 Travel Destinations
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Travel and Enjoy Snow in Europe's Flattest Country
Going skiing in Holland may sound like double-Dutch. But don't let the fact that Europe's flattest country is all below sea level put you off TheMontana snow center offers a great chance to sample snow at any time of year.
Based at the Center Parcs De Kempervennen, near the Belgian border, it is one of the star attractions of a holiday centre that has something for everyone.
It is now within easy reach from Scotland with DFDS Seaways adding it as the latest destination on its programme.
A straightforward drive to Newcastle, followed by an overnight ferry to the port of IJmuiden near Amsterdam, brings you within striking distance.
Conditions on long-distance ferries have improved dramatically over the years in the face of fierce competition from cut-price airlines.
The DFDS ships offer a great range of facilities, from a swimming pool to a nightclub.
From IJmuiden, it's only 103 miles to De Kempervennen, just south of Eindhoven on good, although busy, roads.
Surrounded by the wooded Brabant countryside, the centre's holiday cottages cater for couples and groups up to 10 with the buildings tucked away out of sight.
Once settled in, you will find plenty of things to do with enough choice to keep even the most active going all day without getting bored.
The indoor Montana snow center, with a skiing area of 7000 sq m, offers skiing and snowboarding for all levels, with snow machines providing fresh cover every day.
There are also excellent training courses for beginners. Our three-year-old made her debut on the slopes as part of a five-strong group of youngsters patiently coached by two instructors.
Two days of lessons, at a cost of pounds 34, proved to beenough to win another convert to the cause.
If that's too chilly a prospect for you, then head to the pool with the Aqua Mondo water park and its wave machine, white water ride and Egyptian activity pool.
For the more adventurous there are also scuba diving courses.
The park also has its own beach, animal farm, a huge indoor sports centre, supermarket, restaurants and bars.
With all that on hand, it would be doing the area an injustice.
Holland and bicycles go hand in hand and the Dutch have an extensive cycle network which provides the perfect opportunity to comfortably explore the surrounding countryside with no worries about traffic. Bikes of all shapes and sizes are available at the holiday park.There is a beautiful moorland nature reserve just minutes away and plenty of pretty towns and villages within easy reach.
De Kempervennen is only five miles from the Belgian border and near the park gates is the tiny Het Heertje cafe-bar - the first place in Holland to be liberated by British troops after D-Day.
Just across the road is a British war cemetery, providing a humbling reminder of the human cost of that liberation.
If you want to explore further afield then Eindhoven is only 10-minutes away by car while a short drive will take you to the Efteling theme park, which is the biggest theme park in Europe.
The more ambitious could head over the border to Antwerp, less than an hour away, or head east to Germany.
But to be honest, with everything you really need for a family holiday on your doorstep, it's going to be hard to drag yourself away from the slopes.
How to Get There
#A DFDS Seaways seven-night stay at Centre Parc - De Kempervennen from pounds 258. Includes overnight ferry crossings from Newcastle to Amsterdam on board the ms Queen of Scandinavia or ms Duke of Scandinavia in an inside cabin and transportation of one standard size car#The price also includes seven nights at Centre Parc. There is a pounds 50 discount per child and a 20 per cent discount for bookings in 2006 made before January 31.
To book see dfdsseaways.co.uk or contact 08705 333 222
THE WHITE STUFF: The; Montana snow center has everything for the beginner through to the advanced skier.
Source: Daily Record
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