Drachten is a superb base for exploring all of Friesland and its colourful cities, towns and villages, each with their own character and history. Exploring Frisian towns like Sloten, Grou, Akkrum, Woudsend, opens a window to another way of life and offers many surprises. Like: a Belgian white beer brewed in Texas and served on a terrace in Akkrum - or discovering that Sloten is the smallest city in Friesland.
For example, for hundreds of years the small town of Hindeloopen has been famous around the world for its painted furniture and home interiors. Workshops still make and sell this very special furniture.
Makkum ceramics are world famous and the factory/shop is well worth visiting.
From Stavoren, you can take the ferry across the Ijsselmeer to Enkhuisen, the home of the Zuiderzee Museum, an outdoor interactive village museum where the old way of life is enacted daily.
The islands of Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog have their individual charms: Ameland for its welcome beach on hot summer days and lots of activities for the whole family, and Schiermonnikoog for quieter enjoyment of nature.
The Appelscha area has a spectacular dune landscape and woods to explore.
There is much to discover and do: museums and distilleries, festivals, the oldest planetarium in the world, the famous 11 cities skating tour (on years the canals freeze over), a national ceramic museum, shipping museums, model train museum, boat tours through the unspoiled nature in De Alde Feanen National Park, swimming, fishing, sport boating, camping, skutjesilen, Sneekweek, Frisian horses and cows, the Frisian flag, the Frisian language, birdwatching, wadlopen, an Aqua Zoo... The whole family can enjoy the character of Friesland.
Websites, general:
www.vvv.nl - site that links to all tourist information offices in the country
www.beleefFriesland.nl
www.uniastatebears.nl - site about historic homes and gardens
www.friesemeren.com
www.vvvmidfryslan.nl
www.friesekust.nl
www.lauwersland.nl
www.vvvlauwersland.nl
Websites, islands:
www.terschelling.nl
www.vlieland.net
www.vvvameland.nl
www.vvvschiermonnikoog.nl
Websites, some cities and towns: (suggestion - try www.(insert name of town).nl to get website)
www.vvvleeuwarden.nl
www.joure.nl
www.langweer.nl
www.vvvsneek.nl
www.vvv-wymbrits.nl
www.sloten.nl
www.vvvbakkevven.nl
www.vvvappelscha.nl
Sources: Paspoart foar Fryslan
and above websites
