Photo: Stijnbokhove

To get rid of winter fat one does desperate things. Lots of people launch into brainless dieting or unsustainable exercise programs. But there is probably nothing better or more comfortable than a walk along the beach. Even after a night out with little or no sleep, a blast of cool wind works wonders for your metabolic system. Since a direct connection runs between Amsterdam and Zandvoort aan Zee, give it a try and head for the central station. In the 30 minutes on the train you can doze or let your eyes glide over the utterly plain Dutch landscape. Arriving in the former fishing village, Zandvoort, you only have to follow your nose because sea air mixed with fried fish will lead the way.

Having been raised in the rather snobby neighbouring village of Bloemendaal, I am contaminated with the prejudice that Zandvoort is a lower class beach because it for years attracted working class Amsterdammers. However I simply love the outstretched sky above a dark opaque sea at Zandvoort, the miles of honey coloured sand and those big annoying seagulls screaming their endless screams.

Zandvoort aan Zee is famous for one particular reason: the traditional dive into the sea on New Year’s Day. To me this sounds exactly like a vision of hell and I have never so much as put a toe into the freezing cold water on New Year’s Day.

While at the beach you should take a walk in the northern direction and you’ll reach Bloemendaal aan Zee in about 30 minutes (depending on your condition). When I lived in Bloemendaal I often frequented the café Parnassia, a place that to me has become synomonous with the beach.

According to the season you can either enjoy a glass on the terrace overlooking the sea, or you can try to get warm around the big indoor fire. Recently Parnassia has been completly restyled but that doesn’t make any difference to me. Hidden in the dunes, this place simply gives a golden finish to my beach day.

PARNASSIA; Parnassia weg 1; Bloemendaal aan Zee

GO FURTHER:

A Moving Beach: Blijburg aan Zee

Urban Beaching in Amsterdam