Veluwe - Netherlands
Discover the Veluwe and its beautiful nature reserves, such as De Hoge Veluwe National Park and Veluwezoom National Park, famous museums such as the Kröller-Müller and Het Loo palace, pleasant towns, excellent restaurants and many zoos and animal parks. The Veluwe will never cease to delight you.
De Hoge Veluwe National Park – De Hoge Veluwe National Park is one of the largest continuous nature reserves in Holland, measuring in at 5,400 hectares, or 13,343 acres. Hike or cycle through this beautiful natural landscape on a white bike, free of charge, or visit the Kröller-Müller Museum, with its sculpture garden and largest private Van Gogh collection in the world.
– 5,400 hectares of forest, heath, meres and sand drifts.
– 1,800 free white bicycles for use on 40 km of bike paths.
– See wild animals during an exciting safari.
– View the world’s largest private Van Gogh collection in the Kröller-Müller Museum.
Burgers’ Zoo – Explore the world’s deserts, rainforests and oceans: in Burgers’ Zoo, the animals live in their natural habitats, and that makes for a wonderful experience. Sharks, tigers, snakes: you’ve never seen them this way in a zoo before.
Natural Environment – When Johan Burgers opened his zoo in 1913, he wanted to do something different. Instead of presenting animals in cages, he wanted to show them in their natural habitat. A hundred years later Burgers’ Zoo still doesn’t present animals to you in the traditional way. You have to enter their habitat.
Eco – Displays – Lions, rhinos, zebras, giraffes, monkeys, tigers, rattlesnakes, turtles, sharks, lizards and all kinds of bird species live in a so called ‘eco-display’. In these large scale living environments, animals and plants that belong in such an environment are allowed to co-exist. The different eco-displays at Burgers’ Zoo are: Bush, Desert, Ocean, Mangrove, Safari and Rimba.
Indoor Mangrove – Burgers’ Zoo boasts the world’s biggest indoor mangrove forest inspired by the mangrove forests in Belize. A mangrove forest has an extremely saline climate in which few plant species can survive. The tides create continuously changing conditions. Come face to face with the Caribbean manatees thanks to a huge panorama window measuring 12 by 1.8 meters, or watch the fiddler crabs emerge from their safe burrows to impress females or potential rivals with their imposing claws.
New Impressions and Experiences – During a visit to Burgers’ Zoo, you might notice that education, conservation, research and durability are highly valued. The chances are likely that you’ll be faced with all kinds of new impressions and experiences.
The Netherlands Water Museum – Centuries upon centuries, the Dutch battled water in a fight to keep their land dry and expand it. It is not for no reason that Holland is known as a land of water, and the Dutch as water management specialists. So it only makes sense that if you want to visit a proper water museum, there’s only one country to go…
– Find out more about drinking water, groundwater and the importance of Dutch dikes.
– Take a boating trip through the sewers!
– Children can do fun experiments in this interactive museum about water.
The wonders of water – The Netherlands Water Museum in Arnhem is a modern and interactive museum that explains everything there is to know about fresh water. Not only does the museum focus on its importance for the Netherlands, but it presents the value of this precious liquid from a universal perspective.
Educational Experience – A visit to the museum is a pleasant and informative experience for the whole family. It will make you more aware of the importance of water. Treat yourself to a unique gift from the Water Shop, which sells a great selection of water-related items.
The World of Water – The Netherlands Water Museum has different sections that show you the world of water:
– Waterlab: children between the age of 6 and 12 are invited to do all sorts of experiments with water (only during weekends),
– Water World: over fifty exhibits show you how people from all over the world use water,
– Water Information Centre: a library with all the answers to your questions about water,
– Water Cinema: watch films about water management and the importance of water in other parts of the world.
Veluwe Routes – Walk or cycle through the magnificent nature parks of the Veluwe. Discover the beautiful and multi-faceted natural landscape of forests and heaths.
2 beautiful hiking paths through the Veluwe – If you’re a nature lover, you’ll feel right at home on the Veluwe. There are wonderful walks to be taken through the forests, across the vast heathlands and past charming little streams. A wonderful place to enjoy a picnic using delicious local products from farm shops.
– Try walking the Loenense Bekenroute, with its numerous brooks, creeks and streams, and see the Middelste Molen windmill in action.
– Discover the oldest and most beautiful forest of Holland, and amble between the ‘dancing’ trees.
– Have a pleasant picnic with delicious local products.
We have selected two of the most enjoyable paths for you
1. Loenense Bekenroute
The Loenense Bekenroute, or Loenen stream path, is characterised by water. The path leads past the Apeldoorn Canal, once of major importance as a supply route for the paper industry. Right by the canal stands the Middelste Molen, a windmill that has been producing paper since 1662 and is open to tourists – absolutely worth a visit! The last section of the path takes you past the sources and branches of the Loenense Molenbeek (Loenen Mill Brook).
2. Giant insects in Speulderbos
Speulderbos forest is one of Holland’s most beautiful and ancient forests. During this long walk in the ‘forest of dancing trees’, be sure to keep an eye on what’s ahead as well as overhead, because the 10-meter-high trunks of certain trees have been carved into huge insects! These carvings were made by sculptor Harry Leurink, and are a tribute to insects as the ‘garbage men’ of the forest. This path also leads past the Solse Gat, an old loam quarry used by farmers in the past.
Experience Liberation Route Europe – Liberation Route Europe is a route through eight countries that takes you to sites of major importance in World War II. You will travel from South England through France, Luxembourg and Belgium to Holland. From here, you can continue your journey to Germany and Poland or Italy. Along the way, visit several museums, commemorative sites, monuments and war cemeteries. Use the app or audio sites to listen to stories from WWII.
– Liberation Route Europe commemorates those who fell for our freedom.
– Download the unique app with audio stories about historic events.
– Attractive package deals available from the Liberation Route Europe website.
Netherlands Open Air Museum – The Netherlands Open Air Museum in Arnhem features eighty historic houses, farms and windmills. The museum has been designed to create a highly realistic impression of daily life for the average Dutchman over the past few centuries.
– Take a walk through Holland one hundred years ago.
– Explore the immense collection and discover Holland’s past.
– Roll up your sleeves and help the artisans with their ancient crafts.
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.
National Park Veluwezoom – Veluwezoom is the oldest National Park in Holland. This landscape of hills, forests, heathlands and sand drifts has been a protected area since 1931. You can freely walk and explore the roads and paths of the region, or take advantage of one of the many opportunities to discover the Veluwe by horse, bicycle or mountain bike. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself eye to eye with a red deer or wild boar!
– Walk through Holland’s oldest nature reserve
– Enjoy the view from the Posbank
– Discover the beautiful estates, country houses and monumental farms
The view from the Posbank – If you’re visiting the Veluwezoom, you have to climb the Posbank. The Posbank is a 90 metre high hill offering an unparalleled view of the reserve. In clear weather, you can see as far as 20 kilometres.
Historic country houses and monumental farms – The southern side of the Veluwezoom offers beautiful estates with grand country houses and monumental farms. The estates of Beekhuizen, Heuven and Rhereroord are historical country houses, complete with parks.
Red deer mating season – There are two wildlife observation posts on the Veluwezoom, allowing you to observe the local wildlife without disturbing the animals. September and October are red deer mating season, during which time male red deer attempt to impress females by roaring (‘burlen’ in Dutch). It’s a spectacle that you don’t want to miss if you’re visiting the Veluwezoom, so be sure to consult the Veluwezoom Visitors’ Centre (Bezoekerscentrum Veluwezoom) for walking paths and guided hikes.
