Christmas in the Netherlands

Happy Holidays Readers! This week I’ll be outlining the perfect, festive trip to really get you in the holiday spirit. And where is this destination you ask? Well, hope you’re ready for an international trip because you’ll be heading on an adventure Valkenburg, The Netherlands. This city is the hub for Christmas activities in the Netherlands, where there’s a velvet cave that’s transformed into a Christmas market, an 18^th century chapel for Christmas morning mass, and even a “Christmas Express” train. You don’t need to be too concerned about the language barrier here, most Dutch people also speak English very well, especially those working in the tourism industry.

TRANSPORTATION

You’ll obviously be traveling by plane, arriving at Dusseldorf International Airport in Germany. I’m not going to lie, this flight is pretty long (11 hours from Pittsburgh), but I promise it will be worth it. Flights to Dusseldorf aren’t that expensive –  if you can book ahead of time and search around for a good deal on different websites, you can score a round-trip flight for around $600. From Dusseldorf, you’ll grab a train to Valkenburg, a little under two hours in duration at a very cheap price of around twenty euros. So, sit back, relax, and observe the beautiful German countryside as you continue your journey to the Netherlands!

LODGING

For your stay, I’d suggest booking a room or a suite at Parkhotel Valkenburg. It features a spa, gym, pool, and fabulous restaurant, all for about $70 a night. It’s a local place, so you’ll get a real Dutch feel instead of staying at an American chain hotel. As a bonus, its less than a quarter mile from Valkenburg’s town center, so you’ll easily be able to walk everywhere and thus avoid the cost and stress of renting a car. The hotel is also near the surrounding forests, so there’s some great trials to walk, run, or cycle. There’s even a very “regal” breakfast served in the morning, so you can have a great start to your day.

FOOD 

While I’d suggest grabbing some meals at the restaurant in your hotel, there’s also some great places to taste authentic Dutch cuisine around Valkenburg:

• Gouden Leeuw – cozy and intimate dutch restuarnt, moderately priced
• Restaurant Chateau St. Gerlach – a VERY fancy, beautiful restaurant if you want to splurge for a night
• Cup & Vino – perfect for post-dinner desert and cup of coffee
• Chalet Tivoli – great local breakfast and lunch spot
• De Burcht – good quality but inexpensive, perfect for a more casual lunch or dinner

ACTIVITIES

• Christmas Market in the Caves – Valkenburg is home to caves that were excavated hundreds of years ago, and have a long history of being a hideout during different wars throughout history. The walls of the caves are adorned with paintings and sculptures, creating a beautiful scene rich in history. For Christmas, these caves are decorated for the holiday, and are the host for different artisan vendors, creating a truly one of a kind experience. There’s three different ones to choose from, with different decorations and activities at each one.
• Castle Ruins – Valkenburg is also home to an 11^th century castle, so be sure to visit during your stay
• Christmas Fairytales Parade – each year, Valkenburg holds a parade filled with beautifully lit floats and elaborately costumed dancers
• Explore the city! The streets are beautiful with amazing architecture, and there’s plenty of shops to stroll in and out of