Ameland, an island off the coast of The Netherlands, most famous for its great expanse of sand dunes and beaches. It is an island where you can leave the hustle and bustle of life behind you and escape to nature in peace and quiet.
Together with its four villages, rich in history, museums and landmarks you can get a sense of why visitors flock to its charms year on year.
There are about three-and-a-half thousand inhabitants, affectionately known as Amelanders. They are spread into four villages, Hollum, Ballum, Nes and Buren.
Ballum is the smallest village yet home to Ameland’s airfield.
Nes is probably the most bustling little tourist village but Buren, right in the centre, is home to the great Ameland Beach on the North Sea – 27 kilometres long!
Explorers would, of course, get to Hollum for the wide views and the lighthouse. There were two other villages way back, Oerd and Sier, they are now under the sea and are reminder of how nature has been tweaking this landscape throughout time.
As well as relax on the beaches there is a great offering of things to see and do. Hiking/walking in nature is a joy here or you can take a bike and explore in all directions.
Variety is in natural abundance with the dunes, salt marshes and secluded woods. For characteristic culture you can’t go wrong either. Old farms and architecture stand still in time today as they did way back when.
The island has picked up a nickname, The Wadden Diamond. Many a visitor has been to see why.
Main image by havankevin
