Hotels in North Holland
The "Historic Triangle" in Noord Holland consists of three small but charming former posts - Hoorn, Medemblik and Enkhuizen. Once fronting the Zuiderzee, since 1932 they have been contained withing the freshwater Ijsselmeer, the largest lake in western Europe. This area due north of Amsterdam not only offers classic Dutch landscapes of dykes and patchwork fields, but alsowell-preserved historic towns and villages that grew wealthy in the 17th century as the Dutch East India Company thrived. As always, wealth translated into fine architecture, and there are many splendid buildings from that opulent colonial era to admire.
The classic way of seeing these three is by taking the steam train from Hoorn to Medemblik. With lots of stops and starts for crossings, the preserved "steam tram" as the Dutch describe narrow-gauge railways, resplendent in original 1920s livery, chugs and whistles through the countryside, past incurious sheep and cattle and restored stations to Medemblik, complete with period extras that make it perfectly possible to imagine the reality of travelling this delighful line in its heyday.
From there, a steamer takes you on to Enkhuizen from whence the "Historic Triangle" can be completed by returning to Hoorn by scheduled train service. It is possible to book combined tickets for the train and steamer legs of the trip, with a "hop on, hop off" option that allows ample opportunity to explore. But do consult a timetable before attempting to undertake this rewarding journey to be sure you won't be disappointed. The steam train doesn't run between December and February, and there is a limited service only in March, October and November. The train does not always operate on Mondays, so a little pre-planning is required.
HOW
By train and boat
WHEN TO GO
April to September
TIME IT TAKES
Hoorn to Medemblik by steam train takes an hour (or 15 minutes more with the intermediate stop at Twisk).
Medemblik to Enkhuizen by boat is around 75 minutes.
HIGHLIGHTS
The steam museum in Hoorn - for a splendid collection of vintage locomotives, rolling stock and bygone railway artefacts.
Impressive former Dutch East India Company building in Hoorn and Enkhuizen.
Zuiderzeemuseum in Enkhuizen - reached only by water, this is an atmospheric recreation of a working fishing village from the past.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
Hoorn is just 30 minutes from Amsterdam by thoroughly modern double - decker train.
