Hello staycation! Unique and local holiday destinations for summer

If you want to relax and de-stress, you don’t need to travel far. In fact, some people find going on holiday stressful in and of itself. Having to plan a vacation, rushing to the airport and packing your suitcase can all cause tension. When you have a staycation, there’s no stress and you can experience that wonderful vacation feeling in your own country.

Unwind with a day at the beach

In the mood for a beach day? Don’t miss your chance to visit Blijburg Amsterdam. This famous beach club will close its doors at the end of summer. Because of this, Blijburg intends to have its best summer yet with lots of extra events and cultural programs.

Relaxing in Zandvoort and looking for a nice place to eat? Visit Hippie Fish. This beach club is famous for its fantastic interior and beautiful view of the sea. Relax with your feet in the sand while enjoying a delicious meal--sounds perfect right?

Or you can visit the roof terrace DeDAKKAS in Haarlem for the first time. This terrace is the newest hotspot of Haarlem where you can go for an organic meal from the restaurant’s own garden while enjoying magnificent view over the city. And that’s not all: there are also nice activities such as yoga classes, musical performances, workshops and film festivals.

Living on the other side of the Netherlands? No need to travel to the west to enjoy the beach. Visit the stadsstrand in Zwolle! Here a part of the canals is transformed with white sand, palm trees and beach chairs. You can also participate in summer activities and order delicious meals.

An overnight stay close to home

Waking up with the sounds of the waves and the scent of the sea? Book an overnight stay in a beach cottage on Kijkduin in Den Haag. The front of the house is entirely made out of glass which makes sure you can enjoy the beautiful view of the sea from the comfort of your own bed. The beach of Kijkduin is calm and wide which makes this the perfect place to slow down.  

Would you rather stay somewhere in the countryside? Bed & Breakfast Heerlijkheyd in Polsbroek offers the perfect relaxing stay in a former farmhouse. This B&B has a beautiful garden with view over the Lopikerwaardse polders. Take a bike trip, walk or relax your mind while gardening. Extra bonus: this Bed & Breakfast caters to only one set of guests at a time. This makes it the perfect place for the right amount of relaxation!

Visit the best spots of Rotterdam

In the mood for a city trip? You do not have to go far; plan a day to Rotterdam! Take the water taxi from the Willemskade to the trendy neighborhood Katendrecht. Visit the Fenix Food Factory for fresh, locally sourced food which is produced right on the spot. Walk along the Rijnhavenbrug to Hotel New York and end your day with a delicious meal and view over the Maas.

Dive into the nature of the Wadden Islands

On the Wadden Islands you can enjoy white sand and the many quiet forests. Visit Vlieland, one of the smallest Wadden islands. Cars are not allowed on this island, making it the perfect place for ultimate relaxation. Rent a bike and explore the island dunes or go for an excursion to the Kroonspolder and spot seals at the sandbank at the Richel.

Dive into relaxation in the following places

Explore what positive energy can do for you and visit de Zwier. De Zwier is a place where you have both overnight stays and many day activities. Try the Yoga Retreat, or if you’re really brave attempt the ‘24 hours without challenge’: try living without internet for 24 hours. And finally, you can enjoy the nice whether with a relaxing boat trip on the water.

In the mood for a day at the spa? Visit one of the Rituals Urban Spas. The Urban Spa offers a variety of the best Asian-inspired treatments. For example, book a luxurious body massage with warm bamboo sticks or enjoy a detox massage originally practiced in India.  

Home is where your holiday is

You can also celebrate summer at home by introducing some new activities into your life.  Start gardening, take a mindfulness course or read one of the books featured in our summer reading list. Any of these things will give you that special holiday feeling from the comfort of your own home. And if you actually do end up traveling for a holiday, doing these things once you are back will help you hold onto that vacation feeling just a bit longer.