North
Brabant
This province consists mainly of a plain, rarely more than 30m (100ft)
above sea level, and is mainly agricultural. The region is known
for its carnival days in February and the Jazz in Duketown
jazz festival.
The capital of the province is the city of ’s-Hertogenbosch
(non-Dutch speaking visitors will welcome the use of ‘Den
Bosch’ as a widely accepted abbreviation) situated at the
centre of a region of flat pasture land which floods each winter.
St Jan’s Cathedral is the largest in the
Netherlands, the provincial museum is also very interesting.
Other major cities in this large and comparatively densely populated
province include Eindhoven, an industrial centre
which has grown during the last 100 years, Breda,
an old city with many medieval buildings and it was here that the
declaration was signed in 1566 which marked the start of the Dutch
War of Independence, and Tilburg, an industrial
centre which also has a large amusement and recreation park, to
the north of the city, whose attractions include a haunted castle.
In Kaatsheuvel is the De Efteling Recreation
and Adventure Park, with approximately 50 attractions,
including a large fairytale wood and a big dipper. Overloon
is home to the Dutch National War & Recreation Museum,
which includes displays of heavy armament in a park setting and
other exhibits devoted to the history of World War II.
In Hilvarenbeek is the De Beekse Bergen
Safari Park. Safari buses are available.
Limburg
The province of Limburg, the most southerly in the country, is bordered
by both Germany and Belgium. The rolling hills covered with footpaths
make this a great place for walking holidays. It is also famous
for its cuisine. In the extreme south of the province is the city
of Maastricht, and its position at the crossroads
of three countries makes it ideal for excursions to such nearby
cities as Aachen just over the border in Germany.
Maastricht itself is one of the oldest towns in
the country, and its Church of St Servatius is
the oldest in The Netherlands. The church treasury is very interesting.
Further north is the town of Roermond, an important
cultural and artistic centre dominated by the superb Munsterkerk.
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