A peaceful place surrounded by water and nature

Eastermar is a small village with around 1600 inhabitants that is surrounded by nature and water.
It is located in northern-east of Friesland between Leeuwarden and Drachten, surrounded by green fields and two big lakes, the Burgumermeer and De Leien, that cheer the hearts of everyone who is in love with nature and water.
The historical village is thus not only easy reachable by car and bicycle, but also easy to reach by everyone who arrives by boat over the unique Frisian waterways. Eastermar provides its visitors a quiet and peaceful stay that is underlined through the beauty of its historical buildings and the natural resources around it.

The small elongated village consists out of two prior independent parts, It Heechsân and De Wal, and has its roots in medieval ages as an agricultural settlement. Within the 18th century, the village increased importance through peat extraction in the surroundings, as well as through its great connection to the Frisian waterways. The small canal and several old buildings situated in the village create an atmosphere of how life has been in ancient ages.

The centre of the village is defined by cosy houses and several small shops that offer essentials as well as local products. Moreover, the village comprises a pleasant hotel and guest house, a small quaint theatre and multiple possibilities to rest for dining and enjoying cold and warm drinks.

The small marina of Eastermar is located directly next to the village centre and can be seen as the hotspot of the village. It can act as the starting point to discover the beautiful nature of the Burgumermeer and De Leien by water, but also as the perfect ending point for a daytrip on the water. Visitors reach all important facilities in the village within a 2-minutes walk from the marina to the village centre.
Yet, not only boat owners and nature lovers get their moneys worth:
Fishing sport aficionados love the comprehensive abundance of fish in the surrounded waters and cyclists find a bike shop in Eastermar, where spares can be bought and bikes can be rented. In the warmer months, different village festivals take place in Eastermar, which attract people of all ages. The village mostly gets a warm place within the hearts of everyone who has ever visited it – this is also demonstrated by the international top model Doutzen Kroes who says to be a proud ex resident of Eastermar.

Eastermar is the perfect place for everyone who wants to get out of the stress and crowded streets of their daily lives in a city.
Enjoyment of nature and beautiful waterways, ancient buildings and a quaint village centre pour on the peaceful charm of Eastermar, which makes it definitely worth to visit this quiet and idyllic place within Friesland. The village provides its visitors all important facilities to enjoy their stay and leads them to leaving all their cares behind....

For further information about Eastermar, please take a look at the information provided on
www.frieslandwonderland.nl or visit the official websites
www.eastermar.nl and http://www.tip-eastermar.nl/

The local tourist information centre is open daily between 09.00 and 19.00 o clock and located at Beimastrjitte 53 in Eastermar.

©text: D.Schirrmacher, G.Stelwagen

Why do YOU have to go to Burgum? And why is Burgum so attractive for tourists? These main questions will definitely be answered in the following text, so just keep reading and try to find out. The beautiful city of Burgum provides many different activities in an outstanding landscape with a peaceful and calm environment. The most popular tourism attraction is the “Burgumer Mer” which is worth visiting due to its great offer in terms of activities. Sailing, canoeing, fishing, walking, trekking, biking and many other activities can be done in this lake area which is surrounded by forests and nature. It is highly recommended to relax with the boat or kayak in the water or maybe to visit other places and towns around the lake. Furthermore, two main beaches which are located nearby the lake and the camping ground invite for a sun bath or relaxing. The camping ground provides different facilities for sporting activities. Why don’t you come to Burgum for a camping holiday the next time? Beach volleyball is one of the most popular activities in the summer; where you can meet and socialize. Done with playing and relaxing? You definitely have to go to the shopping street of Burgum. The main street of the village is the perfect place to be. Many different shops are located around and extra tourist information will be offered in the sports shop at the end of the street nearby the HEMA. Some small boutiques can be found which doubtless offer you the newest trends for the season. When going around and exploring the city you will definitely meet local people, don’t hesitate to chat or ask questions – the inhabitants of Burgum are really open minded and very friendly. Relaxing and having a dinner in this peaceful town is highly recommended since several bars and smaller restaurants provide enough space and places. Furthermore, at the end of the main street the “Schoolstraat” will start. In this street the church Krustsjerke can be found. This church was built in the 10th century and also consists of its own cemetery. Another aspect which makes the city of Burgum so attractive are the cultural buildings and houses. Are you looking for some cultural aspects? The “Schoolstraat” and the “Lageweg” are the places to be. One of the most popular houses is the country house of the family Ferf. This house was built in 1855 and is located at the end of the “Schoolstraat”. More cultural buildings can be found in the “Lageweg”.

Oentsjerk, the town where rich history and beautiful nature meet.

Oentsjerk, a small town situated in the northern-east part of Frisian, has a lot to offer on both historical as well as natural front. The town is located in the region “Trijnwouden”, which has an interesting saga relating to the formation of its name. The saga is about a wealthy woman, called Catharina, who lived in this region with her seven sons. As the myth goes, had Catharina seven farms of which she gave one to each of her sons. These seven sons, named Oene; Gieke; Alde; Rypke; Wynse; Tiete; and Raede, farmed well and a town arose around the farms. These towns are known as Oentsjerk; Gytsjerk; Aldtsjerk; Rypstjerk; Wyns; Tytsjerk; and Readtsjerk. These towns are all situated in the region Trijnwouden, which names descends from the woman Catharina. Of which time this myth originates is not known.

Historic Oentsjerk

As mentioned before, Oentsjerk has a lot to offer on both historical as natural front. In the past Oentsjerk had five granges, of which now two are still standing. The two still existing granges are called Stania State and Unia State, when going to Oentsjerk be sure to take visit these two granges because they are absolutely worth the visit. Although Unia State (presumably dating back to the second half of the seventeenth century) is nowadays as a residential building, and therefore cannot be viewed from the inside, the architecture is beautiful to see. A sign near the grange provides information concerning Unia State. Unlike Unia State, Stania State (originally dating back to the beginning of the sixteenth century) is still open for visitors in the weekends. Stania State is currently the host for a nice restaurants; moreover, rooms can be rented for weddings, congresses etc.

Natural environment of Oentsjerk

Surrounding Stania State is one of the beautiful forests of Oentsjerk. Especially on a sunny day, this is a beautiful park to take a walk and enjoy the nature. East of Stania State is a small forest called: Kaetsjemuoibosk, this forest is mainly known by local inhabitants of Oentsjerk and surrounding villages. Kaetsjemuoibosk offers a nice walking trail of around one kilometre through the forest. A second park located in Oentsjerk is called Heemstra Park; this park used to belong to Heemstra State, but where Heemstra State was standing is nowadays a nursing home. An interesting thing to see in this park is the gravestone (dating from 1812) of the horse of a commander in the army of Napoleon.

A bit further outside of Oentsjerk are the forests Grikelân (Greece) and Turkije (Turkey). An interesting fact to know about these names is that Grikelân and Turkije are picked because the money needed to create these forests derived from Greek and Turkish governmental bonds. Grikelân and Turkije offer several opportunities for natural activities, for instance walking trails; biking route; or exploring the forest by horse.

Religious Oentsjerk

When looking at religious buildings in Oentsjerk, two churches are identified. The oldest church is the Mariakerk (Maria church), originally built in 1230; however, the Mariakerk has had many renovations and the interesting thing about this church is that the church is both used for catholic and Protestantism in its history. Nowadays it is a reformed church, with beautiful details in the stained glass windows. The second church is quite some years newer and is known as the Ontmoetingskerk (church of encounter). This church was built in 1874 and has been renovated a few times since then.

Visit Oentsjerk!

When being interested in nature and history, Oentsjerk is definitely a beautiful small town to visit. Because of the size it can be visited it can be visited in one day, which makes in a perfect day-trip. Although staying overnight in the bed & breakfast situated in Stania State is without doubt recommended, this makes you feel like a real nobleman or damsel.

Oentsjerk is easily accessible by car, or by bus (departing in Leeuwarden) so don’t wait any longer and come enjoy the calm, beautiful forests of Oentsjerk in the morning and end the day with a nice dinner in one of best kept granges of Frisian.

Have you ever visited an authentic and calm Frisian village, or have you ever experienced the Frisian way of life? Come to Easterein and enjoy your holiday here.

Easterein is an old Frisian village with nearly 1000 inhabitants and is located only 20 km from the Frisian capital Leeuwarden.

Its unique selling point is the old Martini church which dates back to the 13th century as well as the restaurant-cafe Noflik where varied events take place during the whole year. When you want to dance to Dutch music or go to your first Frisian theatre performance, Easterein is the perfect place for you. Furthermore, it is easy to get in contact with the inhabitants of the villages, as they are really friendly, open-minded and enjoy their life.

During your stay you can relax in the beautiful green nature by doing some hiking and biking tours to other villages around Easterein. While sitting on a bench, it is possible to observe different kind of birds that are brooding in spring. In addition, feel free to ask the friendly and open-minded inhabitants to go boating with them through the canals. This will definitely increase your Frisian experiences.

In Easterein you are able to combine gaining knowledge about Friesland´s history with the Frisian´s modern way of life. Please visit our homepage www.easterein.nl for more detailed information. We are looking forward to welcoming you in our beautiful village.

Kootstertille – The place to relax, enjoy and be free

Do you look for a place to relax? Do you want to escape from your daily stress and work, and find a peaceful spot to reload your energy?

Coming to Kootstertille will feel like leaving everything else behind. With entering the village, one can feel how the world seems to stand still – in the best way! Broad streets, surrounded by trees and neat nature welcome you with open arms.

Few people are on the streets, or maintaining their garden, smiling at you and everything is quiet without any sign of stress or time pressure. On your way through the town you might run into fisherman, coming from their boats at the river, happy about their daily life routine. When going further through the village you will find several perfect spots for a walk through parks, meadows or a picnic. A few shops and supermarkets in the heart of the village provide all required ingredients for this.

Next to this you will find the church! Kootstertilles church is not only in the heart of the village, it also looks like the heart of the village. This heavenly place must be seen, untouched, and surrounded by grassland.

Come to Kootstertille, enjoy the easiness, relaxation and return like a reborn person.

Drachten – definitely worth a visit!

In the middle of the Northern Holland, where the green fields end, starts the village called Drachten. Located between National Parks De Alde Feanen and Drents-Friese-Wold as well as Frisian lakes, Drachten is home for 45 000 people. Being the first city of the community Smallingerland, Drachten is part of the Frisian province.

Till the 17th century, Drachten never came up, as there were two areas: Noorderdracht and Zuiderdracht which were named after two small water courses. In 1641 the boom in Drachten began, as the Drachter Compagnons agreed on a contract in order to cut peat in the eastern part of the region. Around 800 people were working on this project and during this course of events the canal Compagnonsvaart developed. Furthermore, the number of workers rapidly exceeded the number of inhabitants of Drachten, as it started to be called. After the Second World War, the first industrial area has been established in Drachten. In 1950 Philips settled in Drachten, and though only 30 women started to work in a preliminary work space, the community enabled more and more halls and spaces to work. Thus, in the 70s there was one of the biggest Philips-establishments, as it provided work for 2500 people.

Being a village, Drachten seems to be rather a city, as it is well-known for its fun-shopping and dining facilities. Thus, one can say that a reason to visit Drachten can be fun-shopping, gastronomy and culture. The main street Zuiderbuurt not only combines cosiness and relaxation in its atmosphere but also provides a lot of possibilities to have delicious meals. If recreation and a peaceful time are desired, Drachten has a lot of beautiful and astonishing parks and forests which can be enjoyed.

Drachten has a lot of monuments to offer, whereas the most popular ones are Carillon and Standbeeld voor de Fierljepper at the Noorderhogeweg. Moreover, the element of water is very important in Drachten. For instance, Drachten is the birthplace for its Skutjes boats, hence it gives visitors the opportunity to relax and have a unique experience with friends or family. Additionally, it is really popular amongst locals and tourists, especially because of the annual competition Skûtsjesilen. Another famous attraction based on water is provided in De Welle, in forms of a subtropical swimming pool. Last but not least, De Naturij is a petting zoo including native and exotic animals, which attracts a lot of tourists and provides activities for children.

The cultural heritage of Drachten is represented by Museum Dr8888, where one can also find the art style of DADA by the famous Dutch artist Theo van Doesburg. The art style of DADA can especially be discovered and admired at the street Torenstraat, as there are a lot of colourful window-frames. Moreover, the theatre De Lawei is a cultural meeting point for comedy lovers, as famous comedians perform several times a year. Last but not least, the summer event Simmerdeis is a very popular attraction in Drachten, since it is an opportunity for new talents but also well-known Dutch artists to perform.

All in all, Drachten has surprisingly much to offer, as there are a lot of valuable, unique monuments and cultural attractions which still have an influence on the village. Thus, being a treasure of Friesland, Drachten has a lot of treasures itself.

If you are looking for a village, with cheerful and lively atmosphere: VISIT Drachten!

Wolkom yn âldegea! - We would like to welcome you in our village Oudega - Smallingerland. What you can read above is Frisian, an own language that is spoken in Friesland by most Frisians next to Dutch.

Besides our own language and culture we do have a lovely village and wonderful landscape for you to discover. If you love to spend your time in nature, on or next to the water we are the perfect village to make the most out of your free time. Whether you come by boat or by car, we can offer you accommodations that refill your energy for hikes, bicycle tours or other activities in our villages or its surroundings. If you prefer to have a more relaxed time our area offers a unique Frisian history to discover, restaurants that offer traditional food and the possibility to enjoy a trip on a boat and return within one day.

These are only a few ideas of spending a unique and unforgettable time in Oudega – Smallingerland. Come and get to know our welcoming village that offers more than you can imagine.

Do you love quietness, natural landscapes and the simple pleasure of enjoying walking? Deinum has it all! Tiny routes along the old church will fulfill you with the mystery of the past, when you used to hear singing birds brightening your mood.

Being only 9 kilometers away from the vibrant and bustling Leeuwarden, Deinum offers great haven possibilities to people seeking traditional Dutch natural and cultural experiences. Bike routes connecting the Capital of Friesland with Deinum, allows you to discover the beauty of The Netherlands on your own journey. If you feel like taking a break, you can enjoy a traditional Dutch meal strengthen you for your exciting ride at It Holt Café. Do you prefer eating outdoor? There is also a possibility fitting your expectation: the Koningfeeldje invites you to picnic or having fun along with the nature.

The friendliness of Deinum’s inhabitants makes you enjoy the positive vibration of Friesland, which makes you feel special and willing to return.

If you want to know more about Deinum, please visit our website: www.deinumdorp.nl.

Jannum is a small and cosy Frisian village with an old Roman church built in the 14th century, surrounded by fields and farms, and the river Dokkumer Ee. In the summer the river comes to live, because of big and small ships, travelling through the fields of Friesland. The village has 60 inhabitants and a long history.

The village Jannum is built on a Warf, protecting it against flooding. History records show that it was first inhabited in the 13th century. Its church is built in a Roman gothic style and was part of the Klaarkamp monastery in the late medieval age. Moreover, behind the nave of the church, it is possible to visit the more than over 100 years older choir loft designed with outstanding brick features. While the church was restored in the 40’s, it was discovered that the nave of the church was formerly separated into two parts: one part for the clerics and other part the laic.

Today, the church is adopted by the Frisian Museum of Leeuwarden in order to protect the integrity. Furthermore, the church has changed into a museum and it holds a fine collection of medieval art and religious artefacts. Moreover, surrounding the church there are three small charming cottages, offering the possibility to spend a night in this unique scenery.

In the surrounding area the Klaarkamp monastery was built in the 12th century. It was the first monastery of the Cistercian Order. However, because of the reformation the catholic religion was forbidden and the monastery was closed and demolished. In these days it is still possible to see the remains of the incredible water systems, which the monks of the Klaarkamp monastery have created.

Also, Jannum is part of the legendary Elfstedentocht, which is an ice-skating event taking place when the canals of Friesland are frozen. During the unique ice-skating marathon, the athletes come by the town twice.

The Frisian village Laaksum is a real insider tip and invites for letting your everyday life behind for a while. Do you want to find your peace of mind in a beautiful natural environment? Do you want to enjoy the sound of the sea? Do want to experience the refreshment of the clear water on a hot summer day or the breathtaking view of the ice sheets in winter time? If this is what you are seeking for, Laaksum is the perfect place for you.

Laaksum is well known for its fisher harbor, which is the smallest in whole Europe and is listed under monumental protection. However the little village has even more to offer. Due to the small number of inhabitants living in Laaksum a cozy and relaxing atmosphere is guaranteed. You will very soon feel as a part of a big family since the locals are very friendly and open minded which influences the authentic experience while staying in the village. When having coffee, a snack or dinner you should not miss to go to the family owned restaurant directly located at the harbor. Also the accommodations offer an authentic and familiar stay. There are houses as well as rooms available which are rented out by the locals.

For further information, please visit the website www.frieslandwonderland.nl or just simply visit Laaksum and experience the peaceful and cozy atmosphere yourself

The city trip of a lifetime!

De Westereen is, a rather small but beautiful village of the municipality of Dantumadeel. De Westereen is easy accessible by car or by train, as there is a stopover between Leeuwarden and Groningen. It has a camping site as well as a harbor, both with some unique benefits. Situated in the Fryske Wâlden, De Westereen is surrounded by pastures, trees and water. Because of the remote location, this village is rather quiet and ideal for biking tours and hiking routes. There are endless opportunities where you can walk in the forest, through the pastures and along the rivers all while enjoying the breathtaking environment and quietness. In the evening, a local restaurant offers several kinds of activities.

The accommodations

Just outside of De Westereen lies the campsite de Kuikhorne. This family friendly camping site offers a great variety of stading places, for either camper, caravan or chalets. This camping site has a swimming pond, a playground and multiple activities such as horse riding, biking tours and hiking routes. Right next to the campsite there is the harbor of De Westereen. Both, during the winter and during the summer, you can harbor your boat there. Moreover, it is possible to hire a room on the harbor, with your own bedroom and kitchen. Lastly, this harbor provides the possibility to go on a canoe route. This gives an exclusive opportunity to see the Westereen from the water.

The Old Dutch

However, the crème de la crème of De Westereen lies in the local restaurant called the Old Dutch. This restaurant is located next to the train station and looks like any other typical restaurant, which prepares dinner for you. Though, this cozy and warm restaurant can also be used as a clubhouse and party centre. But above all, several times a week this restaurant offers a fun activity. “Crazy Casino”, “Ik hou van Holland” and “In de Bajes” are some of the activities the Old Dutch provides. De Westereen has it al. Quietness for those who want to escape from their busy lifes’, activities for all generations, a place to stay and above all a beautiful environment.

For more information please check the following links. http://www.dantumadiel.eu/wonen-verkeer-en-veiligheid/de-westereen_41511/ http://www.kuikhorne.nl/ http://www.old-dutch.com/

Oudemirdum Oudemirdum, or in the Frisian language Aldemardum, is a small village situated in the south west of Friesland. It only has 1321 inhabitants and it belongs to the region of Gaasterland. Oudemirdum is for example known for its stones, which you can still find all around the village. Those stones date back from the ice ages. They came along with all the ice from the Scandinavian countries, after the ice melted the stones were the remains.

Oudemirdum offers different attractions for its visitors. First of all in the centre of the village a beautiful church could be found. In the garden of the church there is a well-maintained cemetery with graves which date back to the beginning of the century. In front of the church the tourism information centre is situated which could give you lots of information about the region. If you leave the centre of the village, you could either go the a watchtower which is built on a little hill, to have a great view of the surrounding. You could also go to another major attraction of Oudemirdum, which is the Oudemirdumer Klif. This cliff is a nature area along the coast line of Friesland. The information which is provided at the site shows you for example which animals have been here and which are currently present. The cliff is also a still remaining evidence of the ice age. It dominates the coast of Oudemirdum already for approximately 200.000 years.

Close to Oudemirdumer Klif a recreation centre could be found. In this centre you could have a cup of coffee, having lunch or dinner and for the kids a large water park with different attractions is available. On the other side of the village, a wide nature area with woods could be found. This peaceful environment gives you the opportunity to completely relax and enjoy the nature. Beautiful cows are watching you while you walk around.

The last very important activity for Oudemirdum are bike trails. Next to the church one of the bike rental companies could be found. This company offers lots of different kind of bikes, from bikes for kids, to normal bikes and electric bikes. The price for the bikes is very reasonable and along with the bike you could have a map with a route which shows you all the important hotspots of the village.

All the activities that Oudemirdum and Oudemirdumer Klif have to offer are interesting for different kind of people. As the Dutch people would say: “voor ieder wat wils”. Which means something to do for everyone. The cliff has historical value as well as the stones which can find in the village.

Therefore it could be stated that Oudemirdum is an highly interesting place to visit! Please visit the website of Oudemirdum in order to get even more detailed information!

Wommels is an idyllic little village in Friesland, located southwest of the Frisian capital of Leeuwarden. It is a calm and peaceful place and its inhabitants are warm and forthcoming. At the same time it is very well connected to the busier city of Leeuwarden and Heerenveen. There are many things to do, depending on your preferences. You can fish, take out your boat for a canal cruise, visit the museum, eat in one of the restaurants or simply enjoy the vast outdoors around.

In more detail, the village used to be famous for its cheese. Two major milk and butter producers set up their factories in Wommels towards the end of the 19th century. One of the old cheese warehouses houses a museum explaining the story. Today the village relies mostly on agriculture and life stock, but is also home to young families, who want to escape more stressful and busy city life. . Every summer the city hosts a tournament in Kaatsen, a form of handball, which is unique to Friesland. Wommels has everything that is needed for life.

The village is a great destination for all outdoor lovers, relaxation seekers and culture fanatics, who really want to dive into the life happening at the location they are visiting. Wommels is a place that allows you just that and the friendly community you will encounter is proof enough. In addition it is a great place to stay when you are interested in the sea, it is not far off the Waddenzee coast.

In the end we can say: Don’t just take our word for it. Visit Wommels in order to see this amazingly beautiful and serene place yourself. We hope you will have an incredible and unforgettable experience! For more information you are more than welcome to look at our platform frieslandwonderland.nl (search Wommels) or call us under (+31) 9 758 631.

Balk

Balk is a small and charming village located in the south-west of Friesland in the municipality of Gaasterland. It is an inviting village close to the lake Slotermeer, which makes water sportsmen’s hearts leap for joy. Not only water sportsmen, but also sun and see lovers get their money worth on the close located beach. If you then follow the stream Luts rising from the Slotermeer, you end up in the heart of Balk. Here the 3800 inhabitants will warm-heartedly welcome you and invite you to have a look in one of the many diverse shops, to enjoy a coffee next to the canal or have a typical Dutch meal in one of the unique Frisian restaurants. Besides the culinary highlights, you can also enjoy the eye catching historical buildings such as the reformed church built in 1728 or the Roman-catholic church from the 18th century. Additionally, you can experience the imposing town hall built in the renaissance embellished with lion statues and a big clock tower on top. Oppositely located, you can find the monumentally protected post office constructed in 1878.

If you want to stay overnight, Balk provides a three star hotel called Teernstra, but nature lovers have the opportunity to sleep under the open sky at the campsite Marswal close to the Slotermeer. Moreover, the village offers a pension situated at the canal and many B&Bs placed within Balk.

In regard to activities, the endearing village has a variety to offer: You can rent bicycles to fiets around the village or in the nearby forest. Apart from this, you also have the possibility to rent boats and paddle on the canal Luts to the lake Slotermeer. Furthermore, there is the opportunity to sail on the lake and to have a refreshing swim in the just 1,20m deep water.

In winter, Balk is part of one immense event taking place in Friesland: The Elfstedentocht. Up to 17000 ice-skaters follow this tour which leads through the eleven historical cities of Friesland and of course Balk. Attracting approximately 1,5 million visitors this event should not be missed.

Therefore, this charismatic and pleasant village has a variety of activities and accommodations to offer which will satisfy all and sundry but especially seniors, families and nature lovers!

For further information call: 0513 – 415378 or 0519 – 220739 or else visit the website http://www.frieslandwonderland.nl

The beautiful little village Stiens is located in the North of Holland in the Province of Friesland. Approximately 7800 people are living in the quiet and green surrounding of the traditional Dutch landscape of wide fields, sheep and wind mills. Within this nice village it is impossible to not feel the spirit of traditional Holland.

This destination is perfectly situated in a natural surrounding in the near of the city Leeuwarden and therefore part of the municipality Leeuwarderadeel. The attractive city center of Stiens offers natural and cultural buildings reflecting the traditional site of the Dutch life style.

Stiens has perfect conditions for people interested in natural and cultural resources. The Sint Vituskerk builds the town center and represents the frisian history. Wide fields and bicycle routes serve the best environment for sportive people willing to hike, bike and enjoy the nature. In the city center are several opportunities to sleep, to drink and to eat. Several Restaurants, Bars or a Bed&Breakfast are available to relax or relish the stay in a nice Dutch atmosphere. With offering music nights and theater events the city attracts many different kinds of visitors spending the evening together. Furthermore a big variety of shops and boutiques seduce the visitors to spend a peaceful and harmonious day within the city center of Stiens.

The striking distance to Leeuwarden invites the visitors for daytrips to experience the busy city life. Finally it has to be said that Stiens is a destination offering services and resources for all different kinds of groups like families, couples or seniors. Everyone has to get the possibility in their lifetime to experience this kind of traditional Frisian life.

For more information please visit the website of the municipality of Leeuwarderadeel (www.Leeuwarderadeel.nl).

Thinking of a beautiful day in silence and a beautiful landscape? Visit Buitenpost, here you can find the combination of a bleary little town with little stores and the breathless pure nature. Buitenpost is easily accessible by train and by car, also there are some bus stops located in the village.

When walking through Buitenpost, a lot of cultural heritage can be visited, like the Maria church, a church from the 15th century located in the middle of the town.

Another possibility is to visit ‘’De Kruidhof’, which is a botanical garden with a huge variety of plants. The botanical garden is opened during the spring and summer months. More information of this botanical garden can be found on www.dekruidhof.nl.

The third place to visit is the windmill, when visiting this you will enjoy the amazing view of the windmill surrounded by meadows. This windmill has been restored in 1994 but is still unique because it has been replaced from Groningen to Buitenpost.

Another option is to visit the ice age museum with all kind of objects from the ice age. The museum also provides information for a longer stay in the region of Buitenpost, it is possible to stay at a bed & breakfast or a hotel, try the local products and visit the recommended restaurants. Are you interested in a longer stay in and around Buitenpost and be able to visit all the locations? Visit www.ijstijdenmuseum.nl for detailed information.

When you visited these interesting locations it is really pleasant to walk around the edge of the village and in the village as well, have a look at the surrounding meadows, old houses/farms, visit the local shops and enjoy a drink at the terrace, which you can find on the town square, which makes it an unique experience for the reason that this is the heart of the village. Curious?! Come and enjoy your time in Buitenpost!

There and back again – a journey to the past

When traveling to Rottevalle, you have the feeling you will leave the stress and modernization behind. Already when entering the village you are welcomed by the most idyllic scenery you can image and you are greeted by the typical Dutch countryside and prying deers. Having the feeling time is standing still, you can enjoy the old historical feeling of the village, when walking around and take a visit to the variety of the cultural assets of Rottevalle. Worth visiting is especially the Hervormde Kerk as well taking a look at the old pastor house. Your stroll further to the village will lead you also to the small harbor, which offers an image just out from a storybook. Take your time in Rottevalle to get in touch with the friendliness of the Dutch culture as well as you even might find some hidden treasures.

Rottevalle is the place to be – to enjoy a day in the most romantic and quite setting you find in the Netherlands. For more information visit www.rottevalle.nl.

Even though Hijum appears to be a relatively small village it has more to offer than expected. Located between Friesland’s capital Leeuwarden and the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Wadden Sea, Hijum offers its visitors a close distance to beautiful natural sceneries, as well as diverse cultural activities. Hijum itself originated in the early Middle Ages and still has two churches, from which one dates back to the 12th century and was dedicated to St. Nicholas, the patron saint of sailors. The village furthermore has several activities to offer, suitable for young and old. These include the opportunity to enjoy a beautiful day on the back of a horse or explore the nature in the saddle of a bike. The highlight at the end of the day could then be a delicious Frisian dinner in the local restaurant. For nature lovers Hijum offers the opportunity to go camping, for the others a cozy bed and breakfast is available. The annual highlight, which cannot be missed is the village festival organized by Hijum in cooperation with its neighbor village Finkum. During this festival, which normally lasts a weekend several fun activities can be found, which guarantee a great time for everybody. Here especially music-lovers get what they are looking for. Several cover bands each year entertain the visitors and the brave ones among them can even try their selves at “Hijum got talent”. However, what visitors, as well as residents appreciate the most about this charming village is its quietness and peaceful atmosphere. Hijum is the perfect place to break out of daily routine and enjoy a good time far from the stressful city life.