Park Gravenrode, Netherlands
| country: | Netherlands |
| location: | Park Gravenrode |
introduction to Park Gravenrode, Netherlands
Why should you visit?
Nestled in the southern part of the Netherlands adjacent to the German border in the province of Limburg is the fully transformed Park Gravenrode. What was once a dilapidated mining region for 60 years with little or no nature is now a bustling area of wonder. The park was empty for nearly 25 years after miners vacated the area, until 11 years ago when the diligence and vision of local Dutch municipalities took control and began the transformation. With rolling hills and rising landscapes, the region is quite a contrast to the rest of Holland and its beauty is just beginning to be untapped.
What can you do here?
Whenever a park includes the largest indoor ski village in the world, it is bound to attract curious visitors. The skiing conditions at Snowworld rival those of pistes throughout Europe, but without all the fuss. The ski village includes state-of-the-art accommodation and activities for the entire family. For nature lovers, there are the ultra-modern and astounding Mondo Verde gardens. The gardens rest on the Limburg region's hillsides, providing un-matched majestic views. Not far from the gardens is the Gaiapark Kerkrade Zoo, one of the most forward-thinking zoos in Holland. Two beautifully restored natural settings include the Stijthagerbeekdal and the Anstellerbeekdal. These now-thriving landscapes were once two of the most-polluted leftovers from the mining industry.
What makes Park Gravenrode special?
When local Dutch authorities came together with a plan to revive the region, they knew it was going to be a lot of work. Years of neglect and pollution left the area in ruins, but their perseverance has made this park truly extraordinary. In the mid-eighties, the deteriorated Erenstein Castle was completely renovated into a magnificent restaurant. A farmhouse nearby was turned into a classic hotel. Then the Dutch addressed the park's environment. After tireless efforts on their part, the park now is as lush, colourful and vibrant as ever. Park Gravenode is a model example on how man has the ability to turn back the hands of time for a region to when it was splendid and pure.
What makes it sustainable?
Returning to the dark period before when the region was a mining area is something the locals never want to see return. Historical farmhouses, castles and building were left to crumble before efforts were made to restore the park. The Dutch are well aware of their past as well-thought measures have been instilled to keep Park Gravenrode moving in the right direction. State of the art entertainment like Snowworld pushes the boundaries of what's modern, while refurbished local buildings ties the region together with its once positive past.
What to look for in:
Spring: Blooming flowers blanketing the hillsides Summer: Skiers racing down slopes in the indoor village Fall: Colourful leaves falling quietly to the ground Winter: Guests sipping hot coffee at the Erenstein Castle
Highlights of Park Gravenrode
Waking up in what was an ancient farmhouse Having a snowball fight in the indoor ski village Watching blissful animals for hours at the zoo Beginning a long bike ride at sunrise
Nestled in the southern part of the Netherlands adjacent to the German border in the province of Limburg is the fully transformed Park Gravenrode. What was once a dilapidated mining region for 60 years with little or no nature is now a bustling area of wonder. The park was empty for nearly 25 years after miners vacated the area, until 11 years ago when the diligence and vision of local Dutch municipalities took control and began the transformation. With rolling hills and rising landscapes, the region is quite a contrast to the rest of Holland and its beauty is just beginning to be untapped. What can you do here?
Whenever a park includes the largest indoor ski village in the world, it is bound to attract curious visitors. The skiing conditions at Snowworld rival those of pistes throughout Europe, but without all the fuss. The ski village includes state-of-the-art accommodation and activities for the entire family. For nature lovers, there are the ultra-modern and astounding Mondo Verde gardens. The gardens rest on the Limburg region's hillsides, providing un-matched majestic views. Not far from the gardens is the Gaiapark Kerkrade Zoo, one of the most forward-thinking zoos in Holland. Two beautifully restored natural settings include the Stijthagerbeekdal and the Anstellerbeekdal. These now-thriving landscapes were once two of the most-polluted leftovers from the mining industry.
What makes Park Gravenrode special?
When local Dutch authorities came together with a plan to revive the region, they knew it was going to be a lot of work. Years of neglect and pollution left the area in ruins, but their perseverance has made this park truly extraordinary. In the mid-eighties, the deteriorated Erenstein Castle was completely renovated into a magnificent restaurant. A farmhouse nearby was turned into a classic hotel. Then the Dutch addressed the park's environment. After tireless efforts on their part, the park now is as lush, colourful and vibrant as ever. Park Gravenode is a model example on how man has the ability to turn back the hands of time for a region to when it was splendid and pure.
What makes it sustainable?
Returning to the dark period before when the region was a mining area is something the locals never want to see return. Historical farmhouses, castles and building were left to crumble before efforts were made to restore the park. The Dutch are well aware of their past as well-thought measures have been instilled to keep Park Gravenrode moving in the right direction. State of the art entertainment like Snowworld pushes the boundaries of what's modern, while refurbished local buildings ties the region together with its once positive past.
What to look for in:
Highlights of Park Gravenrode how this holiday makes a difference
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Have you ever sat at your desk during a busy work day and felt your mind drift off to another place? That special spot on Monday was a beach some-where in the Mediterranean. A few days later your mind ventured to a castle on top of a hillside. The experience was so vivid that you could almost smell the fresh mountain air.
Each day the clock ticks and you yearn for a holiday free of the hustle and bustle of city life. You want a destination that is known for its local charm, its beautiful landscapes and fascinating history. A place where the locals respect their land and will do anything to protect it from harm. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, in Europe, the possibilities are endless. The European Commission launched the European Destinations of Excel-lence (EDEN) a few years back with the aim of selecting special places "off the beaten path" that value economic, environmental and social sustainabil-ity. The 52 places chosen so far all represent Europe in a fitting manner. Europe is a continent of great history and lands. The continent's mystique draws tourists from around the world in search of adventure, paradise and culture. While there are many wonderful destinations in Europe, the truth is, many of them have lost their allure due to expansive tourism and a lack of regard for the environment. No longer can a region's name alone be enough to draw visitors to their majestic mountains or pristine beaches. There must be more and the European Commission has devoted numerous resources to instill the mind-set of sustainable tourism in its regions. Sustainable tourism is a practice that must run deep in the values of the local people. Whenever new accommodation is built and man-made changes are made to the landscape, eco-friendly and environmental measures must be followed. A constant respect for nature is needed to ensure that today's crea-tures and eco-systems are still around in the distant future. Sustainable tourism also plays a major role in a region's local economy. The growth of an area leads to more jobs and helps raise the quality of living in a region. The local people also take advantage of visitors eating at their restaurants, shopping at their markets and staying at their hotels. It is essential that proper investment in tourism growth has the people's best interests in mind.  The next time you go on a memorable holiday to the countryside and enjoy a bottle of the Earth's precious wine, take notice of the land and its people. These 52 selected EDEN "hidden gems" all have done their part in making their region a wonderful and memorable place to visit. Now it's up to you to decide which adventure you want to seek! |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |