and Utrecht.

Lastly, on day 4, we visited Gouda, Delft, and The Hague and skilled a number of the nation’s most iconic landmarks.

Right here’s a brief overview of the itinerary for Netherlands by automotive in 4 days:

Day 0: driving to the Netherlands within the night, staying at Novotel Breda

Day 1: Breda, Heusden, S-Hertogenbosch, driving to Giethoorn, staying at Resort de Pergola Giethoorn

Day 2: Giethoorn, Edam, Hoorn, Zaanse Schans, Haarlem & Leiden, staying at Fields 1216

Day 3: Keukenhof, Lisse, De Haar Citadel, staying at Van Der Valk Vianen Utrecht

Day 4: Utrecht, Gouda, Delft, The Hague and driving again 

Helpful hyperlinks for this itinerary:

When you don’t have your personal automotive, I like to recommend hiring one on Rentalcars.com

You can too go to most of those locations with out a automotive, nevertheless, you would possibly must trim this itinerary down and go to fewer locations.

Tickets for Keukenhof – e book right here

Tickets for De Haar Citadel – e book right here

With out additional ado, let’s get began with the detailed itinerary for 4 days within the Netherlands by automotive (skipping Amsterdam)!

The itinerary for 4-days within the Netherlands by automotive: Utrecht, Delft, Giethoorn and extra

Day 0:

I don’t depend the day of attending to the Netherlands as a separate day of this journey. In our case, we left work a bit earlier and drove to the Eurotunnel terminal for the 18:45 crossing. We had a fast dinner in Dunkirk in France after which drove all the way in which to Breda in a single go (it took round 1 hour 45 minutes). By midnight, we had been already in Novotel Breda, the place we stayed for the evening! 

Day 1: Breda, Heusden, S-Hertogenbosch, driving to Dwingeloo

Breda

We began our day by exploring the charming metropolis of Breda. I have to admit that I had by no means heard of Breda earlier than planning the journey, but it surely didn’t disappoint. Breda is a really small metropolis; it’s solely the 4th greatest metropolis in its province, North Brabant, and its inhabitants is lower than 200,000 individuals. 

I like to recommend spending a few hours in Breda, exploring the Outdated City full of historic buildings, picturesque squares, and nice cafes and eating places. You’ll be able to wander by means of the streets, go to the Grote Kerk (Nice Church), and take a look at the fort as properly. 

We had breakfast in Breda in a spot known as Sip First. It was pretty, and the espresso was nice. 

Heusden

Our subsequent vacation spot, Heusden, was only a quick drive away from Breda. Heusden is a small fortified city surrounded by historical partitions and dotted with windmills and small canals. Once more, Heusden is a really quick cease, particularly for those who’re visiting on a chilly day. Nevertheless, the centre of the city appears to be like charming and really picturesque. The 2 windmills of Heusden are probably the most picturesque spot within the metropolis. In complete, we spent about an hour in Heusden and left for s-Hertogenbosch, which was lower than half-hour away.

S-Hertogenbosch (or just den Bosch)

The following vacation spot of this Netherlands highway journey, S-Hertogenbosch or the way it’s typically referred to – den Bosch, is the capital of the North Brabant area of the Netherlands. Despite being the capital, it’s hardly bigger than Breda. Nonetheless, for my part, there have been extra issues to do in s-Hertogenbosch than in Breda. It’s additionally a really quirky metropolis – and we completely beloved it for that! 

Why quirky? Properly, den Bosch is the hometown of one of many Netherlands’ most well-known painters, Jheronimus Bosch. There’s plenty of artwork throughout town devoted to Jheronimus Bosch – you’ll find road artwork in small alleyways or statues within the park – looking for them throughout Den Bosch was like a quest! 

Moreover searching for artwork devoted to Jheronimus Bosch and simply strolling across the metropolis and having fun with the Outdated City, listed below are another issues you are able to do in Den Bosch:

Issues to do in Den Bosch:

– Go to the gorgeous St. John’s Cathedral (free). It is among the nation’s most spectacular church buildings, with gorgeous stained-glass home windows, intricate carvings, and a wide ranging inside.

– Go to the Noordbrabants Museum to study extra concerning the historical past of the province of North Brabant. It homes a captivating assortment of work, sculptures, and artefacts, together with works by well-known Dutch painters similar to Van Gogh, Jan Sluijters, and Piet Mondrian. You’ll be able to pre-book tickets upfront right here.

– Lastly, go to the Jheronimus Bosch Artwork Middle. The museum homes a group of reproductions of his work and likewise provides an immersive multimedia expertise that brings Bosch’s surreal and fantastical world to life. 

Dwingeloo

We left den Bosch round 6 pm and began driving in the direction of Dwingeloo, the place we booked a lodge to remain in a single day, Fletcher Landhotel de Borken. Dwingeloo is positioned within the North of the nation, fairly distant from Brabant. We drove for round 2 hours to get there.

The rationale we picked Dwingeloo was as a result of it was the closest place to Giethoorn that was nonetheless out there. We had been reserving on the final minute, only a few days upfront; therefore, plenty of locations had been already absolutely booked. When you’re reserving upfront, it’s simpler to remain nearer to Giethoorn in locations like Resort de Pergola or Resort Giethoorn.

Dwingeloo is definitely a beautiful place. It’s a small village positioned within the coronary heart of the Dwingelderveld Nationwide Park. In case you have time or arrive early sufficient, you’ll be able to go for a stroll within the Nationwide Park; it’s very lovely. 

Day 2: Giethoorn, Edam, Hoorn, Haarlem, Leiden

Since we had been staying in Dwingeloo, we needed to drive to Giethoorn. We reached it in half-hour and arrived there by 10:15 am. Nevertheless, for those who’re staying in Giethoorn or in a better village, it is possible for you to to keep away from further driving within the morning!

Exploring Giethoorn

Giethoorn is among the Netherlands’ most lovely villages and some of the fashionable vacationer areas. Most individuals come there on a day journey from Amsterdam – it’s lower than 1.5 hours away!

Nevertheless, on the weekends or through the excessive season, Giethoorn will get extremely busy – it’s doable that you just gained’t discover a parking spot for those who arrive after 11 am. Additionally, the queue for the boat journey will get extremely lengthy! After we arrived, there was no queue, however once we had been leaving, there have been already greater than 50 individuals within the queue! 

Why is Giethoorn so fashionable?

Properly, Giethoorn is a captivating village with nearly no roads! Within the coronary heart of the village, there are solely canals and wood bridges. Locals, who dwell there, have to go away their automotive at a car parking zone after which change to both a motorcycle or stroll all the way in which till they attain their dwelling!

Top-of-the-line methods to discover Giethoorn is by taking a ship experience! You’ll be able to see one of the best views from the water and admire the thatched-roof homes and tranquil waterways.

You’ll be able to both arrive there and queue to e book a personal boat or pre-book area in a big boat upfront right here.

Hoorn

After visiting Giethoorn, we drove for about 1.5 hours to reach on the city known as Hoorn. Hoorn is a historic city positioned not too distant from Amsterdam. A lot of individuals dwell in Hoorn and commute to Amsterdam for work. Hoorn was an important and well-known port, and it was additionally the place of residence of the Dutch East India Firm. The signature constructing in Hoorn is Hoofdtoren – you’ll be able to see it in all of the images of town. Hoofdtoren is a fortified half-tower that used to guard town, however now there’s a pretty restaurant positioned within the tower.

Hoorn has loads of buildings constructed within the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, and most of them are concentrated within the metropolis centre space. There are additionally loads of pretty espresso outlets, cafes and eating places.

Discover Edam

The following cease was Edam – one of many well-known cheese cities. It took us round 25 minutes to get there from Hoorn! Edam is a tiny city – its inhabitants is lower than 10,000 individuals, and you’ll discover the city centre in lower than an hour. Edam can also be dwelling to some of the well-known Cheese markets within the Netherlands. It takes place on Wednesday morning each week in July and August. Nevertheless, that may change sooner or later, so it’s finest to substantiate the opening occasions earlier than your journey! 

You’ll be able to, nevertheless, go to Edam on any day of the week – you’ll be able to nonetheless purchase cheese in one in all its two cheese outlets! Edam can also be very fairly – it’s one of many prettiest little cities within the Netherlands.

Zaanse Schans

From Edam, it took us lower than 20 minutes to achieve our subsequent vacation spot, Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is a pretend 18th-century village with lovely windmills, fairytale homes and beautiful cafes. Zaanse Schans is completely free to go to. Nevertheless, it’s fairly exhausting to search out parking on a busy day. The parking space is comparatively small and will get full tremendous quick. We had been fortunate to search out on-street parking 400 metres away. Nevertheless, it could be the case that you should park even additional (that’s a draw back of visiting Zaanse Schans by automotive). 

General, it’s a beautiful space to stroll round, take some images and study extra about life in Dutch villages within the 18th and Nineteenth centuries. There are additionally good cafes and outlets, the place you should purchase some meals and souvenirs and some small museums as properly. 

Haarlem

We determined to go to Haarlem because it was on the way in which to our last vacation spot for the day, Leiden. Haarlem, identical to Hoorn, is a commuter city. Nevertheless, it’s larger than Hoorn and has extra issues to do. When it comes to structure, for my part, Hoorn is extra fascinating, however Haarlem is a lot better for residing. The primary landmark of Haarlem is the Grote Markt Sq..

Haarlem can also be dwelling to the Netherlands’ first and oldest museum, Teyler’s Museum. One other museum, Frans Hals Museum, can also be value visiting. Lastly, Haarlem was voted one of the best procuring vacation spot within the Netherlands on a number of events. 

Finish the night in Leiden

Our last vacation spot for the day was the harming college city with a wealthy cultural heritage, Leiden. We arrived at Leiden at twilight and went to have dinner in Waag, one in all Leiden’s most iconic eating places (not due to the meals, however due to the constructing the place the restaurant is positioned).

Leiden is dwelling to the oldest College within the Netherlands. It additionally has a number of the most lovely canals within the nation – having visited many of the prettiest cities within the nation, I have to say that the canals in Leiden had been amongst my absolute favourites!

In a single day, we stayed barely outdoors Leiden simply because it’s fairly exhausting and costly to park within the metropolis. Some nice choices embrace B&B Pergamo and Fields 1216.

Day 3: Keukenhof and the flower fields, De Haar Citadel, Utrecht

Keukenhof

Since we had been within the Netherlands in April, we determined to go to its most well-known flower backyard, Keukenhof, which is just open for lower than 2 months yearly! 

Keukenhof may be very well-known. Nevertheless, it will get extremely crowded. It’s important to e book tickets upfront; I like to recommend reserving a minimum of 3 days upfront if you wish to go to on a weekend (or possibly even sooner than 3 days). You’ll be able to e book the tickets on-line right here.

Keukenhof has gorgeous shows of tulips, daffodils, and different spring flowers. I wasn’t overly impressed by the exhibit, however possibly as a result of only a few flowers had been blooming at first of April (particularly as a result of this 12 months was a really chilly one). A few of my mates who managed to go to Keukenhof on the finish of April – the start of Could, mentioned that it was improbable, so possibly it’s simply our poor luck!

We additionally had difficulties exiting the parking of Keukenhof – we even needed to depart our automotive and go for a stroll as once we initially tried to exit, it took us half-hour to maneuver 2 automotive lengths due to the chaos within the car parking zone. After we got here again, we exited comparatively quick! 

Lisse flower fields

After visiting Keukenhof, we determined to comply with the “flower route” and see a number of the flower fields in Lisse. A number of the flower fields are proper subsequent to Keukenhof, so there is no such thing as a must drive lots. Totally different flowers bloom at totally different occasions – in early April, you’ll find plenty of daffodils and hyacinths, whereas tulips you’ll be able to solely discover between mid-to-end April and the start of Could. 

Please remember that all of the fields are personal, and it’s not allowed to trespass. Some daffodil fields should not fenced, so it’s doable to take a photograph in entrance of the fields, however please be conscious and don’t go deep into the fields as it could injury the flowers.

The simplest solution to take images within the tulip fields is by reserving a go to to a personal farm. There are just a few of them close to Lisse and Haarlem! Probably the most well-known ones is the Tulip Barn.

De Haar Citadel 

Our subsequent cease was one of many Netherland’s most iconic castles – De Haar Citadel. We drove to the fort from Lisse, and it took us round 45 minutes. There’s a giant parking in entrance of the fort. Nevertheless, it’s paid individually and prices 6 EUR.

De Haar Citadel is a surprising medieval fort with lovely gardens and a wealthy historical past. It’s the biggest fort within the Netherlands. Initially constructed within the 14th century, it underwent intensive renovations within the late Nineteenth century underneath the supervision of famend architect Pierre Cuypers. The fort showcases a novel mix of medieval structure and splendid Nineteenth-century design. The fort has a powerful assortment of artwork, furnishings, and historic artefacts, offering insights into the lives of its former inhabitants, the noble Van Zuylen household.

You’ll be able to pre-book tickets for De Haar Citadel on-line right here.

An evening outdoors Utrecht 

De Haar Citadel is positioned simply outdoors Utrecht, so it was pure to go to Utrecht subsequent. That’s the place I made a decision to remain in a single day, as properly. Once more, we stayed simply outdoors town, as lodges with parking tons inside town cost from 30 euros to 60 euros per evening for parking. We picked Resort Van Der Valk Vianen Utrecht, which was positioned lower than quarter-hour drive from town centre of Utrecht. 

Day 4: Utrecht, Gouda, The Hague, Delft and driving again

Utrecht

As our lodge was simply outdoors Utrecht, we determined to go to town and see it within the daylight. 

Utrecht was based by the Romans round 47 AD and have become an essential buying and selling and non secular centre. One among its well-known landmarks is the Dom Tower, a tall church tower that provides gorgeous views of town. Utrecht is commonly known as the “Domstad” due to this tower.

We actually loved the ambiance in Utrecht – it was very laid-back and enjoyable. Perhaps it’s as a result of Utrecht can also be a college city, identical to Leiden, and its college can also be one of many oldest. Additionally, for my part, Utrecht has a number of the most lovely canals and likewise a number of streets within the metropolis centre space are equally fairly! 

Some fascinating issues to do in Utrecht embrace: 

1. Go to the Dom Tower – The Dom Tower is the tallest church tower within the Netherlands, and climbing to the highest provides gorgeous views of town. 
2. Take a canal cruise and see Utrecht from the water! You’ll be able to pre-book a ship tour on-line right here.
3. Stroll alongside the Oudegracht – The Oudegracht is a picturesque canal that runs by means of the guts of Utrecht. It’s lined with charming cafes, eating places, and outlets, and taking a stroll alongside its banks is an effective way to take in town’s ambiance.
4. Discover the Museum Quarter – Utrecht has a wealthy cultural heritage, and its Museum Quarter is dwelling to a number of fascinating museums. You’ll be able to go to the Centraal Museum, which homes a various assortment of artwork and artefacts, the Museum Catharijneconvent, which showcases the historical past of Dutch non secular artwork, or the Railway Museum, which provides a enjoyable and interactive expertise for all ages.

Gouda 

We reached Gouda in lower than 40 minutes from Utrecht, and it was on the way in which to our subsequent vacation spot. Despite the fact that the climate wasn’t nice and it began raining, we determined to go for a brief stroll in Gouda, and it was value it. Gouda, identical to Edam, is among the most well-known cheese cities. And, identical to Edam, it additionally hosts a cheese market. 

The cheese market in Gouda historically takes place from April to August, with particular dates various annually. It’s held on Thursday mornings, sometimes beginning round 10 am and lasting till midday. Nevertheless, it’s all the time a good suggestion to double-check the precise dates and occasions nearer to your go to.

When you aren’t visiting Gouda on a market day, you’ll be able to nonetheless get pleasure from what town has to supply – there are many cheese outlets the place you’ll be able to attempt little items of cheese, too. Additionally, Gouda is the place the place the well-known Dutch waffles – Stroopwafel or Stroopwafel. There’s a retailer, proper on the principle sq., the place you’ll be able to attempt the unique Stroopwafel (disclaimer – they’re wonderful and also you wouldn’t need to eat the grocery store Stroopwafel anymore) and likewise go on a tour to study extra concerning the well-known Dutch waffles!

The Hague

Our subsequent cease, The Hague, was positioned simply half an hour away from Gouda. The Hague has a captivating historical past. It started as a small fishing village within the thirteenth century and steadily grew in significance. Immediately, it is named the political centre of the Netherlands and homes the nation’s authorities and royal household.

The Hague will not be a really fairly metropolis like Utrecht or Hoorn, but it surely’s an important metropolis for the Netherlands – it’s a hub for worldwide conferences and negotiations, attracting diplomats and politicians from around the globe. 

Along with its political significance, The Hague can also be identified for its cultural choices. The town is dwelling to quite a few artwork museums, together with the well-known Mauritshuis, which homes iconic masterpieces like Vermeer’s “Woman with a Pearl Earring.” You’ll be able to pre-book tickets for the Mauritshuis Museum right here.

Delft

Our last vacation spot was Delft – one other attractive metropolis within the Netherlands (the distinction with the Hague was placing). Delft is a comparatively small metropolis, however nonetheless, it was full of landmarks! The town is legendary for its affiliation with the famend painter Johannes Vermeer and the long-lasting blue and white pottery known as Delftware. Within the seventeenth century, Delft was a hub for the Dutch East India Firm, and town’s canals, historic buildings, and charming streets mirror its wealthy heritage.

Delft is especially well-known for its lovely medieval Outdated City, the spectacular New Church, and the historic Outdated Church, the place members of the Dutch royal household are buried. When you nonetheless have time left, I like to recommend visiting both the Royal Delft Manufacturing unit (Delft is legendary for its blue and white pottery, and the Royal Delft Manufacturing unit is the one remaining manufacturing facility that also produces Delft Blue pottery) or the Vermeer Centre (e book on-line right here). Delft was the birthplace of the well-known Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, and the Vermeer Centre provides a captivating perception into his life and work. You’ll be able to see reproductions of his work, find out about his methods and influences, and achieve a deeper understanding of his artwork.

Abstract of 4 days within the Netherlands by automotive: the optimum itinerary for an extended weekend within the Netherlands excluding Amsterdam

To summarise, 4 days within the Netherlands will not be an excessive amount of – you’ll be able to simply spend 4 days in Amsterdam alone. That’s the reason this itinerary for the Netherlands by automotive in 4 days solely contains one of the best locations to see in The Netherlands in addition to Amsterdam. This itinerary for a highway journey within the Netherlands is fairly exhausting and jam-packed with locations, so for those who ask me to take away half of the locations from this itinerary, that would depart us with the next locations (which might be my must-visit locations within the Netherlands):

• Giethoorn
• Hoorn
• Zaanse Schans
• Delft
• Utrecht
• Edam
• Lisse flower fields
• Leiden
• s-Hertogenbosch

I hope you loved this text and located this itinerary helpful!

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