NETHERLANDS BOARD OF TOURISM & CONVENTIONS

PRESS RELEASE

Short Breaks on/by the water in Holland

Water plays a vital part in the Dutch landscape with twenty six per cent of Holland situated below sea-level. The lowest point is Nieuwerkerk aan den Ijssel in Zuid Holland (6.7m below sea level) and the highest point can be found at Vaalserberg in Limburg (323m above sea-level). Holland covers 41,500 km2, of which 7,700 km2 is water.  The three main rivers (the Rhine, the Maas and the Scheldt) enter Holland and branch out until they eventually reach the North Sea. Two provinces whose development and growth have largely been influenced by water are Friesland and Flevoland. The infrastructure in these regions is perfectly suited for sailing from one town to another, using scenic water routes.

Holland’s events on/by the water

This year’s water-based events in Holland include:

• Fisherman Days: enjoy music, activities, exhibitions and fireworks with the fisherman in Harlingen, Friesland; end of August
• World Port Days: in Rotterdam with helicopter stunts, dancing boats and public access to a variety of ships; September
• Frisian Hoek Race: a sailing competition in Friesland for flat-bottomed ships; October

Accommodation on/by the water

In Spring 2012, a new floating place to stay, ‘the Waddendobber,’ will open on the banks of the Wadden Sea, northern Holland.  It will hold up to four people and rest on a sand bank during low tide and during high tide it will float on the rising water. Other ‘floating’ ways to spend the night include camping on a raft (such as on the Kagerplassen located to the north-east of Leiden, Biesbosch near Dordrecht or Almere in Flevoland) or staying on a barge such as the De Trouwe Hulp (can sleep up to 16 people) on one of the many waterways in Friesland. Unique accommodation in Harlingen (Friesland) also includes a light-house, lifeboat and harbour crane, all located by the water-side.

Flevoland – a manmade region on water

The province of Flevoland is abundant with lakes, canals and over 200km of coastline and was reclaimed bit by bit from the sea. With its fine nature reserve, relaxed countryside and fascinating historical and cultural heritage alternating with modern architecture of the cities, Flevoland is a diverse holiday destination. Approximately half an hour’s drive from Amsterdam, Flevoland is easily accessible.

Experience Flevoland by boat

With an abundance of water, cruising by boat is a main tourist draw. There are numerous jetties, (often dotted with anglers) and 37 marinas in the region giving plenty of options for a either a day excursion or a longer trip by boat. Whether you choose to travel by traditional sailing vessel, a modern sailing boat or a motor cruiser, explore the versatility of the Flevoland countryside while sailing past fields with their diverse fragrant crops, pastures and wooded areas, discover the uninhabited islands of the Veluwemeer lake or enter the futuristic city of Almere during a round trip on the Weerwater waters.

Under the supervision of an experienced crew, cruise along the IJsselmeer lake or set sail for the old Zuider Zee cities such as Urk and Enkhuizen. Alternatively you can set out on your own and hire an open keel boat, a saloon yacht or a trendy sloop.

Action on the water

Surfing, water-skiing, diving, swimming and fishing are all possible in Flevoland or visit one of the sailing schools to learn how to sail. Those looking for a challenge will enjoy the slightly rougher waters of the IJsselmeer Lake or if you prefer taking things slowly try a canoe trip through the countryside, near to the former island of Schokland.  Schokland island was the first site in Holland’s history to receive UNESCO World Heritage status. It was placed on the World Heritage list in 1995 and includes nine national monuments, five of which are archeological sites and one of which is both an archeological and architectural monument.

Visit Lido Almere, where you can water-ski using a cableway of over 1 kilometre long, or learn spins, rolls and flips on a wakeboard.  Marina Muiderzand in Almere is the largest catamaran beach in Europe and offers space for at least 450 catamarans of 6m in length or more. Visitors can choose their own catamaran and set sail in surrounding waters.

Friesland – a region protected by UNESCO World Heritage

Friesland, a northern province in Holland has the largest chain of connected inland lakes in Europe. The Wadden Sea which touches the north-western coast is home to many different kinds of plant and animal species, hence the reason it has been placed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. North of the Dutch mainland and along the border between the Wadden Sea and North Sea are four  inhabited Frisian islands, namely Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. Individual islands can be reached by regular daily ferry services or alternatively special island hopping boats allow visitors to visit several islands on one trip, also called ‘Wadden hopping’.  Visitors can stay in one of the hotels or holiday homes on the islands and enjoy the nostalgic villages, cosy pubs, restaurants, art galleries and activities such as parachuting, kite surfing and horseback riding.  In 2009, the islands were placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Another unique aspect of the Frisian landscape is the mud-flats.  Specialised tour guides are available for walking tours in the Wadden Sea during low tide (tidal mud flat tours) and visitors are often left in awe of the spectacular surroundings.

The island habitat
The islands are home to diverse landscapes, wide beaches, vast dunes, tidal marshes, pasturelands and even deciduous and coniferous forests. The Wadden Sea is the largest and most important coastal tidal wetland in Europe and, on a global scale, it has the largest connected system of sandbars and mudflats.  The nutrient-rich water makes the Wadden Sea an ‘incubator’ for both fish and marine mammals such as the grey seal. The islands are also an important stopover for migratory birds. Around 10 to 12 million birds migrate between their breeding grounds in Siberia and Scandinavia and their wintering grounds in Europe or Africa along the Frisian Islands in order to replenish their fat reserves. Up to 6.1 million birds can be found in the Wadden Sea area at any one time.

Getting to Holland – Sail away on P&O Ferries’ new ships

P&O Ferries are due to launch one of two brand new ships on the Dover – Calais route in January 2011 followed by the second in September 2011.  The ships will become the largest ferries ever designed for service on the Dover Strait.  Once launched, the Spirit of Britain, weighing in at 49,000 tonnes will become ‘godchild’ to Dame Kelly Holmes.  The second ship, currently being constructed, will be named Spirit of France.

Helen Deeble, chief executive of P&O Ferries, said: “The two ships represent a major investment of more than €360 million by P&O Ferries and are designed for a life span of 25 years so we are taking a long term view.”

The ferry route to Calais gives direct access to an established road network into Holland.  Journey time by car from Calais to the Dutch border is approximately 2 hours.

For further information visit www.poferries.com

Floriade 2012 – experience 40 hectares of diverse nature

Floriade is a World Horticultural Expo staged once every ten years in Holland.  From April until October 2012, the sixth edition of Floriade will be organized in Venlo in central-eastern Holland.  Venlo, is situated on the river Maas, which at 925 km in length runs from France, via Belgium and into Holland before entering the North Sea. So, water naturally plays a big part in the onsite exhibitions.

Only 1.5 hours drive from Amsterdam and with parking facilities, Floriade 2012 will be easily accessible by car.  The Expo can also be reached by plane, with Eindhoven and (Dusseldorf) Weeze airports being close by, or by ferry into Hook of Holland or Rotterdam ports.  Visitors to Floriade 2012 will have the opportunity to enjoy the most exquisite and exceptional flowers, plants, trees, fruit and vegetables of the world exhibited over 40 hectares, 7,000m2 of which are indoor flower and plant shows.  The Expo will be open daily and the expected attendance of Floriade 2012 is 2 million visitors.

For more information and images contact:
On behalf of the UK press office

Evelina Sugintaite
Netherlands Board of Tourism & Conventions
PO Box 30783
London
WC2B 6DH

F: +44 (0) 20 7539 7953                 E: esugintaite@holland.com
W: www.holland.com