Please sign in to post.

Day trip from Venlo, Netherlands ideas?

Posted by (Eau Claire, WI, United States) on

I am traveling with a group of University students and we will have a free day after a 2.5 week stay here that includes a weekend in Amsterdam, a day trip to Koln, Germany, and a day trip to Dusseldorf, Germany--with the rest of the time spent in Venlo. The hotel is booked for all nights here, so I am looking for ideas for a brief day trip (say 7 or 8 a.m.-8 p.m. or so) including train travel time from Venlo.

What would the seasoned travelers visit with these constraints? What "must do or see" sights would you suggest in your suggested location? As far as interests, it is a group of 14 and we are likely to not all go to the same place-so I would welcome any ideas and I can share them with the students as options.

(We have been asking our local hosts for ideas and thus far the Haag was suggested.)

Thank you!
Angie

Posted by
12040 posts

If they want to interact with more university students, perhaps let them loose in Maastricht? For soccer fans, maybe catch a Bundesliga match in Mönchengladbach, just over the German border. Shopping in Hasselt (known locally for it's fashion boutiques).

If anyone has an interest in open-air folk musuems, the one at Bokrijk near Hasselt is pretty good.

Posted by
53 posts

Tom,

Thank you for the great ideas! I am personally leaning toward Maastricht myself for a day. I have to make a trip to Arnhem for a visit to another University and then plan to visit that Open Air Museum (it was suggested by a local contact here in Venlo.)

The students want to try a trip to London or Paris via plane and give up their prepaid hotel room here in Venlo between the two nights. I am trying to convince them to consider how they want to spend their precious time here and I have been emphasizing less travel time and more quality time in a new location. But, we'll see how much they here that. I think sharing with them your thoughts, especially stating Maastricht has more University students, may help.

Thank you very much!
Angie

Posted by
2829 posts

I was writing a big reply that went lost :(

Here are the suggestions (you can Google them and find the links)

  • Kinderdijk + Rotterdam (Cubic Houses, Spido Boat ride in the Maas/harbour, Euromast)

  • Hoge Veluwe National Park + Kröller-Muller Museum and Sculpture Park, including free bicycles for self-touring on the numerous bike paths over there - worth only on a fair/good weather day though

  • A long beach-walk between the dunes on the coast

Posted by
53 posts

Thank you, Andre! Have the group has booked a 48 hour trip to London and back. The other half is planning Brussels. I am still undecided and will plan to explore all the great suggestions!

Posted by
5678 posts

I know that the question crosses countries to some extent, but I'm curious why you didn't post this in the Netherlands thread. Posting there should as this format develops get people who know the Netherlands and you'd like to think that the answer would move beyond Holland. ;)

Pam

Posted by
53 posts

Basically for two reasons...I was asking about more than just the Netherlands as many options are outside this country. And, because I see more activity on this forum than the specific country forum overall.

This topic has been automatically closed due to a period of inactivity.