We met another couple from the UK on a Dutch site this year. Not unusual, you may think. But this was the first time we had come across anyone else from the UK in over eight years of visiting Nederlandse Caravan Club (NCC) sites.
This is strange because the NCC has a reciprocal agreement with the UK Caravan Club. The sites are in the most beautiful areas near to woods, dunes, or water- and in the Netherlands there’s plenty of all three. Holland, famous for its windmills, is also famous for its level cycle tracks, so it was the obvious choice for us; car, caravan and bikes. Interesting towns and villages are always within cycling range, with lovely pancake restaurants and cafes.
With just 21 sites the NCC is not a huge organisation, but what is lacks in size it makes up in friendliness. We have stayed on most of the NCC club sites. At every site we have been welcomed not just by the warden (beheerder) and his wife but also by fellow caravanners. And they almost all speak English, which is a help because my Dutch is limited to Goede morgen and Tot ziens! The beheerder often runs a weekly informal get-together where we meet everyone else and drink wine or coffee and eat tasty snacks. Other activities are often organised to which we are invited: boules, short walks, guided bicycle rides, barbeques.
The NCC sites are very varied, some small with about 20 vans, most around 50 to 60, and just a couple over 100. All have the essential water and waste disposal, and all except one toilet facilities, free hot showers, a washing machine, and FREE Wi-Fi. (UK Caravan Club please note!)
We have found NCC sites comfortable and affordable. Affordable, as management and maintenance are provided by club members. The price of a pitch in low season was €8.50 and in high season €10 to 13.50, (2014) with metered electricity at €0.40 per kwh. To book a pitch you can email the site or phone the beheerder between (usually) 1700 to 1800 hrs. Best thing to do is look at www.ncc.nl and if you have Google translate you can read it all in English. Tot ziens!
