Magnificent castles and gardens in Holland’s green center
Magnificent castles with beautiful gardens in the countryside!
- 3 nights bed and breakfast at 4* Hotel De Werelt
- Entrance to Paleis Het Loo with audio guide
- Entrance to Cannenburch Castle with audio guide
- Entrance to Rosendael Castle and guided tour of the gardens
OUR TIP
On the day of your return journey, we recommend a visit to the castle gardens of Arcen near Venlo (not included in price).
The provinces of Gelderland, Overijssel and Utrecht in the heart of the Netherlands offer a wide variety of agendas for great group trips. The mix of historic cities, beautiful natural areas, castles, gardens and diverse museums offer something for everyone. There are countless possibilities for tailor-made trips that are specifically suited to the interests of visitors.
MUST-SEE ATTRACTIONS
IJssel Delta – Cannenburch Castle – Hanseatic towns on the IJssel – De Hoge Veluwe National Park – Palace Het Loo – Harderwijk – Utrecht – Amersfoort – Open Air Museum in Arnhem
Arrive at the hotel near Apeldoorn. Exploring the city of Apeldoorn and the adjacent De Hoge Veluwe National Park is highly recommended. Apeldoorn is located in the province of Gelderland and has just under 165,000 inhabitants. The largest forest area in the Netherlands is located nearby. Here you can experience the beauty of nature on foot, by bike or on horseback. Apeldoorn itself also offers plenty of greenery and has a very special charm. Various museums, the Palace Het Loo and several amusement parks make Apeldoorn an ideal vacation destination, where relaxed shopping is also highlight.
In Vaassen, the once-medieval Cannenburch Castle lies in a picturesque old park landscape – surrounded by meadows, woods and ponds. It sits enthroned in the middle of its well-preserved historical surroundings, and the old park and the mill streams are still clearly visible in the landscape. Cannenburch Castle is a magnificently furnished aristocratic house. Field Marshal Marten van Rossem had it built on the ruins of a medieval castle. An audio guide takes you back to experience the 18th century castle.
If you’ve ever wondered how real kings and queens lived, the Royal Palace Het Loo is an unforgettable experience. Situated in Apeldoorn, the palace was the summer residence of the Orange family for more than three centuries. Nowadays, the palace is open to the public and you can discover the lifestyles of kings for yourself. In the breathtaking rooms and extensive grounds, you can literally immerse yourself in Dutch history. Learn more about politics 300 years ago and the lives of the palace residents. The rooms take you through the history of the palace and its inhabitants in chronological order – from King and Governor William III and Queen Mary II to Queen Wilhelmina, the grandmother of Queen Beatrix and the last inhabitant of Palace Het Loo. The rooms are furnished exactly as they were during the lifetime of the royal residents. Furniture, paintings, wallpaper, curtains – everything has been restored to its original state. An informative audio guide leads you through the castle.
The next stop is Rosendael Castle, part of the Rosendael Estate. Here, admire the special collection of furniture, silver and porcelain on an audio-guided tour. There is also plenty to see around the imposing historic castle, including beautiful sights in the area surrounding the park.
Today, you have the additional opportunity of independently visiting the castle gardens of Arcen in the beautiful village of Arcen, right on the German-Dutch border near Venlo. The gardens comprise one of the most diverse flower and plant parks in Europe. The many themed gardens around the 17th century castle include the baroque rosarium, the water and sculpture garden with its temporary exhibitions, the lavender field in the Mediterranean garden or the Asian water garden. After the visit, you can begin on your journey home.