Netherlands Things to Do Tips by vtveen

The Dutch province of Drenthe has 52 of the 54 remaining Dutch dolmens, or better megalithic tombs. These huge stone graves were built by farmers belonging to the ‘Funnel Beaker Culture’. They started building these tombs more than 5.000 year ago. They used the boulders, scattered around in this area, which were transported to Drenthe during the last ice period.

Borger, a small village in Drenthe, is more or less the capital of the Dutch Dolmens. In and around the village are 16 of these ‘hunebedden’ (Dutch for megalithic tomb) and just outside Borger is the ‘Hunebedcentrum’ (a museum and megalithic tombs information centre). Here you may find more information about the people, who made these tombs, their way of living and much more.

The best way to see the dolmens in the landscape is to walk or bike. In the museum or Tourist Information Centre in Borger are several brochures available with cycling and walking routes.
We did the ‘Flintenroute’ (flint = boulder): a bike tour along the major tombs and through the typical landscape of Drenthe. That means forest, heathland, sheep and small quiet villages. The route is 35 km’s long and it will take 2 ½ hours biking.

Renting a bike is no problem in Borger.
See for a hotel in Borger ‘hotels & accommodation’ tips.

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Address: Borger - Drenthe
Directions: Directions: www.viamichelin.com
Website: http://www.hunebedcentrum.nl/default.htm

The Netherlands is famous for its tulips and other bulbs. Everybody knows the Keukenhof and the so called 'Bloembollenstreek' in the western part of our country between Haarlem and Leiden.

But there is a complete other way to see these wonderful flowers. In one of our polders, the 'Noordoostpolder' is the biggest area with tulips in the Netherlands. Late April/early May there are lots of activities around the flowering time of the tulips. Everywhere along the road you can buy some fresh tulips for a couple of euro's.

We made the signposted car tour along the 'Bollenroute'; this is 100 km long route through the Noordoostpolder, which shows us a lot of tulip fields. Besides it is more or less amazing if you realise the fact that you are driving on the bottom of a former sea.

Along the route are a lot of interesting sites to make a stop, among them:
- an information centre and show garden with hundreds of tulip species;
- a huge orchid garden;
- a garden where you can pick your own tulips (http://www.tulpenpluktuin.nl/).

For directions and a map see the website.

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Directions: Flevoland - Noordoostpolder
Website: www.tulpenfestival.nl

The Dutch province of Friesland is commonly well known for its flatness, green meadows with cows, lakes and sailing boats. But some parts of the province are quite different; one of them is ‘Gaasterland’ is the south western part.

Gaasterland (gaast = sandy hill) has some hills, although don’t expect too much (the highest one is just 12,7 metres above the sea level). They are remains of the latest ice age, when glaciers covered also the Netherlands.
It is a very pleasant and beautiful scenery, with its gently sloped landscape, meadows, loam cliffs along the Ijsselmeer and several forest; together with some really nice and quiet villages a very interesting part of Friesland.

We made a walk of a couple of hours through this scenery and just saw al these elements, making a loop walk from the small village of Oudemirdum. First ‘climbing’ a hill and afterwards descending to the dike along the IJsselmeer and the so called Mirnser Klif (with an height of 2,5 metres). Through the ‘Rijster Bosch’, a 300 year old planted forest with varied trees, we reached the small (holiday) village of Rijs and walked back through another forest with these typical hills to Oudemirdum.

Oudemirdum is a good starting point for exploring Gaasterland. It is a very nice village with a couple of shops, cafés and restaurants along the Brink (square) and most important for tourists an information centre. They offer maps with signposted walks or just buy a map and make your own (as we did) tour.
Opening hours: April – November, Monday to Saturday, 10.00 – 17.00 hours.

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Directions: South western part of the province of Friesland.
Website: www.marenklif.nl
Other Contact: www.gaasterlandpromotion.nl

This part of the Veluwe has an unique scenery with the biggest drifting sands area of Europe. Surrounded by forests and just close to the very small village of Kootwijk, it is one of the most remote parts of the Netherlands. Therefore it is such a pity that tourist facilities, like camping sites and holiday parks are coming closer and closer to this unique spot.

The only way to explore “Kootwijkerzand” is to walk. Personally we prefer to stroll around without using paths. It is such an amazing landscape, sometimes the sand is almost white, other parts are covered by moss or small pines. And always the sand is drifting in the wind and the landscape is constantly changing. Sometimes it seems to be a little Sahara, specially when temperatures in the sun reach 50 degrees Celsius !!

If you don’t like to walk, just find a nice spot on one of the hills (they are called a ‘fort’) and just sit down and look around, see the living skies and enjoy this beautiful scenery.

Kootwijk is within easy reach of the highway between Amersfoort and Apeldoorn. In the village turn left on the (only) junction; follow “Kerkendelweg” and turn right into “Houtzagersweg”. At the end of the sealed road is a car park. Go through a small gate and walk for about 500 metres straight on. Suddenly you will reach this huge sandbox. Stroll around, but just take care you don’t get lost and can not find your way out !!

(on the road between Kootwijk and Harskamp is a car park with a short sign posted track, but we don’t like that part too much, because it is ‘overcrowded’).

Directions: www.viamichelin.com

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Address: near the village of Kootwijk
Directions: between Apeldoorn and Amersfoort
Website: www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/doen/dagjeuit/zelfoppad/details.asp?LOC_ID=61

Apeldoorn has a strong bond with the house of Orange (Oranje). So it is not strange at all to find a bike tour called 'Oranjeroute', starting in Apeldoorn. This route is a mixture between some royal (Oranje) highlights in the city with perhaps some of the most scenic areas around the city on the Veluwe.

We could pick up the route 75 metres from our home, but for visitors the best starting point may be the station. In front of the station starts the 'Stationsstraat', just enter this street and soon you will see on of the hexagonal signs 'ORANJE route'.

The only thing you have to do (besides 'some' pedalling on your bike) is to follow these signs and after 35 km's you will return on your starting point. It will take 2½ hours biking, but there are a lot of benches along the route and you also can stop for a drink in Assel or Hoog Soeren.
Although we know the area very well, we noticed again how hilly the Veluwe is. If you are not an experienced biker this trip will be rather challenging.

The highlights along the route:
- Oranjepark*: a real city park
- Grote Kerk*: the church of the royal family, if they are staying in Apeldoorn
- Statue of Queen Wilhelmina*: just in front of the church
- Loolaan: one of Apeldoorn’s most beautiful avenue’s
- De Naald*: an obelisk in honour of the engagement of Queen Wilhelmina and Duke Hendrik
- Man with Two Hats*: monument to mark the liberation of the Netherlands
- Palace Het Loo: just behind De Naald starts a drive way to the palace
- Koningin Julianatoren: an amusement park for children
- Hoog Soeren*: ‘mountain village’ (make a short detour for your coffee or lunch)
- the Veluwe: scenic drive through forests and heath (with some pools)

* see tips and on my Apeldoorn page.

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Directions: The route starts at the train station in Apeldoorn.
The Tourist Information Centre (VVV) has a map of the route.

Although most of our polders are in the western part of the country, the Ooijpolder (and some other polders) are stretching from Nijmegen till the German town of Emmerich. On one side surrounded by the rivers Waal and Rhine and on the ‘land’ side by the hills of ‘Beek’ and ‘Ubbergen’.

We started our biketour at the so called Hollandsch-Duitsch Gemaal. This pumping-station was built in 1933 and is still responsible for draining away the water from the German polders into the river Waal.
Our route follows the signs (ANWB) of the ‘Ooij route’ and it was very easy to find our way.

Main parts of the trip we were biking on the dikes, which meant we had great views of the beautiful scenery of meadows, agricultural land, orchards and wetlands with the typical willows. But most impressive are the numerous ponds, pools, small canals and the river Rhine and Waal with everywhere a lot of water birds.
In the small village of Kekerdom we followed the signs to the ‘Millinger Theetuin’ and entered the nature park of the Millingerwaard with swamps, wetlands and river dunes. The track is unsealed and sometimes rather bad. You might encounter Polish Konik horses and Scottish Galloway cows.
Follow the bike track along the river Waal and you will see the ‘Ooij route’ signs again, which we followed back to our car.

We passed some remnants of the IJssel Linie (old line of defence dating back from the Cold War), several dike houses and a couple of quaint old villages. Before heading to Ooij make a detour to the ‘old’ church and the remnants of Castle Ooij (dating back to 1184). Persingen, almost at the end of the route, is supposed to be the smallest village of the Netherlands with a church (15th century), a former guesthouse ‘de Bonte Os’ and a couple of houses.

This bike tour is 48 km’s long and with a couple of stops an ideal day trip through a really fascinating Dutch landscape.

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Directions: Start your bike trip at the 'Hollandsch-Duitsch Gemaal', just outside Nijmegen or in one of the villages like Ooij, Kekerdom, Millingen, Erlecom or Leuth.
Bike rental: railway station in Nijmegen, Millingen (www.millingscentrum) or Erlecom (www.benmey.nl)
Website: www.millingerwaard.info
Other Contact: www.geldersepoort.nl

Groningen is the most northern city of the country and has an important university, which provides the city with a special charm with lots of students, student cafés/pubs and a numerous number of bicycles.
The best way to explore Groningen is to make a city walk. The Tourist Information Centre (Grote Markt 25, opposite the Martinitoren) has a leaflet with two walks for just € 1,50.

These ‘walks’ brought us to the highlights of the city like the Martinitoren and Church and the market squares - lined with old houses and buildings, but also to a lot of hidden gems, which we hadn’t seen otherwise. A couple of the most interesting sights along the route:
-‘Prinsenhoftuin’: a rose and herb garden, dating from 1625.
- ‘Nieuwe Kerk’; this church was built in 1664 and is surrounded by a nice park.
- Academic Buildings: the oldest part of the university, inaugurated in 1909. I think we never have seen so many bicycles together as in front of these university buildings.
- Canals ‘Lage der A’ and ‘Hoge der A’: with former warehouses, most of them are now apartments.
- a very modern urinal.
- ‘Aa-Kerk : dating from the 15th century wit a very remarkable tower.
- Alms- and orphan houses: always hidden behind a gate
- Railway station: a building with ‘jugendstil’ and ‘renaissance’ elements; especially the interior of the main hall is worth a visit.
And many many more …

On our way there was time enough for a cup of coffee, having a lunch or to do some shopping. We passed also a lot of museums and it is no problem at all to spend the whole day in this most northern city of the Netherlands.

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Address: Capital of the province of Groningen.
Directions: Accessible
by train, see: www.ns.nl
by car, for directions see: www.viamichelin.com
Website: www.vvvgroningen.nl

The Marne area is situated in the north western part of the province of Groningen and called after a former island. It is now dotted with small villages, meandering streams and some beautiful ‘borgen’ (mansions). Most of the villages are built on a so called ‘wierde’; a man made hill to protect the inhabitants from the sea.

We followed the Marneroute, signposted by the ANWB and it was easily to find our way. This bicycle route is 32 km’s long and can be started from every point along the route. Perhaps the most convenient point to start is the village of Eenrum. It is possible to rent bikes in Winsum, 5 km’s from Eenrum, at ‘Tweewielerhuis Poort’ - Lombok 17, (tel. 0595-441662).

Some highlights along the route:
Eenrum: one of these small ‘wierde’ villages and has a nice church and mill: De Lelie, dating from 1737. In the mill is a small mustard and vinegar factory/museum. See for more info: www.abrahamsmosterdmakerij.nl
Verhildersum: what a beautiful ‘borg’ (mansion or stronghold) with its colourful gardens, the manor house surrounded by moats and impressive old trees. The house can be visited and is furnished in 19th century style. See for opening hours and admission fee: www.verhildersum.nl
Pieterburen: famous for its Seal centre/hospital, but has a lot more to offer, like the oldest botanic garden of the Netherlands around the church and a nice mill. We loved it to take a look at the seals in the ‘Zeehondencrèche Lenie ‘t Hart’; they were just so cute !! See for more info and admission fee: www.zeehondencreche.nl

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Directions: Northwest of the city of Groningen.
Accessible
- by train to Winsum, see: www.ns.nl
- by car, for directions see www.viamichelin.com
Website: www.demarne.nl

National Park ‘De Meinweg’ is one of the most unknown national parks in the Netherlands. It is situated in the province of Limburg between Roermond and Vlodrop.

The landscape is not as flat as in the rest of the country and not as hilly as in parts of South Limburg. All together an ideal area for a bike tour and to enjoy the very varied landscape. With vast forests, heathland and small pools. It is said there should be vipers in the park, but to be honest we didn’t see them.

Best place to start your bike tour is the information centre along the road from Roermond to Vlodrop. Here you can also get a free brochure of the bike tour. The tour through the park is 15 km’s long, but you may extend it through the neighbourhood with some rural villages, an old castle (hotel/restaurant) and a water mill.

For rental bikes:
Elfenmeer Herkenbosch (0475 – 531689)
Boshotel Vlodrop (0475 – 534959)
Rijwielhuis Piet Daemen (0475 – 401727)
Or ask the information centre.

See also 'accommodation tip': Vlodrop.

If you don’t like biking, you can start for sign posted walks from the information centre to the most beautiful parts of the park, including some of the pools.

Directions: www.viamichelin.com

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Phone: 0475 - 528500
Address: De Meinweg, Meinweg 2, Herkenbosch
Directions: Province of Limburg, close to Roermond
Website: www.nationaal-parkdemeinweg.nl

This National Park is one of the few remaining areas of a 30.000 ha big peat moor in the eastern part of Noord- Brabant and the western part of Limburg. It now has a size of about 1500 ha, which has remained more or less untouched by peat cutting.

Groote Peel offers a very typical landscape of peat swamps, heath land, forests, lakes and sand ridges. Most of the swamps and lakes were created peat cutting. The wetlands of the Groote Peel are an important area for birdlife.

Groote Peel is only accessible on foot; the best way for visitors is to start at the visitor centre ‘Mijl op Zeven’. There are three signposted walks (2, 3 and 6 km’s) and to cross the swamps and lakes sometimes you will have to use boardwalks. It is also possible to explore the park through some of the sandy roads as we did with a brochure/map, which we bought in the centre. We saw also a sheep flock, some cows and horses and really loved our 2 ½ hours walk through the national park.

The signposted walks are open daily; due to the breeding season and bird migration other parts of the park are closed for visitors from March 15 – July 15 and October 15 – November 30.

The visitor centre has an information desk, some displays about the area and its history, a shop and a café.
Opening hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10.00 – 17.00 hours (in July and August daily). Shop and café are open from 11.00 – 18.00 hours (November till February only during the weekends).

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Address: Moostdijk 15, 6035 RB Ospel-Nederweert
Directions: About 20 km's south east of Eindhoven;
By car: take the A67 to Venlo > exit '36' to Asten > on the roundabout to 'Meijel- Someren' > next roundabout to 'Meijel' > follow the signs 'Groote Peel';

See also: www.viamichelin.com
Website: www.nationaal-parkdegrootepeel.nl