Short Break to Holland

This was a short break to catch up with an Australian friend who had been playing hockey in Holland. I flew from Birmingham, flight very easy and used the mobile boarding pass for the first time, as just myself travelling and what an easy experience.

When I arrived in Amsterdam, I caught the train from the airport out to The Hague. Very easy everything all in English and the station is just underneath the airport. Tickets and their ou carte (travel cards) can be purchased from the ticket machines.

I was off the train and in a coffee shop with friends in The Hague within an hour of landing. The Hague is a large town with old parts with narrow streets. we stayed in a hotel close to the Royal Palace gardens. The Hague has a tram system which is very easy to use with their travel cards or pay the driver at the front. All stops announced. Also good city for shopping.

The next day we took the train to Leiden @15 minutes on the train. Leiden is one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands and the 2nd biggest canal system, only by accident as they started to infill some but ran out of money to do any more.

Leiden has the oldest university in Holland and near this is the Botanical Gardens with the Observatory next door. The Botanical Gardens is where the tulip was first cultivated, it had been given to a scientist from Turkey. Close by is also the birth place of Rembrandt’s and can also see a replica windmill of the one his parents used to live in as millers.

We went round the De Valk Windmill EUR4.00, one of a couple left in Leiden, was used for milling flour and very interesting with the different levels going through the ages as you go up to the top.

We took a trip on one of the cruise boats around the canals, EUR9.00, saw the various decorated houseboats and also the contrast with the old and new parts of Leiden. The various bridges and lampposts were colourfully decorated with floral displays.