Should you visit the Netherlands and Europe right now

Current to the best of our knowledge on June 15th, 2020
Important: Always base your decision on your governments official health and travel advice.

We're getting close now to the halfway point of 2020 and the Corona virus still holds the world in its grip. And we, as a destination travel blog, are immediately affected. Just as so many people with booked travel plans.

We are not medically trained and don't want to advise for that matter in any way. However, we also understand people might come to this website to find out more information about their (upcoming) trip to Holland and learn more about what is, and what isn't possible right now.

It felt weird just to promote the beautiful side of Holland, while all this is going on in the world. That's why we created this page. We want to inform you about the current status from a tourists perspective.

Official government travel advice is leading and changing almost by the minute

Your countries official travel and health advice is always leading, also now with the coronavirus. If you're already in the Netherlands, the RIVM advice is leading. See the links below.

Would we advise people to visit the Netherlands right now?

It depends. It depends where you're from and how comfortable you are with travelling.

If you're from outside the EU, or from Sweden or the UK. It's simple you can't travel to Holland right now for holiday purposes. The current health situation around the world and in these two specific countries will not allow for that.

If you're from other EU countries the border has been openend again on June 15th. But to be allowed to come, and come are not the same thing. If you can still cancel your trip, we would advice you to do so. Although the Netherlands is opening up, the experience is far from normal and you most likely will be turned away from certain places. 

If you come the best holiday you can have here at this moment is enjoying nature. Go to the islands in the north, cycle, go sailing or hiking. The cities plus cultural and tourist attractions all have very limited capacity and some are still closed. A city trip is not the best idea right now.

Note that the basic rules still apply like keeping to the social distance rule (1.5m/5ft). Nor can you meet with friends or in a group (3 or more, outside of your household) without keeping your distance. This applies for indoor meetups too. Masks are obligatory in public transportation (including ferries, airports and airplanes). The fine can up to €390 if you don't confirm to the rules.

What is the current situation in the Netherlands from a tourist perspective?

Do you personally feel safe in the Netherlands at this moment?

We do. New infections right now are very low. And the daily death number is in the single digits. Most people are starting to lose a sense of urgency and become more relaxed. Time will tell if that was smart. Personally we feel people are getting impatient too soon, and it might be a perfect breeding ground for a 2nd wave of infections. Hopefully we're wrong. We personally still avoid travelling and contact to other humans as much as we can. We feel safer here than elsewhere because we have a decisive government that took action early, which helped and helps.

Also we have a good social system, taking care of people when income or revenue dries up. Our health care system is one of the best in the world and is accessible for all, which gives some sense of relieve. I feel we're in a much better place than many other countries around the world.

At the same time Herman still has his day job and works in a hospital on the front lines, that gives a different dimension to it all and it adds stress to our life. We also have fragile parents.

However, worry doesn't help any of us. We need to find positivity where we can. And listen to the experts: Keep 5ft/6ft distance -  Don't visit fragile and eldery friends and family members - Wash our hands before we go outside and when we come back home - Don't overcrowd shops, parks, and nature. If your government has more restrictive measures than that, of course follow those too!

What will happen to flower season, Formula 1, 75 years Liberation, Euro 2020, Eurovision, Gay Pride (Canal Parade) and SAIL?

​​​The Keukenhof will re-open again from Saturday March 20 until Sunday May 9 2021.

UEFA Euro 2020 the European Soccer competition (celebrating its 60th anniversary this year) has now officially been cancelled (decision has been made on March 17th, 2020). New dates have not been set but it will be in the summer of 2021, the name will remain Euro 2020.

The Canal Parade at Gay Pride is now officially cancelled (Decided on: April 21st, 2020). 

SAIL 2020 is now officially cancelled (Decided on:  April 21st, 2020). This one is especially sour for many people, since it has also been said it can not be postposed. Normally the event only occurs once every five years. That means the next edition will be in 2025. It's a long wait.

When is the next best time to travel to Holland?