Gelderland travel guide
Trattoria Artusi
June 5, 2019
November 24 2020

11 tips for the perfect weekend in Gelderland – from nature to hotspots

As you know, I love staycations. Whether you go for a weekend, a midweek break, or longer, holidays close to home – like we did recently to Gelderland – are always a good idea in my opinion. Since our little globetrotter Manuel came into our lives, we've been trying to get away for a weekend even more often. Just getting out of the city and into nature with the three of us to unwind.

Anyone with kids will recognize that the peace and quiet of a weekend getaway disappears once your baby becomes a toddler. Space to spend time outdoors together and kid-friendly addresses suddenly become more important. And while I value family time immensely, I think it's just as important to actually spend quality time together during a weekend getaway.

That's why we recently came up with the brilliant idea of ​​heading to the Veluwe for a wonderful weekend in the Gelderland countryside. My mother-in-law lives nearby, so we could easily plan one night with the baby and one night without. What we did during this wonderful weekend? You can read all about it in this travel guide for a weekend getaway in Gelderland!

Mariënwaerdt estate

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Just back from Catalonia and I thought: I'll share some tips right away. During our road trip, we stayed two nights in the Ebro Delta. An incredibly fun stop for families and foodies alike, where there is plenty to do. · A boat trip to the Musclarium is a must! Here you eat oysters and mussels straight from the farm, in the middle of the sea. · Admire the flamingos and black ibises that can be found here all year round. · Rice is grown in the Ebro Delta all year round. For paella, but Kensho also makes sake and miso from it! You can visit them during a tasting. · Cycling along the rice fields, canoeing on the Ebro River, and visiting various beaches. It was still a bit too cold now, but there is plenty to do. · The towns are very low-key and not that exciting, but you can find fantastic local food there. From the Michelin-awarded Les Moles* to local eateries like Vermuteria Bonmarisc and Lo Tinglado. We ate a lot of fish, but also anemone fritters (a first!). Now back to work, and I’m going to create an extensive travel guide of this road trip through Catalonia, but you’ll want to save these tips for a future adventure. ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck { In this post, I share tips for the Ebro Delta in Spain (Delta de l'Ebre). More tips for Catalonia can be found at www.yourlittleblackbook.me }
PUUR JONNIE, an ode to Jonnie Boer. Today I had the honor of being at @delibrijezwolle for the book launch of @jonnie_en_therese. I spent the entire evening reading and browsing. WHAT A BOOK. What stories. WHAT AN ODE. Love, Nature, Pioneer, Fatherhood, Music, Jonnie's Foundation, Friendship, Suppliers, Local products, Relaxation, Entrepreneurship, Humor & The pure human being. Everything is covered, beautifully written by @joel.broekaert. With contributions from, among others, @nelsontanate, @rekkebus, @ronblaauwtje, @jorisbijdendijk, @sidney_schutte & @hvw043. Thanks for the wonderful afternoon @jonnie_en_therese 💚 PUUR JONNIE, Available from April 14 at your local bookstore (and online) 🖊️ @anne_de_buck
This is your ticket to Japan without taking a plane 🥢 @tewatashi.ams in De Pijp serves an authentic Edo-Mae Sushi Experience and is super consistent in their quality. It's the place we keep going back to when we have something to celebrate <3. In this video I'm sharing the 2 hour experience in 60 seconds. Still dreaming about the buttery ika nigiri. 🤤 ✖️✖️✖️ 🖊️ @anne_de_buck { one of the best authentic Japanese restaurants in Amsterdam serving premium sushi omakase in De Pijp }

11 Tips You'll Want to Know for a Weekend in Gelderland

Arnhem: Start your weekend getaway in the provincial capital. Arnhem is a fantastic and creative city. The Fashion Quarter, the "Zeven" Straatjes (Seven Streets), and the Spijkerkwartier are especially fun neighborhoods to explore. For coffee and something tasty, head to Stan & Co, Bos & Heij, or First Eet Café. A concept store not to be missed is Lost in Wanderland, where they sell the most beautiful items for your home.

Roadhouse Arnhem Bar & Kitchen: This fun new hotspot opened late last year on the outskirts of Arnhem, near Oosterbeek and Ede! As soon as you drive into the Roadhouse Arnhem parking lot, you'll forget you're in Gelderland and feel like you're in America, enjoying lunch or dinner at an American steakhouse while on a road trip. If you can't resist a delicious steak, you've come to the right place, but the menu also offers vegetarian and fish dishes. The interior is warm and inviting, with plenty of wood, traditional American booths perfect for group seating or family gatherings, and high tables perfect for drinks. There's a special children's menu for kids, high chairs, and a huge play area in the basement for children aged 3-16. In good weather, you can relax on the terrace, and the kids can have fun on the climbing frame. We had lunch at Roadhouse Arnhem during our weekend in Gelderland, but we'll definitely be back for dinner and will bring Manuel along too. For lunch, the pulled pork burger bun and the Roadhouse burger are highly recommended!
Roadhouse Arnhem: Amsterdamseweg 467, Arnhem – roadhousearnhem.nl

Roadhouse Arnhem

Hotel de Bilderberg: Nestled among the woods, you'll find Hotel de Bilderberg, the very first Bilderberg Hotel to open in the Netherlands. A lovely family hotel, perfect for a weekend getaway with a baby or a multi-generational family weekend. Its location on the Veluwe is perfect for exploring the area. Arnhem, Nijmegen, and several other attractions are about a half-hour drive away. Because the hotel is nestled in beautiful green surroundings, you feel like you're already leaving the hustle and bustle of the city behind on your way there. I always find that truly comforting, a moment when you switch off for a weekend surrounded by nature where you disconnect, unwind, and, above all, truly enjoy the present moment. I've mentioned it before, but this weekend we deliberately planned one night as just the two of us and the other as a family. We're going out for dinner the first night, and the second night we're having a delicious meal at the hotel's Italian restaurant while Manuel is sleeping in the room with the baby monitor (more about Trattoria Artusi later in this guide!). Now that Manuel is walking, I'm realizing how pleasant it is to stay in a hotel surrounded by greenery. When we return to the hotel on Saturday, we'll enjoy the sun for a bit while Manuel plays on the large lawn in front of the balcony. Take your time and enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Julia's Kitchen. The buffet is extensive and delicious! On Sunday morning, we borrow bikes from Hotel de Bilderberg, complete with child seats, and go for a bike ride in the (hilly) surrounding area toward Dorwerth Castle. It's a beautiful route through the woods and along a river. We didn't use it this time, but if the weather isn't so good or you want to relax a bit before dinner, there's also an indoor pool and sauna!
Hotel de Bilderberg: Utrechtseweg 261, Oosterbeek – bilderberg.nl

Quality time at Hotel de Bilderberg

Hiking in the Veluwe: Whether you enjoy long walks or get your "green fix" after an hour, the options are endless in the Veluwe area. I always enjoy ending a walk with something delicious to eat and drink. In the Veluwe, you can also combine a walk with a visit to the Kröller-Müller Museum of Modern Art, located near Otterlo in De Hoge Veluwe National Park. If you want to hike in this national park, you pay an entrance fee to the park ranger and a fee for taking your car into the park. But... there are also beautiful walks on the edge of the official park. From the Planken Wambuis restaurant, as well as from Hotel de Bilderberg, you can start various hiking trails. Who knows, you might spot some wild horses during our hike, just like we did!

Walking at Planken Wambuis

Planken Wambuis: One of the best restaurants in the Veluwe region, near Oosterbeek and Ede, is without a doubt Planken Wambuis. A household name in the region, as I noticed from the reactions on my Instagram Stories when we dined there. The restaurant has been around for 91 years! To enjoy the quality time and delicious food even more, Manuel is staying with Grandma when we dine at Planken Wambuis. If you want to dine here, make a reservation because it's always busy. The weather is beautiful, so we eat on the sheltered terrace. With birdsong in the background, we start the evening with a glass of wine and a seasonal charcuterie platter, including lamb ham. Delicious! Ask the team about the seasonal specialties they serve off the menu. From asparagus to game dishes, depending on the time of year. Planken Wambuis is open daily from 10.00:12.00 AM, and the kitchen opens at noon. It's also a place to remember for a cup of coffee or lunch. Cycling and walking routes are also available in the restaurant and you can charge your electric bicycle there.
Planks Wambuis: Extended Arnhemseweg 146, Ede – plankwambuis.nl

Scallops at Planken Wambuis

Relaxing at Sanadome: During our trip to Bali, we didn't get around to a massage, so we decided to make the most of our morning together. At 9:15 a.m., we were already at the reception desk of Sanadome in Nijmegen. I have to admit, I'm not a fan of nude saunas, but I recently discovered that every day at Sanadome is swimwear day. Fantastic! When we entered the thermal baths a little later, it was still wonderfully quiet, and we practically had the place to ourselves. Did you know that Sanadome is the only wellness center in Nijmegen with thermal water from its own spring? I personally really enjoyed the saltwater pool, the steam room, and the mint room. There are also various herbal baths and a large outdoor pool where you can relax on one of the loungers. To completely unwind, we booked a massage at the spa. You can easily spend a whole day relaxing at Sanadome, but you can also opt for a half-day stay like we did.

| TIP: Sanadome has a special offer in June and July where every second person receives a 50% discount on day or evening admission! Click here for the offer >>

Sanadome Hotel & Spa: Weg door Jonkerbos 90, Nijmegen – sanadome.nl

Sanadome

Nijmegen: Sanadome is located near Nijmegen, a charming city on the Waal River that's surprisingly hip. For example, you'll find several great hotspots clustered together in the former Honig complex on the banks of the river. Nijmegen is one of the oldest (if not the oldest) cities in the Netherlands, and you'll certainly notice that as you stroll through the centuries-old city center. It's precisely that mix of history and former industrial buildings now home to wonderful restaurants that makes it such a great city!

Trattoria Artusi: Something I quickly realized when we got Manuel was that a hotel where you can also enjoy good food is suddenly even more important. You can either have an early dinner, or with a bit of luck, the baby is asleep in the room with the 3G baby monitor app on while the two of you enjoy a leisurely meal. After running around in the woods and playing on the lawn, Manuel is sound asleep when we sit down at Trattoria Artusi. This is the Italian restaurant at Hotel de Bilderberg, and it not only looks great but also offers excellent food. You can choose the chef's four-course surprise menu or order à la carte. We chose the latter and shared the misto di antipasti with the aperitif. Afterward, I had a delicious pasta with ragout as a primi and a tuna steak with salsa verde for the main course. The team will be happy to recommend a glass of (Italian) wine to pair with it. In good weather, you can also dine on the terrace.
Trattoria Artusi: Utrechtseweg 261, Oosterbeek – bilderberg.nl

Trattoria Artusi bilderberg

Trattoria Artusi

Renting bikes: If you're staying at Hotel de Bilderberg, you can reserve bikes to explore the area. Depending on how long you want to cycle, reception can recommend a nice route. Child seats are available at the hotel (which are mounted on the back of the bike), so we only packed Manuel's own helmet for this weekend getaway. Bring something tasty to eat and drink and, if you have time, perhaps have a picnic along the way! We cycled past several spots in the woods with picnic tables. You can choose between e-bikes and regular bikes. The landscape has elevation changes, so keep that in mind when choosing your route. On Sunday, after breakfast, we cycled towards Doorwerth Castle, which is near the hotel. A nice route that took about an hour without stopping.

Cycling through the forest

Mariënwaerdt Estate: We're concluding our weekend in Gelderland with a visit to the Mariënwaerdt Estate. From the Veluwe, it's about a 45-minute drive to the Betuwe region, where this centuries-old family estate is located. There are several walking routes across the estate, ranging from 2,5 to 12,5 kilometers, and passing various historical sites on the estate, such as Mariënwaerdt House. We're walking the Monastery Route, which is 4,8 kilometers and just the right length with Manuel. Along the way, we'll spot rabbits and walk past the apple orchards. Every year, the Mariënwaerdt Estate organizes a Country Estate Fair. This year, it's from August 21st to 25th, and it's extra special because it's the 25th year. When we're back in the Netherlands, I'll be taking Manuel! Before heading home, a visit to the estate shop, where they sell products from the estate itself, is a must. From cheeses to jams and honey, all made with ingredients from the Mariënwaerdt Estate. And did you know that the estate also has a restaurant in the heart of Utrecht? At the Landgoedkeuken (Landgoed Kitchen), you can enjoy breakfast and lunch featuring Mariënwaerdt products!
Estate Lordship of Mariënwaerdt: 't Klooster 5, Beesd – marienwaerdt.nl

Via the estate shop to De Stapelbakker

Enjoy pancakes at De Stapelbakker: On the estate, you'll find Restaurant Marie (for a culinary evening meal) and Restaurant De Stapelbakker, perfect for the whole family. Before we get in the car back to Amsterdam, we'll have a delicious pancake here. For Manuel, we order the Aapie, a banana pancake. We choose the Mariënwaerdt pancake with leek, cheese, ham, and mango chutney. A good choice, as it turns out! The pancake menu is endless, and all pancakes can be made gluten-free. Not a pancake fan? No worries! The menu also includes a variety of salads, soups, and sandwiches. Also nice: have something special to celebrate? You can also book a package that includes high tea!
The Stack Baker: 't Klooster 5, Beesd – stapelbakker.nl

The Stapelbakker estate marienwaerdt

The Stack Baker

I hope the tips from this Gelderland Travel Guide You've gotten a good idea of ​​what you can do during a weekend getaway. Have fun planning your relaxing weekend!

Gelderland travel guide

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ANNE

 

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