North Holland's Historic Triangle

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.

Hotels in North Holland

 

Keukenhof Gardens

Hotels in Netherlands

There's only a limited opportunity to enjoy the vast 'Kitchen Garden', which opens for a few short weeks each year. Contrary to its name, Keukenhof has some seven million flower bulbs, which provide an amazing display of spring colour (mid-April sees the daffodils, crocus, narcissi, tulips and hyacinths all in bloom), so is perhaps best described by its alternative name, 'The Garden of  Europe'. The world's largest flower garden is located near Lisse, in an area southwest of Amsterdam called the Dune & Bulb Region. 

 

Whilst a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens is an experience to savour, it may be combined with a cycle journey through the surrounding fields, which together deliver an equally spectacular collection of flowering bulbs. Taken together, the garden tour and cycle ride go a long way to explaining Holland's preeminence in the world of horticulture in general and bulbs in particular.

 

The gardens are easily reached by bus from Amsterdam, The Hague, Leiden, Haarlem and Schipol Airport. Cycles are not allowed within the gardens, but may be hired at the main entrance. A number of proven scenic cycle routes are recommended, ranging in distance from 5 km (3 rni) to 25 km (16 mi). Any of these may be combined with a visit to Keukenhof, or the gardens can be a major port of call on a tour of the bulb fields.

One 'must see' on every cycle tour is the Tulipland Panorama in nearby Voorhout. This mural depicts the bulb fields as they were half a century ago. It is a work in progress, but has already attained -. a size of some 65 m (215 ft) long by 4 m (13 ft) high. There's only one word for this extraordinary artistic effort and the bulb fields themselves ... and that's 'amazing'.

 

HOW

By bus and bike

WHEN TO GO

 Last week in March to mid-May for the Keukenhof Gardens (may vary slightly depending on the weather).

TIME IT TAKES

Allow a full day for visiting Keukenhof Gardens plus a cycle journey - half a day for each.

HIGHLIGHTS

Within Keukenhof Gardens – the largest fountain in Europe, plus an , unusual 700-tree labyrinth.

Aalsmeer Flower Auction from the viewing gallery - the largest flower auction in the world held in the world's largest commercial building.

Spring Flower Parade - a wonderful day-long carnival procession through  the bulb-growing region every April, from Noordwijk to Haarlem via Lisse.

YOU SHOULD KNOW

You won't exactly have Keuchenhof Gardens to yourself – around 750 000 visitors drop by to be dazzled each spring.