Frisian impressions
Friesland – the land by the sea will inspire you!
- 3 nights with breakfast in the very good 4* Hotel De Bonte Wever with super indoor and outdoor pool
- 3 dinners at the hotel
- Beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee and tea free of charge in the hotel
- City tour in Groningen
- Full-day guided tour of the Frisian Lake District
- Full-day tour guide with the highlights of Leeuwarden, Franeker and Harlingen
Did you know that Friesland is the only province in the Netherlands to have its own official language? And that’s not the only reason why the province is exceptional. With its canals, monuments and shopping streets, the capital Leeuwarden is one of Holland’s best-kept secrets. The Wadden Sea and the Frisian islands are among the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. The Frisian lake district around Sneek is a wonderful area for water sports enthusiasts and nature lovers. The Wouda pumping station in Lemmer is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is the only steam-powered pumping station in the world.
SIGHTSEEING
Leeuwarden – Sneek – Heerenveen – Harlingen – Wadden Sea and Wadden Islands – Terpenroute on the Wadden Sea – Nature Park de Alde Feanen – Water Gate in Sneek
As part of a city tour, you will explore Groningen, the capital of the province of the same name in the north of Holland. During your tour, you will see the most important sights, such as the famous Martini Tower, the picturesque ›Hofjes‹ or the historic warehouses along the canal. Then continue to your booked hotel and check into your room.
After breakfast, you will join a tour guide on an excursion through the Frisian lake district. Your tour takes you past Lemmer, a popular seaside resort, to Sloten. Surrounded by city walls, Sloten is one of the smallest Frisian towns with around 800 inhabitants. On a walk along the canals, you will explore the historic fortified town with its winding alleyways, listed patrician houses and the old corn mill on a bastion of the city wall. Another destination on your excursion is the picturesque Hindeloopen, a Frisian postcard idyll with picturesque wooden bridges and small alleyways. During your visit, you will discover the historic captain’s houses, unique painting crafts and the cozy harbor with the old wooden house of the lock keeper.
Today’s program includes an excursion to Leeuwarden, Franeker and Harlingen. Together with a tour guide, your tour will first take you to Leeuwarden, the capital of Friesland. As part of a guided tour, you will explore the cozy old town with its picturesque canals and alleyways, and you will see the historic ›Oldehoeve‹ tower, one of the city’s landmarks. The former university town of Franeker is the next destination on your excursion. The town is best known for the annual major tournament in the Frisian ball sport ›Kaatsen‹ (a type of batting ball), but the historic town center with its many listed buildings and the oldest still functioning planetarium ›Eise Eisinga‹ also make a visit to the town a highlight. Finally, your tour takes you to the port city of Harlingen. In addition to the only seaport in Friesland, an atmospheric center with idyllic canals and historic warehouses awaits you. Harlingen is also an important link to the Wadden islands of Vlieland and Terschelling.
On your journey home, we recommend a visit to Bourtange Fortress, a historic defensive structure from the 18th century. In addition to the various buildings for the officers, you can also discover other sights from past centuries such as the bastions, the soldiers’ dwellings, the guardhouses and the picturesque market square. Various museums and exhibitions impressively show the history of the fortress – an eventful journey through the past (extra costs may apply).