Those of you destined to spend the entire summer in Enschede, need not look forward to a banal existence. There are plenty of wonderful sights in and around Enschede that you may have not yet seen.
In yesteryears, Enschede was thriving center for textiles. To get a feel of its heritage you can visit Museum Jannink which focusses on the history of spinning and weaving that propelled industrialisation in this region. Nature lovers can visit Natuurmuseum which exhibits fossils, minerals, prehistoric animal life in the Twente region. Also worth a look are the wildlife stills shot by international photographers in the under-10 category. Nature can also be admired in museum Natura Docet (Latin for: Nature is Teaching) near Denekamp. For appreciating expressions of ancient and modern art, a visit to Rijksmusem Twenthe in Enschede is highly recommended.
If visiting museums bores you to bits, the very quaint Lonneker Mill is a good starting point as an outing. A stone flour mill with a height of 27.35 meters and a span 23.75 meters, it was built in 1851 by the textile-family Blijdenstein.
A biking trip seems to be just the right thing to do in a country like the Netherlands. Try a scenic bike route set up by the Tourist Information Office. If you find yourself in Delden, do visit the charming Kasteel Twickel. This castle which was constructed in the fourteenth century is an excellent example of early Renaissance architecture. Its formal garden dating back to 1906 is a sheer delight; the main path is flanked by a lovely collection of citrus trees, listed in the National Plant Collection.
Besides windmills and tulips, Netherlands is also stereotyped by its wooden shoes. In the past almost almost every Dutchman had a pair of clogs which he used every day. Different shoe-makers made their own models with a variety of colours and decorations. Get a taste of Dutch culture by visiting one of the many Klompenmuseums and go ahead and try a pair yourself.
If it is in Goor that you wish to visit the Klompenmuseum, then further down in Markelo call it a day at the Boerderij Restaurant which offers traditional Twente hospitality. The oldest part of the restaurant dates back to 1472 and its dining room almost resembles a museum! In the summer, you can savour the delicacies outdoors under the walnut, oleander and citrus fuit trees. Want more of Dutch mills? Visit De Noordmolen and De Houtzaagmolen which are closeby.
Rural Markelo is part of `The Garden of Twente', a Regional Tourist Information Cooperative, which won the KLM Tourist Trophy in 1990. Biking through its scenic route, you can feast your eyes on sights such as rune stones, ancient farms, works of art, old castles. Slightly further the Royal Palace `Het Loo' near Apeldoorn, the Kröller-Muller Museum in Otterlo and the National Open Air Museum near Arnhem are certainly worth a visit.
Whatever you do, have fun soaking up the much awaited sun and see you after the summer break!
Deepa Talasila
The Lonneker Mill
Kasteel Twickel
