Autumn holiday: this is where everyone in the Netherlands is going

Going out during the autumn break is a must. Everyone deserves a break, right? Now, of course, you can move to a far, warm place, but it’s secretly also very nice here in our own country. We Dutch people are heading out in droves, and I totally get it. Isn’t it wonderful to dive into autumn? Breathing in the scent of rust-colored leaves, wandering through old streets in twilight after sunset, wearing a thick sweater and holding a warm drink. Want to book a last-minute trip but have no idea where to go? Pay attention, because these are the places everyone is heading to.

1. Eindhoven

Yes, you might not expect it, but Eindhoven is the place to be. I thought for a moment that I saw the Pope sitting in a rock café, I find it so unexpected. But it’s true: according to Booking.com, people are lining up to visit this city. Now I can hear you thinking: “What can you do in Eindhoven?” Let me guide you.

This city is bursting with creativity and technology. The old industrial areas have now been transformed into trendy neighborhoods with all sorts of cool shops and restaurants. And do you know what’s happening here during the autumn break? Dutch Design Week. Yes, from October 18, all of Eindhoven will be focused on design for nine days. Designers from all corners of the world come together here to celebrate art and design. You can stroll around here too. Check out artsy furniture, enjoy great photography, immerse yourself in the latest tech gadgets: you can easily spend a whole day doing this.

Not in the mood for all that design? Then there’s plenty to do: grab your breakfast or lunch at Dodo, where the cinnamon rolls look like they just came from Pinterest. Or drink the best matcha in the city at Tea Stories. Visit all the hotspots in Strijp-S, explore the center with all those cute vintage shops, or take a bike ride. In the evening, all that fun doesn’t stop: go immersive and fancy dining at the 360-degree restaurant Dinner in Motion (really a recommendation). And for movie lovers, there’s even a drive-in cinema. Are you more sporty? Then you can go indoor karting, or walk along the famous light route.

Where will you be sleeping? At the Bastion Hotel for €67.50 p.p. per night. Don’t want to skimp on costs? Then you can choose the Kazarne Hotel, a historic building right in the city. That will cost you €159.50 p.p. per night.

2. Amsterdam

Of course, our capital is on this list. Sometimes it’s nice to be a tourist in your own country. And there are plenty of opportunities here. On every corner of the street, there’s something: boutiques, hidden hotspots, and old buildings. Exploring the city is what I enjoy the most: walking through the nine streets and stopping at every ‘aesthetic’ spot. Drinking matcha at Lourens, passing by the Van Gogh Museum, stopping by the Anne Frank House, and eating poffertjes, wandering around the Albert Cuyp market.

Do you know what’s a real recommendation? The Fabrique des Lumières. You have to walk a bit to get there, but it’s worth it. This holographic light spectacle is so breathtaking: wherever you look, you are surrounded by art. In the Monet exhibition, for example, or by Dutch masterpieces like those of Vermeer and Van Gogh.

Want to save money? Then go by bike or walk through the city. So nice in the autumn, along the canals. Cosy wrapped in your scarf, enjoying the falling leaves. That’s what autumn break is all about. And another tip: also look outside the center: pay a visit to the national monument city farm de Vergulden Eenhoorn. This is the peace you seek in this busy city, and it’s really so cozy, sitting in that old brown restaurant… It really feels like time has stood still here. Look at art in the Haarlem Teylers Museum, or go all out for the autumn vibes with a long walk in the Amsterdamse Bos. Put on those rain boots and breathe in that fresh air. I’m already getting excited.

Staying overnight doesn’t have to cost a fortune in this popular city. Like at Hotel Tamara, where you can stay for €47.90 p.p. per night just six minutes from the Anne Frank House. Or sleep on a hotel ship? Yes, seriously. It may not be the most luxurious experience, but you have your own bathroom and a good story for €49.90 p.p. per night. If you’re driving, then the OZO hotel near the Arena is a great alternative. It’s much easier to get there with your car than in that busy center. And with the year-end deal, you can now stay there for €46.10 p.p. per night.

3. Maastricht

Ah, the south then. It’s also very nice there. And no, not just for the pie. In my opinion, Maastricht is one of the most beautiful cities in our country. Especially when the sun sets and you walk along those historic streets . I can already see myself strolling along the Vrijthof, the Sint Servaasbrug, and the Jekerkwartier. With my favorite autumn playlist in my ears, walking over all the crunchy leaves. The colder, the cozier. But, I digress.

Eat in the gloomy Le Fernand, shop for the cutest colored dishes at Foodies in Heels, spend hours in the most beautiful bookstore in our country: Dominicanen. Visit the Leeuwenmolen, have a drink at Bar dn Hiemel, next to the oldest high bridge gate in our country. Oh, and don't forget the Koekenmannetje, try a ‘T Keuske. Spoiler alert: this is so delicious. And, if you still want to go to Maastricht for the pie? Then you can take a Vlaai baking workshop. This way you can surprise everyone at home with your baking skills. And while you're here, you must visit Château Neercanne. This seventeenth-century baroque castle is so picturesque that it feels like you're walking in southern France. You can also eat there, in the eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant..

After walking all day, you'll be happy to dive back into your bed. That's why you don't want to be eighty kilometers away, but nice and close. You can do that in the historic center of the city at Amrâth Hotel Bigarré. In this monumental building, you're just a 10-minute walk from the Vrijthof for €61.87 p.p. per night.. Do you want something cheaper? That can be at EasyHotel for €43.63 p.p. per night,, also in the center.

4. De Koog

We're going over the pond, because we've landed in Texel. People are eager to go to De Koog on this island. This is the choice if you want a lot of peace. Walk along the beach, watch seals at Ecomare, hike in the Bertusnol nature reserve or the Dennenbos. Now you can set off with some Google Maps and willpower, but there are also excursions that you can book. You can even take a covered wagon ride through various nature areas where you normally can only walk through. That's fun, with those horses, right? Speaking of horses, you can also rent a walking pony or for a forest or beach ride.. That's also nice and active. And another thing you can do on this island is stargazing. In our cities, it's becoming increasingly difficult to spot stars, so take advantage of this moment and go to a stargazing evening at the Volkssterrenwacht de Jager..

This is also a fun location with children. Walk through the Sommeltjespad, go to the play paradise, build sandcastles (with your jacket on). And are you going at the end of the holiday? Then you can still enjoy two days of Texel Culinair. Here you can indulge in delicious Texel snacks and food trends from the autumn. The little ones will love that too.

Isn't it expensive on that island? No, not at all. For €39.90 p.p. per night, you can stay in AgterdeKoog close to the beach, next to the village street and just a 10-minute bike ride from Ecomare. With the kids, it might be more fun to sleep in Hotel de Branding. That colorful hotel with a pool table and terrace is more appealing to those kids. Would you prefer to go to a holiday park?Then there are plenty of those here.

5. Valkenburg

We're going back to Limburg. Nestled among the moss-green hills is this city that has been a major attraction for over 135 years. From the Gemeentegrot and ancient tunnel systems to the Castle Ruins and a medieval city center: there's a lot to see in this city. For example, underground, where you dive into 70 million years of history in the chalk caves. Discover the chalk caves, or walk above ground along the chalk landscape.. Oh, and now in October you have ‘Tales of the deep’ where Halloween is celebrated in the depths of the caves with dark stories. Do you dare?

Or you can calmly enjoy the view from the cable car.. That works too. For the sporty among us, you can also go sledding., that's cool, right? Just walking is also beautiful through these yellow medieval buildings and narrow streets. You even have a walking route for that. It feels like you're in Rothenburg ob der Tauber , with somewhat better weather, then. And have you seen that old station ? I would love to stroll around there. Back in the city, you have lunch at Cup & Vino and dinner at Latino’s.

Do you want to sleep in style? Then you can do that at Kasteel Oost. When you walk here, you think you're in an episode of Bridgerton. Of course, there is a price tag attached: €104.25 p.p. per night. Cheaper is of course also possible, at Boutique Hotel de la Ruïne, where you can stay for €41.25 p.p. per night next to the toboggan run.

And a little tip: come back at Christmas, because this is really fan-tas-tic 6. Den Burg.

The next village on the list is Den Burg. Yes, you heard it right: back in Texel. We apparently like to stay here. It's definitely not boring in the largest village on the Wadden island: you have brasseries, two large churches, the shipwreck and beachcombers museum. You can even do a

church tower climb keychain workshop and a . Okay, maybe it's not the most adventurous destination, but you come here to relax. With your children, or just to escape all the stress for a while. Eat locally at the farm restaurant Catharinahoeve . Enjoy a Texel beer, next to the fireplace in this old interior, which by the way still looks just like it did in 1965. The family restaurant has been serving since 1684, so this is really a hotspot to experience the old Texel. You can explore the village by walking yourself, or by doing a. self-guided Outside Escape game . You go on a hunt through the city to find a shipwreck and its cargo, so that's also fun with older children. Of course, you can also blow off steam on the beach here just like in De Koog, go to the National Park Dunes, and to.

Ecomare . It's all conveniently close together. How nice is it to stay here among the ordinary Texel residents? Choose Bed & Coffee Skilleplaatsje for. €58 p.p. per night , or Bed & Coffee Maricoweg, where you save a bit more, aka €14 because this is, €44 p.p. per night 7. Nes.

We cross the North Sea to Ameland. Nes is also a popular holiday destination. Now I have been to Ameland before, but never in Nes. We are repeating ourselves a bit, but this is also one of those places where you can really

find peace . Walk through the forest and along the beach, but do wear your jacket. Bring your picnic blanket, read a book. Think about life. Pass by the tall. bell tower from 1664 and admire that other nineteenth-century architecture. With those brown houses, it feels like you're walking along the canals in Amsterdam, but then in the countryside. You can also venture further out. Rent a bike and ride past the windmill de Phenix or the Amelander Museum. The lookout tower here is highly recommended. Now you can figure everything out yourself, or you can go on a.

mapped bike tour . From Nes along all the big villages, for example. Then you have to be up for 32 kilometers of cycling (or 56 for the enthusiastic athlete). Are you done with all that cycling? Then have a drink in Nes at the. Amelander Koffiehys & Brandery . After dinner at. Bistro Overzee Ameland , you can take a look at the Kooistra Amusement Hall , for old machines, casino games, and racing simulators. Going back in time and playing games? That sounds fun. We have of course also found a hotel for you: the Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Noordsee-Ameland. A long name for a hotel that is 0.6 kilometers from the center and 1 kilometer from the beach. You get that top location for.

Het hotel hebben wij uiteraard ook voor je uitgezocht: het Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant Noordsee-Ameland. Een lange naam, voor een hotel wat op 0,6 kilometer van het centrum en op 1 kilometer van het strand afligt. Die toplocatie krijg je voor €50 p.p. per night. For €7 more you are in the picturesque Hotel Nes.

8. Zwolle

Do you want canals and beautiful mansions without all that hustle? Forget Amsterdam and book a city trip to Zwolle. Here you have that authentic Dutch feeling, without eighty tourists poking you in the neck with a selfie stick. This way you can relax more while looking at the Sassenpoort , or visit the great St. Michaels Church . Put on your long coat and scarf, and take a walk in this underrated city. Along those streets in the morning dew, along the canals strewn with orange leaves. In the distance, the bells of the Sassenpoort. Isn't that enjoyable? Rent a boat, have a pastry at the Gillende Keukenmeiden, experience a 360 dinner at Infinity with a view that will take your breath away. And you can see all kinds of cool art at the Koelwaterhal gallery and the Herman Brood Museum & Experience. This way you can also sniff some culture.

What is also nearby is Dinoland Zwolle. Here you go back millions of years to the time of the dinosaurs. Besides learning about those animals, there is also a climbing tower, mini-golf, laser tag, and a high and low course. So there is something for everyone: adults and children. Just like the trampoline park FunZone, which is fun for the kids, but secretly you also find this very enjoyable.

After all those activities, you must be exhausted. Then you don't feel like traveling an hour to the place where you can finally dive into your bed. With children, the Campanile Hotel & Restaurant is great. There you can stay with three for €853. Still just the two of you? Then look at the Little Nest, isn't that cute? It costs a lot less: €49.25 p.p. per night.

9. Utrecht

Okay, a touristy city then. Utrecht is a familiar city to me: I studied here for half a year, and I loved it here. So it certainly doesn't surprise me that this city is one of the most visited holiday destinations. You can do a lot here: shopping in the center, going to all kinds of trendy coffee shops, trying the latest food trends, eating at one of the best bakeries ever: Casa Ferreira, to vintage shops like the Oude Pijpenlade. Walk down the Oudegracht and you'll encounter them all. With those beautiful gloomy paintings and lovely crystal jewelry. For a bougie dinner on a budget, you should go to Humphrey’s. The moody restaurant is hidden in the wharf cellars underground, right by the canals. And this is really a great place: think red tones, gold chandeliers, a moody atmosphere with art nouveau chairs and tables that make it feel like you've stepped into Moulin Rouge. Yes, this is really old money vibes without the cost. Okay, okay, it doesn't cost a tenner, but for €37.50 you have a three-course menu.

There is even more to see in Utrecht. There is even a location that looks like it came straight out of Harry Potter. The Pandhof van de Dom is so magical. With those medieval arches and inner garden, you would almost think you are in Hogwarts. Something else fun to do here is to visit the Nijntje museum . And if you get the chance, please go here to have lunch, because this is really too cute. Even the rice is in the shape of Nijntje. Did you know that Utrecht is the birthplace of the rabbit? There are more places like the Nijntje square, the Mariaplaats, and the Centraal Museum where you see a lot of odes to Nijntje. Of course, this is fun for your children, but actually also very nostalgic for you.
As fun as it is there, you ultimately need a place to crash. That can be in your own studio at UtrechtCityApartments for €69.12 p.p. per night. What can be less expensive, but then you are four kilometers from the center at the Bastion Hotel. That saves you almost €15 p.p per night.

10. De Cocksdorp

And finally, the last on the list: De Cocksdorp. The what? Uh... That sounds a bit weird. I get it, but it is really a village. Again in (you guessed it) Texel. Just like the previous villages, you can do a lot of activities here: jump out of a plane, bike to the lighthouse that you can also climbing, petting Texel alpacas or even walking with them for 1.5 hours in the dunes (this is so adorable), blowing off steam on the beach, going to the Aviation and War Museum or visiting other surrounding villages. What seems the most fun to me? The seal tour from Texel to Vlieland, isn't that just too fun?

Surrounded by dunes, beaches, and polders, this is the place for birdwatchers, like the nearby nature reserve Wagejot. That's why it's nice to take it easy this vacation and soak in nature. You can do this on 10 different routes. And don't worry about walking for 72 hours, because the routes vary from 4.57 kilometers to 27. And there are plenty of places to eat. No, you're not in Utrecht, but it's still fun: in Eetcafe de Rog for example, or the Café-Restaurant de Slufter for some cozy old-fashioned vibes.

A view of a garden or beautiful meadow? That sounds like music to my ears. At Hotel het Anker in Texel, you can book a garden room. And have you seen that building? I would love to sit there, with those classic large windows and that warm brick facade. If a house were picturesque, it would be this one. How much does it cost? €75.75 p.p. per night.

So. That was a lot of vacation spots. Take it from the voices, these are definitely nice places to spend your autumn vacation. I know where you can find me. Bye.

Source vacation destinations: booking.com