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Assen! Really? Absolutely! With its beautiful villas and stately mansions, it’s a perfect starting point for bike tours through this ancient province. You’ll cycle through the Drentsche Aa river basin, across the Balloërveld, and through the Drents-Friese Wold. Along the way, you’ll pass forests, peatlands, and heathlands, discovering megalithic tombs and burial mounds. And also… the Colony of Benevolence! » read more about Cycling holiday Assen
The Proefkolonie in Frederiksoord and Veenhuizen, known as the “Colonies of Benevolence,” tells the story of visionary Johannes van den Bosch. Poor families from the west were “given” a house, furnishings, and a plot of land to become self-sufficient. The investment was to be repaid within 20 years. Entire communities emerged, with Van den Bosch introducing health insurance and compulsory education for children—long before it became law nationwide.
The story and remains of the colonies are so unique that UNESCO recently listed them as World Heritage. Discover it during this holiday. On other days, explore the Dwingelderveld, the Hondsrug, Borger, Orvelte, Camp Westerbork, and the Fochteloërveen. All easily reachable from your base in Assen.
Drenthe is known for its beautiful nature, ancient history, and diverse landscapes. The Borger dolmen, the oldest monument in the Netherlands, is the symbol of Drenthe. This majestic burial site, like all the other dolmens here, was built over five thousand years ago. Using tree trunks, the builders stacked the massive stones with remarkable precision. Just imagine the effort. At the Hunebed Centre in Borger, you can experience the world of the dolmen builders, the Funnelbeaker people.
Veenhuizen is unique thanks to its National Prison Museum. This modern, interactive museum tells two stories: the history of Veenhuizen, from a restricted colony of the Society of Benevolence to a prison village, and the national history of freedom penalties. It may not be the happiest outing, but it’s fascinating to learn how vagrants, beggars, and drifters were treated in the past.
Silence, nature, peace, and space… Visit the ancient province of the Netherlands and discover that you can cycle for hours—almost without encountering anyone. Well, except your fellow cyclists, who are so impressed by the primeval landscapes they fall silent too. Ride through heathlands and forests, past sand drifts and beautiful streams. Here and there, crawl under a dolmen and visit an age-old village green. And of course, stop by an authentic farm where coffee and apple pie await you. Then onwards. Together you whisper, “Psst, look there” — face to face with Drenthe Highland cattle and heath sheep. Experience the primal feeling in Drenthe.
Cycling holiday Assen
You probably don’t think of Assen right away as a holiday destination. Yet this charming provincial capital lives up to its nickname, the ‘City of Palaces,’ with its beautiful villas and stately mansions. Above all, it’s the perfect base for discovering the stunning nature reserves of Drenthe by bike. From the comfortable hotel in the city center, you cycle through the Drentse Aa river basin, across the Balloërveld, and through the Drents-Friese Wold. Riding through forests, peatlands, and heath, you’ll pass ancient dolmens and burial mounds. You can also visit the Westerbork Camp and the Society of Benevolence colony in Veenhuizen.
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This is the first day of your cycling holiday. If desired you can add book extra nights later before the startdate of your cycling holiday. Please choose the first day of your cycling holiday. Further on in planning your trip, you can book an extra night before the selected starting day.
