visit to Zandvoort , stay in hotel or apartment and private home and villa
Zandvoort is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Zandvoort is one of the major beach resorts of the Netherlands; it has a long sandy beach, bordered by coastal dunes. It is also the site of the country's most important automobile racing circuit, Circuit Park Zandvoort. There is a nudist beach located about 2 km to the south, with 6 cafés or restaurants; it extends several kilometers further south.
The municipality of Zandvoort consists of the communities of Bentveld and Zandvoort.
Zandvoort was originally a fishing village. That’s why Zandvoort’s coat of arms bears three golden fish. The seaside resort owes its name to its location. It used to be called Sandevoerde. ‘Sande’ means dunes or sand. ‘Voerde’ or ‘Voorde’ was the name for a shallow crossing, i.e. a ford. Zandvoort therefore means a shallow crossing in the sand. Since 1100, the village lay sheltered behind the dunes. Part of the town centre is still situated there. Even though today fishing is still a commercial activity in Zandvoort, tourism has become the most important source of income.
The French rule (late 18th, early 19th century) was disastrous for Zandvoort. The French occupying forces did not allow the fishers to set out to sea. Nor was it advisable to do so. Because France was at war with England. As a result, the majority of the Zandvoort population was unemployed.
However, the sea was not the only source of food. The dune soil proved to be fertile ground for growing potatoes. In the 19th century, Zandvoort was swept by a veritable potato mania. The dune potatoes became famous in the Netherlands and abroad. Mainly because it was a very tough plant. The potato disease was unable to affect the Zandvoort potatoes.
In the 19th century tourism started to flourish. The Badhuis (Bathhouse) was built in 1828. Suddenly, Zandvoort was easy to reach by means of a brick-paved road, the Zandvoortse Laan. Hotels, shops and luxury villas sprung up. And a railway connection was completed in 1881. That brought distinguished visitors to Zandvoort, among whom Empress Sissi of Austria. After World War II, building activities consisted mainly of residential housing and holiday flats. Today, Zandvoort annually welcomes some 4.5 million visitors from all walks of life.
Transportation
Zandvoort has a station, with half hourly services to Haarlem and Amsterdam, with extra services from Haarlem during the summer. The station is Zandvoort aan Zee railway station.
Zandvoort is a municipality and a town in the Netherlands, in the province of North Holland. Zandvoort is one of the major beach resorts of the Netherlands; it has a long sandy beach, bordered by coastal dunes. It is also the site of the country's most important automobile racing circuit, Circuit Park Zandvoort. There is a nudist beach located about 2 km to the south, with 6 cafés or restaurants; it extends several kilometers further south.The municipality of Zandvoort consists of the communities of Bentveld and Zandvoort.
Zandvoort was originally a fishing village. That’s why Zandvoort’s coat of arms bears three golden fish. The seaside resort owes its name to its location. It used to be called Sandevoerde. ‘Sande’ means dunes or sand. ‘Voerde’ or ‘Voorde’ was the name for a shallow crossing, i.e. a ford. Zandvoort therefore means a shallow crossing in the sand. Since 1100, the village lay sheltered behind the dunes. Part of the town centre is still situated there. Even though today fishing is still a commercial activity in Zandvoort, tourism has become the most important source of income.
The French rule (late 18th, early 19th century) was disastrous for Zandvoort. The French occupying forces did not allow the fishers to set out to sea. Nor was it advisable to do so. Because France was at war with England. As a result, the majority of the Zandvoort population was unemployed.
However, the sea was not the only source of food. The dune soil proved to be fertile ground for growing potatoes. In the 19th century, Zandvoort was swept by a veritable potato mania. The dune potatoes became famous in the Netherlands and abroad. Mainly because it was a very tough plant. The potato disease was unable to affect the Zandvoort potatoes.
In the 19th century tourism started to flourish. The Badhuis (Bathhouse) was built in 1828. Suddenly, Zandvoort was easy to reach by means of a brick-paved road, the Zandvoortse Laan. Hotels, shops and luxury villas sprung up. And a railway connection was completed in 1881. That brought distinguished visitors to Zandvoort, among whom Empress Sissi of Austria. After World War II, building activities consisted mainly of residential housing and holiday flats. Today, Zandvoort annually welcomes some 4.5 million visitors from all walks of life.
Transportation
Zandvoort has a station, with half hourly services to Haarlem and Amsterdam, with extra services from Haarlem during the summer. The station is Zandvoort aan Zee railway station.
