Often, you only discover how special the Netherlands is when you experience it yourself. A challenge that honeyguides Ngoc, Adrienne, Yalou and Anne-Floor tackled with both hands. For the #staylocal movement, the honeyguides, along with dozens of other travel enthusiasts, were invited to camp at a microcampsite in someone's backyard, so-called Campspaces. In doing so, they showed all their followers and the world how much fun it is to discover hidden gems in their own country.
From the far north to the friendly south, our honeyguides were sent to all corners of the country by initiators Camspace and Columbus Travel to live a real #staylocal experience. These are the impressions of their adventures.
Honeyguide Yalou camped at Robin's micro campsite - Klazienaveen, Drenthe
It was wonderful waking up in Robin's backyard. Vast potato fields on one side and the neighbour's forest on the other. Just the tapping of birds and the fizz of the wind as music. That's quite a bit different from the motorway I always hear from my bedroom. Robin swapped the Randstad for Drenthe because of the clean air, something I understand all too well. A weekend of total tranquillity in nature just under two hours' drive, I'm going to do that more often.
Reading tip: Find out what surprises await you here in our Drenthe destination guide.
Honeyguide Adrienne slept in Sander and Marjan's backyard - Rotterdam, South-Holland
Fifteen minutes by bike from the centre of Rotterdam is Marjan and Sander's back garden. A green little paradise, with enough space for one or two tents and with its own sanitary facilities. Marjan and Sander do everything to make your stay pleasant: with fine facilities and a big smile, they gave me a true holiday feeling. They also know exactly where to find good coffee shops and which hidden gems can be found in Rotterdam. We also share a love of the sea and Portugal: plenty to talk about!
Honeyguide Ngoc pitched her tent in Susanne's garden - Leiderdorp, South Holland
After 29 years, I went camping again, and how! Never thought I would ever sleep in a tent in someone's backyard, but what a wonderful experience it was. We were allowed to pitch our tent wherever we wanted on Susanne's micro camping site. The grass was too high so Klaas decided to cut the grass for us, in a heart shape, how sweet! We had our own bathroom, which was very nice. The chickens ran free, the pigs were also there and we were allowed to cuddle with the sheep. It was like sleeping on a farm. The place is surrounded by nature and water, ideal for walking and water sports. And at Farmer Smul you can eat the most delicious organic ice cream. I find it really special that by simply camping in someone's backyard you can have a holiday feeling so quickly.
Honeyguide Anne-Floor camped at campsite De Speeltol - Drongelen, North Brabant
Farm De Speeltol has a beautiful rural location, overlooking green fields and the dike that separates the farmlands from the river Maas. Marjo, the host of the micro campsite, was already waiting for us when we arrived and showed us the way to a beautiful spot in her garden where we could pitch our tents. Overlooking the green fields, we prepared our camping spot for the night. What I find really super handy are the picnic tables so you don't have to lug around a whole camping set.
