6 Tips for Autumn Destinations in the Netherlands

What comes to mind when you think of autumn? Leaves, walking, wind, rain, forests, looking for chestnuts, exploring nature, tea, hot chocolate... While it might rain a lot in autumn, that's precisely what makes this season so cozy. Staying indoors, playing games, sipping hot drinks, and cocooning. And when it's dry, head outside for a long walk in the woods, where the trees are russet and you can go hunting for chestnuts and mushrooms together. Autumn is a wonderful time and is perfect for a nature getaway. In this blog, we share holiday homes in the most beautiful autumn spots in the Netherlands!

Experience autumn during your stay in an authentic windmill

Autumn is perhaps the most beautiful time to discover Egmond aan den Hoef. Nestled in the North Holland dune landscape, an authentic windmill has been transformed into a unique holiday home on a small-scale holiday park. Here you can enjoy peace, space, and the special feeling of sleeping in a historic setting. From the Egmond Windmill, you can walk or cycle straight into the dunes, where the leaves are changing color and the autumn sun casts a warm glow over the landscape. A trip to the wide beach of Egmond aan Zee is especially special at this time: the wind blows strongly, the sea shows its rugged side, and the beach is wonderfully calm. After a refreshing walk, a hot chocolate in a cozy café in the village tastes even better. The surrounding area also has much to offer in autumn. Discover the artists' village of Bergen, wander through the historic streets of Alkmaar, or enjoy the scent of wet leaves during a long walk through the dunes. If you're lucky, you might spot Scottish highlanders or wild horses along the way, living here in complete freedom.

Green Heart of Friesland

Friesland boasts a beautiful natural environment rich in water. Wherever you choose to go—the Frisian lakes, the Wadden Sea, the Frisian forests, or the IJsselmeer—you'll discover the most beautiful spots in Friesland. You can enjoy lovely walks and bike rides everywhere in the autumn. Several ferries operate during October, November, and December, making it extra fun to choose a ferry route and get some fresh air! Staying in Friesland for a longer period? Then you can easily take a day trip to the provincial capital, Leeuwarden, or the port city of Harlingen. A mushroom expedition is also enjoyable; in the Frisian forests, you'll find them in unexpected places when the weather gets wetter.

Story Route in nature-rich Twente

Discover the stories and history of the Vriezenveen Story Route, located in the north of Twente, Overijssel. This 15 km walking route reveals how the landscape has changed over the past century. From the Binnenhof holiday home, you'll discover the history of the unique peat landscape of Engbertdijksvenen. This national park is a protected nature reserve and a Natura 2000 area. It's a paradise for bird and nature lovers, with expansive raised bogs where you can spot vipers, hen harriers, and tree frogs, as well as rare dragonflies and perhaps even a crane.

Unwind on the Zeeland beach in Zeeland

Another nature-rich destination in the Netherlands is De Schotsman in Zeeland. This nature reserve borders the Veerse Meer lake, where you can truly unwind, catch crabs, or search for shells, then warm up with a hot chocolate at one of the charming beach bars. For an educational day out, visit Deltapark Neeltje Jans, with exhibitions and films about the North Sea flood and the Delta Works, and a visit to the storm surge barrier. You can spend the night in a delightful holiday home in Colijnsplaat.

Green pearl on the Vecht 

Overijssel has a wide variety of landscapes and stretches from the Vechtdal to Twente, Salland and the Kop van Overijssel. The Overijsselse Vecht meanders through the landscape over a length of no less than 160 km and leads you like a guide through this beautiful region, past picturesque villages, through forests and heathland, and estates. Spend your holiday in Dalfsen, the green pearl on the Overijsselse Vecht, with its stately manors. Come and see Lamb Day on the Lemelerberg and learn all about the galaxy at the Observatory in Dalfsen. The Reestdal is a centuries-old esdorpen landscape with streams, where you can enjoy beautiful walks. Or go cycling along the route 'The time journey of the Aurochs', which takes you back 8000 years in time. A holiday in the Vechtdal will allow you to become wonderfully zen, thanks to the peace and quiet that surrounds you.

Walking amidst the autumn colours in North Brabant

We probably already knew that bird lovers can indulge themselves in the Biesbosch National Park. But did you know you can also do this in autumn? There's a different way to spot birds in every season. From the land or a rented (whisper) boat, you can spot sea eagles, kingfishers, egrets, ospreys, bitterns, and much more! Or hop on a bike and crisscross the landscape via the junction network, enjoying the rivers, willow-lined islands, and streams along the way, and make a stop at the Biesbosch Museum Island. Het Betonnen Boshuis in Oosterhout forests is a wonderful base for exploring the Biesbosch.

Of course, there are many more wonderful places to enjoy during the autumn and winter months. Droomvilla Holiday Homes specializes in unique holiday homes. They are selected based on interior design, location, and position, and each villa has been personally visited, so we know exactly what you can expect. Feel free to call or email for more information; we're happy to advise you.

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