Activities and sight seeing
Seaport Marina
The Duindoorn campsite is only a 100 meters from Seaport Marina, one of the 5 ports in the Netherlands.
The relatively new Seaport Marina borders the Kennemer beach. A promenade runs the full length of the marina where you can take a wonderful stroll, do a bit of shopping or admire the yachts moored in the marina. Many sea yachtsmen and people who sail regularly between the UK and the Continent have already discovered this new harbor.
There are restaurants and shops situated on the promenade and on the beach are several beach clubs that cater for all ages.
IJmuiden has a passenger ferry terminal for the DFDS daily ferry to Newcastle, UK. The terminal is outside of the locks so the ferry is not delayed – sailing time to 16hours.
Go fishing!
Would you like to go off-shore fishing for a day? Then visit the fishing village of IJmuiden. IJmuiden also has plenty to offer gourmets. Its seafood in particular has built up quite a reputation. This should come as no surprise - after all, what could be fresher than seafood prepared straight from the harbour.
Offshore fishing
Offshore fishing on the North Sea is truly an experience. When you cast your rod and see only water around you, you will truly relax. You don't need a fishing license. The former fishing villages are excellent departure points for a spot of offshore fishing. The cutters will take you to the best fishing areas. Mind you get up early as most boats leave at 8 a.m.
History of IJmuiden
Till recently IJmuiden was not a real tourist destination; it was a busy industrial harbor with its steel and fish industries. These industries are still the main source of income which makes IJmuiden a double faced and interesting place to visit. There's the industrial part of a real harbor, there's a marina and plenty of seaside activity and surrounding all this are some of the most beautiful Dutch landscape sceneries very much like those that already inspired 17th century landscape painters.
IJmuiden is a fairly new town, that only came into existence in 1870 when the North Sea Canal was dug, connecting the Amsterdam harbors to the open sea. Till this time the area where IJmuiden now is located was known as "De Breesaap", a desolate plain where only a hand full of farmers tried to make a living. In 1851 the whole area was sold to the entrepreneurs Bik and Arnold, which finally set into motion the plans that had been drawn up already in 1626. The first spade hit the ground on the 8th of April 1865.
The "Noordzeekanaal" connects the North Sea with the IJ in Amsterdam. The IJmuiden name literally means 'mouth of the IJ', which is a hint to the importance the town has for the Amsterdam harbor. In 1890 it had about 1500 inhabitants, but boomed when the iron mill industry Hoogovens steelworks settled here.
The town is part of the municipality of Velsen and suffered heavy damage and demolition in the war years because of its maritime importance. Already in the Roman era this Velsen was inhabited and archeological finds indicate there was a North Sea port built of regional importance.
Important sights are the municipal hall designed by the famous architect Dudok and the North Sea locks. The later are among the largest in the world and one set is able to close off a shipping lane of 50 meters wide and 12 meters deep. There are however plans to enlarge or build a new set to facilitate even larger vessels.
Places of Interest to visit during your vacation
Haarlem - circa 30 minutes by bus
One of the most interesting things to do in Haarlem is shopping. There are several places where you can get some good bargains. Be it brand name items or locally produced items, you will be able to find all that you need in Haarlem.
Haarlem is a relative old city in Holland. First settled in the tenth century, it was called Harulahem, meaning “the place built on sand”. Back then, Holland was far more watery then it is now and Haarlem was positioned on a strategic place between canals and streams that would one day form the Haarlemmermeer, now a polder (waterways).
From the eleventh century till the thirteenth century, Haarlem was the seat of Government of the graaf (duke) of Holland. Haarlem got its City rights in 1245 and after Dordrecht it is the oldest city in Holland. In those times the mythical war between Amsterdam and Haarlem was placed, and is described by Vondel in his Gijsbrechts (writings) which is loosely based on the battle of Troy.
When the Dutch rose against the Spanish, Haarlem took the site of the Geuzen. After a month like siege, the city fell to the Spanish in 1573. Over 2000 civilians, soldiers and protestant clergy where drowned in the Spaarne (the canal which runs through Haarlem).
In the seventeenth century, Haarlem became a center of Art, with painters like Frans Hals, Jacob van Ruisdael, Philps Wouverman, Adriaen van Ostade and the architect Lieven de Key, who built a lot of buildings in Haarlem. As a metropolis Haarlem has long since lost its leading role to Amsterdam which is now the capital. During the French occupation, it was briefly known as the capital of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Because Haarlem missed out on most of the industrial innovations of the 19th and 20th centuries, it has kept a lot of its character and is a picturesque city to walk around and spend some time.
Open Market – every weekend
The weekend open market in Haarlem houses the finest and greatest products in Netherlands. The market is a great place to bargain for things like clothes, fashion accessories and many other things. The market also has several fruits and vegetable vendors; you might want to stock up on some fruit while you tour Haarlem. This weekend open market takes place along the street of the City Hall’s front.
Grote Houtstraat – Haarlem Monday to Saturday
Grote Houtstraat is one of the main shopping areas in Haarlem. It covers the heart of the city through the mains square of Houtplien. If you are looking to pick up some fashion branded clothes, this the right place to shop. There are also individual clothing, jewelry, sport stores, restaurants and much more in this area. Grote Houtstraat is open from Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Botermarket – Haarlem Monday to Friday
Botermarket is situated in the small square in Haarlem. There is a fountain right in the middle of Botermarket that serves as its landmark. This market is open from Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Botermarket is a great place to buy souvenirs to take home with you. The market is also a place where you can buy different dry foodstuffs. There are also some international chain stores in Botermarket like Ben and Jerry’s, H&M and C&A
