Typical Dutch holiday habits: A guide for expats
You will encounter Dutch people in every corner of the world. You would think that says enough about the wanderlust of the Dutch. But not every Dutch person is an intrepid explorer. Most of them are rather set in their ways, with habits that are not quite as adventurous as you might think.
In this article, we discuss some quintessential Dutch holiday habits that may well shed some light on Dutch culture.
Camping at home
The Dutch love to go camping, whether that is at home or abroad. Just drive onto any French campsite and you are bound to run into some (or only) Dutch people. There are plenty of campsites in the Netherlands, though, ranging from simple to luxurious glamping sites. Popular destinations include the Veluwe, Zeeland and the Wadden Islands.
On the road with the caravan in tow
At the start of the holidays, you will see a whole exodus of Dutch people heading abroad on the motorways with their caravans in tow. It is so nice to go abroad while still being able to bring your own things! And it is just that bit more comfortable than sleeping in a tent.
Well-arranged holiday park stays
A large part of the province of Zeeland consists of holiday parks with holiday homes. And in the rest of the Netherlands, too, you can spend your holiday in a park dotted with cottages and playgrounds and, with a bit of luck, a swimming pool. They are a big favourite with families looking for an easy and entertaining holiday.
Taking a bike
It goes without saying that the Dutch love cycling. While not everyone goes to work by bike—cars are very comfortable after all—taking a bike ride on holiday is definitely a must for many. Some Dutch people go on cycling holidays with all their luggage tucked into handy pannier bags on the backs of their bikes. Others put the bikes on the back of the car and take cycling trips from a fixed location. With its extensive network of cycle paths and routes, such as the LF routes (Landelijke Fietsroutes), the Netherlands is ideal for cycling holidays.
City trips
Whereas the Dutch used to go on holiday once a year, the need for a kennel for their dogs or cats arises more often nowadays. With the increase in leisure time, the number of holidays per family has also increased. Cities make for an ideal getaway. Paris, Berlin and Barcelona are popular destinations for a weekend break, with Dutch cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Maastricht also popular choices for short getaways.
Everything is better at home!
What the Dutch do not like to brag about is that they often bring their own food on holiday. Do not be surprised if you see a bag of potatoes or a coffee maker in the boot of a Dutch car. Is it thrift, conservatism or the idea that cooking your own food is better?
What is paramount, however, is that most Dutch people are always glad to be back home. Everything is better at home!
Hopefully, this article has brought you a few new insights into the holiday habits of the Dutch and helped you to understand Dutch culture even better. Have fun exploring the Netherlands!
About Regina Coeli
We are Regina Coeli, experts in the Dutch language and culture. Our mission is to help people to learn the language better and to feel at home in the Netherlands. If, after reading these holiday habits, you cannot wait to improve your Dutch language skills, you are more than welcome at Regina Coeli.
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