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.