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Netherlands,
The South
The South: -
NORTH BRABANT: This province consists mainly of a plain, rarely more than 30m (100ft) above sea level, and is mostly agricultural. The region is known for its carnival days in February and the Jazz in Duketown jazz festival. The capital of the province is the city of 's-Hertogenbosch (non-Dutch speaking visitors will welcome the use of 'Den Bosch' as a widely accepted abbreviation) situated at the centre of a region of flat pasture land which floods each winter. St Jan's Cathedral is the largest in the country; the provincial museum is also interesting. Other major cities in this large and comparatively densely populated province include Eindhoven, an industrial centre which has grown in the last 100 years; Breda, an old city with many medieval buildings - it was here that the declaration was signed in 1566 which marked the start of the Dutch War of Independence; and Tilburg, an industrial centre which also has a large amusement and recreation park (to the north of the city) whose attractions include a haunted castle.
At Europaweg, Kaatsheuvel, is the De Efteling Recreation and Adventure Park, with approximately 50 attractions, including a large fairytale wood and a big dipper; open 1000-1800 Monday to Saturday from the end of March to mid-October.
At Museumpark 1, Overloon, is the Dutch National War & Recreation Museum, which includes displays of heavy armament in a park setting and other exhibits devoted to the history of the Second World War. Open 1000-1700 Monday to Sunday (early April to September); 1000-1800 Monday to Sunday (June to August); closed January 1, December 24-26 and December 31.
At Beekse Bergen 1, Hilvarenbeek, is the De Beekse Bergen Safari Park. Safari buses are available (continuous journey). Opening hours: 1000-1800 April to September; 1000-1630 October.
LIMBURG: The province of Limburg, the most southerly in the country, is bordered by both Belgium and Germany. The rolling hills covered with footpaths make this a good place for walking holidays. It is also famous for its cuisine. In the extreme south of the province is the city of Maastricht, and its position at the crossroads of three countries makes it ideal for excursions to such nearby cities as Aachen over the border in the Federal Republic of Germany. Maastricht itself is one of the oldest towns in the country, and its Church of St Servatius is the oldest in The Netherlands. The church treasury is particularly interesting. Further north is the town of Roermond, an important cultural and artistic centre dominated by the superb Munsterkerk.
ZEELAND: The province of Zeeland has several medieval harbour towns where some of the best seafood in Europe can be found. Most of the province lies below sea level and has been reclaimed from the sea. The region also includes several islands and peninsulas in the southwest Netherlands (Walcheren, Goeree-Overflakkee, Schouwen-Duiveland, Tholen, St Filipsland and North and South Beveland). The province has become renowned for a massive engineering project of flood barriers designed to protect the mainland and the results of reclamation from the devastating floods which periodically sweep the coastline. The countryside is intensively farmed. The capital of the province is Middelburg, a town which has been important since medieval times. The Town Hall is widely regarded as being one of the most attractive non-religious Gothic buildings in Europe. 8km (5 miles) to the north is the small town of Veere which retains many buildings from its golden age in the early 16th century. The North Sea port of Flushing (Vlissingen) is, for many British travellers arriving by boat, their first sight of The Netherlands. It is also the country's first town in another sense; in 1572 it became the first place to fly the free Dutch flag during the War of Independence.
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