The treasures of Holland’s northeast
Top hotel and first-class program!
- 3 nights bed and breakfast in the superior 4* Hotel De Bonte Wever with large indoor and outdoor pools
- 3 dinners at the hotel
- Complimentary beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee and tea at the hotel
- City walk in Groningen
- Full-day guided tour to Lauwersmeer National Park
- Entrance to the Menkemaborg
- Full-day guided tour to the Steenwijk countryside with canal cruise
- Walk through the museum village Orvelte
YOUR HOTEL
Stay in Drenthe’s ultimate hotel – our exclusive partner De Bonte Wever in Assen. The 4* De Bonte Wever hotel complex in the northeast of the Netherlands leaves nothing to be desired. The modern rooms are equipped with comfortable box-spring beds, and the spacious bathrooms have a large walk-in shower. Family rooms are also available. The exceptional leisure facilities of the hotel include a subtropical swimming pool with sauna paradise, a bowling alley, mini golf and an entertainment centre with various bars and billiard tables.
There are no fewer than three national parks in the province of Drenthe. Discover a varied landscape of forests, heathland and fascinating towns like Assen and Coevorden. A visit to the museum village Orvelte, the sculpture park of the Havixhorst estate and the prison museum in Veenhuizen are all highlights. Groningen is the capital of the province of the same name and a very lively university city with many sights and rich cultural offerings. Particularly noteworthy are the ›Hofjes‹ that form quiet oases in the city centre, the Groninger Museum, the Martini Tower, the fish market and the gardens of the Prinsentuin. The surrounding area offers magnificent manor houses and picturesque dyke landscapes.
MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS
Fraeylemaborg – Menkemaborg – Hortus Haren – Veenhuizen – Lauwersmeer National Park – Wadden Sea World Heritage Centre
On a city walk, explore Groningen, the capital of the province of the same name in the north of Holland. During the tour, visit the most important sights, including the famous Martini Tower, the picturesque ›Hofjes‹ and the historic warehouses along the canal. After this, transfer to the hotel for check in.
Today, take a trip through the Lauwersmeer National Park, one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands. In addition to the picturesque landscape and diverse flora, the area is a paradise for birdwatchers. The Lauwersmeer is one of the most important bird migration areas in Western Europe and an essential link in the bird migration that takes place in spring and fall. In the afternoon visit Menkemaborg, one of the most beautiful castles in the province of Groningen. The historic castle with its picturesque gardens gives visitors an impressive picture of life and living in the 18th century. During the summer months, don’t miss a visit to the flowering rose tunnel!
After breakfast, visit the Steenwijk countryside on a guided tour. The first stop is Steenwijk, a former fortified town full of history. The tower of the Sint-Clemens church, the stately Rams Woerthe Art Nouveau villa and the town museum are just a few of the town’s highlights. Magnificent merchant houses, winding alleyways and numerous national monuments from the Golden Age can be seen in Blokzijl, the next destination of the tour. Don’t miss a walk through the charming harbour area! Passing Vollenhove and St. Jansklooster, the tour finally takes you to Giethoorn and a canal cruise in the ›Venice of the North‹. The small municipality of Giethoorn is located in the heart of the Weerribben-Wieden National Park, a unique nature reserve with a distinctive landscape. The small, characteristic wooden bridges and thatched farmhouses create a particularly idyllic atmosphere.
The museum village Orvelte lies in the heart of the province Drenthe. Historic thatched farmhouses characterise the landscape and create a very special atmosphere. Some of the farms regularly open their doors to visitors. It is possible to watch a blacksmith at work, Dutch clogs being made or the process of cheese-making in the dairy (additional costs may apply). Various nostalgic stores invite you to do some relaxed shopping. At the end of the visit, start on your journey home.