FAMILY PAGE – August 2009

Rollercoasters and Russian pomp and ceremony 

It must be an age thing -  whilst my daughter’s thrill seeking increases with age my ability to hold my nerve declines with advancing years. Heading off one sunny Monday morning I was relieved that our visit on a teacher training day would mean no crowds to witness my wimpish behaviour at the popular Dutch theme park of Slagharen.pomp and ceremony

In the early years of parenthood we managed to avoid these parks of terror until a couple of years ago when my little brother came to stay. A regular visitor he professed to being tired of the canal boat trips and queuing up at the Anne Frank so off we went in search of rollercoasters. Maybe it is because they are just coming onto my radar but it does seem that the Netherlands have quite a number of theme parks not to mention those just across the German border where the Dutch are convinced you get more ‘patat’ for your money. Slagharen is a couple of hours drive from Amsterdam near to Zwolle. There are also chalets you can rent adjoined to the park and nearby ‘tepees’ for hire with a Shetland pony (one to every tent) if you want to extend the experience beyond a day.

One of the older and more traditional parks Slagharen has a slight Disneyesque feel to it complete with a Main Street full of candy stalls and a monorail. There is plenty to keep the whole family busy for a day including a swimming pool and playing areas for younger ones. The rollercoasters and other rides will keep teenagers and older kids (as well as adventurous grown ups) amused for the day. If you do decide to go with a little bit of research you should never have to pay full price. Check out www.uitmetkorting.nl (out with a discount) before you go to any kind of museum or attraction. It is in Dutch but fairly easy to navigate, just search on your destination to come up with coupons you can usually print out. The non discounted price is €19.50 per person.

After a day out like that it was time to even the scales up a bit with some culture. A visit to the recently opened Amsterdam satellite of the Hermitage on the Amstel is a must. I have yet to take the time for a really good look round but popped in recently for lunch and took a quick tour round afterwards. The conversion of this incredible building on the Amstel from a former retirement home has taken years to complete and the result is wonderful. Right from the courtyard entrance to the various rooms it is clear that Amsterdam has gained a world class museum which should attract the more discerning tourists!

Their opening exhibition is based around the history of 19th century court life. In my rather quick dash through I saw a lot of wonderful portraits and costumes, ball gowns, uniforms and medals as well as gloriously decadently laid tables. Check the website if you are interested in a guided tour which is available in English as well as a number of other languages. There is also a summer programme which includes a Russian male voice choir on 8th August and the Hermitage will play a central role in the annual ‘Grachtenfestival’ this year from 15-23 August. This festival is a great opportunity to catch some classical music at various locations throughout Amsterdam. In the Children’s workshop there are art classes on Sunday 9th and the 23rd August inspired by the costumes in the exhibition. You do need to reserve places.

Last but not  least a couple of extra tips for August. Why not take the children to pick flowers at one of the gardens open in the summer? Also worth a visit is the annual Parade, the low key family friendly summer festival travelling across the Netherlands

Enjoy August – it’ll soon zip by and the kids will be back at school!

Janette Soest

August tips for Trips at a glance

www.slagharen.com :one of the most popular theme parks in the Netherlands

www.hermitage.nl : visit the recently opened Hermitage in Amsterdam

www.zomerbloemenpluktuin.nl : pick your own flowers near Uithoorn. Site in dutch but click on ‘routebescrijving’ for address.

www.deparade.nl : in dutch but quite clearly laid out. The festival is in 4 cites including Amsterdam in August. Don’t try to check out the schedule, just turn up after 3pm on a dry day!