From Hotel Drachten, you can go in any direction. Within just a fifteen-minute drive from the hotel, you can find yourself in a wooded area or by the water. Alternatively, you can take a bike directly from the hotel. You can bring your own bike from home, or easily rent a (electric) bike for a day or longer at the hotel reception. They can also provide you with information about various cycling and hiking packages in the area.

MARTINE VAN DER DEIJL

PHOTOGRAPHY: NOPOINT STUDIO'S

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN NATURE

Are you ready for beautiful, photogenic natural landscapes? That's great, because there are plenty of them in the vicinity of Hotel Drachten. For example, explore De Friese Wouden, known in Frisian as De Fryske Wâlden. Here you can spend hours cycling along varied routes and taking beautiful walks. The area consists largely of high sandy soils and forests. You can also indulge your love of nature in De Alde Feanen National Park. It is a unique area with a very rich natural environment. You can walk, cycle, sail, and enjoy complete tranquility. No fewer than 450 plant species grow in this area. Are you a bird lover? Then you've come to the right place. More than 100 species of birds breed here. It is also one of the few places in the Netherlands where you can spot sea eagles. So be sure to look around carefully. If you want to take a break from all the activities, there are several nice spots along the walking and cycling routes where you can enjoy a tasty lunch or cup of coffee with a typical Frisian delicacy, such as an orange cake.

WATER LOVERS PAY ATTENTION

When you think of Friesland, you quickly think of the Eleven Cities Tour. But even without a thick layer of ice on the water, you can enjoy the Frisian Lakes in autumn and winter. When the sun is shining and there is little wind, you can rent a sloop to go out on the water. With warm clothing and a filled thermos, you are perfectly prepared to enjoy the peace and unique views from the water. This way, you can enjoy the Frisian Lakes all year round. Also very close to Drachten, in the neighboring municipality of Bakkeveen, you can go on beautiful hiking tours. The area consists of sand dunes, hills, heathlands, and forests. Here you might spot Scottish Highland cattle, Exmoor ponies, and Drenthe sheep. This makes a day in nature extra special. The animals won't do anything, but always pass them calmly and at a safe distance.

OPTIMAL RELAXATION

When you return from a wonderful day of hiking or cycling in nature, or from a day of enjoying the water, you can relax at Hotel Drachten. The hotel is peacefully located on the outskirts of the Frisian village, surrounded by lots of greenery and trees. Take a seat on the terrace or relax with a drink at the bar. If you still have energy left, you can make use of the fitness room. And in the evening or in bad weather, you can challenge each other on one of the ten bowling lanes in the hotel. For a luxurious feeling, you can stay in the Wellness Suite, where you can relax in your own whirlpool bath. Hotel Drachten also offers a wellness package including entrance to the Thermen & Beauty LeeuwerikHoeve in the nearby Burgum. In the various indoor and outdoor pools and saunas, you can completely unwind. In short, a few days away to the particularly nature-rich Friesland guarantees plenty of enjoyment!