8 Nights
Have city and nature come together in the Netherlands? Like a way of life, every Dutch person seems to enjoy the city, the North Sea and the countryside. Everyone here relishes this closeness with nature in their day-to-day lives. On foot and by bicycle, they take every chance to wander the narrow streets of these cities that still evoke the Dutch Golden Age. This Route du Bonheur running south to north in the Netherlands progresses through fields of tulips and canvases by Van Gogh, between windmills and dolmens, canals and polders. Here at the heart of Europe, we find a nation that loves to fete its royal family, painters, florists and cyclists. Because here, the atmosphere is unique, in a true reflection of the heritage…
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Hotel and restaurant in the country. The St. Gerlach Estate is tucked away in the Geul Valley and the Ingendael nature reserve. Extensive parks, a vineyard, herb garden, orchard, rose garden, and its church with splendid 18th century frescoes, secure an enchanting setting for the Château, which dates back to the year 1200 and was once a monastery built to accommodate pilgrims who had come to pay homage to hermit Gerlach of Houthem. The guestrooms, housed in the former farmstead, boast views of Baroque gardens. The restaurant, which has lost nothing of its aristocratic décor, serves fine French cuisine, while the Bistrot de Liège offers the guests appealing dishes from the region in an informal setting. ... Learn moreless
From its immense terrace, Château Neercanne reigns over the bucolic Jeker Valley. This historic château, built in 1698 by the governor of Maastricht as a venue for large receptions, is now a restaurant straddling the Belgian and Dutch borders, with a rich cultural and culinary heritage. Its two chefs,...
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With its rocket-shaped cupola overlooking the Maas river, this astonishing building constructed by the Italian architect Aldo Rossi in the former industrial zone of Maastricht houses artwork encompassing contemporary art, modern art as well as works by the old masters. The Museum of Fine Arts honors...
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In Henri-Chapelle you’ll find a powerful cemetery where almost 8 000 American soldiers are laid to rest (of 17 600 deaths that occurred here).
The nearby shipyards were the inspiration for the décor of the dining room overlooking the harbour. In this modern setting, Chef Margo Reuten pays as much attention to welcoming her guests as she does to the quality of her cuisine. She is perfectly happy to serve her tables herself and let her guests...
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Hotel and restaurant in a park. The Sörensen family warmly welcomes guests to the estate of Het Roode Koper, a mansion once owned by the Count of Dutch-Indonesia. Surrounded by classical English gardens and the lovely woods of the Veluwe, the 3,000 hectare estate is a wonderful destination for a getaway. Explore the magnificent woods, heaths, water and wilderness by foot, bicycle or on horseback – guests can even stable their horses on the premises. On cooler days, curl up fireside with a spot of tea or a glass of wine in the lounge. The restaurant offers excellent seasonal fare, which can be enjoyed with views of the stately garden. ... Learn moreless
Built at the request of William III starting in 1685, Het Loo Palace remained the residence of the House of Orange-Nassau for almost three centuries. The palace, which became a national museum in 1984, impresses all its visitors with the splendor of its decorations and the beauty of its gardens (designed...
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A place for walking and discovery, Arnhem’s Open-Air Ecomuseum offers an amazing journey through time: old farms, mills, factories, and craftsmen's workshops are spread out over 100 acres, evoking the everyday life of men and women over the past 350 years. Opened more than a century ago, this ecomuseum...
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The De Hoge Veluwe National Park is one of the largest in the Netherlands. Between forest, heathlands, plains, and beaches, the site shelters numerous protected species as well as a cultural center. In the heart of the park, the splendid Kröller-Müller Museum houses the second largest collection of works...
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With some of them weighing up to forty tonnes, these dolmens are believed to have been brought here over 5000 years ago. The fifty or so megaliths form incredible tombs, whose origins are still unknown to us. To understand how they were moved here and find out about the tribes who are believed to have...
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The thatched farmhouses and wooden bridges in the middle of these peat bogs paint an idyllic picture that seems to have arisen from centuries past. Giethoorn is so unlike any other village that it appears almost imaginary. Bordered by long canals, ponds and reed beds, the houses are like picture postcards....
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Schokland used to be an island in what is now the Noordoostpolder. The former island symbolizes the age-old, heroic struggle of the Dutch against the water. On Schokland and in the immediate vicinity there are traces of human habitation that go back far into prehistoric times. Schokland is a unique combination...
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Hotel and restaurant in town. Next to the famed Jerusalem Chapel, this 16th-century orphanage is now home to 25 intimate, atypical and fairly eccentric suites. With elegant original details and a wink to the 21st century, Weeshuis Gouda celebrates the discrete charm of this city nestled in the country’s “Green Heart” and in easy reach of The Hague, Rotterdam and Utrecht. Carefully conceived to underscore the city’s rich heritage, it is not only the old and authentic that you will find at this design hotel. A voyage through the ages, it blends beautifully with the soul of Gouda’s historic district — its maze of narrow streets, bridges and canals, its fascinating museum, its cheesemakers and its sweet aroma of hot syrup and waffles in the air. Delighting your senses with world-class dining, chef Remco Kuijpers’ fresh creations and focus on local ingredients add the final touch to your stay at this magical place. ... Learn moreless
Built in the mid eighteenth century in order to drain the polder, the Kinderdijk Elshout windmills have been recognised on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1997. The nineteen windmills illustrate a part of the country’s history: from peat extraction to farming, as well as the terrible floods of the...
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If the Rijksmuseum is known by all for its impressive Rembrandt collection (the famous ‘The Night Watch’) and the works of Flemish painters, the museum also offers splendid paintings depicting the landscapes of the North Sea, just like the canvases by the painters from the Hague School, or, of course,...
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In 2013, Queen Beatrix abdicated in favour of her son Willem-Alexander. With his coronation, the date of the national holiday has changed to 27 April, the young king’s birthday. Come and join in the mass celebrations that take place on the streets and canals of Amsterdam. The entire city is decked out...
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Hotel and restaurant in a village. An hour and a half from Amsterdam, twenty minutes by boat from Den Helder — between the land and the sea — lies Texel, an island in the Frisian archipelago. It is where chef Jef Schuur, hand in hand with his wife Nadine Mögling, has chosen to open a Michelinstarred restaurant and several beautiful modern suites in what was once a presbytery. With the changing tides, he cooks local products such as Wadden Sea cockles with Texel lamb bacon, parsley root cream and a jus of puffed celery. Nadine, a sommelier, is an expert in European wines and uses her extensive knowledge of organic and natural wines to create subtle and unique pairings to compliment the cuisine's harmonious contrasts of tastes and textures. ... Learn moreless
You have to climb the 153 steps of the old Eierland lighthouse to admire the view over the southern landscapes of the Dunes of Texel National Park. But it’s worth the effort: this vantage point over dunes, salt marshes and moors showcases the diversity of wind-swept landscapes across the west coast of...
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Every year, in mid-June, beach No. 17 in Texel is the start and finish point of one of the most important catamaran regattas in the world. For one weekend, some 600 participants sail in front of more than 10,000 spectators scattered along the beaches. And while race times depend on tides and the wind,...
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**Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Total price communicated as an indication, based on a stay of the number of nights recommended on this webpage, taking place in the next 3 months, and based on double occupancy (excluding recommended activities, excluding properties not bookable online).
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur:
Suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
** Offer cannot be combined, valid for an itinerary in at least 2 different Relais & Châteaux establishments, reserved with Relais & Châteaux concierges, discount applicable on certain rates and certain establishments. List available from our concierges.
Call our concierge to tailormade your booking and itinerary*. *Price of a local call
