One of the best ways to travel to the Netherlands is by ferry from England to Holland. Holland has so much to offer and we are not just talking about Amsterdam, in this we are going to shift our attention to a different Amsterdam – a miniature one.

The world famous city of Madurodam is an hour’s drive away is from Amsterdam, the 1:25 scaled city is a work of art and a must visit if you are in Holland. It has all the Dutch landmarks in the finest detail and a great way to familiarize yourself with popular landmarks and buildings of interest, from Schiphol Airport to the famous cheese market, The Hague to Dam Square, turning windmills to planes landing at the airport, This is a great day out for all the family and one that will be remembered for life.

AFC Ajax Football Club

AFC Ajax where founded in 1900, after joining the Dutch League in 1901 they struggled in the second division for ten years before winning promotion to the Dutch first division in 1911 season, the fairytale story of Ajax did not start here as they were demoted back to the second division three years later, this was the first and last time they would ever leave the Dutch top flight in their 109 year history. Hard to believe that they came from the second division in the first place!

Since they won the first ever Dutch National Championship way back in 1918 – Ajax have dominated the top end of the Dutch league whilst producing some fine world class players along the way. It was their legendary trainer Jack Reynolds that set the foundations of the now world renowned Ajax youth training camp.

The Amsterdam outfit has now won a staggering 29 league titles. In 1961 they had their first taste of European experience by playing in the Cup Winners’ Cup, ten years later they had their hands on the trophy and failed to give it back for an astonishing three seasons as the romped to glory in Holland, Europe and the World as most of the players in the team tasted world cup success in 1972 along with the legendary Johan Cruijff.

AFC Ajax has produced some of the best players in the world dating back to the 1930’s. With every passing decade there is another list of legendary players that have taken the football world by storm. Ajax amongst other big clubs from smaller countries now find themselves in a precarious position - knowing they can’t compete financially against the other big clubs from the major European Leagues, Ajax must be the best prepared club outside the major leagues in Europe knowing that they can produce world class players to play on their pitch whilst selling one or two every year if need be to balance the books.