Plaswijckpark: The Playground Is Just The Beginning

Not quite a theme park, not quite a zoo, not quite a water park, but neither is it just a playground. Whatever Plaswijckpark is - it’s a bucket load of fun.

This place is made for kids and has very few staff running the show. Unlike most theme parks, it doesn’t exude a corporate vibe nor are there overcautious limitations on rides. In fact rides that can be considered downright terrifying for parents makes them even more stimulating and fun for independent kids.

The generous serving of common sense and freedom for kids and parents alike is refreshingly empowering.

Go on! Roll down that hill. That's what it is made for.

To reach the park, it was a pretty quick tram ride from the centre of Rotterdam to Meidoornweide station, plus an short walk through a regular park – the type with just trees and grass. Try to bypass the exterior park’s playground if you can, because you are going to want to spend the whole day inside Plaswijckpark.

The queue at the entry moved fairly quickly through the gift shop and into the park. Our first stop was a splashing boat ride. I sat inside a small plastic boat and it was pulled backwards up a steep slope. Then it was released. It zoomed back down like a roller coaster without brakes making a brief flying leap through the air to come down hard in the water, sending splashes in all directions. Mia and I loved it.

After our turn Caius was upset he wasn’t tall enough so we moved onto a giant playground with rope bridges and steel slides that seemed to extend forever. 

Now that's a slide

It wasn’t long before I was bribing the kids to keep looking around and we visited several other parts of the park - screeching around on four wheels through traffic, rolling down a giant green hill, flying through the air, water park, petting zoo and more.

This was certainly educational

The goat is trying to eat my camera

Screeching around on four wheels

Getting wet at the waterpark

Even the restaurant, which provided a sizeable range of different foods, provided a sand box for kids to play in.

It was near the end of the day when we located an indoor playground with comfortable beanbag recliners for the parents to just sit and watch. Plus free Wi-Fi! The kids enjoyed climbing and exploring the whole indoor playground, while we leaned back and relaxed. The clock kept ticking and before we knew it, it was home time. 

The kids didn’t want to leave and neither did we. Seriously, it was one of the most enjoyable places we have visited, which incorporated a whole day of play, education and exercise. Don’t be fooled by the lack of glossy marketing for this place. It flies under most parents’ radar, but when you visit Rotterdam you’ll know better. 

Zaanse Schans: The Best Place To See Windmills In Holland

Who doesn’t want that iconic windmill selfie from your holiday to the Netherlands? It’s an essential ingredient in the classic Holland bucket list: stay in a houseboat, wear over-sized clogs, stroll along the canals and take a photo with a windmill (frilly dress completely optional).

While I won't deny Zaanse Schans is shamelessly touristy, it's still a fun day out, plus you can check off several Dutch bucket list photos in one spot. 

How To Get There

We were invited to check out Zaanse Schans by iAmsterdam. We caught bus 391 from Amsterdam Central Station which left every 15 minutes and only took about 40 minutes to reach the destination. It’s easy to know when you arrive; it’s the last stop before the bus turns around and returns to Amsterdam. 

Amsterdam Central Station

We disembarked behind the Visitors Centre, which could be seen from the road. This is the gateway to a Wonka-like whimsical town, filled with cuteness, quaintness and of course, windmills. Oh, and don't forget to grab a map here to plan your journey. 

What Is It?

Zaanse Schans is a small village on the banks of the Zaan River in the province of North Holland, home to tidy green houses, real working windmills and topical museums. It holds a collection of well-preserved historic windmills and houses dating back to 18th and 19th century. 

Super Touristy

The village attracts over 1 million visitors every year so watch out, it can get busy. The town is a tourist magnet with high prices, over-confident vendors and picture-perfect landscapes. But, of course that’s where you will find those pictures to effortlessly epitomise your holiday.

But Also Not Touristy

While the crowds might be thick and the attractions cheesy, the windmills are actually beautifully working mills that perform various functions including a sawmill, paint mill, oil mill and mustard mill.

You're allowed to climb several of the mills to take in the gorgeous surroundings and grab that picturesque photo from the top. It was a tricky climb up smallish ladders, but we passed by huge creaking wooden cogs, that transformed the wind energy down to the grindstone below. From the top floor small doors lead to an outside platform. Wow! What a view!

The sails of the windmill turned languidly in circles while I breathed in the fresh country air and felt the powerful whoosh on my face.

Be aware that there isn’t much between you and a sizable drop to the ground below so hold onto those kids. 

Other Attractions

There are several other mini-museums around the village that offer insights into traditional Dutch culture.

Whether it’s delicious cheese tasting, watching a clog being made, searching through fine, handcrafted antique clocks, feeding farm animals, or buying lollies from the tempting and deliciousAlbert Hejin shop. 

Bling! Yes that is a diamond clog.

Free green cheese samples? Yes please!

And if that’s not enough Dutch goodness then head to the pancake restaurant for lunch.

Chocolate + Biscuits=Yummy!

Connected to the Visitors Centre at the entrance of the village is the Verkade Pavillion. This former biscuit and chocolate factory has a sweet and fascinating history. The exhibits and authentic moving machinery provide an insight into one of the Netherland's historical food icons. And we even enjoyed a free sample or two.

Interactive touch-screen games gave our kids a chance to make their own chocolate biscuits, and well-presented exhibits and photos brought the history of Verkade to life.

More free samples? Yes please!

Also part of the complex is the Zaans Museum, which is better suited to adults who are interested in the region's history.

How Much Is It?

It is free to enter Zaanse Schans and walk about, however each museum or windmill has it’s own pricing.

You can purchase a Zaanse Schans Card from the Visitors Centre, which will save you money on visiting several museums. It costs €11.50 for adults, €7 for a child (4-17 years), and under 4's are free.

The card includes free access to the Zaans Museum/Verkade Pavilion (normally  €10), theCoopery (normally €2) and one of the great industrial windmills (normally €4). You also receive a discount at the Windmill Museum and the Honig Breethuis.

Find your dream clogs here

The Verdict

Yes it’s touristy and yes it's cheesy, but it does have all those wonderful experiences you are looking for during your quick visit to Amsterdam. We all loved taking in the sights, soaking up the fresh air (as long as you're not standing too close to the farm animals!) and learning a bit about Dutch history. Oh, and of course the chance to stand proudly in (or on) oversized wooden clogs. If you can get in them...

Mesmerising Malta and the Grand Hotel Excelsior

Situated just a short stroll from Valletta, Grand Hotel Excelsior was our delightful home base during our recent visit to Malta.

Nestled on the Northern side of the Valletta peninsula looking over Marsamxett Harbour, the hotel commands beautiful panoramic waterfront views.

Our check-in process went smoothly and we were provided with a 2-room suite, ideal for our family of four. The room was well appointed although we weren’t lucky enough to receive a harbour view room – but these would be worth upgrading to if you’re splashing out on your special family vacation. You can still see the spectacular views from the outdoor pool area and the restaurant if you miss out.

I appreciated the little touches of detail such as the fresh cut flower in the bathroom. The king-size bed was very comfortable and room was spacious. We experienced a couple small hiccups with the in-room safe and toilet, but the friendly staff resolved these promptly. The only other niggle was the air conditioning temperature which was a little warm for Erin’s liking, but after a few maintenance inspections it seemed to be cooler. The kids enjoyed their own beds and the large bath.

The hotel facilities were truly top class. The included Wi-Fi access worked well all over the hotel and in our room, which is always important for us. The heated indoor pool was definitely the kids’ favourite feature. Several pylons with submerged platforms created mini islands in the pool for the kids to jump from and they stayed amused for hours. On each visit to the pool, Mia and Caius found other kids to play with.

The gym located near the indoor pool was packed with well-maintained fitness gear and TVs if you’re looking to break a sweat.

Thanks to jet lag, I woke up very early after our first night at the hotel so I took the opportunity to take a walk around the grounds as the sun was coming up. Everything was quiet. The outdoor pool and harbour views were spectacular, especially in the soft morning light.

My favourite aspect of the hotel was breakfast every morning. The buffet was filled with a wide array of tasty options including fruit, toast, pastries, cold meats, yogurt as well as hot breakfast selections like eggs, sausages, bacon, grilled tomatoes and more. The chef was happy to prepare eggs as desired, pancakes and waffles. I recommend trying the omelette which was top notch (I’m a bit of an omelette connoisseur). The wait staff were always attentive and friendly. And to match the delicious food, the views of the harbour was simply outstanding. The best possible way to start the day!

We celebrated Caius’ birthday while in Malta, and the hotel manager was extremely generous to organise a chocolate mousse cake delivered to our room. You can imagine how excited any 4-year-old would be with a giant cake that has his name on it – literally! The reception staff also signed a card for Caius - a really thoughtful and touching gesture which we sincerely appreciated. 

Even though the gateway of Valletta was only a 5-minute walk away, the hotel also provided twice-daily shuttles into the centre of town, and additional transport could be arranged for a small fee. When we needed advice on where to go around town, the knowledgeable concierge staff were happy to help.

If you’re planning a trip to Malta and want to experience the authentic, historic Valletta but with a touch of luxury and sophistication, then I would definitely recommend checking out Excelsior Grand Hotel.