Welcome to the best of region Brabant The Netherlands Due to its authentic, exuberant character, its renowned hospitality and its wide range of tourist attractions, Brabant is a unique piece of Europe. So it only makes sense that North Brabant, in the south of the Netherlands, is a popular tourist destination. In fact, it is one of the fastest growing destinations in the Netherlands. In Brabant, Van Gogh’s homeland, you can literally BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT follow in Vincent’s footsteps. Here, you can see how he lived and worked, and visit the places that inspired him so much. Brabant also offers many charming historical towns surrounded by panoramic views and spectacular countryside. The vibrant cities full of Dutch Design, art, museums and some of the best amusement parks in the Netherlands complete the province’s offer for a large tourist target group. Plus, Brabant is easily accessible. Located in the heart of Europe and in the centre of the Benelux, Brabant is closer to Amsterdam, Belgium and Germany than you might think: only 60 minutes! That makes it the perfect destination for a day trip or weekend break. Brabant, the gateway to the Low Lands. VisitBrabant is the marketing organisation for destination Brabant, in the south of the Netherlands. VisitBrabant TradeServices offers inspiration and services for the international travel trade market, enabling your guests to reach Brabant without hassle. Discover the wonders of our beautiful province in this VisitBrabant TradeServices Special. Vincent’s Homeland Discover the unique packages, which we would love to tailor to your guests’ wishes. Be inspired by the many stories, images and videos. We are here to help if you are looking for good visual and text material PAGE 03 and we would love to bring you into contact with the right people and networks. We are happy to help! Region Brabant Vincent’s Homeland EUROPE Brabant is located at the heart of Europe and in the centre of Benelux. It’s closer to Amsterdam, Belgium and Germany than you might think: 60 minutes! This makes Brabant the ideal base to explore not only our region, but the whole Benelux. Specially with the big offer of quality accommodation for an attractive price. Brabant, gateway to the Low Lands! Vincent van Gogh was born and raised in Brabant. He created his first masterpiece Walk in Vincent van The Potato Eaters in Brabant. It is where Gogh’s footsteps he painted most of his paintings. Come and walk in the footsteps of Van Gogh! VISIT THE BEST OF BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT 60 min. AMSTERDAM THE NETHERLANDS A2 60 min. 30 min. VISIT THE BEST OF BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT THE HAGUE UTRECHT ROTTERDAM 45 min. HET NOORDBRABANTS MUSEUM A16 HEUSDEN ’S-HERTOGENBOSCH BREDA EFTELING 35 min. GERMANY WEEZE ETTEN-LEUR TILBURG NUENEN ZUNDERT BEEKSE BERGEN EINDHOVEN 90 min. BRUGES E19 52 Van Gogh monument and Start of his career as DÜSSELDORF place of birth in Zundert a painter in Etten Leur 75 min. ANTWERP A2 30 min. GHENT A12 75 min. Unique Van Gogh cultural heritage Van Gogh monument in 60 min. at Van Gogh Village Nuenen Van Gogh Village Nuenen MAASTRICHT COLOGNE BRUSSELS 90 min. Photo: Jean Paul Bardelot 60 min. BELGIUM CHARLEROI 90 min. Fly direct into North-Brabant via Eindhoven Airport. This airport in the heart of Brabant serves over 80 destinations. PAGE 05 PAGE 04 ’s-Hertogenbosch Het Noordbrabants Museum ’s-Hertogenbosch is famed for its charm and With resplendent exhibitions, Het Noordbrabants hospitality and has many times been awarded Museum showcases the wealth of Brabant’s art, the title ‘Most welcoming city in the Netherlands’. history and culture. One of the largest cultural Award winning exhibition All highlights are near each other, making them Hieronymus Bosch 2016 attractions in the Netherlands. It is the only VISIT THE BEST OF BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT easy to explore, from the biggest Dutch cathedral museum in the southern part of the Netherlands to the historical canals underneath the city. City of master painter to exhibit original works by Vincent van Gogh. Hieronymus Bosch Photo: Karin Jonkers VISIT THE BEST OF BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT Quiet location in the heart Great experience for all ages Historical centre of ’s-Hertogenbosch with great shopping St. John’s Cathedral Burgundian lifestyle with Sailing the city’s historical canals Van Gogh Pavilion with excellent restaurants Photo: Werner van Beusekom original Van Gogh paintings The Story of Brabant gallery PAGE 07 PAGE 06 Fortified towns DAY 3 VAN GOGH VILLAGE in Van Gogh’s NUENEN & EINDHOVEN Homeland Museum Vincentre Experience how Van Gogh lived and how he created his first masterpiece The Potato Eaters. Guided walk Van Gogh Village DAY 1 Nuenen is an ‘outdoor museum’ with no fewer 11th century old Heeswijk Castle HEESWIJK CASTLE than 23 locations that remind of Van Gogh. & FORTIFIED TOWN Opwetten Watermill OF HEUSDEN Enjoy lunch at this nostalgic watermill painted by Van Gogh. Guided tour Heeswijk Castle Philips walking tour through ‘the forbidden city’ Experience the rich history of an Guided tour past former Philips factories in the almost thousand year old castle. Strijp-S area, now the vibrant creative heart of the city. Walking tour Heusden Walk in Vincent’s footsteps A guide will show the must-sees of in Van Gogh Village Nuenen this beautiful fortified city. Worstenbroodje at Bakkertje Deeg You have to try this typical ‘sausage roll’ from Brabant, of course at the bakery called Bakkertje Deeg. The iconic little bridge of Heusden Boattrip Heusden BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT Admire the typical Dutch landscape DAY 2 with windmills, bridges, cows and Opwetten Watermill numerous water birds. BRABANT’S CAPITAL Photo: Van Gogh Brabant ’S-HERTOGENBOSCH TIP! TIP! VISIT THE BEST OF BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT Historical city walk ‘s-Hertogenbosch Get to know Hieronymus Bosch, Try the famous sweet Guided walk past beautiful monuments like St. John’s the medieval painter from pastry ‘Bossche Bol’ and Cathedral and the typical Bosch backstreets. ’s-Hertogenbosch, at the Art Centre, recharge completely. Historical cruise on the Binnendieze canal with a special walk or canal cruise. Navigate along small waterways and underneath this fortified city in a ‘whisper boat’. The Korte Putstraat A street known across the country for offering culinary treats from a variety of cuisines. Het Noordbrabants Museum with guide Dive into the rich artistic and cultural history of Brabant, with the masters Van Gogh and Bosch. Heusden ’s-Hertogenbosch Mix & Match Heeswijk The small streets of ‘s-Hertogenbosch Combine various components of the BRABANT program to your liking and make your own Nuenen custom program. We are happy to help with more ideas and tailormade solutions. Eindhoven PAGE 09 Het Noordbrabants Museum is the PAGE 08 largest museum in the south of the country Heusden Breda Breda, a contemporary city that is more than 750 years old. This lively town has centuries-old monuments, great restaurants, charming pavement cafes on the Market Place and bustling shopping streets. No wonder Breda has been named Best City Center of The Netherlands. Cultural fortress town Wander through the picturesque streets of this charming fortified town while your guide tells stories of centuries ago, and sail along the fortress walls. This historical setting is Nassau City home to galleries, speciality shops, friendly Grote Kerk (big church), BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT Royal Military Academy restaurants and pavement cafes. and Begijnhof VISIT THE BEST OF BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT Picturesque inner town Members of the Dutch Royal Family with intimate restaurants Sailing along the city Part of the Southern defence wall are buried in the iconic ‘Grote Kerk’ walls and green parks Beguinage Breda Harbour for boating Visit the classic windmills Historical city with many squares, and river cruises great restaurants and bars PAGE 11 PAGE 10 The roots of DAY 3 HISTORICAL the Low Lands BERGEN OP ZOOM & VIBRANT TILBURG Guided walking tour Bergen op Zoom DAY 1 One of the Netherlands’ oldest cities with a rich and VAN GOGH ZUNDERT turbulent past that goes back 800 years. Markiezenhof Van Gogh wall in Etten-Leur & ETTEN-LEUR Taste the rich history of La Trappe Trappist with a self portrait of Vincent Visit the oldest city palace in the Netherlands where Van Gogh House Zundert the lords and marquises of Bergen op Zoom lived. Get to know how Van Gogh grew up in the La Trappe Trappist Monastery Tilburg place where he was born. Visit the chapel and Guided tour through the brewery and a film about the life his brother’s grave with a guide. in the monastery concluded with a Trappist beer-tasting. Van Gogh Church Etten Leur Dwaalgebied Tilburg Take a look at the animated timeline of Van Gogh Wander around the charming streets with authentic in the church where his father preached. little shops and lovely restaurants. Biesbosch National Park Cruise Navigate through the lush green areas of one of the few freshwater tidal areas in the world. VISIT THE BEST OF BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT The old entrance gate of Bergen op Zoom Sail, walk or cycle through National Park Biesbosch TIP! TIP! DAY 2 Savour and experience the VISIT THE BEST OF BRABANT OF BEST THE VISIT taste of Trappist beers on People of Brabant love the good NASSAU CITY BREDA this unique cycle route which life… The many great restaurants takes you past 5 different and terraces prove that. Guided Nassau city walk Trappist abbeys in the region. Enjoy them during your stay! Discover the history of the Royal Family Nassau at the Castle of Breda, the Béguinage, and relax and enjoy the city’s Valkenberg park.