Slow travel is on the rise as tourists look to spend longer in a single destination and truly immerse themselves in the local culture.
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Now that the Netherlands has unveiled an affordable summer train subscription, giving visitors unlimited nationwide travel during off-peak times, weekends and public holidays for €49 a month, we think we’ve found the perfect place to embrace the trend.
The scheme, called NS Flex Dal Vrij, has been launched by Nederlandse Spoorwegen (NS), the country's national railway company, in collaboration with the government.
It offers unlimited travel across the country for €49 a month for up to two months. Ordinarily, a month’s travel would set passengers back €127.95.
“Anyone who purchases a subscription by 30 June can travel by train unlimitedly outside of peak hours,” the Dutch rail operator said, adding that from Groningen to Middelburg and from Maastricht to Den Helder, the country is at travellers' feet.
The country's extensive rail network spans around 400 train stations, with some, such as Haarlem Central and Leiden, steeped in history. While in newer and larger stations, including Amsterdam and Utrecht, it's not uncommon to see trains with USB chargers, digital displays showing the latest news, routes and train information as well as handy wifi.
Where and when can you use NS Flex Dal Vrij?
The monthly train subscription is valid for use during off-peak hours, which are Monday to Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, and from 6:30 pm to 6:30 am.
Travellers can also enjoy unlimited travel on weekends from 6:30 pm on Friday through until 4:00 am on Monday.
With the exception of train rides via Eurostar, NS Flex Dal Vrij can be used on all trains operated by Dutch rail carrier trains, which means from the capital Amsterdam, you can board a train and be in Utrecht in just half an hour, or The Hague Central Station in around 50 minutes.
After having reached one’s stop, passengers can also hop on a bus, tram or the metro (at standard fare), or grab a bike, and explore what their destination has to offer.
Train stations worth travelling for
Few countries do pomp and glitter quite like the Dutch kingdom.
Home to around 600 castles and country estates, the centuries-old monuments, with their lofty towers and sprawling gardens, are a perfect glimpse into how nobility used to live.
Coincidentally, Baarn, located in the heart of the country and famed for being the location of Soestdijk Palace, is also home to one of the Netherlands’ smaller stations – Soestdijk station.
What the station lacks in size, it more than makes up for in grandeur, having once served members of the Dutch royal family. It’s also a ten-minute bike ride from the palace.
But if it’s beauty you’re after, the Dutch dubbed Groningen Central as the “Most Beautiful Station in the Netherlands” in the inaugural edition of an NS nationwide vote.
Known for its stunning tile panels, which were created by artist F.H. Bach, 10,000 people voted in the poll.
In southern Holland, Rotterdam Blaak station is where the train, metro, tram and bus come together. At street level, passengers can marvel at the flying saucer-esque 35-metre-wide transparent dome, created by LI Vákár, before boarding the tram.
Just a level below, there's a choice of metro tracks. Further down is the railway tunnel, which serves both national and international routes.
Where else can you get great value train fares?
Just across the border, Germany’s Deutsche Bahn is also offering value deals for travellers to explore the country until September.
As part of the Super Sparpreis Last Minute initiative, bookings made on last minute fares on Saturdays and Sundays for trips on the following week are rewarded with prices as low as €6.99 in second class intercity trains.
In the Mediterranean, Renfe, Spain’s national railway company, offers the Spain Rail Pass, which is just the ticket for non-residents looking to explore the country’s extensive rail network.
Whether on national long-distance trains, such as AVE, high-speed trains, or regional routes, the pass allows travellers to choose the number of journeys, class of travel and destinations. And Spain certainly doesn't lack in options, from World Heritage cities like Toledo, Cuenca, Segovia, and Ávila to destinations like Granada and Córdoba.
With the BritRail Great Britain Pass, the country's National Rail network is your oyster. It offers a choice of flexible and consecutive travel types, for use on any days within two months of consecutive days within a month respectively, on either first or second class across England, Scotland and Wales, with prices starting at €141.