Center Parcs - Holland with Jamie & Barbara

    Center Parcs - Holland

Our road trip took us through three countries—France, Belgium and the Netherlands—before arriving at our destination: Center Parcs De Kempervennen. Surrounded by forest and bordering a sparkling lake, our luxury lodges offered the perfect setting. Basking in the sunshine we couldn't wait to take out a pedalo. Some of the more brave amongst us even jumped overboard for a cooling swim. Captains Dominic and Peter expertly steered us safely back to shore.

 After a practice ride around the site, we split into two groups: some continued exploring in a rickshaw, while the rest ventured further afield on bikes.  

                   

         

 The cyclists covered nearly seven miles, including a sandy woodland track that led to a beautiful lake, a rural life museum and a historic waterwheel. 

Our next adventure was an 18-hole round of Adventure Golf. Navigating the many obstacles brought out everyone’s competitive streak, and we had a fantastic time. 

We spent the day at Eindhoven Zoo. The day was packed with excitement and wonder. We strolled through shady, tree-filled enclosures housing a wide variety of animals, all clearly well cared for. The majestic big cats, cheetahs, lions and tigers left us in awe, while the vibrant birdlife, including pink flamingos, red ibis and noisy macaws, provided a splash of colour. The Asian elephants were a firm favourite, and we all lined up for photos. But the true highlight was watching the enormous polar bears, especially at feeding time. We were lucky enough to see them up close and playing together in the water—an unforgettable sight.

It was all about animals as we got hands on at the on-site petting zoo. The friendly goats were a huge hit—especially the adorable kids, who loved being cuddled. We also met curious sheep, towering black chickens and miniature donkeys who were only too happy to be fed.

Everyone was keen to visit Valkenswaard War Cemetery. The 220 British Army graves were a moving and solemn reminder of the cost of war.

Then we made our way to the Wings of Liberation Museum in Best. Nestled in woodland, this military museum brought the story of the Netherlands’ liberation in 1944 vividly to life. Original WWII artefacts—including tanks, jeeps, motorcycles, gliders and planes—were on display, and we had the chance to climb inside some of them. We also explored the nearby trenches to imagine the experience of the soldiers who had fought there.

    

We hit the indoor swimming paradise—an enormous tropical-themed pool under a glass dome. There were rapids, wave machines, water slides and even a flume with a vertical drop into darkness. It was then back down to the lake for the inflatable obstacle course on the lake. It was slippery chaos, but huge fun. Sally amazed us all with her sure-footedness, completing the course without falling once to well-deserved cheers.