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RV Tour Suggestion :
BENELUX ( Belgium + Netherlands + Luxemburg
)
Starting- and returnpoint : Amsterdam
Distance : approx.
1000-1200 km (600-700 mls)
Recommended Touring time : 8 - 12+
days
1 ) Amsterdam
( the Capital of Casual... )
Amsterdam was founded in the 12-hundreds. It's hard to say exactly
why life in Amsterdam is so great. Yes, we've got museums, cafe's
and culture. Yes the canals are beautiful. Yes, the Pubs, cafe's,
restaurants, nightlife, bars, and coffee shops keep the place fun
and exiting. But there's something else right about this city, and
it's harder to put your finger on it. It's certainly one part
"gezellig" (the Dutch word for "cozy"), but a recent survey offers
additional insights.
Representatives from eight (European)
countries were asked questions about pleasure and guilt they felt
from eating, shopping, sex, drugs, listening to music, goofing off,
and similar things. Guess what: it turns out the Dutch enjoy life
most and feel the least guilty about its pleasures !
Compare the
Dutch to other nationalities: Germans, living up to their
stereotypes, took the least pleasure in life, yet felt the most
guilty about it. The English made a respectable showing somewhere in
the middle, with both pleasure and guilt.
Combine Holland's
psychological mind set with Amsterdam's historical "landmarks",
modern attractions and technology infrastructure and it might just
explain why this city is so wonderful.
This city
is a beautiful collection of small shops, cafe's restaurants,
museums and culture, best explored on foot or by bike, tram or boat.
Holland's capital is basically safe and has no slums. The city is rich in
tradition and boasts of having the largest historical inner city in
Europe. This is a city that lives with its past but is not
encumbered by it.
Some of the world's great museums are
located in Amsterdam. Most famous are the Rijksmuseum , with a collection of Dutch
masters (Rembrandt, Vermeer and Frans Hals) and the Vincent van Gogh Museum housing the largest collection of
Van Goghs anywhere in the world. The Anne Frank House , where the Frank family hid from the Nazis
for two years and where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary is a
museum too. No one who visits here remains unmoved by this heroic
and tragic story... Of course, there's also the Rembrandt House, in which the artist lived from 1639 to
1658.
Amsterdam has also been a major diamond-cutting center
since the sixteenth century. For a fascinating look into the world
of diamonds, you can visit one of the several diamond-cutting
workshops that are open to the public. The Albert Cuyp
Market, near the Museumplein (Museam Square) is one
of Amsterdam's largest and most colourful open-air markets. Close to
the Albert Cuyp Market is also the Heineken
Brewery where a tour is an absolute
must and fun for the whole family.
The heart of Amsterdam is a
place that takes some time to get to know; one of the best ways to
do this is to take a sightseeing cruise through the canals and
harbor. Then stroll on your own through the city's fascinating
quarters and along the canals which are lined with colourful
houseboats and fine old houses.
One thing that you do not want to do is to
drive or try to park an RV or Motorhome in Amsterdam. Parking
is extremely difficult for a normal car, let alone for a Motorhome,
and those who manage to find a parking spot are subject to one
of Europe's highest break-in rates. Leave your vehicle in the
campground and use Amsterdams more then excellent, regular
and frequent public transportation system.
Amsterdam Campgrounds
;
* * * Gaasper Camping
Open year round. On
Lake Gaasper 10km southeast of Amsterdam Central Station. From
Autobahn A9 take Gaasperplas/Weesp S113 exit and follow signs to the
campground. Approaches are well market. A large, partly shaded,
grassy site in a park setting on a small lake. Individual gray-water
drains for RVs. A five minute walk to Amsterdam subway. This is a
convenient and pleasant site from which to explore Amsterdam and
vicinity.
* * * Camping
Amsterdamse Bos
Open Apr.1 - Oct. 31. Located 10 km southwest of Amsterdam
Central Station. From Autobahn A4 (Badhoevedorp-Ouderkerk) take
Amstelveen exit and follow signs south to campground. Located in the
Amsterdamse Park just east of Schiphol Int. Airport. A large, grassy
site with many shade trees. Individual sites divided by hedges.
Convenient tram to Amsterdam, numbers 171, 172.
Amsterdam > Alkmaar, 35
- 40 km
From Amsterdam Ring A10 head north either on the Autobahn
A9 or Hwy N203, which runs paralel to it, and follow the signs to
Alkmaar.
2 )
Alkmaar ( the Cheese Market...)
Alkmaar was founded in the
tenth century, Alkmaar is a delightful old town best known for its
colorful Cheese Market. The market
is held every friday mornings from 09:30 - 12:30 hrs, from April
through mid-September.
Alkmaar Campgrounds
;
* *
Camping Alkmaar
Open April 1
- October 1. At the west edge of town, on the road to Bergen. A
medium sized meadow divided by bushes and hedges. Convenient bus to
town.
* * * * Camping
Molengroet
Open year round. Located 3 km north of
Alkmaar off of N245, in the direction of Schagen. Approaches well
market. A twenty five acre, grassy area with many scrubs and trees,
located in the heart of a large waterpark. Free bus to Alkmaar.
Extensive entertainment program. Sauna, windsurfing, horsebackriding
nearby. A convenient base for visiting Edam and the countryside
north of Amsterdam.
Alkmaar > Edam, 25 -
30 km
Take N244
south and then east from Alkmaar across the 'Beemster polder'
(reclaimed land) to Purmerend ( huge open air market on tuesdays ! )
to Edam.
3 )
Edam ( the Cheese Town...)
A wonderful little
market-town with a beautiful seventeenth-century town square.
Edam is known worldwide
for its fine cheese. At several of the local factories and
dairy-farms, the cheesemaking process can be seen and will be
explained to you. Of course you can also buy some and ship it home,
or eat it during the rest of your journey. In Edam on Damplein nr.
1 you will also find the Edam Museum with its famous ' floating
basement - room'. Volendam and the ( semi ) island of Marken ( the
village island ) are popular tourist centers a few minutes from
Edam. Edam, Volendam and Marken are one of the best areas in the
country to watch people wearing the traditional, colorful folk
costumes. Most of them still live in picturesque traditional
little Dutch houses in these pretty ' villages '. These towns can of
course also be visited as part of a daytrip from Amsterdam.
Edam and
Volendam are attached to
eachother. Buses go regularly. Not to be missed is the Township of
Monnickendam. A stroll
through the center of this little Town will take you back in
time hundreds of years. Restaurant ' De Waegh ' on Middendam
5-7, is specialized in pancakes and traditional Dutch dishes (very
tasty !)...
From the harbor in Volendam you can take a Ferry ( the Marken
Express) to Marken and back. The Ferry
runs back and forth frequently so you can stay on
Marken as long as you like...
Edam campground
;
* * Camping
Strandbad
Open April 1 - October 1. At the sea, 3km east of the town
center along the dike road. A large grassy site on a peninsula with
a little shade. Small rocky beach.
Edam > Utrecht, 45 -
50 km
Return to
Amsterdam by following the coast road that runs along the dike.
Drive south from Edam by way of Monnickendam and then Uitdam. From
Amsterdam head south following signs to Utrecht by way of Abcoude,
Loenen and Breukelen. From Amsterdam A10 you can also take the A2
south bound, follow signs Utrecht. This is however not as pretty as
the major back roads...
4 )
Utrecht
Utrecht, the place
where all Dutch railtracks and trains come together in
virtually the middle point of the country. Especially the center of
Utrecht still takes you back to the Middle Ages though. The
Netherlands' fourth-largest city, Utrecht however, was
already founded by the Romans in the first century. Although the
city has fallen prey to extensive urban renewal , the medieval
center, ringed by an ancient moat, still contains a number of
interesting old buildings. Tours through the canals are available.
The pace of life here is noticeably calmer than in the town's more
modern sections. The Cathedral of St. Material, in the center of
the old town, is one of The Netherlands' finsest examples of
ecclesiastical architecture. The 'Dom' tower in the center of
Utrecht is the highest church tower in the country. Five kilometers
northwest of the city, in the village of Haarzuilens, in a lovely
setting surrounded by water, is the formidable ; De
Haar Castle !
Utrecht campground
;
* * Camping de
Berekuil
Open April 1 - October 30. Located 3 km
northeast of Utrecht. From A28 (Utrecht- Amersfoort) take Zeist
exit cross the autobahn, and follow campground signs. A medium-size,
grassy site next to a brook. Plots are devided by hedges.
Utrecht >
Apeldoorn, 55 - 60
km
Head northeast from Utrecht to Soest. The Royal Palace is
located in a beautiful park at the north edge of Soest. Continue on
N221 to Amersfoort, a lively town that was an early member of the
Hanseatic Trading League. From Amersfoort take N344, the remaining
40 km into Apeldoorn.
5 )
Apeldoorn
A fashionable,
park-lined residential town. Apeldoorn serves as a good
jumping-off point for visiting the National Park De Hooge
Veluwe. The park, a vast, unpopulated expanse of forest and
sandy dunes, is an unusual sight in this densily populated country.
In the Netherlands, Apeldoorn is well known for
its Monkey-Park/Zoo de Apenheul, which is
especially great fun for kids. Many monkeys come and eat from
your hands ! The ' Het Loo Palace ', just around the corner, is
a restored eighteenth-century royal residense with extraordinary
gardens.
Apeldoorn campground
;
* * * Aegon
vakantiepark Rabbit Hill
Open March 26 - November 1.
Located 12 km west of Apeldoorn. Located at the junction of N302 and
N344. A large shady site in a forested area. Individual water
hookups. Part of a large vacation complex. Bus to town within waking
distance. This is a convenient site from which to visit the National
Park de Hooge Veluwe and also the Kroller Muller
Museum.
Apeldoorn > Arnhem, 30 -
35 km
From Apeldoorn
simply follow the signs to Arnhem. The route leads through the
National Park De Hooge Veluwe and passes through the villages of
Hoenderloo and Otterloo ( very picturesque ! ).
6 )
Arnhem
 Arnhem by night...
Arnhem is located on the
banks of the Rhine River, very close to the German
border. After having suffered nearly complete destruction
during World War II, Arnhem was rebuild quickly into a large rather
modern city. It was here that the disastrous battle depicted in the
film 'A Bridge Too Far' was fought. Significant mementos of
that campaign can be seen at the Airborne Museum and the
Airborne Cemetary. In Arhem is also one of the best ZOO's in the
Netherlands located ; Burgers Zoo with its amazing
Jungle-, Aquarium-(Ocean!) and Desert environment al to be
found on the same location ! Simply a great place for children to
spend a day or more but their parent will be amazed
too...
Country houses, windmills, and farms where faithfully
reconstructed at the Openlucht Museum
(Open-Air Museum) just north of Arnhem and today present a
living picture of traditional rural Dutch life. The Kroller Muller
Museum, 10 km north of the city in a magnificent wooded setting in
the heart of the national park, is one of Europe's finest Art
Museums.
Arnhem campground
;
*** Kampeercentrum Der Hooge
Veluwe
Open April 1 - November 1. Located 6
km northwest of Arnhem center. From Arnhem follow signs to
suburb of Schaarsbergen and then to campground. A 35 acre vacation
complex in a park setting. Bus to Arnhem within walking distance.
Campground is well situated for visiting the national park as well
as the Kroller Muller Museum.
Arnhem > Liege ( Luik ),
Belgium, 160 - 175
km
From Arnhem head south to Nijmegen, an important industrial
center. In Nijmegen, on a sunny day, there are many
terasses along the river ( Waalkade ) where you can relax with a cup
of coffee for a while. From there continue south on N271 following
the Maas River to Maastricht, one of the
oldest cities, located in the southernmost tip of the Netherlands.
Follow the river into Liege ( Luik ).
7 ) Liege ( Luik )
In Liege live approximately
half a milion people. It is Belgium's thirdlargest city, the capital
of the Province of Walloon, and a major industrial center. It takes
a little bit of effort to cut through the outer (ugly) hull of
industry. Once in the center of Liege you soon forget the factories
along the downstream river. The old town center retains many
vestiges of Liege's 1300 years history. The Meuse River (Maas
River) meanders through the entire city. To get from one side
to the other, you can use one of the nummerous bridges.
Of
Liege's many churches (more then a hundred steeples dot the skyline)
the Romanesque Church of St. Barthelemy is one of the most
attractive. Its intricate, twelfth-century copper baptismal fonts
depicting five biblical scenes in relief are among Belgium's finest
religious works of art.
The mines have been shut down a long time
ago. Once however, Liege was actualy the first European town to mine
coal on a large scale. A replica of a nineteenth-century coal
mine can be seen in the Musee de la Vie Walloone (Museum of Walloon
Life).
Liege campground
;
* Camping de
Syndicat d'Initiative (Tilff)
Open April 1 - October
15. In the suburb of Tilff, 10 km south of Liege center. From Liege
take autobahn E9 south towards Bastogne and take Tilff exit. In
Tilff follow campground signs from the church. A small partly shaded
site with limited facilties.
Liege > Bastogne ( Bastenaken ),
Belgium, 80 - 90 km
Heading south
from Liege on N33, go through Tilff and Comblain au-Pont. Then
continue east on N33 to intersect with N15 at Aywaille. Follow N15
south to Bastogne.
8 )
Bastogne ( Bastenaken )
Located near the
border with Luxemburg in the mountaines setting of the Ardennes. Bastogne was the site of
the historic World War II Battle of the Bulge. There are several
interseting war museums and monuments in the Town. The surroundings
of Bastogne are simply beautiful.
Bastogne campground ;
* * Camping de
Renval
Open year round. At the northeast edge of town,
on the road to Marche. Approaches are well market. A large partly
shaded site. Parking available in Bastogne.
Bastogne > Luxemburg, Luxemburg, 60 - 70 km
Take N34 east from Bastogne toward Esch and Ettelbruck.
After you cross into Luxemburg, the road number changes to N15. At
Ettelbruck, at the gateway to the hilly Ardennes Region, head south
on N7 into Luxemburg city.
9 )
Luxemburg ( Luxemburg )
Luxemburg , the capital of
the Grand Duchy, is a delightful, 1000 year old medieval city and
one of Europe's major banking centers. Luxemburg was, during the
Middle Ages, one of the worlds strongest fortified cities.
Although many of these fortifications were dismantled in the recent
past, much of interest remains, including the Casemates, a 22km
labyrinth of underground passages and
fortifications.
Luxemburg campground
;
* * * Camping Kockelscheuer
Open Easter - October 31. Located 4km south of
Luxemburg on the road to Bettembourg. A medium size, grassy
campsite, that is divided into sections by bushes. Part of a large
sports complex with bowling, squash, tennis and sauna. Bus to
Luxemburg within walking distance. Parking in the city is extremely
difficult.
Luxemburg > Brussels ( Bruxelles ), Belgium, 190 - 200
km
From Luxemburg take N4 west to Arlon
and continue on N48 to Dinant, a popular tourist center on the Meuse
River. The town is noted for its impressive fortress and
hammered copperware. Continue on N17 along the Meuse River into
Namur, a charming fortified town at the junction of the Meuse and
Sambre Rivers. From Namur take N4 into Brussels.
10 )
Brussels ( Belgium )
Brussels, the cosmopolitain
Belgian capital has a population of over 1 million and is home to
several major international organizations, including NATO and the
European community. The city's main attraction is the incredibly
ornate Grand Place ( Grote Markt ). The
colossal square, located in the center of the Old Town is lined with
a pleasant assortment of Gotic and baroque buildings.
The
Manneken Pis, the irrevent seventeenth-century statue of a small boy
urinating that has become the symbol of the city is located just a
few blocks from the Grand Place ( Grote Markt ). Many wonderful
shops and restaurants ( estaminees ) are conveniently located in the
streets around the Grand Place. On busy days a reservation is
needed... Waterloo, about 20 km
south of the capital, is the site of Napoleon's famous 1815 defeat by
the British general Wellington.
Brussels campground ;
* *
Camping Paul Rosmant R3CB
Open April 1 -
September 30. In the suburb of Wezembeek, 10km east of Brussels
center. From autobahn ring take Weezembeek/Oppem exit and follow
campground signs that read R3CB. A small, grassy site adjacent to a
park. Convenient commuter into Brussels within walking distance.
Parking in the city is extremely difficult.
Brussels > Tournai ( Doornik ), 75 - 80 km
From Brussels take N8 west to Brake and from there
continue on N48 to Ronse, a pleasant textile manufactoring town. N48
continues from Ronse into Tournai.
11 ) Tournai (
Doornik )
Tournai, founded by the
Romans, is one of Belgium's oldest and most important historic
cities. The twelfth-century Cathedral of Notre Dame is one of the
finest examples of Romanesque architecture in Western Europe. In
nearby Antoing, 6 km southeast, there is a splendid sixth-century
castle.
Tournai campground ;
* * * Camping de L'Orient
Open year round. Located 2 km east of town. From
intersection of N7 and E42, continue on N7 toward Tournai and follow
campground signs. A medium size site with some shade trees. Adjacent
to a small lake. Bus to town.
Tournai > Gent ( Ghent ), 65 - 70 km
Follow N50 toward Kortrijk ( Courtroi ). After 20 km
turn off at Pecq and take N453. Follow the Schelde River into
Oudenaarde ( Audenarde ), a quiet medieval twon with a number of
fine old buildings. Then continue on N60 the remaining 20 km into
Gent.
12 ) Gent ( Ghent /
Gand )
A thriving
industrial city of some 250000, Gent is the capital of
East Flanders. Rich in tradition, the city's old town contains more
historic buildings then any other Belgian city. 'S Gravensteen, the
formidable castle of the Counts of Flanders, with its nearly7 ft.
thick walls, was built in the twelfth-century.
Gent campground ;
* * * Camping Blaarmeersen
Open March 1 - October 15. Located 3 km. west of Gent
center. Follow N466 from Gent in the direction of Tielt. At west
edge of Gent, turn off at camping sign to campground. A large grassy
site with few shade trees. Some individual sites divided by hedges.
Adjacent to the Blaarmeersen recreation center and lake. One hour
walkinto Gent or regular busservice within walking distance. Parking
in Gent is extremely difficult.
Gent > Brugge ( Bruges ), 40 km
From Gent take N9 to Brugge
13 ) Brugge ( Bruges )
Brugge has maintained a
medieval mood and presence matched by few cities in ancient Europe.
If you only have time to visit one Belgian city, it should
definetely be Brugge ! During the Viking days and Middle Ages, this
was an important seaport, connected to the sea at Zeebrugge at the mouth of the Zwin
River. In the center of Brugge you can visit 'Straffe Henrik' and
get a tour through this lovely old beer brewery. The boat excursions
along the old canals in Brugge are an excellent way to get
acquainted with this living open air museum.
Brugge campground ;
* * Camping Lac Loppem
Open year round. In the suburb of Loppem, 5km south of Brugge
center. A large partly shaded site on a lake. Bus to Brugge within
walking distance. Parking is impossible in Brugge.
* * Camping Sint Michiel
Open year round. Camp site along the express road
at 1,5 km from the historic town centre of Bruges. Automated access
control. Good restaurant for the entire family. Parking is
impossible in Brugge.
* * Camping Memling
Open year
round. Quiet, woodlands location 2 km from the centre of Bruges.
Take the Bruges ring road and follow the N9 to Maldegem, turning
right at the second traffic light. Parking is impossible in
Brugge.
Brugge > Antwerp ( Anvers/Antwerpen ), 80
km
Leave Brugge on the N9 heading east.
At the Maldegem interchange pick up N49 and follow this into
Antwerp.
14 ) Antwerp (
Anvers/Antwerpen )
A port of considerable
magnitude. Lying on the Schelde River very close to the Dutch
border, Antwerp is Belgium's second
largest city and one of the most cosmopolitan in Europe. The city
has an old tradition as a major banking and trade center as well as
one of the world's most important diamond-cutting
centers.
Antwerp was also the home of the painter Peter Paul Rubens. The
house which he lived in, and painted in for approx. 30years
is a museum these days.
Antwerp campground ;
* * Camping Vogelzang
Open
April 1 - September 30. At the south end of town, next to the
Crest Hotel. Approaches are well marked. Take exit 5 from the
autobahn. A large, grassy site with little shade. Convenient for
visiting Antwerp. Bus to the center. Parking in Antwerp is extremely
difficult.
Antwerp > Rotterdam, the Netherlands, 45 - 50 km
Take N1 north from Antwerp to Breda. At the
Dutch border the road changes to N263. Bouvigne Chateau, a
seventeenth-century moated castle with extensive gardens, is located
in Ginneken on the south edge of the city. From Breda take A16 into
Rotterdam.
15 ) Rotterdam ( Netherlands
)
Although
Delfshaven, the historic section of this city survived massive
bombing raids during World War II and has been carefully preserved,
the rest of Rotterdam was completely
bombed from the face of the earth. Today, only 60 years later,
Rotterdam is one of the biggest Ports in the world and Germany is
one of the biggest trading partners... It was from Rotterdam's
harbor, Delfshaven, that most Pilgrims set sail for America in the
sixteenhundreds. The Netherlands' second-largest city has been
rebuild after the second World War in a bold, modern style and, with
the exception of the Delfshaven quarter, offers no historical
interest. However, this city is well worth a visit. The tallest
standing structure in the Netherlands is here ; Euromast with a view to the
Eramus-bridge, nicknamed 'the Swan'. There's
also a restaurant up in the Euromast itself, overlooking the city
and harbor...
Tours of the busy harbor and of the Delta Project, the world's
largest flood-control / civil engineering project, are available
however.
Rotterdam campground
;
*
* Stadscamping Rotterdam
Open April 1 -
October 1. Located 3 km north of Rotterdam center. Approaches are
well marked. A medium size, nicely shaded, grassy site. Parcels
divided by hedges. Bus to downtown at entrance. Parking in Rotterdam
is extremely difficult.
Rotterdam > Den Haag ( The Hague / 's
Gravenhage ) 20 - 25 km
From
Rotterdam follow the road along the canal into Delft. Well known for
its characteristic bleu and white tiles, Delft is a delightful town of
tree-lined canals and Gotic and Renaissance houses. It is only a few
kilometers from Delft to the center of Den
Haag.
16 ) Den Haag ( The Hague / 's
Gravenhage )
This is the official seat of the Dutch
Government. Den Haag is a stately old dowager
of a city. Its abundance of pleasant parks and wooded areas have
earned it the distinction of being known as the Netherlands'
greenest city. Although it has a fine royal palace and numerous
museums, the attraction that seems to draw the greatest number of
visitors is Madurodam, a delightful
replica, in miniature of typical Dutch towns and Dutch
landmarks as well as monuments, modern- and historical
buildings and waterworks. Scheveningen, once a
simple fishing village is now the country's most famous beach resort
with Casino and everything. It is the center of The Hague's night
life.
Den Haag campground ;
* * * * Camping Delftse Hout
Open April 1 - October 31. At the east end of
Delft. Approaches are well marked. A large meadow with bushes and
trees. Part of a lake and park complex. Bus to Delft and The Hague
at entrance. Parking in Delft and The Hague is extremely
difficult.
Den Haag > Amsterdam 60 - 65 km END
From Den Haag follow signs
to Leiden, one of Hollands oldest and most picturesque towns.
Continue north across the tulip fields to Haarlem, the center of the Dutch
bulb industry. Midway between Den Haag and Haarlem, in Lisse, are
the Keukenhof Gardens, where
each spring the national flower exhibition is held. From Haarlem
follow signs the 15 km back to Amsterdam...
A round trip total of
approximately 1200 kilometers excluding tours in the
areas...
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