The Historical East

The eastern part of the Netherlands holds many castles, mansions, squares and other imposing structures that date from a prosperous medieval period. The rural landscape make it one of the most attractive areas of the Netherlands and very popular among cyclists and walkers.

Achterhoek

Who says Achterhoek says castles. There are dozens of country houses scattered in the landscape of the former nobility Gelderland. Some originally built as a fortification in the early or late Middle Ages, as other upscale abode in the 17th and 18th centuries. On and around the estates, but also in farmhouses or even in different historical city centers, have created beautiful gardens.

The Achterhoek region lies in the eastern part of Holland. In the past years lots of cycling, walking and (inline) skating routes have been mapped out here. Small wonder, as the conditions are perfect in this area. Quiet roads combine with smooth surfaces and a varied landscape.

Dutch Hanseatic Cities

The Hanseatic League - a mainly German federation of towns that developed laws, regulations and other policies in order to promote trade - gained in influence during Philips rule. Several Dutch towns including Deventer and Zwolle joined the federation. Due to the Hanseatic trade, the Dutch's shipbuilding skills greatly improved and merchants grew wealthy selling their luxury products. The arts flourished as well around this time. This made the Low Countries a very desirable region to the rulers of the time.

The Dutch Hanseatic cities are Hasselt, Kampen, Zwolle, Hattem, Deventer, Zutphen and Doesburg. One of the sportive ways to discover the Dutch Hanseatic is by foot. Follow the river Ijssel and you will enjoy the natural sceneries and many cultural highlights. One of the most popular trails is the Hanseatic City Foot Path.

Highlights of the Historical East

Giethoorn

Cars are prohibited Giethoorn, which is nicknamed 'the Venice of the North' or ‘Venice of the Netherlands’. This village of 2,500 inhabitants located in the province of Overijssel is best accessed by foot, bicycle or canoe. All the houses are lined up along the canals and the preferred method of transport is punting.

Highlights of Giethoorn

The whole of Giethoorn is a highlight in itself. It’s located in the Wieden, which is part of the national park Weerribben-Wieden. The people of the village are proud of their characteristic houses with thatched domes overlooking the canals. These were dug in past centuries for the transport peat extract. This industry has created major lakes that lie to the east and south of the village.

Visit Giethoorn

Let this bucolic village overwhelm you with its charm. Take your time to explore Giethoorn with more than 150 bridges and enjoy the beautiful and peaceful atmosphere.

Zwolle

Zwolle has a national and international reputation for being a green city. It has won the award for greenest city in the Netherlands several times. In 2006 it was even voted greenest city of Europe! You can imagine that this former Hanseatic city is a great place to walk around in.

Highlights of Zwolle

If you plan on visiting Zwolle, make sure you take some time to wander along the historical facades, the defensive wall, the city gate Sassenpoort and the star-shaped canal surrounding the city’s historical heart. You can also explore Zwolle’s green side. There are plenty of parks, which are ideal for a picnic. You can reach national parks and lakes for recreation in just ten minutes.

Visit Zwolle

All the parks and nature make it easy to forget that you’re in a city with well over 100,000 inhabitants. A great way to travel from one place to another in Zwolle is on skates. You can add a dose of culture to your stay at the Stedelijk Museum (City Museum) and Sinterklaasmuseum (the Dutch Santa Museum).

Deventer

Discover the Hanseatic city Deventer along the river Ijssel. It’s one of the oldest cities in Holland and you can tell it has a long history as you walk through town. There’s a monument on every street corner. Deventer has, among other things, the oldest brick house, the oldest park and oldest scientific library of Holland.

Highlights of Deventer

The best way to discover the Hanseatic past and historical monuments of Deventer is by foot. Walk along the numerous monuments, squares, churches and museums. Must sees are the city hall, the Lebuïnus Church, the old quarter Noordenbergkwartier, the Historical Museum and Toys & Tin Museum. Nature lovers are recommended to walk along Deventer’s riverside.

Visit Deventer

Deventer hosts the largest annual book fair in Europe on the first Sunday of August. You should visit the Charles Dickens Festival around Christmas. Game dishes are among the culinary specialties of this region. The Deventer Cake is a local delicacy which is best tried in the Deventer Cake Shop (Het Deventer Koekhuisje).

Hunebedden

The ‘hunebedden’ or passage graves are an emblem of the province of Drenthe. They were created by peasant tribes 5000 years ago. 54 of these graves have stood the test of time. Each passage grave is a tomb made from enormous, solid stones. The stones were left behind after the penultimate ice age and weigh up to 40 tons each.

Passage Graves of Drenthe

There are many questions about the ‘hunebedden’. Who were these peasant tribes and how did they manage to lift the stones? These and many other questions are answered at the Hunebed Centre in Borger.

The Hunebed Centre

Learn more about the history of and climb into the amazing passage graves in Drenthe. The Borger Hunebed Centre will inform you about the rich history of the tribes and graves for just a few Euros. The Hunebed Centre is located in a beautiful, natural environment, so the best way to discover many ‘hunebedden’ and enjoy the province of Drenthe is by bike.

Hanseatic Cities

The Dutch ‘Hanzesteden’ (Hanseatic Cities) are seven towns situated along the river ‘IJssel’. In the 14th and 15th century, they formed a traders union that lead to enormous prosperity and wealth. You can still sense the rich history of the cities Hasselt, Kampen, Zwolle, Hattem, Deventer, Zutphen and Doesburg.

Romantic Cities

These seven cities were once important centers of commerce and culture. Today they are pleasant and romantic cities that attract many tourists who want to enjoy the historic character and the local cuisine, shopping possibilities and flora and fauna. Take your time to soak in the breathtaking sceneries around the river IJssel.

Cycling between the Hanseatic Cities

The cities have numerous shops, museums and restaurants and are ideal for a romantic weekend. But it is also highly recommended to rent a bike and explore the surrounding areas with its wooded river dunes, castles and waterfronts of the old Hanseatic League.

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The Prosperous Countryside

Between Utrecht and Amsterdam lies one of the natural treasures of the Netherlands. The beautiful nature of the Vechtstreek (Vecht region) has attracted people for centuries. You can sail or cycle along the river Vecht, which stretches from the province of Utrecht to Noord-Holland. As you explore the prosperous countryside you’ll notice an abundance of water, flora and fauna, castles and fortresses of the New Dutch Waterline.

Castles of the Vechtstreek

During the Golden Age (a prosperous period in the Netherlands in the 17th century), the Vecht river became a residential area for nobility and the rich. Nowadays, the Vechtstreek boasts castles, stately mansions, parks and tea houses. The best way to discover the prosperity of the Vecht region is by boat or bicycle.

However, one of the country's most famous Medieval castle is the Rijksmuseum Muiderslot in Muiden. This stronghold on the estuary of the Vecht was built around 1280 and is open to visitors. Another well-known castle is the Zuylen Castle, which was built around 1520 on medieval remains. The 19th century English style garden is one of those hidden gems along the Vecht.

Lakes of the Vechtstreek

The Vecht river is connected to two lakes; the Loosdrechtse Plassen and Vinkeveense Plassen. The Loosdrechtse Plassen boasts many yacht harbors, sailing schools and other companies related to water sport. You can swim, sail or surf in Loosdrecht. The Vinkeveense Plassen (Lakes of Vinkeveen) counts 12 islands fully equipped for outdoor recreation. The water is ideal for sailing, diving and water skiing.

Fruit Orchards

Another great feature of this area are the many fruit orchards in the Vechtstreek. For just a small price you can buy the most delicious apples, pears, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, red berries and plums. Some gardens ask a small fee after which you can gather as much fruit as you can carry.

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The Mills

Dutch windmills

The Dutch have become very innovative when it comes to keeping out the water. They have built dykes, fortifications and last but not least wind and watermills to create new land. The oldest mill is a watermill that dates back to the eighth century. These techniques were used to pump dry hundreds of lakes and swamps and to prevent land from flooding. Today, windmills are characteristic of the Dutch landscape and a symbol of the Dutch struggle with water.

The most famous windmills of Holland

Kinderdijk is the most famous group of polder mills and is World Heritage listed. This UNESCO site with nineteen mills gives you a great impression of how floods were prevented. Besides being home to this creative form of water management, Kinderdijk is a wonderful, picturesque area.

The mills of Schiedam are the five largest windmills in the world. These gigantic windmills, some over 40 meters high, played an important role in the production of jenever (Dutch gin). Instead of reclaiming land, these smock mills (a type of industrial mill) were used grind grain.

Last but not least, you should visit Zaanse Schans. Some 250 years ago, well over 600 mills formed the first industrial site in the world. They performed a wide range of industrial duties, such as producing shelves, paint, mustard, oil and paper. Today it’s an open-air conservation area and museum, which attracts thousands of visitors each year.

Mills of Holland

With over a thousand windmills throughout the Netherlands, it’s very likely that you’ll bump into one. Nevertheless, a visit to the windmills at Kinderdijk, Zaanse Schans and the mills of Schiedam is highly recommended

The Mills of Kinderdijk

Your photo album of your trip to Holland isn’t complete without a shot of the windmills at Kinderdijk. The nineteen mills were constructed around 1740 as part of a larger water management system which prevented floods. Now they’re a symbol of Dutch water management.

Great picturesque moments

The mills are lined up in two opposite rows and form a spectacular sight. The unique character of the area was rewarded with a UNESCO recognition in 1997.

In July and August, you can witness how all nineteen mills still operate. During wintertime, you can capture the best picturesque moments here, when families ice-skate along the Kinderdijk.

Unique Dutch sight

If you want to see windmills in Holland, you should visit the mills of Kinderdijk. Situated only 25 kilometers from Rotterdam, the mills provide you with amazing pictures and a good impression on how the millers and their families used to live.

The Windmills of Schiedam

Schiedam is the place to be if you want to see the largest windmills in the world. With heights up to 33 meters, these giants are hard to miss. The windmill ‘De Nieuwe Palmboom’ (The New Palm Tree) is also a museum that can tell you everything there is to know about the history and purpose of the windmills of Schiedam.

Purpose of the Mills

In the 18th and 19th century, Schiedam became the jenever capital of the world. The windmills played an important role in the production of jenever as they grinded the main ingredient; grain.

Only five of the original twenty windmills survive: ‘The Whale’, ‘The Three Cornflowers’, ‘The Freedom’, ‘The North’ and ‘The New Palm Tree’. A sixth mill ‘De Kameel’ (the Camel) was rebuild in 2011.

Schiedam: Jenever and Mills

Schiedam is home to the largest windmills in the world and the Jenever Museum. Spend an afternoon in Schiedam to visit these typical Dutch icons. The local tourist information office (VVV) can tell you about the best walks through town.

The Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is a fully inhabited, open-air conservation area and museum located just a few miles north of Amsterdam. Hereyou can get a vivid impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. The area consist of authentic houses, a historic shipyard, a pewter factory, a cheese and dairy farm, a age-old grocery store, clog-making demonstrations, and above all, lots of windmills.

First Industrial Site in the World

Some 250 years ago, well over 600 windmills were cramped into this relatively small area. Together they formed the first industrial site in the world. They performed a wide range of industrial duties, such as producing shelves, paint, mustard, oil and paper. Today the mills offer wonderful views, best seen from a boat tour on the Zaan river. You can also visit three of these age-old mills and have a look inside.

Explore the Zaanse Schans

It can’t get more Dutch than at Zaanse Schans. Most Dutch icons, such as clogs, mills and cheese, are represented here. This presentation of Dutch life attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. You won’t be disappointed!

Netherlands Open Air Museum

Netherlands Open Air Museum in Arnhem consists of eighty historic houses, farmhouses and mills. The setting creates a real-life impression of how the ordinary Dutch people lived over the last few hundred years.

Put to Work

The Netherlands Open Air Museum has a great line-up of pictures, clothing, toys and many other objects from the past. But remember: this isn’t an ordinary museum. The wheelwright, blacksmith, fisherman, miller and many farmers are waiting for you and they can use an extra hand. So prepare to do some honest labor before you get a chance to taste some of the traditional Dutch foods and drinks.

Experience Dutch History

Fun! There is no better word to describe the Netherlands Open Air Museum. The museum teaches children about the Dutch way of life of a few hundred years ago in a fun and active way . Adults can easily let their kids wander around while they themselves enjoy an old-fashioned cup of coffee or a beer.

29th and 30th September 2012

The Tocht om de Noord is a cultural exploration, akin to a continuous performance with the walker in the lead. The décor consists of buildings that are typical of Groningen, music, theater, and surprising local products. The Tocht om de Noord always takes place the last weekend of September.

Landscape, culture and architecture of Groningen

The hiking festival is organized in close cooperation with the province of Groningen, municipalities of Groningen and more than 20 different sites that are passed. The tour takes you to houses, museums, castles, churches, farms, mills, but also over trails, church paths, gardens, dikes and fields. Every year a new route that allows you to discover the typical character of the countryside of Groningen in conjunction with its pretty villages and special regional architecture is created.

Distances and accommodation

At the Tocht om de Noord you can choose between different distances ranging from 15 to 40 kilometers; the entire trip is 80 kilometers and takes 2 days to complete. The maximum number of participants for 2012 is set at 4500. More information on routes, distances and accommodations can be found on the website of the Tocht om de Noord or can be requested at the local tourist office.

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The NETHERLANDS