January 6, 2026, 3:28 pm | Read time: 7 minutes
A firework-free holiday park in the Netherlands was supposed to give Elvis the dog a peaceful New Year’s Eve. That’s why our author, Manuela Lieflaender, and her partner booked the expensive holiday home in the middle of nowhere. Things turned out differently: Instead of silence, there were fireworks, disputes with guests, aggressive neighbor dogs, and a website full of false promises.
Nearly 900 Euros for Four Nights Without Fireworks
Yippee, we did it. The firework-free accommodation in a holiday park in a quiet area was booked. Surrounding us were only meadows, water, and a bit of forest. That’s how it looked in the promotional photo and how it was described in the park’s description. I checked at least ten times to make sure fireworks were indeed not allowed. You never know, after all, it’s the last year fireworks were allowed in the Netherlands.
Volker found the accommodation directly on the operator’s website and was mighty proud of his find. I was torn. Nearly 900 euros for four nights was a lot of money for a vacation in the middle of nowhere. No cafes, promenades, beaches, or sights. That’s why I was a bit envious of my friend who also snagged a holiday home in Husum at the last minute. At least there was something going on in the tourist hotspot. But hey, there would surely be fireworks there. And after all, we weren’t going for ourselves, but for our Australian Shepherd Elvis, so he wouldn’t be stressed by the fireworks.
The Bitter Reality at the Reception
As soon as we got out of the car, we were shocked: a loud bang. A firework. I immediately stomped angrily with Elvis to the reception. The employee’s response was as sobering as it was brazen: “We have no control over what happens outside the park.”
The problem: The area was only partially a closed holiday complex. On the edges were private houses, and directly behind them was the settlement. This is unusual for this operator’s facilities. However, the park is presented from a bird’s-eye view on the website. As a closed area and without a settlement. This photo does not reflect reality. Added to this are advertising promises on the holiday park’s website like “firework-free,” “security checks,” “quiet surroundings,” and “just nature.”
Then a Furious Doodle Came from the Neighboring Holiday Home
On our way to the holiday home, the fireworks continued. Volker then accidentally stepped in dog poop and walked through every room in the holiday home with his soiled shoes. I was thrilled and wondered, “What’s next?” The mood was at rock bottom—but not low enough yet.
We were just about to start our walk when a furious Doodle came rushing at us from the neighboring holiday home. At the last moment, I managed to get Elvis to safety in our house. It felt like minutes before the owner arrived. He stared at me through the glass door of our holiday home instead of catching his dog.
I Wanted to Kill Him with My Gaze
I just shook my head and was about to go out and give the guy a piece of my mind. He was just what I needed. But I didn’t want Elvis to see me lose it. He might think that’s how you act when other dogs are involved. So I waited and watched as the guy tried to catch his dog, who was long gone.
When he finally caught him, he put the collar on—and poof, the dog was gone again. The guy looked at me, probably ashamed because I stood in the holiday home in my coat and hat, dog on a leash, wanting to kill him with my gaze.
This Facility Is a Total Flop
When we finally set off, I was almost run over by a car in the car-free park. Even though Volker and I nearly tore each other apart over my anger, we agreed: This facility is a total flop. I would have loved to pack my things and go home immediately. By now, I also had a terrible headache because I was so upset. But we had paid a lot of money for a firework-free holiday park that even advertised a security guard to monitor the firework ban, but only within the grounds.
“There’s a Lot of Nonsense on the Website.”
The only walk consisted of a narrow dam without a sidewalk. Have you ever shared a narrow road with cars, racing cyclists, e-bikes, and dog owners? Highly concentrated, ears pricked for approaching cars, I kept Elvis close and at the roadside. Down by the water, waterfowl gathered. I just thought, “Hopefully, Elvis doesn’t suddenly get the idea to chase the ducks while I’m focused on an approaching car.” Then we’d both go over the cliff.
My only hope for a quiet walk was the advertised hiking route on the operator’s website. It was supposed to be just a kilometer away. However, there was no sign anywhere, and the forest in the photo was nowhere to be seen. So I paid another visit to the reception. The employee just laughed: “There’s a lot of nonsense on the website.”
Fireworks Right at the Holiday Home
I took the opportunity to ask her how bad the fireworks in the settlement would be. “There’s almost nothing here. The fireworks can only be heard from the city nine kilometers away.” She was wrong.
On the night before New Year’s Eve, we were jolted from deep sleep. The residents set off fireworks, making it clear: You and your animals won’t find peace here! We didn’t yet know that more was to come.
On New Year’s Eve, around 10 p.m., the situation escalated. Despite the firework ban and supposed security, guests set off fireworks right next to our house. Volker, usually the calm one, was ready to catch the culprit and threw on his jacket. Where was this mysterious security guard? Was that just another empty advertising promise?
Dog vacation in Limburg in the Netherlands: “Lonely, but our dogs were happy
With the Dog to the Moselle: “This Trip Blew Us Away”
The Loudest Fireworks I’ve Ever Heard
In the parking lot right next to our holiday home, a father stood with his son, setting off another firework. Volker shone his flashlight directly in his face and confronted him. No, he didn’t know about the firework ban, the man said. Besides, he was in the parking lot and not in the park. “Aha. So the parking lot doesn’t belong to the park?” Volker asked irritably. They went back and forth.
Only when Volker mentioned that we had paid a lot of money because our dog Elvis is afraid of New Year’s fireworks did the father show understanding and leave. At midnight, the residents made good on their “announcement” from the previous night: They set off the loudest fireworks I’ve ever heard. Suddenly, our phones beeped: National alert in the Netherlands because the emergency number was overloaded.
My Conclusion: Don’t Rely on the Website
While Elvis sat panting with wide eyes next to me on the sofa, I received a WhatsApp. The message was from my friend in Husum. She sent a photo of her sleeping dog with the words: “What a relaxed New Year’s Eve. Everything is quiet here.”
I’ve thought a lot about how to avoid such a flop. My tips for anyone looking for a firework-free accommodation are:
- Call personally: Don’t rely on advertising promises on the website, user reviews, or AI summaries on Google. Ask explicitly how far the nearest residential area is from the firework-free accommodation or holiday park. Then you can better estimate how loud it will be if fireworks are allowed in the area.
- Check the community: A firework ban in the park is useless if private houses border the facility.
- Critically examine Google Maps: Zoom out and see how close the nearest residential areas really are.
- Use Facebook groups: Inquire in groups like “Firework-Free & Low-Firework New Year’s for Dogs and Humans” about experiences with the facility or which areas and accommodations are recommended.
Can’t get enough of Elvis and his owner? Visit dog journalist Manuela Lieflaender on Instagram.
About the Author
Manuela Lieflaender is a certified dog psychologist and horsewoman. Her portfolio includes guide texts as well as reports on pet-friendly travel destinations and in-depth experience reports.