Holland
Things to do in Holland
If you're heading to Holland, then it pays to know your AA Membership Card can save you money. Here's a round-up of some of the places where you can save.
And if you're banking on your car getting you there and back, it pays to get AA European Breakdown Cover.
Avonturenpark Hellendoorn
This is one for all ages. Attractions range from Toddler Land up to a true twister of a Tornado rollercoaster. Log flumes, plus a maze are also on the agenda.
Where is it?
It's 3.5 hours' drive from Ostend, while if you're coming from the direction of Esbjerg, then we're talking roughly 6 hours from Denmark to Hellendoorn.
AA Member offer
10% off the entrance fee per person – max of 4 persons per membership card. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
Deltapark Neeltje Jans
The Dutch are famed for reclaiming the land from the ever-encroaching seas and this theme park is devoted to celebrating their techniques. There is also a waterpark with waterslide, sealions, hurricane simulator, plus you can ride the choppy simulated waves aboard Moby Dick (a ship rather than the whale).
Where is it?
It's just over 2.5 hours drive from Ostend to Neeltje in Holland. Alternatively, if you're coming from Esbjerg, it's just over 7 hours' drive through Denmark and Germany.
AA Member offer
10% off the entrance fee per person – max of 4 persons per membership card. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
Dierenrijk
From shows featuring the birds of prey to milking cows, this is a chance for children to really get to grips with wildlife. This is one for the youngsters though. If you're after an adrenalin rush, move along please.
Where is it?
This park is in Heiderschoor, just near Eindhoven. If you're coming from Esbjerg, it's just shy of 7 hours in the car. Ostend, on the other hand, is a mere snip at just over 2 hours' drive.
AA Member offer
10% off the entrance fee for the whole family. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
Dolfinarium Harderwijk
No prizes for the theme of this park. You guessed it, aquatic animals. And dolphins naturally take centre stage. Chuck in some sealions and 4D televisual shows, plus sting rays and sharks and suddenly you have a spectacular insight into the underwater world.
Where is it?
It's roughly 6.5 hours' drive from Esbjerg to Harderwijk, while Ostend is just under 3 hours away.
AA Member offer
10% off per person on the entrance fee – max 5 persons per membership card. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
Duinrell
If you're a watery speed freak then head to Duinrell, which offers an Aquashute (sic) or the heady Waterspin, which pins you to your seat, while you sit inverted above fountains. Hope you'll be wearing waterproofs! The park also boasts the largest covered set of waterslides named the Tiki Pool.
Where is it?
It's just up the road from the Dolfinarium, just under 2.45 hours' drive from Ostend in a place called Wassenaar. If you're coming from the other direction, it's just over 7 hours' drive from Esbjerg.
AA Member offer
€2 off the entrance fee per person. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
Ecodrome Zwolle
Nature is the central theme to this park. Tropical fish, working bees in home-grown hives, plus lots of activities for youngsters to help them learn about the world around them.
Where is it?
Zwolle's just over 6 hours' drive from Esbjerg, or 3 hours if you're driving in from Ostend.
AA Member offer
Free ticket for 1 child if accompanied by two full-paying adults. (child: 3 to 11 years old; value €11.25). 10% off the entrance fee per person for Members without children. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
GaiaPark
As well as the standard fare of any zoo, GaiaPark offers four experiences, each of which allows you to take a trip back through the centuries. They've created four different zones, a la Crystal Maze. The Equator expedition is a route that takes you back millions of years to meet Ice Age mammoths, or you can get to grips with Cretaceous dinosaurs. Alternatively you can take a 21-century tour of the African landscape, or experience the equatorial region as it was 300 million years ago.
Where is it?
It's in Kerkrade, which is roughly 7 hours' drive from Esbjerg, or just over a couple of hours' drive from Ostend.
AA Member offer
€1.5 off the entrance fee per person – max 4 persons per membership card. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
Nemo
Park any thought you had of this being related to the animated Pixar film. But this themed venue does have a nautical theme. Based in the hull of a huge steel ship, Nemo is four floors of attractions to help get your kids thinking. Experiment in the labs, feed their CSI aspirations by getting them to solve murders using DNA technology or take electronics apart. NEMO is the biggest science centre in the Netherland and definitely one for the children.
Where is it?
Nemo's in Amsterdam, which is roughly 7 hours' drive from Esbjerg, while Ostend is just under 3 hours away.
AA Member offer
30% discount for a child (4 to 16 years) if accompanied by one full paying adult. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
Attractiepark Slagharen
To satisfy the rollercoaster fans, Attractiepark Slagharen has the Looping Star (aka Thunder Loop Express) and the Minestar. There's a Ferris wheel plus an indoor waterpark and there are options for little kids too.
Where is it?
Overijssel is just over 3.5 hours' drive from Ostend. if you're coming from Esbjerg, on the other hand, it's 6 hours' drive.
AA Member offer
€3 off per person on the entrance fee – maximum of 4 persons per card. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
SnowWorld
Ok, ok so it's the middle of summer. But if you're pining for a bit of snow then head for this ice palace. Permanently set at -5 degrees, the emphasis is on activity (if only to keep warm). Skiing, snowboarding, jumps, as well gyms, this is a Mecca for those who like to stay fit even on holiday. Plus you can practice your turns and twists in time for the real snow season.
Where is it?
A 7-hour drive from Esbjerg, SnowWorld is in Zoetermeer. Alternativelty, if you're coming in from Ostend, it's just 2.5 hours.
AA Member offer
€3 off per person on entrance fee for 1 hour including rental of materials. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
Space Expo
Budding astronauts should head for this Dutch take on the solar system. Featuring scale models and rocket launching to name but a few attractions, Space Expo sorts out the science fiction from the science facts. Children must be over 9 years old.
Where is it?
Noordwijk is on the coast between Amsterdam and The Hague. It's just up the road from Ostend, roughly 3 hours' drive, while it's just over 7 hours' drive if you're coming in from Esbjerg in Denmark.
AA Member offer
€1.15 off per person off the entrance fee – 4 people per membership card. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
Walibi World
Time to take things up a notch or six. If you fancy less cerebral activity, then seek out Walibi World for some full-on fun. Boasting the 'highest, fastest, steepest rollercoaster in the Benelux', Goliath is the ride to slay all others. It descends at angles of 70 degrees and reaches speeds of 106km an hour (that's roughly 66mph). For a more sedate ride, try La Grande Roue (or Big Wheel).
Where is it?
Just under 7 hours' drive if you're coming in from Esbjerg in Denmark, Biddinghuizen is a mere 3-hour drive from Ostend.
AA Member offer
10% discount per person on the entrance fee. No limitations in the number of persons per membership card who can benefit from the discount. Show your AA Membership Card to get the discount.
Driving to Holland
- European breakdown cover
- Plan a route
- European toll roads
- Local road rules and advice
- Compulsory equipment
- Tips for driving in Holland
- 90 days' European cover with AA Car Insurance
But before you head off, here's a word of caution. European breakdown cover could save you a lot of grief and expense. Take advantage of our online discount. You can get up to 30% off when you buy European breakdown cover online. Why not get a quote now?
Other self-drive ideas
Alternative options include:
Other products & services
Last updated: 18 June 2009
Offers correct as of publication date.