Overview

With a driving time from Calais of just 5 hours, this destination is ideal for a first time trip abroad or for groups looking for a visit that is not too far from home.

Our study base is located at Beekbergen/Apeldoorn which offers shops cafés and supermarkets close by that can be reached on foot or by bicycle from our accommodation. We have based our studies close to the Hoge Veluwe National Park and all the other locations are easily accessible so that groups can visit the wide variety of landscapes that Holland has to offer whether it is the Polders, Amsterdam or the coast. There are several opportunities for relaxation in Deventer and Apeldoorn with ice skating, swimming and bowling is possible.

Accommodation

Hotel Fletcher

3 Star

The Hotel Fletcher offers a warm welcome and is located between Apeldoorn and Arnhem in the middle of the “Green Heart”. The 3* accommodation has an informal atmosphere and offers student rooms for 2-4  with en-suite facilities,TV, phone and safe. Meals are full board with breakfast buffet, packed lunch and 3 course dinner. Facilities at the hotel include a bar restaurant and meeting rooms with fully equipped conference rooms.

Stayokay

2 Star

Stayokay Apeldoorn is located on the edge of the woods, just outside the city of Apeldoorn and is close to the lovely national park of De Hoge Veluwe. As such, the hostel is an ideal destination and provides good access to the study area. The student rooms are for 2-4 persons, all have private facilities. The heart of the building features a bar, lounge, reading room and billiards – it is a great place to relax, enjoy and discover. Meals are full board with a packed lunch, usually made by the students after breakfast. There is a sports field with no less than 21 pitches located directly adjacent to the hostel.  The capacity is 136.

Sample Itinerary

• Day 1

  Depart from school for a morning ferry/tunnel crossing, arriving at your accommodation in time for evening meal. Depending upon your itinerary it may be possible to incorporate a visit en route to your hotel
• Day 2

  Flevoland Polder. There are several options that include an agricultural land use transect, settlement hierarchy, the new Polder Museum and pirate ship Batavia. Outlet shopping.

  Eve: Swimming
• Day 3

  De Hoge Veluwe National Park. The park is a vast area of glacial moraines and outwash deposits that produce a complex vegetation pattern of heathland, woodland and sand dunes! Visit the Museonder underground museum, take a cycle ride around the park, ask visitor questionnaires – or do all three!

  Eve: In- house
• Day 4

  Amsterdam. Use the park and ride to test the transportation system, follow this with a trip on the canals and spend the afternoon at Vollendam, a coastal resort. Here it is possible for tourism studies and some shopping before the journey home. Between Amsterdam and Vollendam it’s also possible to find out how Gouda cheese is made and taste or to see how clogs are made.

  Eve: Bowling
• Day 5

  Depart after breakfast for the return journey back to school.

  This is a suggested itinerary only and can be of any length, combined in a variety of ways and be tailored to include the geographical excursions and visits that you require. Any quotation will INCLUDE excursion and entry fees as stated in the itinerary. We will provide a guide price for any additional visits/activities.

Excursions

STUDY OPTIONS.

EUROPORT, ROTTERDAM.

Europort is immense, the largest port complex in Europe and it is still growing. The study unit enables students to understand the volume and variety of cargoes handled by the port and the amount of international trade that occurs here. Visits can include Euromast, the highest point in Holland, which gives an excellent view over the complex. It is also possible to take a boat trip around Rotterdam port in support of the tasks for this unit.

WASSENAAR SAND DUNES.

Holland has a constant battle with the sea and the sand dunes at Wassenaar, north of Den Haag, form part of the coastal defences and also provide freshwater relaxation. Its location close to urban areas creates competing demands on the environment and ecosystem which has to be carefully managed.

DE HOGE VLEUWE NATIONAL PARK.

This is a vast area of glacial moraine and outwash sands from the last Ice Age that has created a wilderness in the green heart of the country and diverted major rivers south from their pre-glacial outlet into the North Sea through the Zuider See to the Rhine delta as we know it today. Several study options are possible in the park.
a) A study of the landscape. This is best observed by taking a cycle ride along well marked routes to appreciate the different environments that exist. The distinctive white bikes are free and readily available at various points around the park.
b) The Museonder. This is a museum with a difference. Built underground, it enables visitors to study soils, life cycles and water tables using practical exhibits.
c) A visitor questionnaire will allow the collection of primary data for analysis of visitor’s origin, occupation and reasons for visit etc.

AMSTERDAM.

Like so many cities, Amsterdam experiences traffic problems and congestion. Several solutions have been proposed bu all are expensive and compounded by the canal network within the city. Take the opportunity the travel into the city using the Park and ride system to assess its efficiency and meet your coach later. A trip on the canals will provide a background to the city and a unique view of it from the water. It’s also possible to include a visit to Ann Franck’s house as part of the day. Alternatively combine Amsterdam with a visit to the pretty coastal resort of Vollendam and en-route discover how clogs and cheese is made.

FLEVOLAND POLDER.

As part of the Dutch policy to create more space, the Polder land reclamation scheme has been well established since the 1840’s although the earliest drainage scheme dates back to 1200! As a result there are several study possibilities in the area of Flevoland.
a) Settlement is planned and so the area lends itself to a study of settlement hierarchy, through land use mapping and shopping questionnaires.
b) The new Polder Museum, recently renovated and redesigned, gives a clear understanding of the polders and their importance. A brief video, the museum and then build your own dams in the water tank all enhance understanding.
c) Global trade via shipping routes around the world are a part of the Dutch heritage. Batavia is a replica of the 1629 vessel and well worth a visit!