An Empress and Anne Frank - A Love Of Zandvoort

Zandvoort is a special place and one that has been visited by people from all countries and all walks of life for two centuries - from Empress Elizabeth of Austria who stayed there in 1885 to Anne Frank who as a young girl enjoyed trips to Zandvoort beach with her mother and elder sister. There is a wonderfully happy photo of them eating ice cream on Zandvoort beach.

If you have ever visited the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, you will know what a special place that is too. I have been twice over the years and every time there has been a long queue, such is the popularity of Anne's remarkable and moving diary.

If you have not yet been to the Anne Frank House, then you should - and if you are ever in Zandvoort then you can do a day trip as Amsterdam is only 30kms away.

Busy On The Beach - Zandvoort Has It All!

When it's a sunny day in Zandvoort the beach can be incredibly busy and people come for all different kinds of reasons.

Families with young children come to have a day on the beach where the children can enjoy playing in the soft, golden sand; with so many beach pavilions around, parents also know that food, drink, toilets and showers are all within easy reach.

Young people like to come to the beach for the atmosphere of the pavilions where they can sit in groups, chat over drinks and maybe even break off for a game of beach volleyball.

Sailing enthusiasts come to the beach for the Zandvoort Sailing Club.

There's also usually a good representation from older people too - they love to come down to Zandvoort when it's sunny and just relax in the sunshine, perhaps take a gentle dip in the sea and enjoy the long walks that Zandvoort beach can offer.

At this time of year, however, the photo below is a far more common one - an empty beach!

Zandvoort 2009 - Sharing Memories

As we head towards winter and the end of another year, we thought it would be nice to look back at this summer in Zandvoort and share with you some of our memories and photographs. So between now and the end of 2009, we will post a selection of some of the most interesting photographs - from kitesurfing to beach sunsets, bicycles to sailing boats, food and cafes to ice cream parlours .... and lots more!

Here is the first - a sunny day with blue sky and the beach is busy.


We took this photo on the walk down from Boulevard Paulus Loot (passing Tijn Akersloot).