Chaos, Tulips, and Windmills

A Little About the Trip

There’s something about the Netherlands that feels like it’s straight out of a storybook — windmills, cows, flat roads, and calm. We didn’t really know what to expect on our first holiday as a blended family, but it turned into one of those trips that teaches you about each other — laughter, chaos, and enough cheese to feed a small village.

Between the six of us, the idea of a “perfect holiday” changes every five minutes. Somehow, the Netherlands managed to tick every box.

The Journey There

We flew from Stansted after an overnight stay that made the morning far less stressful. The flight was smooth, and the car hire was even smoother — upgraded to a seven-seater Dacia Jogger automatic, which instantly felt like a win.

The only downside? With six of us and all our luggage, the boot space was tight, so the kids became human origami.

First Impressions of the Accommodation

The moment we arrived in Aalten, it felt like stepping into a postcard. The house was huge — more bedrooms than we needed, a private pool, and modern touches like a dishwasher and a coffee machine. Surrounded by open fields and cows, it instantly felt peaceful and homely.

Settling Into the Week

Our first full day was chilled — exploring the area, stocking up on supplies, and making a plan for the week. Little did we know how much we would fit in…

Days Out and Discoveries

Burgers’ Zoo

Burgers’ Zoo was incredible. A gigantic indoor desert biome turned me into a walking puddle — I got so hot I had to buy a pair of socks to wipe sweat off my forehead. Very expensive socks. Very worth it. They had manatees on them.

The rainforest biome was even better — real manatees, sun bears, tropical plants, and kids accidentally getting splashed by animals (hilarious for us, less so for them).

The treetop trails were brilliant too, with rickety bridges and jungle views that felt straight out of a movie.

It was one of those places that makes you feel like a kid again — sweaty, wide-eyed, and completely in awe

Amsterdam

We arrived in Amsterdam later than planned, but parking was surprisingly easy. Even in the evening, the city was stunning — canals, crooked houses, glowing windows, and busy streets full of life.

I’d recommend going during the day if you’re with kids — by nighttime, it gets rowdier, and there’s a very… distinct smell in the air.

We couldn’t book a boat trip (annoying), but we spent hours walking the streets, exploring shops, admiring the train station’s architecture, and even visiting the famous Rubber Duck Shop.

Dinxperlo — Two Countries, One Street

Dinxperlo is a border town split between the Netherlands and Germany. We bought a Coke in the Netherlands and one in Germany — just a few steps apart — both labelled differently. A weirdly fun novelty.

The fun stopped briefly when we got a flat tyre and spent six hours stuck beside cornfields. Morale was low until Amy’s youngest sat down on what he thought was grass… and disappeared into a ditch. Once we knew he was fine, we all laughed for far too long.

Efteling – The Highlight

Efteling wasn’t just a theme park — it was a fairytale come to life.

We rode Joris en de Draak, the racing wooden coasters; D-raak, which was pure adrenaline; and the old-school looper Python.

The dark rides were beyond anything we expected — immersive, magical, beautifully themed.

Everywhere smelled like waffles and wonder. Music drifted from the Fairytale Forest, and laughter echoed from the coasters.

Having been to Disneyland Paris, I can honestly say Efteling felt cleaner, greener, and more heartfelt.

My daughter summed it up perfectly:

> “That was better than Disneyland.”

The food was incredible too — smoothies, salads, fresh buffet dishes — all reasonably priced and full of colour.

Dutch Food Surprises

Dutch theme park food puts the UK to shame. Fresh salads, vibrant dishes, fruit, smoothies — even fast food felt healthy. And the prices? Shockingly fair.

Jumbo’s — The Supermarket of Dreams

Jumbo’s stole our hearts.

Wall-to-wall displays of cheese, fresh salad kits, olives, cured meats, pastries… everything beautifully presented and genuinely exciting to walk around.

Even the kids loved it — pointing out strange snacks we’d never seen and treating the aisles like an adventure.

Honestly, the UK needs a Jumbo’s. Immediately.

Evenings at the Villa

Evenings were simple and perfect — kids laughing in the pool, football in the garden, visiting horses, and watching the dairy cows sprint across the field to greet us every night.

The space gave us freedom, and the host was incredibly helpful. Amy kept us grounded when I over-planned (which I always do). It felt like a family home for the week.

Reflections and Family Lessons

This trip was a huge learning curve. Blending families isn’t always easy — six personalities, four ages, two adults trying to keep the peace — but we learned how to work as a team.

It became our “fact-finding holiday,” showing us what works, what doesn’t, and how to communicate better.

More than anything, it taught me that holidays aren’t about ticking things off a list — they’re about patience, teamwork, and laughing when things inevitably go wrong.

The kids still say it was one of the best holidays they’ve ever had.

Would I Recommend the Netherlands?

Absolutely. It’s perfect for families and solo travellers alike. Friendly people, easy English communication, cycling routes, windmills, historical towns, theme parks, and peaceful countryside.

There’s genuinely something for everyone.

Coming Home

The journey home was… interesting.

We dealt with tyre issues, insurance calls, and then discovered my car had broken down at the airport too.

Not ideal. Not relaxing.

But somehow, even through that chaos, I felt proud.

We’d survived — and thrived — on a real family adventure.

Final Thoughts

Chaos, tulips, and windmills.

That’s how I’ll remember our first family trip to the Netherlands — messy, funny, meaningful, and full of heart.

It wasn’t the smoothest holiday, but it was ours.