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FRIESLAND HOLIDAYS > THE NETHERLANDS
Holiday in Friesland - Tourist Information Friesland.
Frisian Islands : Ameland, Schiermonnikoog, Terschelling, Vlieland
Regions in Friesland : The Wadden Sea area, The Frisian clay region, The eleven cities, The 'Low Midlands', The 'Wouden' and The IJsselmeer
Municipalities in Friesland : Achtkarspelen, Ameland, Bolsward, Boarnsterhim, Dantumadeel, Dongeradeel, Ferwerderadiel, Franekeradeel, Gaasterlân-Sleat, Harlingen, Heerenveen, Het Bildt, Kollumerland en Nieuwkruisland, Leeuwarden, Leeuwarderadeel, Lemsterland, Littenseradiel, Menaldumadeel, Nijefurd, Ooststellingwerf, Opsterland, Schiermonnikoog, Skarsterlân, Smallingerland, Sneek, Terschelling, Tytsjerksteradiel, Vlieland, Weststellingwerf, Wűnseradiel and Wymbritseradiel
Centuries old, and yet ... changing with every hour. From north to south, from east to west, Fryslân enjoys a rich variation of landscape that's worth seeing and experiencing. Ice, water
and centuries-old human influence all did their part to create this abundance. The care and attention of today's inhabitants have made sure that all those regions with their unique
characteristics are guaranteed a safe future existence.
Capital City of Friesland : Leeuwarden
holiday rentals, hotels, tour operators - friesland tours, travel guides, travel to friesland
links
Camping & Caravanning in Friesland
 Eurocampings - ACSI Camping Guide
Bike Rental
There are several addresses in Friesland where you can rent a bike, for very reasonable prices. You will find
most Rent-a-Bike's at the main railway stations. On the Wadden Islands there are several privately owned Rent-a-Bikes.
Boat Rental
Cruise Blue Lines
Friesland Boating - departures from Koudum and Giethoorn
Friesland Boating rents the so called 'houseboats' as well as te wellknown motorcruisers
Holiday Homes / Apartment
Bungalow.net -
Holiday homes Netherlands
Hostels
Stayokay Heeg, It Eilan 65, 8621 CT Heeg
Heeg, a lovely village surrounded by Frisian lakes. All around you there's space and, if you prefer, tranquillity.
If it's action you're after, go sailing, walking, cycling, visit nearby cities and villages: everything is possible around Stayokay Heeg!
Stayokay Heeg is ideally located: a former island on the edge of the Heegermeer, the largest lake in Friesland.
There is so much room. Head for the pitch or the survival course. The hostel even has a harbor and
boathouse with authentic flat-bottomed Tjotters. In nice weather, enjoy the terrace. The two restaurants feature delicious fare, from breakfast buffets to dinners.
Hostelbookers.com is one of the worlds largest online booking services for hostels. All hostels you see here
are offering realtime prices and availability. We do not charge a fee to use this service.
Stayokay - Sneek, Grauw and Terschelling Island
Stayokay is a chain of hostels located throughout the Netherlands. You will find our hostels at surprisingly
lovely places: in the dunes, the woods, along the water or in the city. Stayokay hostels are housed in different unique buildings, ranging from modern facilities to castles or country houses.
Hotels Friesland
Hotels in Friesland - Hotel Guide Friesland
Hotels in Leeuwarden, Nes, West-Terschelling, Oost-Vlieland, Harlingen, Heerenveen, Schiermonnikoog, Workum, Drachten, Sneek, Dokkum, Oosterend, and more ...
National Parks / Nature Reserve
National Park Alde Feanen / De oude Venen - also known as the Princenhof
De Alde Feanen National Park lies in the heart of the province of Friesland. It is a vast fenland consisting of
large pools, lakes, former turf ponds, reed vegetation, quaking bog and fields of Marsh Marigold (Caltha
palustrus). It came about as a result of turf-cutting between the 17th and 19th centuries. There are more than
450 plant sorts and 100 bird sorts to be found here. Water, marsh and meadow birds feel particularly at home
in De Alde Feanen. The national park attracts many tourists annually, among them more than 200,000 watersportsmen. Besides sailing the area is also very suitable for trekking and cycling.
Visitors can find more information about this beautiful area in the visitor's centre De Reidplum of It Fryske Gea.
National Park Drents-Friese Wold
On the border between the provinces of Friesland and Drenthe lies Drents-Friese Wold National Park, the second largest woodland area in the Netherlands.
Within these extensive woodlands one can find beautiful inland dunes, the Aekingerzand. This area lies next
to a recently restored valley and a beautiful fen, De Grenspoel. But the beautiful moorlands of Doldersum and
Wapse are also worth mentioning. Butterflies such as the Alcon Blue (maculinea alcon) and the Dwarf
Rattlesnake Plantain of the orchid family (Goodyera repens) are just two examples of the special flora and fauna to be found in the park.
More than one million tourists visit this park of 6,100 hectares annually. There are as many as 32 marked
walks, and also many cycle paths and horse-drawncart and nature paths. Visitors can watch out for unusual
bird sorts from the watch towers in Doldersumveld and De Aekingerzand. The visitor's centre can be found in Appelscha and there's also an information centre in Diever.
National Park Lauwersmeer
In the northmost part of the Netherlands, on the border between the provinces of Friesland and Groningen,
lies a unique nature reserve of 6,000 hectares, Lauwersmeer National Park. In this vast and vibrant
landscape the tranquillity is almost tangible. Up until 30 years ago the Waddenzee had the upper hand here,
but to combat flooding a dike was built and as a result the Lauwersmeer was created. It was soon apparent that an exceptional environment had developed.
The Lauwersmeer region is now renowned for it's fields of purple orchids, flowering in May and June.
Among the daily visitors are rare birds such as the Black-winged Stilt (Himantopus himantopus), the Hen
Harrier (Circus cyaneus) and the Bearded Tit (Panurus biarmicus). During the winter hundreds of thousands
of migrating birds stay here, the Bewick's Swan (Cygnus colobianus), Wigeion (Anas penelope) and the Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) among them.
By grazing Scottish Highlanders and Konik horses the landscape remains 'open'. Visitors can cycle, trek, canoe, sail and birdwatch.
National Park Schiermonnikoog
Schiermonnikoog National Park was finally established in 1989. This most northerly of the inhabited Dutch
'Wadden' islands consists mainly of dunes and salt marshes and has a very wide North-Sea strand. Because
cars are prohibited, except for holders of a special license, it's a paradise for cyclists and trackers.
Schiermonnikoog is visited annually by approximately 300,000 people, 100,000 of which are day-trippers.
The largest part of the nature reserve falls under the management of Natuurmonumenten, while the sea dikes
are the responsibility of Rijkswaterstaat. The eastern point of Schiermonnikoog has the most unrept nature in
the Netherlands. The landscape changes daily under the influence of wind and water. National Park Schiermonnikoog is an island of natural tranquillity.
Tour Operators
Create your perfect trip to Friesland - Flight, Hotel and Car
Crown Blue Lines - boating holidays
Cruising on Friesland's tranquile waterways is one of the best ways to discover the real flavour of this
province in the north east of the Netherlands. Images of serene sailing boats, waterside cycle routes, neatly kept marinas and nature parks combine with traditional dutch hospitality.
Farm Holidays in the Netherlands
HF Holidays - Anglodutchsports - cycling holiday - IJssel Lake
Discover the 17th century trading towns and picturesque fishing villages that surround the Lake IJssel. Visit
the remains of the town's fortifications in Enkhuizen, the old Hanseatic port of Stavoren, the beaches of Harderwijk and the pretty town of Eemnes.
Hoorn [ North Holland ] - Ferry across the IJssel Lake to Stavoren [ Friesland ] - Ossenzijl - Zwartsluis - Harderwijk [ Overijssel ] - Eemnes - Weesp - Amsterdam
Abercrombie & Kent - Canal & River Cruising
Travel Guides Friesland / Related books
Amazon.com - Travel Guides Netherlands
Holland Insight Compact Guide (Insight Compact Guides S.)
Transport / How do I travel to Friesland
Groningen Airport Eelde
Regional airport for the northern Netherlands [ scheduled flights from UK via flybmi ]
Airline Tickets / Bargain Flights
DFDS Seawaysg(16189450)a(576231))
Newcastle - IJmuiden / Amsterdam [ visiting Amsterdam, Gouda, Haarlem, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and more ]
Ferries to France from Dover ( cross-channel ferry ).
NS Domestic - Dutch Railways - Journey Planner, Ticket Information, Station Facilities
You can travel by train from Amsterdam to Leeuwarden and Harlingen
You can travel by bus almost everywhere in Friesland.
9292ov - Public Transport in the Netherlands [ dutch only ]
Ferries: The ferry to Vlieland and Terschelling departs from the city of Harlingen, the ferry to Ameland departs
from the city of Holwerd and the ferry to Schiermonnikoog departs from Lauwersoog
Links 
Enjoy Friesland - Beleef Friesland [ tourist board Friesland ]
Beleef Noord-Nederland [ Tourist Board Northern Netherlands
]
Provinsje Fryslân - Province of Friesland
Leeuwarden - capital city of Friesland
The city centre reveals many relics of the past including canals, bridges and old houses with superb facades.
There are also great shopping streets and cosy pubs and cafes. Worth visiting is the weigh-house (1589) at
Nieuwestad which was the old trading centre for butter and cheese, it now houses a restaurant. The towns
symbol is the leaning Oldhove tower (16th c). In the town square is the townhall, built in 1713, around the
corner is the palace of justice. At the Voorstreek you find a beautiful and imposing neogothic church from the late 19th century.
Aldeboarn - Nature Park De Deelen
See Deelen route [ with map and partners ]
Mid-Friesland [ Middle Friesland ]
Ameland [ Island ] - main village is Ballum
Schiermonnikoog [ Island ]
Terschelling [ Island ] - main village is West-Terschelling
Vlieland [ Island ] - main village is Oost-Vlieland
Central and West Friesland
Municipalities / villages : Bolsward, Gaasterland -Sloten, Langweer-Joure, lemsterland, Makkum-Wunseradiel, Mid-Fryslan, Nijefurd, Wymbritseradiel and Sneek.
Achtkarspelen - Municipality Achtkarspelen - Buitenpost
Bolsward - Municipality Bolsward - Bolsward - 550 years city rights
Boarnsterhim - Municipality Boarnsterhim - Grou
Dantumadeel - Municipality Dantumadeel - Damwoude
Dongeradeel - Municipality Dongeradeel - main center is Dokkum
Ferwerderadiel - Municipality Ferwerderadiel - Ferwert
Franekeradeel - Municipality Franekeradeel - Franeker
Consists of : Achlum, Dongjum, Firdgum, Herbayum, Hitzum , Oosterbierum, Peins, Pietersbierum, Ried, Schalsum, Sexbierum, Tzummarum, Tzum, Zweins en de buurtschappen Klooster Lidlum and Boer.
Gaasterlân-Sleat - Balk
Harlingen - Municipality Harlingen - most important port Province Friesland
Heerenveen - Municipality Heerenveen [ central-south-Friesland ]
Het Bildt - Municipality Het Bildt - Sint Annaparochie
Kollumerland en Nieuwkruisland - Municipality Kollumerland - Kollum
Langezwaag
Leeuwarden - Municipality Leeuwarden
Leeuwarderadeel - Stiens
Lemsterland - Lemmer
Littenseradiel - Wommels
Menaldumadeel - Menaldum
Nijefurd - Workum
Ooststellingwerf - Oosterwolde
Opsterland - Beetsterzwaag
Skarsterlân - Joure
Smallingerland - Drachten
Sneek - water sports centre
Tytsjerksteradiel - Burgum
Weststellingwerf - Wolvega
Wűnseradiel - Witmarsum
Wymbritseradiel - IJlst
Former municipalities in Friesland - Wikipedia
Wadden Sea area
A large part of Fryslân has been and continues to be formed by the sea. This is most evident in and around
the Wadden Sea, where ebb and flow occur every six hours, providing an almost complete alternation of land
and water. This activity makes for a unique wildlife area with a unique abundance of birds and fish.
Elfsteden - 'Eleven cities'
For centuries the Frisian sea clay region was a thriving area. This is apparent from the fact that all of
Fryslân's eleven cities are located in this region. During the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries they
developed into centres that played important roles in the trade and services of the day, and in a few cases
(Harlingen, Stavoren) they became seaports from which Frisian agricultural products were exported.
Frisian clay region
Fertile fields, green meadows, a grand landscape with dikes and terps filling the horizon. This is a picture of
northern and western Fryslân, a region that was slowly reclaimed from the sea in the distant past
Frisian Low Midlands
From the south of Dokkum to Stavoren: one quick look at a map of Fryslân reveals a region abounding in
water along this strip that stretches from the northeast to the southwest. It's an area full of lakes, waterways
and ditches, alternating with pastureland rich in peat. This is Fryslân's 'low midlands'.
The 'Wouden'
Along Fryslân's eastern and southern borders, in a higher sandy area, lies an-other typical kind of landscape
called the 'Wouden'. The common denominator here is a landscape whose banks of trees and shrubs surrounding the meadows and fields gives it a protected character.
IJssel Lake
From salt water to fresh ... after the closing of the Afsluitdijk in 1932, a tremendous change took place in the
huge body of water located to the west of Fryslân - once the Zuiderzee and now the IJsselmeer. Formerly it
was a rich fishing region where herring, anchovies and flounder were caught. Prosperous seaports lay on its banks, bustling with international trade.
Today fish are still being caught - pike perch, eel and smelt - but the great age of the Zuiderzee fishing
industry has disappeared. A new 'fresh water environment' has developed, with its own following: during the
summer you see more and more water sports enthusiasts passing through the locks at the old trading towns of Lemmer and Stavoren.
Aldeboarn - Nature area De Deelen
Eernewoude
Originally Eernewoude was a village inhabbited by fisherman and peat cutters, it was also a centre of reed
production, it is now an important water sports centre. The Skutsje museum records the history of the well
known flat bottom boats (Skutjes). The sail and mast making workshops should also be visited. Close to the
village is the famous nature reserve. De oude Venen also known as the Princenhof where you will find beautiful mooring places in natural surroundings.
Fishing - Frisian lakes, canals and the sea
You can fish almost everywhere. You can either take your fishing rod and sit on the banks of a lake or a
canal, or you can sign up for a sea-fishing trip on a boat on the Yssel lake, the Waddensea or the North Sea.
See for mote indo the 'Viskaart voor Friesland / Fishing map for Friesland', avalable at the tTourist Boards with
plenty information about fishing spots, accommodations like boat rental, slipways, fishing as well as behaviour rules and descriptions of the fishing waters and fishes that can be caught.
Grou
Full or character, the little shipping village of Grou on the shores of the Pikmeer has developed into a popular
international water sports centre for Friesland as elsewhere in the Frisian lake district the Pikmeer is ideal for season sailing.
Harlingen
A north sea coastal town with a rich collection of historic buildings reminiscent of the heyday of trading and
shipping, the town centre is an intricate mixture of period buildings and narrow alleyways. Voorstraat is the
shopping centre in Harlingen. Take a trip on one of the old sailing ships from the "bruine vloot" (brown fleet)
formerly belonging to the largest merchant fleet in the Netherlands. Ferry services to and from Vlieland and Terschelling run from Harlingen
Heeg - in the south west of Friesland
A a special place, from 1731 until the 1930's, eel boats set sail from there on route for London. The captains
houses in the centre of Heeg are a superb legacy from this period. Heeg is pretty town catering for tourists, with good restaurants, cafes by the waterfront and a lively night life.
Koudum
The village is situated on the lake district of the Fluessen and the Morra, on the border of the Woods of
Gaasterland and the IJsselmeer. The landscape which was formed in the ice ages gives the countryside a
hilly character. In the areas around Koudum, you can find numerous cycle paths through nature reserves and alongside lakes.
Middle Friesland - Mid-Fryslân
Almost every village in Mid-Fryslân is connected through lakes and all sorts of waterways. So it's not to be
wondered that water sports play a central role in Mid-Fryslân. Populaire watersport centers like Grou, Aernewald , Terherne and Akkrum are generally known, while also the smaller places like Jirnsum, Warten,
Wergea en Aldeboarn are coming up as typical Frisian watersports villages. Mid-Fryslân is niet alleen bij
uitstek geschikt voor de grote watersport, ook voor kano- en roeiliefhebbers bieden de vele sloten en kleine vaartjes ongekende mogelijkheden.
ms Oosterkim, Deventer, tel 0570-613648 - river cruises
Sloten - the smallest of the eleven Frisian towns.
A charming fortified town with ramparts, two impressive water gates and an old windmill built in the 18th
century which is a landmark for the area. Sloten still possesses the atmosphere of its hey days. The towns beautiful gables are reflected in the tree lined central canal.
Sneek week [ sailing regatta's and fair ] - Tourist Board Sneek
Speelpark Duinenzathe in Appelscha, Friesland
Skutjesilen - official website of the 'Sintrale Kommisje Skűtsjesilen'
Vaartips - nautiscal knowledge bank - information and advice
Vaarroutes Friese meren ZW, Friese meren NO, Franeker-Hralingen, Dokkum en Lange Turfroute
Wadlopen - walking through the Waddensea
During the ebb of the sea you can (together with an experienced guide) take a walk across (nearly) dried up
sandbanks from the mainland at Holwerd or Wierum to the islands of Ameland and Schiermonnikoog. Thus
you walk through one of The Netherlands's, perhaps even one of the world's, most unique natural resorts.
Walking in Friesland
Friesland has a lot of woods, moors and sandy plains, especially in the south and south-west in Gaasterland,
in the south-east near the city of Appelscha and on all of the Frisian islands. They offer a great opportunity to
walk along the specially constructed paths. The 'Boswachterij Appelscha/Smilde' in the south-east is known to be one of the Netherlands's largest.
Workum - Jopie Huisman Museum
Cuisine - Frisian Foods - Recipes
Beerenburg - 'Us nasjonale slokje' [ national Frisian drink ]
Bintje [ potatoe ]
Drabbelkoeken [ Drabbel Cookies ]
When you visit Sneek you should savour the famous local delicacy of 'drabbelkoeken' a sweet and tasty cake, and take a stroll through the attractive shopping streets.
Friese recepten [ Frisian recipes ]
Hete Bliksem [ hot lightning ]
Friese pot - from sipelsop and snorrepotsje
Paperback | 94 Pages | Ruitenberg Boek | 2004
Frysk Hynder - Frisian whisky
Tafelen in Friesland
Us Heit - dark beer with a sweet taste from Bolsward
History of Friesland - Frysian History
2004 was the Year of Bonifatius - in remembrance of the english priest Bonifatius, who was murdered becaus of his catholic believe on the 5th of Juni 754 at Dokkum. See also the story of Saint Willibord
Frisian Museum in Leeuwarden
Historical Center City of Leeuwarden - Community Archive
Joure Museum
Fries Genootschap - Royal Frisian Company for History and Culture
Fries Scheepvaartmuseum [ Frisian Maritime Museum ]
Historisch Centrum Leeuwarden - archive of the municipality of Leeuwarden
Music, Arts & Culture, Events in friesland
Folsgearster-folk - Folk music
Sielesalt by Nynke Laverman - Nynke Laverman - Frisian Fado's
o.a. De iensumen, De frou oan it finster, Vida triste, r wie ris, De űntdekker, Angústia, Foar de fiere prins, O enjeitado
Pink Records, Fama 196001.
Frisian Museum in Leeuwarden, Turfmarkt 11 [ Frisian Museum ]
Bonifastiusloop [ March ] - Dokkumbonifatiusloop
The participants of the Bonifiatiusloop pass through the historic center of Dokkum.
Experienced runners, tourists and school children take part enthusiastically. The Boniface Walk has three distances: 5 km, 10 km and 21.1 km half marathon.
Friesian Balloon Festival, an annual event in Joure
The Frisian Balloon Festival is held in the little town of Joure since 1986. Daily to over 35 hot air balloons rise
from the Nutsbaan in Joure. The event usually takes place in the last week of July. See Ballonfeesten.nl.
Harlingen fishing days - annual event in Harlingen
The Harlingen fishing days are a four-day festival for young and old to promote the city of Harlingen and
fishing industry with many cultural and popular events such as music, singing, dancing, fishing, sporting events, markets, fairs, army vehicles, history, art, animation etc etc. See Visserijdagenharlingen.nl.
Oerol Festival - annual festival on the island of Terschelling
The 10-day festival Frisian summer festival that takes place each June on the island of Terschelling and focuses on live, public theatre as well as music and the visual arts.
Oerol takes its name from an old Terschelling tradition, when for a short time in early spring cattle were allowed to roam freely on the island, grazing on any and all available greenery. See Oerol.nl.
Slaughter Marathon - a quadrennial sporting event on the Slachtedijk
The Slachte winds from the mudflats to the heart of Friesland: a dream of a dyke, from Oosterbierum to Raerd, a dream of a dike, which proudly protrudes above the green meadow landscape.
Ever since the Middle Ages it is there, always vigilant to reverse the rising water and to put a protective arm around her residents. Then she lingers for a long time, as a resting monument.
The Slaughter Marathon is a marathon on the Slachtedijk in Friesland. The start and finish location changes at every edition. See Slachtemarathon.nl.
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