Agnes Holtjer — In Motion
Between Governance, Nature, and Discovery
Agnes Holtjer is someone who thrives on movement. Not only in my work as a strategic leader in the public sector, where I focus on complex spatial challenges and administrative collaboration, but also in my free time. Traveling has always been part of who I am.
I once wanted to study Cultural Anthropology, but life took a different turn. I started my career in the travel industry and later co-owned a boutique hotel and restaurant in our family business, which we sold eight years ago. Along the way, I also served as a national board member within the hospitality sector, gaining a broader perspective on the industry and politics.
Still, my curiosity for unusual destinations has never faded. My belief remains simple: if we hold on to the old, we don’t move forward.
I grew up in a small village near the Drentsche Aa, surrounded by forests and heathland. Nature has always been an anchor for me. Yet on weekends, I often seek the openness of the coast, the sea as a counterbalance to the woods.
Agnes Holtjer, Strategic Leader in the Public Sector
Friday | The Freedom of the Wadden
A Love Affair with the Islands
Friday morning starts early. Together with my husband and our dog, I head toward the Wadden Islands. The ferry takes us to Ameland, where we begin with a long walk along the beach. The salty air and the sound of the waves instantly create a sense of freedom. Afterward, we settle down at Strandpaviljoen Sjoerd for a well-deserved break.
We then take a water taxi to Vlieland and walk to Het Posthuys, a place where nature and tranquility come together beautifully. After a late lunch, we continue on foot to the shipwreck house on the Vliehors, a silent witness to past maritime disasters. Once a refuge for stranded sailors, it now serves as a small museum in the middle of a vast, almost surreal landscape. It’s an unknown gem and also used as a unique meeting and even wedding location.
An Evening of Stories and Flavor
We end the day in the city of Groningen, at Mr. Mofongo. Here, global travel experiences come together in flavors, stories, and an intimate atmosphere. Surrounded by industrial design and artifacts collected from around the world, we enjoy a culinary journey with friends.
That evening, we travel on to Velp, where we stay at Boutique Hotel Beekhuizen, located on the edge of the beautiful Nationaal Park Veluwezoom. It’s a place full of character, history, and a subtle Austrian feel.
Saturday | Landscapes Shaped by Time
Walking Through History and Nature
Saturday begins slowly, with breakfast and a walk through a landscape shaped by streams and sprengen—man-made brooks once used to generate water power. Nature reveals itself in small, beautiful moments: perhaps a deer in the distance, or the flash of a kingfisher darting past.
In the afternoon, we visit Elburg, a fortified town where the Middle Ages still feel present. Within its old walls, time seems to stand still. The straight street layout makes it impossible to get lost, but perfect for wandering at ease.
Maritime Heritage and Meaningful Encounters
Here, I also discover the world of the “brown fleet,” historic sailing ships that once transported goods and now represent a living maritime heritage. Recognized as intangible cultural heritage, this tradition connects past and present on the waters of the IJsselmeer and the Wadden Sea.
Later, we continue to Ravenstein, a charming fortified town along the river Maas. At Hotel Restaurant De Keurvorst, we spend the evening with friends, sharing drinks, dinner at nearby Versaen, and good conversation.
We end the night in Middelburg, where we stay at Hotel St Joris.
Sunday | Burgundian Warmth by the Sea
The Flemish Soul of Hulst
Sunday morning starts with a long walk and some relaxed shopping, as the stores are open. We then drive to Hulst, a town known as the most Flemish city in the Netherlands. Its Burgundian lifestyle, rich history, and warm atmosphere appeal to me deeply. The legend of Reynard the Fox still lives here, commemorated with a statue.
Returning to the Coast
We end the day by the coast in Noordwijk, where we stay at Vesper Hotel. The sea brings space, calm, and reflection, exactly what I need after a weekend full of movement.
Monday | Renewed Energy
Staying in Motion
On Monday morning, I wake up early. Windswept, re-energized, and filled with new impressions, I begin a new workweek. Because moving forward starts with staying in motion, and sometimes, that simply begins with a weekend away.
More Dutch Dream Weekends
Agnes Holtjer — In Motion
Rotterdam: Not Perfect, Just Real
