Netherlands Experts

[Mabelthebore]

I am planning to go to the Netherlands at Easter with 2 kids (8 and 10). I would like to do a few nights at Efelting and another 5 nights elsewhere. I looked at Duinrell but it looks too busy for us. I would like to base ourselves in a pretty town. As it's Easter I would like to see the tulips, visit Leiden and do a canal boat trip (or somewhere similar). I would like to be near good playparks. Any ideas where we could base ourselves? Might try Amsterdam one day but my eldest is autistic and can find big cities a bit overwhelming. Would ideally prefer a hotel as we like our home comforts. Many thanks.

Definitely the best playground is Linnaeushof for that age group, but it's not in a pretty town. Will you have a car?

Yes I will have a car

Duinrell would be an excellent base- you can avoid the busyness easily by not going to pool or theme park. The town it is in is called Wassenaar and is a really pretty town with lovely restaurants and a great ice cream parlour.. all within a few minutes walk from Duinrell . It's near to Leiden - a lovely cycle ride. We parked at Leiden and took the train into Amsterdam.

We have fabulous memories of our holidays there. We always went October half term.

The Center Parcs at Kempervennen is excellent. We stayed there over half term in the house boats and had a wonderful week. My husband now refuses to go back the English Center Parcs. It is an hour from Efteling (love Efteling!)
we also did a day in Amsterdam before flying home on the evening.

I thought Rotterdam was a good base for exploring, however might not fit the bill if you're looking for less busy places. Utrecht is lovely and not too far from where you'll be.

we’ve not stayed there yet but planning on a holiday park called Koninghof near Leiden. It’s on Eurocamp but you can book direct. We’re stayed at Duinrell twice in our own tent. It’s expensive and can be loud. Worth going for the pool while you’re in the area. Amsterdam makes a great day trip and Leiden is beautiful. Hire bikes and cycle to the beach through the dunes on the excellent cycle paths. Great location for a family holiday.

If you want a pretty town I would consider Leiden, Delft or Gouda. If tulips are key, Leiden would be the nearest of the three. If you don’t like crowds be careful with the Keukenhof (the famous tulip gardens). We found it got crazily busy there. Go very early and then maybe hire bikes late morning and escape the crowds. We’ve avoided Duinrell so far too because we also thought it might be too busy for us but I know families who have loved it. We’ve liked the Landal holiday parks we’ve been to.