Holland Travel is the opposite of the large, anonymous travel agencies you will find online, so let’s get to know each other! Let me introduce myself: I am Yvonne ter Avest and I live in Nijverdal – a large village situated at an intersection of two rivers in the eastern part of the Netherlands.
Love for travel
I have always had a great passion for travel. Discovering hidden gems in old towns or simply enjoying a view you have never seen before – travel keeps you moving, through the world and through your soul. It connects you to something greater than yourself and the X amount of square kilometers your daily life takes place on.
Travel and the past
In my case, I found that travel can connect you to your own history. After the war, a large part of our family emigrated to Canada. In the years before Holland Travel existed, more and more family members and their descendants who still live in Canada traveled to Holland.
Some of them got in touch with me and asked if I would show them around. Well, you guessed it, of course I would!
We would visit some staple cultural attractions and combine that with an introduction to the contemporary Dutch way of life by showing them around our village. Maybe you’re thinking: well, that’s just regular old hospitality, right? But we’re not there yet. These people had a strong family connection to a place and people they did not necessarily know that well, just from the stories they were told.
Connection
Stories. That’s where it gets interesting. Some of our visitors wanted to see the places about which their families were talking. For example: their grandparents told them about the church where they got married or the oak tree they used to climb. To physically see that church or oak tree makes those stories come to life and feel as real as they do for their grandparents.
It creates a deeper connection to their loved ones and their own origins. I loved being a witness and facilitator to that experience.
Holland Travel
After these trips, many of the travelers asked me why don’t you do this professionally? At first I just laughed and took it as a compliment, but the idea took root. In 2015, something clicked and I decided to launch Holland Travel! My very own company for personalized journeys through time and place.
If you want to know more about the service I provide, click here.
For frequently asked questions, go to our FAQ page.
WHAT TRAVELLERS SAY ABOUT US
Edwin & Lisa Thornhill
United States, CA
After finding Holland Travel through a Google search, we coordinated a face-to-face video chat. This helped us sense a personal connection immediately! We felt comfortable that our travel interests were being addressed and a separation of our distinct interests and desires from that of a more generic tour package.
After several days that included Yvonne and her husband Arjen acting as our guides through lesser known to many but very memorable parts of the Netherlands, the personal touch exhibited by Yvonne gave us a feeling that Holland Travel genuinely cares about our experience. It was, after all, the owner and operator herself that was here with us. The accountability was very tangible.
After returning home, the multiple follow-ups from Yvonne gave us a sense of true friendship, one which we will always remember quite fondly. We were very pleased, and as such we would recommend your company to anyone who asks.
Jeff & Ellen
United States, PA
Good time, great balance between guided tour and free time. Would have liked more info about restaurants in the areas where we stayed.
Margaret Elgersma
Canada, ON
Our 4 day cycling trip last Sep in Friesland was amazing. Thanks Yvonne for renting our bikes, putting us on the right feetspad ,
arranging our B&B, providing us with maps and places to see and places to eat. You were a pleasure to work with and we definitely would book through you again.
Ingrid Johnston
Canada, ON
Yvonne was a great help in making the most of our trip to The Netherlands.
From seeing Amsterdam on foot, visiting our parent’s birthplace, to sightseeing and travelling to many cities by train, it was all wonderful!!
She has a natural instinct for knowing what is worth seeing and doing, and made the whole trip much more fun and worthwhile.
I wouldn’t have wanted to do it without her assistance.
Thank you so much Yvonne!
Dan Roh
United States, WA
Because of Yvonne, I saw Holland like a local. I fell in love with her beautiful country!
There is no better way to see Holland than with a native like Yvonne.
She will treat you like family and show you not just the country, but its people and how they really live.
Jeanette de Klerk
Canada, ON
Last September we did a 4 day bike trip through Friesland. Yvonne did a great job planning our route, booking our B & B’s,
renting our bikes and gave us great advice. Yvonne was so friendly and helpful.
It was my first time in Holland and it was an amazing way to see the homeland our family came from.
We had an awesome time and I would definitely contact Holland Travel again.
Christa & Conny
Canada, ON
Yvonne planned our biking trip in the Fall of 2015. She did an excellent job!
She planned our routes and provided maps for each day. She booked our nightly accommodations and checked up on us throughout our trip.
It was a great adventure and was an excellent way to experience Holland.
We have great memories and I would definitely ask Yvonne to plan another trip, maybe next time with my kids 🙂
Ina Hellendoorn
Nederland, OV
Genoten van een heerlijk familie weekend op het mooie eiland Texel. Een prachtige wandelroute in het natuurgebied ‘ de Slufter” .
Op de fiets genoten van het weidse uitzicht en natuurlijk de Texelse schapen. Met als afsluiter een bezoekje aan de Texelse bierbrouwerij. Het mooie weer ,een leuke accommodatie op loopafstand van den Burgh, waar je heerlijk een hapje en drankje kunt doen op een gezellig terras.
Dit alles maakte het voor ons tot een Top weekend .
Bedankt Holland Travel.
Familie Gietman
Bonaire
Wij hebben dankzij jou een fantastische reis gehad. Je hebt onze reis uitstekend gepland en voorbereid en alles was tot in de puntjes verzorgd.
Er was geen enkele accommodatie bij die “tegenviel”. Alles was super geregeld. Bedankt!
Familie Cok
United States, NM
You helped us more than you know!
Meeting Ger and Jaap was fantastic. Ger showed us his hotel.
Loved time with Joan’s cousin in Groningen and time at Landal Esonstad.
Car rental worked well. Enjoyed Friesland, Schiermonnikoog, Baflo, Bedum, Winsum, Obergon, Eenrum, Ezinge, Dokkum.
One difference we noted is that at Schipol travelers need to know that the people who work there are knowledgeable and ready to help any way they can. So before taking off to quickly, take the time to ask how the trains and ticketing, everything works in Holland.
Thanks
Mark and Leanne Jansen
Grand Rapids Michigan U.S
Meeting Yvonne at the airport was great. It was overwhelming to walk into the busy airport and greet her smile.
During the train journey she showed us how to travel with the trains and trams.
I would encourage anyone visiting the Netherlands to be greeted by her at the airport!
Having lunch in cafe Wildschut was a great way to start the journey and have time to get an explanation of our itinerary.
Thanks to Yvonne we have made a great trip through the Netherlands and Belgium.