Contemplating Holland for a holiday (by car)

[SpokeyDokey]

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!

I didn't know that - I thought they were all just written in 'Foreign'.

 

[Mattonsea]

The St Malo area is fantastic for cycling. We have holidayed there for several years and taken the bikes . The countryside around Dinar is beautiful, the roads are empty, ideal for the kids and the Breton's respect cyclists , never had any issue with cars over there. The terrain is varied over there , with some good climbs .
The Portsmouth to St Malo ferry is about 8 hours and there might be a few cabins free still .

 

[threebikesmcginty]

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

In the early days of Brittany Ferries when they used to drop you off at silly o'clock in the morning we once drove right through Caen on the wrong side of the road.

 

[Brandane]

In the early days of Brittany Ferries when they used to drop you off at silly o'clock in the morning we once drove right through Caen on the wrong side of the road.

Isn't that what you're supposed to do over there?

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Isn't that what you're supposed to do over there?

No, we drive on the left which is right, they drive on the right which is wrong.

 

[MarkF]

I went to North Brabant in august a few years ago on a family holiday. It pissed down for the whole two weeks and I am never going back.

 

[coffeejo]

No, we drive on the left which is right, they drive on the right which is wrong.

So you drove on the wrong side, which is the right hand side, which in France is the correct side, thereby invalidating your original statement?

 

[summerdays]

In the early days of Brittany Ferries when they used to drop you off at silly o'clock in the morning we once drove right through Caen on the wrong side of the road.

I'm not telling Mr Summerdays that.... I'll never persuade him!

 

[summerdays]

The St Malo area is fantastic for cycling. We have holidayed there for several years and taken the bikes . The countryside around Dinar is beautiful, the roads are empty, ideal for the kids and the Breton's respect cyclists , never had any issue with cars over there. The terrain is varied over there , with some good climbs .
The Portsmouth to St Malo ferry is about 8 hours and there might be a few cabins free still .

Can you hire bikes in France as easily as in Holland?

 

[Mattonsea]

Can you hire bikes in France as easily as in Holland?

Yep, but there usually mountain bikes .

 

[Mattonsea]

Yep, but there usually mountain bikes .

So what are you going to do ???????

 

[Over The Hill]

Do give it a go.
Roads are fine. The motorways/dual carriageways are really no problem as is it just the other way round.
Off the main roads people are fine and they really are a nice lot if you take your time. They are used to bikes so a slow car is not an issue.

We stayed near Leiden. Which is near everything really and the coast there is surprisingly good - has a character all of its own.
I would not drive in Amsterdam but they do a great park and ride at the Ajax stadium (and others) where you get either a free tram, free train or free bike for the day.

 

[summerdays]

So what are you going to do ???????

Do you mean which way am I going to go? I'm currently looking at various holiday lets, to see which ones tempt Mr Summerdays.