The borders of most Schengen countries are reopening on June 15, 2020. We are allowed to go on holiday again after a long period of 'standstill'. Will we travel to other European countries with coronavirus risks, or will we stay closer to home? Will it be a 'staycation' after all? There is so much to see in our own country, unknown gems in cities and regions that can surprisingly rival foreign metropolises and regions. 'Traveling Wisely' together—no, not with Prime Minister Mark Rutte, but with our own family. In this 23rd blog, I offer a number of options for your holiday in your own country (staycation, camping, ANWB, Tilburg, Wadden Islands, Madurodam) within the 1,5-meter society.

Staycation (stay in your own country)

The word 'staycation' is an American neologism, a combination of the words 'stay' and 'vacation'. The term is used for a vacation where you stay at home instead of traveling. There are several degrees of 'staycation' because there are reasons not to go on vacation. Examples include: no need and/or insufficient funds, illness, or obligations as a caregiver. However, you can also opt for a vacation in your own country with limited resources or as a luxury vacation.

But 'staying at home' in your own country is no punishment. You get away for a while, so you are in a different environment among other people with different cultures. And most importantly, you learn new things and experience interesting history that you are often unaware of. After the end of the Second World War, many Dutch people had to rebuild their future. Priority lay in finding housing, finding work, and starting a family. Holidays were considered a luxury 'product' and were reserved only for the elite. The summer stamps of 1949 clearly show what a holiday in one's own country means: a terrace on a beach, hikers in a cornfield, campers, a girl at the harvest, and sailboats.

Camping / ANWB

In 1854, the American writer and philosopher Henry David Thoreau wrote his famous book 'Walden, or Life in the Woods', or simply 'Walden', about his experiment in living a simple life in the woods, isolated from civilized, busy society. Away from industrialization, away from the city, and back to nature. Thoreau published this book in 1854, after having worked on it for nine years.

Walden describes an attempt Thoreau made to live simply for a time in a self-built cottage in a wood near a lake. The book is named after this lake: Walden Pond. In reality, this period in Thoreau's life lasted two years and two months, but in the book, the events are told as if they took place in a single year. When we think of or write about that book today, it is surprisingly relevant: many people are still, or once again, seeking peace and nature. It is for exactly the same reason that camping emerged in the late 19th century: people from the city wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle and explore nature. It seems like a step back in civilization: you live in a sturdy, stone house, and then, just for fun, in your free time, you go primitive. Sleeping on the ground, under a windy tent canvas. That was precisely the attraction, for Thoreau at the time and for the campers. 'It was precisely people with the best housing who wanted to go camping during their holidays,' explains Hans Buiter, association historian of the ANWB. 'Life in the city was already considered nervously modern back then; in texts, you read that people spoke of "tiring means of communication" and "a lot of noise from machines." Apparently, the need in 1940 was not very different from now. That is still one of the biggest driving forces for camping: the fresh air. And city dwellers are still the biggest camping fans; they find it sensational to be outside all the time.'  

Camping originated as a recreational activity in England in the late nineteenth century. Wealthy people going on cycling tours sometimes stayed overnight in tents stored at hotels. In 1906, the first camping club was founded in Great Britain. At the initiative of Carl Denig, this happened in the Netherlands in 1912 with the establishment of the Dutch Tourist Camping Club (NTKC). The first official campsite was opened in Vierhouten in 1924. Until then, camping was primarily an elite 'sport'. This changed in the 1930s when the activity also gained popularity among the 'common man'. However, the major breakthrough came after the Second World War, thanks to more leisure time, increased prosperity, and greater mobility. Camping became increasingly popular, even among less affluent citizens. Free Saturday afternoons became commonplace, and the number of days off increased slowly but surely. Moreover, it became easier to obtain tent fabric in the Netherlands to sew one's own tent. But anyone who thought they could simply pitch a tent unprepared was mistaken. Sleeping in a tent might well be adventurous, but it was also a serious matter requiring thorough knowledge. Thick books appeared on the techniques of the 'sport of camping' and the associated etiquette. In 1936, a system of camping cards was introduced, a mandatory registration for anyone wishing to camp. In 1939, the issuance of camping cards came under the auspices of the ANWB, which until then had barely concerned itself with the phenomenon of camping.

The ANWB was not deterred by the war. In December 1940, the first trial issue of *Kampeer Kampioen* was published with the cheerful headline: 'Ready for Camp!'. The magazine continued to appear regularly until the summer of 1944. The only setback for campers was that the Germans had already banned being outdoors at night in 1941. Going on trips with a tent became difficult as a result, but camping on farms (in a barn or haystack) flourished as never before. To the annoyance of fanatical pre-war campers, this also attracted people who did not care about camping etiquette, but who saw camping as a good way to get food or escape the city. Something had to be done about that.

Therefore, in August 1942, the ANWB organized the first 'camping course' at Lake Pluis near the Drakesteyn estate. The goal: to improve camping behavior. Despite the fact that participants learned how to pitch tents but were not allowed to sleep in them, the camp was declared a great success. In 1944, the 'ANWB Mentor Corps' was established: a group of enthusiastic camping veterans tasked with 'elevating camping, bringing more style to this form of tourism, and impressing upon the camper that camping is more than playing robbers and singing 'Ouwe Taaie''. It was merely a matter of waiting out the war before the real work could begin. Reconstruction had only just begun, there was a shortage of almost everything, but surplus stores were full of cheap army tents. War surplus. What could be better than celebrating freedom under a canvas canopy in nature? Well, freedom... naturally, there were rules that every good camper had to adhere to: no noise, always decent clothing, no unmarried couples sharing one tent, and cleaning up rubbish properly. Without a camp card, you couldn't get anywhere, but there was something else: the camping passport. Anyone who successfully passed a camping exam was allowed to use the camping passport in places where the 'ordinary' camp card holder was not permitted. You could earn such a passport by camping for three consecutive weekends under the guidance of ANWB mentors, or by successfully completing an ANWB training camp. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]            Camping became wildly popular during the 1950s. Tents became increasingly comfortable and relatively cheaper, especially when the major department stores started their own camping departments in the early 1950s. Specialized camping stores like Carl Denig looked disdainfully at shops like V&D with their cheap tents. Or even worse, bungalow tents. A true camper would not stoop to such unnecessary luxury; that went without saying. Caravans were still virtually non-existent, but that was, of course, sacrilege.

The stamp depicts the main tasks of the ANWB: recreation, tourism, signage, and assistance. Face value: 70 cents.

Towards the end of the 1960s, enthusiasm for the training camps began to wane. The useful advice from the mentors, which had initially seemed so indispensable, was increasingly viewed as superfluous and annoyingly patronizing. Camping, too, apparently could not escape the anti-authoritarian spirit of the times. Although the number of campers continued to grow, the headstrong majority no longer felt the need for an educational course. They would figure it out themselves. Too bad, then, if the guy ropes were pitched incorrectly. In 1974, the camping card and the camping passport were abolished. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]          For instance, camping was already the most popular form of vacation in the 1950s, and it remains so today. Equipment did change during those years, however: tents became lighter, and various Dutch manufacturers started producing new types of tents. Motorhomes and caravans were added to the mix. And inventions such as butane gas and air mattresses made camping more comfortable. The reason camping became and has remained so popular in our country is twofold: it was the cheapest way to vacation, which aligned well with Dutch frugality; and alongside this, the longing for nature continued to play a major role.

 

Lately, we no longer speak of camping, but of glamping. Glamping is a portmanteau of the words Camping and Glamour and describes a specific style of camping where a high degree of luxury is present in the accommodations and facilities, creating a significant difference from traditional camping. As a term, glamping became known primarily in the 21st century among tourists and vacationers who want to combine the luxury of a hotel with the freedom and adventure of a campsite. The origin of the term stems from the safaris undertaken in Africa in the 19th century. Mostly wealthy travelers could afford to take luxury accommodation and an entourage with them during their voyages of discovery. [/ One_half] [one_half_last]          Glamping has become an increasingly well-known term when it comes to camping holidays. Consequently, various companies and websites are attempting to capitalize on this trend. Examples of accommodations falling under the glamping genre include: yurts, tipis, safari tents, lodge tents, treehouses, and floating cabins (cabins on water). Because the accommodations are better and more luxuriously equipped, a glamping holiday is often, on average, more expensive than a traditional camping holiday. Sources used: ANWB, Andere Tijden, Belastingzegels.

Tilburg

Every city and region in the Netherlands competes with one another to attract Dutch tourists within its municipal or regional borders. After all, if a tourist visits an attraction, a museum, or goes for a walk (in the woods or city), for instance, they will also eat and drink (lunch, a quick bite, dinner). This is good for the local economy in this challenging 1,5-meter society. Tilburg as a holiday city? Absolutely. It starts with the launch of the personalized Tilburg postage stamp. Meanwhile, plans are being made throughout the city to make the stay as pleasant as possible for those staying at home and domestic holidaymakers.

Bookstore Gianotten Mutsaers and literary festival Tilt have plans to set up beach chairs in the city where people can listen to tall tales with headphones on. Hotels are working on putting together packages. Hospitality businesses have started a large-scale renovation of their establishments, for example, into a summer holiday resort with a pétanque court, mini-library, beach chairs, and a sand terrace. Unique outing combinations are also being considered: visit Museum De Pont or the Textile Museum and then relax at Stadsbrouwerij 013. Tilburg is being transformed into 'Tilburg-Bad'. This is a playful nod to other cities with the addition of 'Bad', such as Bad Nieuweschans and Cadzand-Bad.   The new postcards featuring 'Greetings from Tilburg-Bad' can be franked with the personalized stamp and sent home. Tilburg resident Nicole van Beers designed the stamp. She took the initiative herself, out of love for the city, to put 'Tilburg as a holiday destination' on the map. She is now working with Citymarketing Tilburg.

The Tilburg Fair stretches for about three kilometers, running straight through the city center. Every year, the fair attracts around one million visitors, making it the city's largest event. The fair is known for its various themed days: Blue Sunday, Disabled Persons' Afternoon, Children's Afternoon, Caribbean Night, and, most famously, Pink Monday. The Fair Mass on the first Sunday and the funeral on the last Sunday have also become a true tradition. With an average of 230 attractions, the Tilburg Fair is the largest fair in the Netherlands. The Tilburg city center transforms into one large fairground from July 17 to 26, 2020. Unfortunately, the 2020 edition will not take place because the cabinet has decided to ban all events until September 1, 2020.

<strong> More info: </strong>

https://www.tickettotilburg.com/nl https://www.vvvtilburg.nl/ https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilburg

West Frisian Islands

Five islands, that means five times the enjoyment! The combination of the open horizon, the boundless sky stretching over the Wadden Sea, and the natural transition between mudflats and the sea makes a visit to the Wadden a special experience. On the Wadden, you are miles away from packed schedules, hustle and bustle, and appointments. Leave it all behind and experience the island feeling. Enjoy the beauty and the centuries-old rhythm of ebb and flow. What remains is something that should characterize every holiday, but happens naturally on the Wadden Islands: total relaxation and the feeling as if you are abroad…

Most objects on the five Wadden Islands stamps have a nautical character: Texel with an iron sea beacon, Vlieland with a lifeboat on the beach, Terschelling with buoys at a municipal yard, Ameland with a bell tower as a beacon for shipping, and Schiermonnikoog with the lower jaw of a blue whale.

More Info

https://www.wadden.nl/

Madurodam

If you do not have time to visit a 'tour' of the Netherlands, this attraction is a good alternative. Madurodam is a miniature city in The Hague on a scale of 1:25. This theme park attracts approximately 600.000 visitors annually. The park covers a total area of ​​62.630 m². The built city itself measures 17.630 m². It is named after George Maduro, a student from Curaçao who distinguished himself as a cavalry officer during the Battle of the Residence in May 1940 and died in Dachau concentration camp in February 1945; his parents donated the initial capital for the project, which is considered by the Maduro family as a monument to their only son.

Madurodam provides a picture of a Dutch city and Dutch society through over 700 scale models of buildings from all parts of the Netherlands. A hospital and a cemetery are missing. Some models move after inserting a coin into a coin machine. There are also interactive elements to which the visitor can contribute, such as closing the Oosterschelde barrier or loading containers in the Port of Rotterdam. Some sections contain informative audio commentary about the items on display. May 18, 2020, went down in history on multiple fronts as a historic day at Madurodam. On this day, when the Hague attraction reopened its doors to the public, the life-sized aircraft of the new attraction, The Flying Dutchman, also received its name. Exactly 100 years after KLM's first flight, the DC-3 was christened 'Albert Plesman', in tribute to the remarkable first President and CEO of the 100-year-old airline.

'The Flying Dutchman': a life-size DC-3 aircraft, in the iconic silver and blue KLM style of the 40s and 50s. The aircraft is 18 meters long and has a wingspan of 30 meters. The Flying Dutchman is the star of Madurodam's new attraction. Watch the video: https://www.ad.nl/video/dakota-landt-in-madurodam~p144154

More Info

https://www.madurodam.nl/nl

More Info

National Government: https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/ RIVM: https://www.rivm.nl/ Worldometers Corona: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/ Corona dictionary: https://www.taalbank.nl/2020/03/14/coronawoordenboek/ FAQ NRC Corona: https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2020/02/02/wat-we-tot-nu-toe-weten-over-het-coronavirus-a3989006 You can find more Corona blogs at: https://www.postzegelblog.nl/tag/coronavirus/