Zwolle, Hasselt, Zwartsluis

Zwolle, the city on the IJsseldelta, was founded during the Middle Ages and quickly grew into an important Hanseatic city. Traces of this can be found largely in the city centre. Book enthusiasts should not miss ‘Waanders in de Broeren’. In the gorgeous church, originating from 1466, you will find one of the most beautiful bookshops in the Netherlands, offering culture, art and books. Zwolle has more culture to offer, for example: museum ‘De Fundatie’, a beautiful old palace on which a ‘bird egg’ has been built, offering a fantastic view of the city. Het Stedelijk Museum, focused on the cultural history of the city, is also worth a visit, if only for the contrast between the old and new part of the museum! Other forms of culture can be found in the Zwolse theatres, Hedon pop venue, or the Fratherhuis movie theatre. Hasselt, located on the Zwarte Water, used to have an open connection with the Zuiderzee, which allowed the city to grow into an important trade centre. This is why you come across more than seventy monuments in the centre of Hasselt, declared a protected cityscape. Those who visit Hasselt in April or in May should definitely book a sailing excursion with Staatsbosbeheer. You will sail past the most beautiful places in the area. In addition to this, you will see the rare lapwing flowers, which still bloom abundantly in the wild. A visit to the lime kilns, just outside Hasselt, is also recommended.