11 Refresher tips for the Camperelfstedentocht
During these cold and short winter days, it is important to take a good rest and enjoy what is around you, but of course in Friesland. Think of going for a walk to enjoy the fresh air and beautiful surroundings, and then ending the day with a hot chocolate with whipped cream. This, and many more fun things, we call refreshing Friesland style, or, freshening up.
Read on for 11 refresher tips during your Motorhomeelfridge trip.
Tip 1. Gondola parade + RV park Leeuwarden
Ever thought of viewing the city from the water? You can do this from beautiful Leeuwarden! Experience Leeuwarden from a different perspective and enjoy everything around you. During the gondola ride, you will sail past downtown Leeuwarden and the Prinsentuin in a real Venetian gondola. This trip takes 60 minutes and is a good refresher tip to start with under a warm blanket and with a romantic setting. This excursion can be booked starting in February.
You book the gondola ride here
In Leeuwarden, on the outskirts of the city, you will find RV park Leeuwarden where you can get the stamp card and also immediately encounter the first stamping post.
Read more about motorhome site Leeuwarden
Tip 2. The Cabin + RV site. the Domp in Sneek
Sneek, of course, cannot be missing from the list either. Sneek is also known as the water sports city of Friesland. To hold on to this water sports spirit, it is a good idea to have a drink at the Kajuit. A super nice restaurant, located at a harbor, where there is also the possibility to rent a boat or go supping through the center of Sneek. At the Kajuit you also get the second stamp for the stamp card.
Reserve a table or rent a boat at the Cabin you do here
Sneek is also home to one of the RV sites. Sneek’s camper place is located on the Domp, admittedly on the same harbor as the Cabin. The Domp is a city campground with marina about a 15-minute walk from the city center and is open year-round outside the Christmas season.
See and read more about marina and camping here The Domp
Tip 3. Historic mill the Rat in Ijlst
IJlst is known for its “convents,” bordering the water along the river Ee. This moat can be found throughout the town, and together with the front gardens forms the character of town. Wood is a natural product which has been incredibly important to Ijlst for centuries. Many ships were built from it. Visit the historic Hootzaagmolen de Rat, found on the banks of the Geeuw and experience the wood sawing craft up close.
Find more information about this historic mill. The next stamping post can be found at Eatery De Utherne
Tip 4. Bakkerswinkel ‘t Kruimeltje in Sloten.
Time to visit Sloten, Friesland’s smallest town, but certainly no less fun! In Sloten you can find beautiful buildings along with many historical sights. In Sloten you will also find Bakkerswinkel ‘t Kruimeltje, where getting a delicious piece of fresh pastry and stamp number four should of course not be missed.
Take a look at the Facebook page of Bakery ‘t Kruimeltje
Tip 5. Johan Friso Lock + Motorhome Place Marina Stavoren
This 1966 bridge connects the Johan Frisokanaal and the Ijsselmeer and is a lock in Stavoren. A weather vane can be found with a fish and a gold ring on the old control building. This refers to legend “the Little Woman of Stavoren.
A merchant widow who lived in a house with golden floors and silver walls. She became richer every day, because she owned more ships than all the merchants of the city put together. A statue of “the Little Woman of Stavoren” can be found next to the Johan Friso Lock.
Next to the beautiful Ijsselmeer, you can find camper place Marina Stavoren. These camper places can be booked from April to September and from October to November and this is the location where you get the fifth stamp.
The website of camper village Marina Stavoren
Tip 6. Fries Schaatsmuseum Hindeloopen
The Elfstedentocht is mostly known for its skating stories. Therefore, a visit to the Frisian Skating Museum in Hindeloopen also fits perfectly with these refresher tips. Discover the history of the Elfstedentocht here and view the world’s largest collection of ice skates in the first Frisian skating museum, where you will also get your hands on stamp number six.
Curious about this Skating Museum?
Tip 7. El Cafetin + camper place Camping Sudersé in Workum
We are already over halfway through this Camperelfstedentocht and are now arriving in the quaint town of Workum. Here it is time to get a nice hot coffee at El Cafetin, a coffee bar where personal attention and customer experience is key. The ingredients at El Cafetin are from fresh, honest and organic products, this ensures that the coffee only tastes better! Not such a coffee lover? Then you are also welcome, for a cup of tea or a delicious chai latte.
Read more about the coffee bar
In Workum you can find your camper spot at camping Sudersé, where the next stamp is made. Camping Sudersé stands for familial, friendly and feeling at home in peace and space. Discover it for yourself and experience the spacious atmosphere.
Tip 8. The Brother Church and Sheepskin Tannery of Buren.
Time for the next stop, a visit to Bolsward. In Bolsward you will find the Broerekerk, which was built in the 13th century as a monastery church of the Friars Minor. When not booked, the church is open to the public and is well worth a visit. You can get the stamp in Bolsward at Cultural-historical center ‘The Tiid’, less than a 5-minute walk from the Broerekerk.
What is fun to visit is the Sheepskin Tannery in Bolsward. This is the only Sheepskin Tannery in the Netherlands. Quality and sustainability are paramount here and the products of this Schapenvacht Looijerij enrich people’s lives with warmth, natural beauty and softness.
Curious and want to know more? Visit the website of Sheepskin Tannery of Buren
Tip 9. The tile factory + Camping de Zeehoeve in Harlingen.
Then we have already arrived at Harlingen, also known for Sail Harlingen, where you can admire the most beautiful ships. In Harlingen you will find the Harlinger pottery & tile factory. This unique company has existed since 1598 and you can come here for authentic traditional tiles or pottery. Definitely worth a visit!
Read more about this Harlingen craftsmanship from the Tile Factory
There is also the possibility of staying overnight in Harlingen. This is possible at Camping de Zeehoeve, which is located close to the Wadden Sea. Perfect for getting a breath of fresh air, because here you are in the middle of the Frisian nature. Here you can also get the next stamp for the stamp card, which is already almost full!
The website of Camping de Zeehoeve
Tip 10. Eise Eisinga Planetarium Franeker
What the Planetarium is all about is the Planetarium Room, with the model of the sun and the 6 planets revolving around it. This is the oldest working planetarium in the world, where you will increase your knowledge of the planets. In addition to this Planetarium Room, you will find a collection of astronomical instruments and a contemporary exhibition on the solar system and the universe in the Planetarium. You will also encounter the following stamping station at the Eise Eisinga Planetarium.
See more at the website of the Planetarium
Tip 11. KB Foods and a city tour of Dokkum
We have arrived at the very last stop of the Camperelfstedentocht. So time to end this properly with the final refresher tip: a lovely city walk through Dokkum followed by a visit to KB Foods.
Dokkum is a historic city, where you will find beautiful bulwarks, the Admiralty, the canals with its cool buildings, the Bonifatius Chapel, the Ice Fountain and a hotel that received its first guests as early as 1584. In addition, in Dokkum you experience the coziness of the shopping streets, terraces and beer breweries. The terrace with which we conclude this Camperelfstedentocht is the terrace of KB Foods. KB Foods is a cozy Grand Café in the center of Dokkum, where you can warm up with a cup of tea, a cup of coffee, or a hot chocolate with whipped cream.
At KB Foods, the last stamp is placed, which means the stamp card is full!
Take a picture of your full stamp card and send it via the form to us.
Hopefully you had a good blast and enjoyed this Camperelfstedent tour with accompanying refreshment tips in the beautiful 11 cities of Friesland. Now it’s time to rest and enjoy the journey.
Let us know what you thought of these refresher tips and how you the Motorhome experience.
Hope to see you soon!