Our historic canal house is situated in one of Hollands nicest cities Leiden, the Netherlands. Leiden is a small historic university town 30 minutes south of Amsterdam,20 minutes north of the Hague and 20 minutes east of the North sea beach. In the Golden Age, Leiden was the second most important city in the Netherlands with all of its wealth and academic fame and has a charming, historic inner city lined with canals. The city of Leiden is often referred to as a smaller version of Amsterdam. Every Wednesday and Saturday there is a market. Our house is right in the heart of the city center but just outside the crowdiness and public transport acces is very near.

Our house was built in 1621 and is a monument. 7 years ago we finished a complete renovation so now our house is restored in its old grandeur with touches of the 17th century but with all the modern amenities. It has a space of 220 m2, we have 4 floors and a small city garden (rare for the city center of leiden). The living room has a fire place. There are two bikes and a childrens bike available. We have 3 large bedrooms, 2 bathrooms The property is beautifully furnished and every week it is cleaned by a maid, So he perfect location for a vacation in Holland. From our house in Leiden everything you want to see in Holland is nearby.

Our house is in a peacefull area but in centre of Leiden. Leiden is beside a beautiful town a nice town to shop and from our house all the shops are within a 5 minute walking distance. You can enjoy the rich cultural live or enjoy one of the many terrases and restaurants. Close to our home are a few beautifull parcs. Public transport is almost in front of the house and parking is also nearby. If you bike for 20 minutes you are in the middel of the dutch countryside and lakes. It is called "the Kagerplassen".
No other city offers as many wonderful museums in one spot as Leiden. Pilgrim father museum, Naturalis (Museum of Natural History), Hortus botanicus (Botanical Gardens), Museum Volkenkunde (National Museum of Ethnology), Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) (Egypt, among other subjects), the Boerhaave Museum (science), the SieboldHuis (Japan), Municipal Museum De Lakenhal (Rembrandt and Leiden) and Molen De Valk (The Falcon Tower Mill). All of those museums are within 2 min to 20 min walking distance. Also for children Leiden offers many nice places to play, sail or bike. Amsterdam and Rotterdam (40 min by car and/or train) have nice Zoo's.

Because we have a child it is important that there are activities for her in the neighbourhood and , in summertime water, in the winter possibility of skiing. We like to try out new adventures and are open to any special proposal We did some other exchanges; for example France and Saint Martin and like that way of travelling. And needless to say that we respect the home of our guest family. Don't hesitate to send us an e mail if you want more information.

We tend to limit our travel to the school holidays (1 week in october, Christmas/ New Year, 1 week in Feb, Easter, 2 weeks in May and summer (Jul / Aug). If it is in Europe we are also open for long weekend exchanges. Sunny destinations and Ski destinations in Europe are of interest.
WE ARE ALREADY LOOKING FOR AN EXCHANGE SOMEWHERE BETWEEN 27 APRIL and 9 MAY 2013, PREFERRABLY AT A SUNNY DESTINATION SOMEWHERE.

Open to any dates

We are open to pretty much any interesting destination, but tend to limit our travel to the kids school holidays (Christmas/ New Year, 1 week in Feb, Easter, 2 weeks in May and summer (Jul / Aug). Sunny destinations and Ski destinations in Europe are of interest. If it is in Europe we are also open for long weekend exchange.

We are a family of 3 and we love to travel and sail. Joyce is HR manager at an direct marketing company and Floris has his own one men business (see for example www.Whisper.nu). He buys old wooden boots and restores them. His love of wood can you see in our house as he did most of the restoration of our house himself Our daughter is 5,5 years old and goes now to school, as every girl she likes ballet and pink colours. We are pretty much open to any interesting destination and prefer to travel as a family.

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