- Stacey Shevlin
The Beach Town Of Zandvoort
Zandvoort Beach
Who knew that half an hour away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam you’d find a perfect beach. Well… ok I knew. Many many years ago, I spent my semester abroad in Holland. I went to school at Hogeschool in Haarlem, and our student housing was in Zandvoort. I haven’t been able to come back since, and I couldn’t wait to see if my favorite old spots were still there.
Directions to the beach
It’s very easy to get out to the beach. Just head to Centraal Station, and check the boards. You can get a direct train out from there to Zandvoort, Or why not get a train to Haarlem, explore that town, because it’s adorable, then grab a train from there to the sea.
It was pretty crazy to see how much had changed, but a lot was still the same as well.
Spending a semester abroad was probably one of the best things I did in my youth. My only regret is that I didn’t take more semesters abroad. With my degree, I could have spent 4 semesters abroad… oh how youth is wasted on the young and foolish.
I digress. At any rate, going back to see the town was a blast. The old student housing is now actual apartments. The town is so built up, shops and restaurants as far as the eye can see, and a new frontier of beach clubs line the coast.
A few things stayed the same though, Yank’s coffee shop and Williams pub my two regular spots are still there, and still just as run down as ever! It was fun and strange walking down memory lane but well worth the trip. If you are looking to get out of the hustle and bustle of city adventure, head out to the coast.
