Outings in the Provinces

Groningen

Beyond the city of Groningen, the countryside to the north and east of the city is very charming, with many historic villages, fishing communities, elegant estates and windmills – all within easy travelling distance by car (or ideally by bike).

• Delfzijl – Cheerful harbour town known for its Delfsail sailing event.
• Appingedam – A small medieval town with famed “hanging kitchens”.
• Pieterburen – Home of the “zeehondencrèche” (seal hospital) and the northernmost point of the popular Pieterpad walking trail
• Uithuizen – Picturesque village famous for the Menkemaborg, an estate with its own labyrinth and stunning gardens, and a museum dedicated to World War II.
• Bourtange – An historic fortified town in the shape of a star that has been lovingly restored.
• Leek – Friendly town with a large estate recreation park (Nienoord).

Outdoor activities include:

• Wadlopen (walking through the mud during low tide) is a great way to experience the Wadden Sea, a UNESCO world heritage site of great natural beauty which is home to sea birds and seals
• Spend a day in the sauna in Nieuweschans
• Take a tour of estates – borgen – in Slochteren (Freylemaborg), Leek (Nienoord), Leens (Verhildersum) and Uithuizen (Menkemaborg)
• Go sailing or swimming in Leek at the Leekstermeer or Paterswolde at the Paterswoldsemeer
• Join a guided tour through the inner city of Groningen and learn about the history of some of its most interesting buildings and historical gardens (such as the Prinsenhof)
• Climb to the top of the Martinitoren and enjoy the view

Friesland

• Sneek – Known for the annual Sneekweek boating event, this city is home to the iconic Snekerpoort and gateway to the Frisian Lakes
• Bolsward – Visit the Frisian brewery where Ús Heit (Our Father) is brewed, and the distillery of the only Frisian whisky, Frysk Hynder (Frisian Horse)
• Leeuwarden – Home to the excellent Fries Museum and capital of Friesland.
• Franeker – Eise Eisinga’s Planetarium, the world’s oldest still working planetarium (1774).
• Drachten – Visit the colorful Papegaaienbuurt (Parrot Neighborhood) or De Drait yacht marina.
• Workum – The Jopie Huisman museum tells the story of a fisherman-turned-realist painter
• Wieuwerd – A small town where a local church crypt mysteriously creates the perfect conditions for natural mummification.
• Terschelling, Ameland, Schiermoonikoog, and Vlieland – these stunning islands form the Frisian barrier island chain, and each one has its distinctive landmarks and culture, from handsome lighthouses to abandoned bunkers, plenty of pine forests and sprawling beaches

The main event in Friesland each year is the annual Skûtsjesilen sailing contest between 14 ships on the various lakes, which takes place in early August. The skûtsjes are traditional flat-bottomed boats that measure in at 10-meter long boats, and each has a crew of ten on board to compete in 14 matches on the Frisian water, from the waves of the IJsselmeer to the inland waterways

Friesland is home to two unique sports: Kaatsen and Fierljeppen. Kaatsen is a precursor to tennis and is to Frisians what cricket is to the English, (in other words, you won’t understand what’s going on). Fierljeppen (far-jumping) has contestants attempt to jump as far as possible over a ditch using a 10-foot pole, which used to come in handy in the old days of flooding.

The Eleven Cities Tour (Elfstedentocht) is a legendary skating race on natural ice which traces a 200 kilometer path through the eleven histoir Frisian cities of  Leeuwarden, Sneek, IJlst, Sloten, Stavoren, Hindeloopen, Workum, Bolsward, Harlingen, Franeker, and Dokkum. This beloved event hasn’t been held since 1998, but every winter when the canals freeze over, Elfstedenkoorts takes hold and the whole country waits for the magic words, “It giet oan” (“it’s on” in Frisian). During the summer, you can follow the route of the Elfstedentocht by car, by bicycle or by boat.

Drenthe

• Assen – Capital of Drenthe, home of the famous annual TT Assen motorcycle circuit.
• Emmen – A friendly town famous for the Wildlands Adventure Zoo.
• Zuidlaren – Rustic and relaxing village known for the Zuiderlaarder horse market
• Dwingeloo – Access to Dwingelose heide, a national green park with paths and sights, and catch a view of the massive satellite at Astron.
• Borger – Area where the largest hunnebed (prehistoric burial mound) of the Netherlands is to be found; 52 of the 54 hunnebeds in the Netherlands are found in Drenthe

Besides the TT Circuit, there’s another big summer event: SIVO, a folk music and dance festival. For three days, the village of Odoorn hosts dance groups from around the world and becomes an amazing international community where different cultures meet in peace and friendship.