Travel tips: South of the Netherlands, Brabant

Down in the south is a completely different lifestyle for most Dutch people. Some take long commutes to work in the Randstad (Amsterdam, Hague, Utrecht and Rotterdam) and/or work in the region or further south in Eindhoven where many Philips offices are established or even over the border to Belgium or Germany. The southerners are generally, friendlier, speak with a different accent and have their own food delicacies for the area. As all over the Netherlands, there are adorable villages, cute small cities and plenty to sightsee.  En route to Rotterdam from Amsterdam, the small city of Delft is worth viewing, famous for its blue and white porcelain.Here a picture of the medieval city gates to enter and walk to the Delft centre city square, if you do not arrive by train. 

Oudenbosch Basicila - a smaller copy of St Peters in Rome 

                                  Entrance to Delft 

About half an hour south of Rotterdam, which is an hour without traffic from Amsterdam, is the lovely city of Dordrecht with a gorgeous little centre, city squares, boutique shops, canals, many boats and churches. En route, you can stop at Kinderdijk, which is a famous windmill park, less touristy than Zaanse Schans and in more natural surroundings without any shops or tea rooms. It can be cold if not in summer, so dress warmly!

Kinderdijk

DORDRECHT CENTRE 

Further south, about 45 mins into Brabant is Breda. You can walk into the centre through the outside main park and have lunch along the centre main canal, then amble through the streets for shopping, and further sightseeing. End with a coffee in the lovely lawned cafe next the water. 

Entrance to Breda via the park 

About 20 minutes west of Breda in a tiny off the beaten track village of Oudenbosch is the famous Catholic Basicila, a smaller copy of St Peters in Rome. It is stunning and you can walk right up into the dome. Tea on a terrace opposite, after meandering the royal courtyards and quaintest cemetery opposite the church was a delight! The graveyard landscaped garden is beautiful and holds only black metal curved crosses for all the brotherhood over the centuries who studied to become priests.  

In summer you need a week to really see and enjoy this little southern Holland tour. Some do it on boats by water, but with a car or trains and airBnB, also doable. 

Happy sightseeing!