In Alphen aan den Rijn, half an hour south of Amsterdam by car and an hour by train via Leiden, you can find the Archeon. It is a historical themepark with reenactors who are mostly historians. In the past it had a real timemachine but now you just walk into the Prehistory.
I cannot imagine to live happily in a hut and according to the resident it was full of mice. However when you walk on and you enter the Roman Era it suddenly does not feel that alien anymore. Stone buildings that are plastered and painted white, toilets, a bathhouse a huge inn.
But wait what is that rumour? Suddenly you are invited towatch a gladiator fight. Something that completely upsets your dog friend who was happily sniffing all those interesting smells.
Walking towards the Early Middle Ages it is obviously you are back in huts and hovels again and that rune stone of the Vikings does not promise that much peace and traquility either.
But the Late Middle Ages offer nice houses and a monastery you would not mind sleeping in.
I have been there I think 5 times in the last 20 odd years. Bear in mind to go on a nice and sunny day because in a drizzle all looks wet and gloomy. During the winter months the Archeon is only open on certain days what are mostly during school holidays.
It is certainly a place I do recommend and I am sure you will not see that many foreigners there so you can tell your friends at home you have been somewhere off the beaten track.
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