Holland to Calais where to stop with kids

[Kvec1507]

Hi all
We are currently in Holland on a break with 3 teenagers. On Friday we need to leave our accomodation at 10am but our train doesn't leave until 7.30pm.
Can anyone recommend something to do to fill up the day?
We have already done Amsterdam and Bruges.
Was thinking about Rotterdam or somewhere in France but want to keep costs low on activities.
The kids hate museums and educational stuff so either a nice walk somewhere or something to see and do would be great.

You didn't say where you are. Madurodam near The Hague? Miniature village.

It might be above your budget, but Pairi Daiza is a good day out.

Rotterdam is a great city, but you may not have enough time to do it properly with city centre parking etc

Gent also worth a visit, really pretty and empty compared to the horrors of Bruges.

Maybe lunch in Gent and then a wander round the hypermarche in Calais?

Ghent was a firm favourite with our teenagers.
There’s a graffiti alley and a street art walking map available Here
Bagel shops for a reasonably cheap lunch and decent shops if they want a look around.
My favourite shop ever, Bookz & Booze, has the most eccentric and often squiffy owner - it’s a sight in itself.
Unsure about parking but a good public transport network- we had got the train then tram. Boat tour was about €10pp.

Madurodam!

If they like fossils you can find fossilised shark's teeth on the beach at Knokke-Heist on the Belgian border, or ammonites and other sea creatures just past Calais at Cap Blanc Nez. There are also lovely walks at the Caps and lots of old war bunkers to explore.

If anyone in your group is into art you could visit the Ghent Altarpiece. One of the most important pieces of European art and demonstrates the brilliance of the Northern Renaissance. I appreciate it won't be for all but one of my teens would give her eye teeth to see it!

Ghent would be perfect for a day trip , Rotterdam I think you need more than a day to appreciate (the bits the teens would like are quite spread out).

Agree that Ghent is lovely - nicer than Bruges, which is extremely touristy.

Maastricht has a nice river with open space and old mine workings which the Romans started and were used during WW2. You can book an English speaking tour. The restaurant near it is good.

Apologies that would have been helpful wouldn't it. We will be leaving kaatsheuval

Do you have a car? Ghent has a ULEZ which you have to pre-register your vehicle for. It is lovely though. Antwerp (also ULEZ) has some funky shops.
Ostend is quite nice - lots of sea food stalls and a big prom for a walk / hire a go-kart. I love Ypres and there are lots of WWI sites you can visit - but maybe not if dc aren't into history. Rotterdam is nice too - the Markthall and harbour.

Thanks everyone looks like ghent it is. Turns out hubby was particularly happy with that as it's famous for cycling lol

https://stad.gent/en/mobility-ghent/low-emission-zone-ghent/not-authorised-low-emission-zone-these-are-your-options/registration-lez-vehicle-foreign-number-plate

Alternatively the Flandes Museum in Ypres or the Paschendale one.

i personally didn’t like Ghent a lot, we went this May and preferred our time in Bruges.