Discover the Netherlands like a local. Cycle through national parks, along river shores, climb the Dutch mountains, cross borders and see the heather in bloom.
One question: the Kroondomein closure for the Royal Family's hunting is that genuinely accepted without much friction, or is there a quiet Dutch grumbling about it that doesn't make it into the official explanation?
As a new Dutchie, I’m loving the cycling culture here. I agree the Veluwe is tops for cycling. There’s also great cycling around Venlo. Groningen has lots of open spaces for cycling - and wind! A bit challenging on our non-electric bikes! Tot ziens!
Hallo new Dutchie, welkom! Oh yes Groningen has a lot of wind - I experienced that last year on a ride. I always check windfinder.com before I go; and also to plan tailwind on my way back 🙃
Riding bikes in Amsterdam was one of my best travel experiences. Although I never managed to master the left hand turn. It was just too overwhelming. But I did learn how to get to places doing right hand turns only. 😀
I live in Lusaka, Zambia now. And we love it here. But I do miss cycling in the Netherlands. We lived in Eindhoven for about 15 years, and I miss cycling on the various paths and roads to Nuenen, Son en Breugel, and even just to the shops!
One question: the Kroondomein closure for the Royal Family's hunting is that genuinely accepted without much friction, or is there a quiet Dutch grumbling about it that doesn't make it into the official explanation?
There is definitely some grumbling. It surfaces now and then in politics and the media, especially around the subsidy the Kroondomein receives and the seasonal closure during the hunting period. There is also an official explanation (see the Dutch Q&A pages on the Royal Household website: https://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/vraag-en-antwoord/gaat-een-deel-van-het-kroondomein-drie-maanden-per-jaar-dicht-voor-de-jacht and https://www.koninklijkhuis.nl/vraag-en-antwoord/jaagt-de-koning-op-kroondomein-het-loo), which frames the closure as necessary for nature management and “balance in the woods”.
In practice, both are true: it’s about ecological management, and it’s also where hunting takes place.
It becomes a discussion, sometimes even a small political storm, and then it settles again. People raise an eyebrow, make a remark, and move on.
After spending four weeks cycling a large loop in the Netherlands, I have to agree with you! It’s cycling heaven!
It's great to hear that! We are kind of spoiled with the bike lanes we have.
As a new Dutchie, I’m loving the cycling culture here. I agree the Veluwe is tops for cycling. There’s also great cycling around Venlo. Groningen has lots of open spaces for cycling - and wind! A bit challenging on our non-electric bikes! Tot ziens!
Hallo new Dutchie, welkom! Oh yes Groningen has a lot of wind - I experienced that last year on a ride. I always check windfinder.com before I go; and also to plan tailwind on my way back 🙃
Thanks for the tip, Marloes. I’ll check it out. Happy trails!
Thanks so much for this shoutout! Super kind
Riding bikes in Amsterdam was one of my best travel experiences. Although I never managed to master the left hand turn. It was just too overwhelming. But I did learn how to get to places doing right hand turns only. 😀
Oh that’s great! It can be so nice to cycle around Amsterdam. And it can be tricky; especially when it’s so crowded and people are rushed.
I live in Lusaka, Zambia now. And we love it here. But I do miss cycling in the Netherlands. We lived in Eindhoven for about 15 years, and I miss cycling on the various paths and roads to Nuenen, Son en Breugel, and even just to the shops!