Contemplating Holland for a holiday (by car)

[summerdays]

As a family we've been to Europe a couple of times but always flown and never hired a car, just used the trains etc.

I want to persuade Mr Summerdays to take the car this year and for some reason I've imagined that it's nicer to drive in Holland than France (not having driven in either I wouldn't know). So am I right? Or should I be considering France. I want to make it as stress free as possible so not camping with a laden car and not taking bikes on the back but I'd like to hire bikes when I'm there so I'm hoping that's going to be easy in Holland.

Any recommendations for areas near either port (so we don't have to drive miles on the first day), or tips on driving on the wrong side of the road. He's already suggested getting the overnight ferry so that we arrive in daylight for the first experience of driving.

I realise I'm leaving it a little late to book both accommodation and the ferry but I'm hoping that this is going to be the start of a few more trips and then working our way up to a holiday by bike once the kids have left home or are old enough to stay by themselves (their idea of a holiday would not include the major transport part being by bike.... I've failed to convince them of the joys of cycling at this stage but I'm hoping they return to it after a brief gap.)

 

[Hill Wimp]

This year will be my first holiday in The Netherlands as it forms the first part of my cycle tour with @hopless500 so i cannot really help you. However i do know there are some well recommended holiday parks there of which our Centre Parcs are based on so you have lots of activities and cycle hire.

France is just beautiful and a fantastic place to holiday. The question would be where as the choice is so vast.

 

[summerdays]

I like exploring an area, we've been down to the area near Dartmouth a couple of times now and we find new places to walk, beach, catch crabs etc without travelling very far... In fact Dartmouth was the furthest the last time, whereas when we went to North Wales which was new to us, we did do quite a bit in the car, trying to cram in the traditional tourist spots. I don't want this holiday to be driving miles by car each day.


What I'm trying to say is that I don't mind thoroughly exploring an area and we haven't been to either country as a family (though individually members of the family have done bits of France). Which ever country it is it will be new to us and lots of food to try, architecture and countryside to explore...... I just need to make it as simple as possible for Mr Summerdays- as a child he only had 3 holidays that he remembers as he grew up on a farm where there was always jobs needing doing, so he's always a bit resistant to holidays! (Yes I know mad but he has lots of other fantastic qualities).

 

[Oldbloke]

As RM and HW say,for variety come to France.

But you'd probably find Dutch drivers less intimidating and people there more likely to speak some English, in my experience.

 

[Brandane]

I have done a fair bit of driving/motorcycling on the continent, mostly in France but some in Holland, Belgium, Germany and Spain. They are all much alike, apart from the language on road signs.
In general, driving over the other side of the channel is a pleasure in comparison to the UK.. I have done several trips of thousands of miles over there without coming across any serious hold ups caused by road works, accidents, or just plain stupidity (rubber necking for example) which are a daily occurrence over here, even in the less dense traffic of central Scotland.

Road surfaces are generally far better than ours, as is signage. Drivers are more competent too, although some might say French driving can be on the aggressive side. Lane discipline is adhered to, so if you prefer hogging the middle lane you might find that you get tailgated, headlights flashing and horn sounding more readily than over here.

The down side in France is tolls on the main autoroutes. Some are not cheap and it is a faff stopping and paying at times. Also beware in some French urban areas "priorité a droite" still applies, meaning traffic joining from the right has priority unless signed otherwise.
All said, driving on the continent is far less stressful than the GB experience. I feel sorry for any American or European visitor who ventures out onto our roads expecting the experience to be similar to their own!

 

[Hill Wimp]

@Mattonsea knows Brittany well as he has family there he may be able to help.

 

[Hill Wimp]

I personally love the area around Limoges. The small villages, food wine and laid back atmosphere is great but probably not great for the kids.

I know lots of friends with children rave about camping in the Ardennes, swimming and canoeing in the rivers etc. There are lots of large campsites too such as Eurocamp ( the website looks good ) where it would be a great way for a first time holiday in France.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Flat, clogs and rubbish food, avoid.

 

[Brandane]

Flat, clogged and rubbish food, avoid.

Nobody mentioned Norfolk.

 

[coffeejo]

A quick plug for my friends' gite in Normandy

 

[Monsieur]

I stayed in Arnhem last august for a few days (car not cycle) - lovely little town with lost to see and do (war museums - 'bridge too far'), nice train trip to Amsterdam, Germany only a few miles away

 

[Milkfloat]

The Netherlands is busier than France for driving and ironically I would say more demanding due to the cycling infrastructure. Like France you will also find that you may often have to give way to the right. Have you thought about a Dover - Calais sailing and then a night in Brugges? That way you get France, Belgium and the Netherlands.

 

[summerdays]

Which ever country it is, I want to stay near the crossing, well not too far so we aren't committed to major amounts of driving on the other side if we dont adjust to the wrong side off the road.

Presumably we need to get European insurance cover for the car? Anything else we need to think about?

 

[midlife]

How about dropping down to Caen, roads are easy and plenty to see and do

Shaun

 

[Brandane]

Which ever country it is, I want to stay near the crossing, well not too far so we aren't committed to major amounts of driving on the other side if we dont adjust to the wrong side off the road.

Presumably we need to get European insurance cover for the car? Anything else we need to think about?

Most, if not all, car insurance policies now include European coverage as standard (I think they MUST, legally, as we are now part of Europe). Breakdown cover is a good idea for peace of mind, and of course won't be needed if you have it - while on the other hand, if you don't then you know the inevitable result.....
Don't forget the headlight beam deflectors, a legal requirement so that you don't dazzle oncoming traffic. Also some countries require hi-viz jackets to be carried, and in France a breathalyzer kit has to be carried too (although there was talk that law had been scuppered). Best to check with the AA or similar for European requirements.