Terschelling Island
You probably haven’t heard of Terschelling Island, which is the second largest of the West Frisian Islands. The West Frisian Islands are a unique nature reserve called the Wadden Area, in the North Netherlands. Terschelling is one of the largest and is the most cultured of the Islands. For all of the Frisian them, nature is crucial— there is a beautiful islandic feeling to them.
What’s so special about Terschelling Island?
The people of Terschelling have done an excellent job of preserving the natural flora and fauna of the island. This results in a varied landscape that ranges from a coastal shoreline to tidal salt marshes, and forests. It also has over 70 km (approx 43 miles) of biking paths on which you can explore the Island. Terschelling is also incredibly close to the other 5 islands, so you can island hop between them using the ferry boat system.
Here are some things you can expect to see during your Terschelling Island relaxing yoga retreat with Drishti Journeys:
Sprawling and dreamy beaches
There’s nothing like the feeling of a European island— and Terschelling is the perfect embodiment. With over 30 km (or, approx. 19 miles) of sandy beaches that run along the Island’s North Coastline, Terschelling Island’s beaches are perfect for a relaxing getaway. Sandy soft sands are ideal for playing and building sandcastles, sunbathing, reading a good book, playing beach volleyball and going for walks. We also would be crazy if we didn’t mention that the south coast of Terschelling is also incredibly beautiful and worth seeing. This side of the island touches the Wadden Sea! It’s an active feeding ground for millions of migratory birds— what a beautiful way to pass a late afternoon.
Terschelling’s decadent culinary scene featuring cranberries
History goes that sometime between 1840 and 1845, a barrel full of cranberries washed up on the shores of Terschelling during a storm. Some say the cranberries were left in the dunes and began to spread, others say they were cultivated to help their sailors fight scurvy. Either way, the Dutch love their cranberries. Now Terschelling’s most popular souvenirs are their delicious cranberry jams and wines! Cranberries are also one of the main ingredients of the local cuisine. Be sure to taste their cranberry tea or a cranberry cake with cranberry compote in one of Terschellings many restaurants. There are also delicious seafood restaurants serving local fish near the Brandaris lighthouse in West Terschelling.
The Boschplaat Nature Reserve
While there is some agriculture (like cranberries), a large portion of Terschelling Island has now become a nature reserve. On Terschelling you will find a wide variety of landscapes, from the coast line to sand dunes, salt marshes filled with oysters, and farmlands with sprawling pastures. We personally love that during your Terschelling Island retreat with us at Drishti journeys, we take a private boat ride to visit the salt marshes and harvest our own delicate and fresh oysters. Afterwards we return to one of the lovely restaurants on the island for sipping wine, and to eat our beautifully prepared oysters! It's an out of this world experience. The island of Terschelling is also perfect for birdwatching. This kind of nature is a vast nature filled with serenity.
Lighthouse Brandaris Terschelling
The oldest lighthouse in the Netherlands, the Brandaris from 1594, welcomes visitors to the island of Terschelling. Standing at 53.7 m (or 176 feet) tall, with six floors, it's still in operation today. Sadly, no one has been able to climb the tower since the 80’s. But it’s still a warm and inviting welcome to the Island of Terschelling.
Terschelling Island makes for a lovely and relaxing getaway! We know you’ll love visiting with us at Drishti Journeys.
Travel to our favorite, and close to home, yoga retreat destination, Terschelling Island, and discover the beauty of Northern European island life. You won’t regret a minute of it.
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