Groningen

Groningen is the northeasternmost province of the Netherlands, with the city of Groningen itself as capital. It is also the province’s main economic and cultural center, and was formerly member of the Hanseatic League (confederation of merchant guilds during the Middle-Age)....

Mainly dedicated to agriculture, this area of approximately 600,000 inhabitants borders Friesland to the west, Drenthe to the south, Germany to the east, and the Wadden Sea to the north. The province has a magnificent and varied countryside, but also some cultural hot spots. You will want to start with the city of Groningen, seeing the Martin’s Church (a XIII century basilica), a famous landmark, and entering into its museums (Groninger and University). Located half an hour away from there, the Lauwersmeer National Park has a fauna and flora that are worth exploring. Its numerous trails will delight bikers and walkers. Also, the fortified village of Bourtange is a wonderful example of a surviving star-shaped fort in Europe. As you can see, it requires more than just one day of exploring.