Netherlands and Sports
In Netherlands, as in a lot of other countries, sport plays an important role in people's life and it is an important social phenomenon. The principals sports which are practiced in Netherlands are different: football, cycling, baseball, tennis, hockey, and also traditional sports such as fierljeppen or beugelen. In Netherlands many possibilities of sport tourism are offered in order to answer the request from people who want to visit this country practicing a sport activity. So tourists which are interested in this kind of tourism can choose among different itineraries (which are proposed below), or places where they can do a particular activity. For example, in Netherlands people usually ride a bicycle to move around, so in more of 100 stations is possible to rent a bicycle and in country's tourists offices you can buy maps and itineraries to follow.
Sport tourism includes not only activities to do, but also events to see. In Netherlands some sport events take place and the most interesting are:
Sport tourism includes not only activities to do, but also events to see. In Netherlands some sport events take place and the most interesting are:
- the Moto Gran Prix of Netherlands;
- the KLM Open (European Tour), a golf competition;
- the world championship of canoe polo, which takes place in Amsterdam;
- the Volvo Ocean Race, a journey around the world with a ship company;
- the Champions League of volleyball, which takes place in Rotterdam;
- the tournament of water polo, in Amsterdam;
the Ordina Open Tennis.
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Ice Skating In Holland
In Holland ice skating had played since XIII. People used steel shoes with soles made of wood, primarily as a transport. The competitions began in Holland in 1676 and in first part of the nineteenth century Dutch spread the idea of speed skating in neighboring European countries. The first official competition took place in Oslo in 1863. The International Skating Union (ISU) was founded in Scheveningen in 1892 and is the oldest international winter sports federation.
Now there are many places where tourists can practice this sport. In Amsterdam there are many organized structures that offer this service.
Museumplein
In the "Museumplein" each year is set up a skating rink. It is located on the pond behind the Rijksmuseum, the skating rink is open every day from early December to late February. With the night lighting track will be particularly beautiful. Skates can be rented through the site for only 3 euro. Admission is free.
The Cobra Café, next to the track, offers cakes and hot drinks, for example the typical Dutch sweet, the poffertje.
Schaatsbaan Leidseplein
The rink is open from November to January. From Monday to Friday at 10:00 to 23:00 and on Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 to 24:00. The cost of entry is only € 2.50 and tourists can rent skates only for €5, you can use them anytime you want. If you are in possession of the City Pass you could enjoy a free afternoon or evening on the skating rink. You will spend €15 if you want to spend a whole day in the Leidseplein. Plus, a large portion of pancakes and hot drinks will be offered to you.
Winterland Amsterdam
The ice rink is located on Rembrandtplein. It is open daily from 10.00 to 24.00. The access to the skating rink costs $ 4.00 per person. It 's also possible rent the skates only for €5 per person. The track is accessible only with skates or hockey skates.
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Fierljeppen
Fierljeppen literally means "jump as high as possible" and in fact the game consists to jump a river with the aid of a sturdy pole. The pole is between 8 and 13 m long and it has a flat round plate at the bottom to prevent it from sinking into the muddy river or canal bottom.
This sport is originated from the first farmers Friesians because this region has always been plagued by floods and the villagers were planning their lands to prevent the destruction of crops with the pole, so the Fierljeppen was born.
Today the sport is especially practiced for fun or to entertain tourists, but there still is an official annual National Fierljepping Manifestation (NFM) in the Netherlands, and championships are contested in six leagues and numerous clubs.
The current world record for this sport is 21.51 meters, during the Dutch Championships, by Bart Helmholt from Hardegarijp (Friesland) in 2011.
International tourists who have visited Friesland and who have observed this sport are fashinating and they have helped to spread its popularity throughout the globe.
Courses in Leeuwarden, the Frisian capital of the region and the capital of this sports, are also organized to allow and to learn this unique sport. It’s possible also to visit one of the many fierljeppen matches during the summer season, that is the best time to go and see this sport.
This is a characteristic and particular activity that tourists can admire and play in Netherlands.
- Itineraries -
Cycling in Northern Netherlands among tulips and nature
Presentation of the Tour
Netherlands is a country of culture with a fascinating history which has attracted tourists during all times. Amsterdam, the capital city of this country is also well-known as the city of night-life and for the tolerance for soft drugs consumption, so it became the symbol of transgression and entertainment, especially for young tourists. In this tour we'll present a different face of Northern Netherlands, the one that include smell of tulips and bicycle riding.
Length of the stay: 4 days and 3 nights
Departing from: Milano, Orio al Serio Airport with scheduled flight
Starting point of the tour: Amsterdam
Period of the Tour: during spring time, this is the best period to enjoy the beauty of the flowerinf of bulbs.
Prices: 470 Euro per person.
Price Includes: Accommodation, multilingual tour director, coach trasfer from and to the airport, rent bicycles, water sports instructor, sport equipment.
Price doesn't include: Hotel tips and all items not mentioned above
Means of transport: Plane, private coach and bikes.
Accommodation: Three stars Hotel.
Target: a group of 5-10 nature-lover people who wants to enjoy beautiful landscapes on their bicycle. This tour is characterized by daily stages of 25-30 km, so this is the best tour for those people who can't give up sport activities.
The tour
Day One » Arriving and visiting Amsterdam
Meet on arrival at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Amsterdam. Our first meeting with this magnificent city is expected by bicycle. After our arrival at the hotel we will transfer to the nearest agency to rent a bike (Amsterdam is the capital city of cycling, this activity can be practised everywhere here, in fact, almost all residents own a bicycle and regularly cycle across the city, lowering the city's pollution levels). In Amsterdam there are a lot of excellent paths with their traffic lights, which make cycling safer here than in other cities.
This day is dedicated to visit the historical and architecture core of the city riding our bike; we will see the waterfront and we get involved by Amsterdam's past, with its windmills and the its lovely “plantage” District.
Day Two » Amsterdam → Haarlem (19 km)
In the morning we move to Haarlem to continue our cycling tour. After our arriving in Haarlem we'll ride our bike and we'll visit this magnificent city, which is located in the middle of the so-called “Tulips regions”, this is our occasion to enjoy this colorful landscapes, where we will surrounded by a huge sight of flower-dotted fields that change their colours under the sunlight waved by spring wind.
Day Three » Haarlem → Leiden (40 km)
After our arriving to the near city of Leiden we will start the guided tour of the city. Riding our bike we'll cross the city center visiting its magnificent monuments with a courteous guide. Leiden is just 10 km from the North Sea Coast, in fact we'll have an exciting cycle ride in the dune area, this dune could reach a height of 25 meters. After a rest in this breathtaking landscapes we'll reach Kagerplassen, an area of natural rivers with typical windmills.
Day Four » Leiden → Kudelstaar (35-40 km)
In the morning we'll reach Kedelstaar, the capital city of water sports. In Kudelstaar we can find Westeinderplassen (“The West End Lakes”), an important complex of lakes. This day is dedicated to water sports; from sailing to rowing, from canoeing to water-skiing and speedboat sailing. A specialized instructor will be provided to teach you how to practice these sports.
Day Five » Kudelstaar → Amsterdam
In the morning we return to Amsterdam and coach we'll transfer us at the airport at the end of this memorable cycling tour.
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Island Tour by Bike and Sailing Fan Fryslan Sea
This fantastic tour is done mostly on board of a big sailing ship and by bike where people can enjoy the wonderful Netherlands nature.
The sailing ship is so large, comfortable and equipped with many comforts.
On a board we can find 40 beds in 12 cabins, 3 luxury suites, all with private bathroom, hot and cold water and minibar. There is also a big restaurant with dance floor, a bar, a library, a small swimming pool and a jacuzzi. For children there are entertainers that give life to their days.
Price: it includes breakfast, packed lunch, dinner, accommodation and English/Italian guide.
Supplements: bar, rental bike and sailing teacher.
- adults 680 € per person
- children under 12 years 360 €
- children under 2 years free
The Tour
From 10 To 16 August 2012
Departure from Enkhuizen at 2.00 p.m. and accommodation in cabins. After a welcome drink departure to den Oever. Dinner and night on board. Every evening a group of entertainers will entertain with shows, songs, dances and jokes.
Breakfast on board. Morning dedicated to head a breathtaking beach, where you can stop for a few hours and take sun, swim or relax yourself. At 6.00 p.m. departure from Texel, dinner and night on board.
Breakfast on board. Day dedicated to visit Texel island by bike (30/50 km); during this activity you can visit Den Bourg, the island capital. Packed lunch. Dinner and night on board.
Day Four » TEXEL → TERSCHELLING
Breakfast on board. During the morning you can go sailing (lessons are available both for experts and for beginners). Packed lunch. In the afternoon departure from Terschelling, during travel you can relax yourself in swimming pool or in jacuzzi or reading a book in the small and silent library. Dinner and night on board.
Day Five » TERSCHELLING → HARLINGEN
Breakfast on board. This day is dedicated to an island tour by bike (30/40km), here you can enjoy a varied landscape including coasts, swamps and forests, drive by a guide who show you the way and the different natural places. Packed lunch. Dinner and night on board. In the evening departure from Harlingen.
Day Six » HARLINGEN → MEDEMBLIK
Breakfast on board. During all the morning and the afternoon you visit the city and then departure from Medemblik. Dinner and night on board.
Day Seven » MEDEMBLIK → ENKHUIZENBreakfast and lunch on board. Day dedicated to visit Medemblik, here you can see Molen de Herder a wonderful, big and colored windmill. After that departure from Enkhuizen by sailng and end of tour.
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