Barneveld Townhouse for Rent

The city and surroundings of Barneveld are ideal for a vast number of cycling adventures. Each day is flexible and allows you can choose the cycling route you desire. Routes range from around 20 miles (32 km) to 54 miles (87 km).

Barneveld is also only about a 1 hr. to 1½ hr. train ride from the center of Amsterdam, not to mention close proximity to a wide array of other great towns, including Haarlem, The Hague, and Rotterdam!

Below are a number of daily excursions that we recommend (cycling in the Netherlands is easy with its flat terrain and excellent bike paths):

1. Airborne Route – John Frost Bridge, Doorwerth Castle, 48 or 54 mi. (77 or 87 km)
2. Rhenen Route – Gelderse valley to Rhenen, 36 mi. (58 km)
3. Harderwijk Route – the Veluwe to Harderwijk, 40 mi. (65 km)
4. Apeldoorn Route – Veluwe, Apenheul, Palace het Loo, 44 mi. (71 km)
5. Hoge Veluwe Route – Hoge Veluwe National Park, Kröller Müller Museum, 38 mi. (61 km)
6. Bunschoten Route – Nijkerk, Spakenburg, 36 mi. (58 km)
7. Valley Route – Valleikanaal, Farmer’s golf, 30 mi. (48 km)
8. Arnhem Route – Open Air Museum, Arnhem, 44 mi. (71 km)

Overview and highlights:

1. Bike ride to the Hoge Veluwe National Park that includes the Kröller Müller Museum et al.
2. Bike ride to Arnhem via heathfields to the famous John Frost Bridge and an Openair Museum.
3. Bike ride to Apeldoorn and the vast Royal Palace of Het Loo as well as to the Apen heul (a zoo).
4. Bike ride to Harderwijk, an old fishing town.
5. Bike ride to Nijkerk and Spakenburg, another old fishing town, via along the 'Eemmeer' (body of water).
6. Cycling along the Valleikanaal (canal) and playing "Farmers Golf"

Day 1: The National Park "De Hoge Veluwe"
The following attractions are all located in the National Park ‘De Hoge Veluwe’ (or simply the Veluwe). Entrances to the Veluwe can be found just outside the city of Arnhem and in the villages of Schaarsbergen, Otterlo and Hoenderloo. With more than 5,500 hectares of woods, heath, sand drifts, and fens, the Hoge Veluwe National Park is the largest nature reserve in Holland. The park at one time was the private estate of Mr. and Mrs. Kroller-Muller, a wealthy industrialist family from Amsterdam.

The Kroller-Muller Museum is located in the Veluwe, and hosts 278 paintings by Van Gogh, a collection of early Flemish masters and works by modern artists. An outdoor sculpture park, the Beeldenpark, is located next to the museum.

Hop on one of the many free white bicycles and explore the beautiful nature of the Veluwe Park by following the trails and bicycle paths. Information can be obtained from the National Park Visitors Center at the Houtkampweg in the village of Otterlo. Another visitors center is located in the middle of the park and includes an underground museum and a very nice cafeteria-style restaurant with an outdoor patio and a playground for children.

The magnificent Hunting Lodge Saint Hubertus, built in 1920 by the famous architect Berlage, is also located in the Veluwe. All of the furniture was designed for the building and all symbolism is related to the life of St. Hubert.

Day 2: Arnhem
Arnhem, the capital of Gelderland, is one of the most fascinating cities in Holland and has everything to make your stay unforgettable. Whether you enjoy museums and art, walking or bicycling, or if you like visiting one of the large attractions or shopping and a night out, Arnhem is the place for you.

A visit to the Airborne Museum will show the course of events during the Battle of Arnhem during World War II. The Battle was part of Operation Market Garden. The Airborne Museum traces the course of the struggle to take Arnhem during World War II, using models, slides, and taped commentaries. The collection is on display in a villa near Oosterbeek, used by the commander of the 1st British Airborne Division as his headquarters during the invasion. A war cemetery is nearby.

In the Dutch Open Air Museum in Arnhem, you can travel on foot or trolley through an eventful 250 years of history and experience the rich history of the ‘ordinary’ Dutch folks. See how bakers, farmers, millers and workers lived and earned a living in the past. Other attractions in Arnhem include the National Heritage Museum and Burgers' Zoo.

Day 3: Apeldoorn
Apeldoorn has been around for more than 1200 years! Apeldoorn has an old center, which is built around the Raadhuisplein square. On the Raadhuisplein, you will find the old town hall, which is now the ‘Historical Museum’ of Apeldoorn. Apeldoorn’s claim to fame is its Royal Palace Het Loo, set in the woodlands surrounding the city. Palace het Loo was the favorite summer residence of the Stadholders and Royal Family of the Netherlands from 1686 to 1975. Since 1984 the palace has served as a museum after a spectacular restoration of the buildings and the gardens, returning them to their original 17th-century state. The interior dates from the time of William and Mary up to the reign of Queen Wilhelmina. It reflects the lifestyles of the members of the Royal family over three centuries. The entire complex is surrounded by extensive woodland dotted with romantic lakes.

Day 4: Harderwijk 
Harderwijk received city rights from Count Otto II of Guelders in 1231. A defensive wall surrounding the city was completed by the end of that century. The oldest part of the city is near where the streets Hoogstraat and Grote Poortstraat are today. Around 1315 the city was expanded southwards, which included the construction of what is now called the Grote Kerk (Large Church). A second, northward expansion took place around 1425. Particularly along the west side of town much of the wall still exists, although often not in entirely original form. This also goes for the only remaining city gate, the picturesque Vischpoort.

Harderwijk used to be a member of the Hanseatic League. It lies on what used to be the Zuiderzee (Southern Sea, now the IJsselmeer), and consequently, its economy was strongly based on fishing and seafaring in general. This dramatically changed after 1932, when the Zuiderzee was shut off from the North Sea for safety reasons.

Between 1648 and 1811 the University of Harderwijk operated in the city. Carolus Linnaeus graduated at this University. The University, together with the Universities of Zutphen and Franeker was abolished by Napoleon. Today, Harderwijk is probably known best for the Dolfinarium, where dolphin shows are held.

Day 5: Nijkerk and Spakenburg
Nijkerk received city rights in 1413. This quaint little town offers many leisure cycling paths, including one to Markermeer to the north. One of the famous people from Nijkerk includes Arent Van Curler (1620-1667), founder of Schenectady, New York.

The fishing village of Spakenburg lies north of Bunschoten on the IJsselmeer in the province of Utrecht, the smallest province in the Netherlands. It is one of the few places left in the Netherlands where the women still wear the local traditional clothes. During the 20th century, the two villages (Bunschoten and Spakenburg) have grown quickly, and since about 1965 they form one single town, officially named Bunschoten-Spakenburg.

Day 6: An Adventure of your choicke
Today you can cycle along the Valleikanaal (canal), play some "Farmers Golf", or hop on the train for a day trip to Amsterdam, Utrecht, Rotterdam, or even Den Haag (The Hague), which are all no more than a 1 ½ hour train ride.

*Some of the above text is courtesy of www.holland.com and en.wikipedia.org.

Townhouse has 4 bedrooms and 2½ baths. Bedrooms all contain twin beds. Townhouse is completely furnished.