Catamaran Race
The weather seems to be getting warmer finally, so why not spend your weekend on the beach in Texel, watching the world’s biggest Catamaran race? The Round Texel race will host its 39th edition this coming weekend and with more than 300 entries so far, it will most certainly be a site to behold out on the ocean. Spectators can watch the boats as they launch themselves into the sea from the beach. Everything takes place at Paal 17 right on the beach, and there are of course plenty of other things to do while on Texel.
My last visit had me with my toes in the sand, a drink in my hand and plenty of sunshine. This weekend should prove to be the same, just accompanied by 600-plus sailors…not too shabby.
[embedyt] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tNAmA_pWP4[/embedyt]
The Island of Texel
The island has plenty of hotels, bungalows and apartments for rent, depending on the size of your group. There is a Sea Lion Sanctuary called Ecomare that is great for all ages, with plenty to see and a stone’s throw away from the beautiful beaches. Museums, galleries and workshops will keep everyone happy regardless of their interest.
The people on Texel are extremely friendly, and seem to have accepted that they live in a tourist destination. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from, and several that I visited had kid friendly dining areas to separate the rambunctious from the sophisticated! Walking the dunes was fun for all and because Texel is only about 170 square km, biking and walking is easily done.
Getting There
To get there you can easily go either by car or by train to Den Helder where you must board the Ferry to Texel. The Ferry is a great ride to the island, and while your car stays safely parked down below you can go above deck and enjoy a cup of coffee or tea while enjoying the view on the ride over. Cost is relatively cheap: per person by foot it’s a mere €2.50, and per car it’s €37.00 for a return ticket on the weekend. The boats generally run every 30 minutes, and you can find the entire Ferry schedule and prices on the website.
It is a great place to visit and big enough to warrant a return trip. So if you like sailing, warm smiles and the beach atmosphere, come to Texel this weekend and enjoy a different side of the Netherlands
