Trave l Trade In form a tion

Travel Trade Information
the friendly
province in the
Netherlands
Index
Introduction
Why visit Brabant?
Practical information
→ Brabant on the map
→ Accommodation
→ Food
Must-do in 2016
Must-do in 2017
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Icons of Brabant
Brabant’s Masters
→ Vincent Van Gogh
→ Hieronymus Bosch
Theme parks
→ Efteling
→ Beekse Bergen
Wander and roam through beautiful cities
→ Eindhoven
→ ’s-Hertogenbosch / Het Noordbrabants Museum
→ Breda
→ Tilburg
Endless enjoyment of Brabant’s natural beauty
Vibrant Brabant
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Welcome to the Brabant region.
This friendly province in the south of
the Netherlands offers a wide range of
surprising short breaks.
‘s-Hertogenbosch
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’S-HERTOGENBOSCH
BREDA
EFTELING
TILBURG
beekse bergen
EINDHOVEN
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Introduction
EUROPE
W
elcome to Brabant, the most welcoming province of the Netherlands!
Our hospitality is revealed in our smile, in the stories, the cities, the
beautiful countryside…
We warmly welcome you to experience it for yourself! From spotting designs
and shopping in the historical inner cities to sleeping among the lions in the
Beekse Bergen and in the fairy-tale world of one of Europe’s best theme parks,
the Efteling.
From cycling with Master Painter Van Gogh to spotting beavers in De Biesbosch
National Park. Experience it. And enjoy it, in every season and for whatever
takes your fancy.
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Why visit Brabant?
And there is more. Brabant is
home to one of the best theme
parks in Europe: the Efteling.
Eindhoven is Brabant’s hotspot for
design and every year, more than
a million people visit the Benelux’s
largest fun fair in Tilburg: over
230 attractions spread over three
kilometres throughout the city
centre. The city of Breda has been
T
he world famous painter Vincent van Gogh
was born and raised here and he drew
inspiration from the Brabant countryside.
Many of the locations that featured in his life and
work can still be visited today. In medieval times,
the historic city of ’s-Hertogenbosch was home to
another renowned artist: Hieronymus Bosch lived
and worked here.
voted the best city centre in the
country and ’s-Hertogenbosch
has won the award for most
welcoming city several times over
the past years. And do not forget
the smaller gems in our wonderful
province such as the fortified cities
of Willemstad and Heusden.
You have a wonderful view of the
Brabant countryside from the top of
the fortifications in the picturesque
cities. There are numerous wellpreserved centuries-old buildings
in the scenic streets and narrow
alleyways
Philips Museum, Eindhoven
Breda
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Vincent van Gogh
The people of Brabant complete
the package. They are known
as open minded, sociable and
welcoming people who work
hard, but certainly also know
how to enjoy the good things in
life.
The people of Brabant know how to
have a really good time. But they
do not keep their secrets to
themselves! Experience Brabant’s
exuberant hospitality.
Korte Putstraat ‘s-Hertogenbosch
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Practical information
Brabant on the map
New in 2016:
In 2016, Breda will have a direct
train connection with Belgium.
This express train, under the name
Benelux-Plus, will use the highspeed line (HSL). This means that
Breda, one of the most important
transport hubs in South Netherlands,
can be reached quickly from the
south as well. A perfect starting
point from which to explore the Low
Lands.
Easy Access
→ Brabant is situated in the heart of Europe and in
the centre of the Benelux region.
→ Amsterdam, Belgium and Germany than you’d
think: only 60 minutes away, making it an easy day
trip or short break destination!
→ Fly directly into Eindhoven Airport (more than 500
flights a week) with Transavia, Ryanair, Wizzair,
Vueling, Corendon, TUIfly and JetairFly
→ Direct transfer service to Eindhoven Airport from
Amsterdam, Weeze, Brussels, Rotterdam-The
Hague Airport or Antwerp via AirExpressBus
→ Direct train link from Schiphol Airport to
’s-Hertogenbosch in less than 60 minutes.
BERLIN
LONDON
ANTWERPEN
BRUSSELS
Hello world!
You can find
us here.
KÖLN
PARIS
LYON
ROMA
MADRID
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Accommodation
There is plenty of variety in accommodation, from
leisure, corporate and heritage to art, design and
themed hotels. From country lodges and youth hostels
to B&Bs and holiday parks. All the main hotel chains
are represented.
→ 2.300 hotel rooms *** average group rate p.p.
based on double occupancy from € 25*
→ 5.600 hotel rooms **** average group rate p.p.
based on double occupancy from € 27,50*
*Prices subject to change
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photo: Suzie Geenen
V
isitors may feel in need of a good night’s sleep
after all the fun and excitement on offer here.
And understandably so. Hotels, hostels, holiday
parks or bed & breakfasts, there’s always a bed for a
tired guest in Brabant. Tomorrow’s another day, as the
locals say. There are over 300 hotels to choose from,
most of them 3 or 4 star accommodations, with a total
number of 10,500 rooms. Average pre-contracted
group rates for hotels in Brabant are much lower,
and they are better equipped, than in Amsterdam or
Brussels. And these cities are only an hour away
by coach!
Food
A
visit to Brabant simply must
include a sampling of the local
specialities. It’s a strawberry
and asparagus region and has its own
locally brewed Trappist beer. La Trappe
is the oldest Trappist beer brewed in the
Netherlands and the monks of Our Lady of
Koningshoeve Abbey, near Tilburg, have
produced it since 1884. Local produce
such as asparagus, strawberries and other
fruits, cheeses and meats can be bought at
farmer’s markets and local or farm shops.
Inntel Hotels Art Eindhoven
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Brabant’s restaurants stand out
due to their hospitality
That the people of Brabant love good
food is also apparent in the trendy food
market concepts in Eindhoven and
‘s-Hertogenbosch – worth a visit if you are
in the neighbourhood!
One of Europe’s leading theme
parks with nearly 5 million visitors
per year, De Efteling’s mission is to
continually delight its visitors
with new forms of
family entertainment.
Efteling
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photo: Kalle Kuikkaniemi
M
ust-do in 2016 –
city of ‘s-Hertogenbosch
A visit to our capital is even more worthwhile in 2016. ’s-Hertogenbosch’s
residents and visitors will commemorate the five hundred year anniversary
of the death of the most important medieval painter from the Netherlands,
Hieronymus Bosch, with an international cultural manifestation. The spirit of
Bosch will wash over the squares and through the streets of the city for the
entire year. Discover the bustling centre of the ‘duvelsmaker’ (literally: devil
maker), there will be over 90 organised activities.
Nanine Linning
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photo: Lisa Klappe
Design is big in Brabant. Eindhoven is
a centre of innovation and design.
Many pioneering designers are graduates
of the Design Academy Eindhoven, and
Philips Design Centre is a vibrant
hub of smart technology.
Strijp S, Eindhoven
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Must-do in 2017:
Over the past 25 years, the desire to modernise design
and art that characterised De Stijl has been carried
forward under the banner of Dutch Design. For art
and design lovers worldwide, 2017 is the perfect
time to visit the Netherlands. There will be numerous
exhibitions and events organised. Major museums like
the Gemeentemuseum of the Hague and the KröllerMüller-Museum in Otterlo will give stage to De Stijl.
Brabant claims
Dutch Design
Design Academy
photo: Sjoerd Eijkmansi
2017
In
, it will be the 100th anniversary of the foundation of the Dutch artistic
movement called ‘De Stijl’ (The Style). Established in 1917 in the Netherlands with
founding members Piet Mondrian (born Mondriaan) and Theo van Doesburg, it was
originally a magazine, which published Mondrian’s theories on art but it grew into a
wider art movement that widely influenced modern architecture, design and fashion.
Expo-Restaurant-shop Kazerne
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photo: Sjoerd Eijkmansi
The province of Brabant will also be playing a main role in this themed year:
→ Museums in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Breda, Tilburg
and Helmond will hold exhibitions inspired by the
various aspects of contemporary Dutch Design
→ Design Tours: visit the places where Dutch Design
is conceived and made, meet the designers, see
their studios, explore shops and hidden gems
→ Festivals & Events in Brabant
25 Years of Dutch Design:
From 1992 to 2017
Eindhoven
April to October 2017
International premiere: the first overview of the last
25 years of Dutch Design. With work of more than
100 designers that helped shape the history of Dutch
Design and international design.
World Design Summer Festival
Meeting Tomorrow’s city
Eindhoven
June to October 2017
The capital of Dutch Design explores the future of the
city. Festivals, designers, artists, creators and thinkers
will literally make a future city. The festival brings all
the elements together to be admired, experienced and
enjoyed by the visitors.
Dutch Design Week 2017
International Edition
Eindhoven
21 to 29 October 2017
Dutch Design Week (DDW) takes place in Eindhoven
in October of each year. It is the biggest design event
in Northern Europe: nine days of over 400 exhibitions,
presentations, events and much more from more than
2,500 artists and designers and spread throughout the
city of Eindhoven.
Dutch Design Week
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Icons of Brabant
From the famous historical towns to industrial heritage and
from fun fairs and theme parks to some true hidden gems and
last but not least: ‘Brabant’s Masters’. The generous range
of experiences typifies Brabant. And the locals are happy to
Brabant’s
Masters
share their best kept secrets with visitors. We provide you
with an overview of our icons. Come and experience the
good life!
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Brabant’s Masters
Vincent’s
Homeland
Vincent van GoghHuis Zundert
Vincent van Gogh
Brabant is Vincent van Gogh’s
homeland (1853 - 1890)
Brabant is Vincent van Gogh’s homeland
(1853 - 1890). Van Gogh’s masterpieces
are scattered
throughout the world,
but their roots are
in Brabant. Here is
where Van Gogh
produced his first masterpiece ‘The Potato
Eaters’. To this day, Vincent’s footsteps can
be traced in places like Zundert, Nuenen,
Tilburg, Etten-Leur and ’s-Hertogenbosch.
You can see the house where he was
born, his young brother’s grave, his
art class at school, the parsonage and
several churches where his father worked.
Nuenen is a historical village that offers a
After 125 years, Van Gogh is still
a global source of inspiration
walking tour along 22 locations related to
his work. The Noordbrabants Museum in
‘s-Hertogenbosch houses original works
by Van Gogh in ‘The Story of Brabant’.
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Van Goghkerkje, Nuenen
Vincentre Nuenen
Daan Rosegaarde Radweg Eindhoven
Cycle through the wonderful landscape
and past exceptional spots from the
work and life of Van Gogh in North
Brabant. The Van Gogh Cycle Route
consists of a tour covering 335
kilometres and it is sub-divided into five
unique routes. The route is connected
to the renowned cycling network and is
marked with clearly recognisable Van
Gogh signposts.
Best European Cycle Route 2016
After 125 years, Van Gogh is still a global
source of inspiration. Tech prodigy Daan
Roosegaarde has created a unique and
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innovative cycling experience as part of the
Vincent van Gogh cycle route in Nuenen:
as the sun sets, millions of sparkling lights
embedded in the cycling lane light up to
reveal Vincent’s starry skies. Images of this
unique cycling path have gone across the
globe.
Partner & Locations
→ Van Gogh Brabant – Vincent’s
Homeland
→ Amsterdam: The Van Gogh-Museum
→ Otterloo: The Kröller-Müller-Museum
Brabant’s Masters
Hieronymus Bosch
Another major Brabant’s master is
Hieronymus Bosch – born and bred in our
provincial capital of ’s-Hertogenbosch. In
this city, Bosch created his characteristic
panels and drawings, which can be
admired at various locations across the
world. In 2016, the city will be celebrating
Hieronymus Bosch’s homecoming.
Unique exhibition
A large number of his best works are
returning to the city on this one occasion
for an exceptional exhibition in Het
Noordbrabants Museum: ´Hieronymus
Bosch – Visions of genius´.
→ 13 February to 8 May
Korte Putstraat
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In the footsteps of Hieronymus Bosch
(The Bosch Experience)
A wonderful climb to the roof of the
Sint-Janskathedraal, a trip to heaven
and descent into hell over the river
Binnendieze, a spectacular light show,
‘Bosch by night’… The Bosch Experience
is so varied that the events will appeal to
families with children as well as history
lovers and contemporary art connoisseurs.
→ March to December 2016
Binnendieze
Het Noordbrabants Museum
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Bosch Grand Tour
4 Brabant cities, 7 museums, 13
exhibitions
A tour of discovery of current art, design
and culture in ’s-Hertogenbosch, Breda,
Eindhoven and Tilburg, inspired by
Hieronymus Bosch
→ December 2015 to April 2017
Step into
another world:
visit our
theme parks
Efteling
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The Efteling enchants both young as old – all year
round. In the colder months, the theme park is
transformed into the Winter Efteling that is filled with
winter fun, live music and cosy fires to warm your
hands and by which to enjoy a hot chocolate.
National and internationally awarded
theme park the Efteling
Python
Experience Aquanura, the third
largest fountain show in the
world. Four frogs transform
the Vonderplas (lake) into a
musical spectacle, featuring
a soundtrack by Grammy
Award winning, electronic
dance music icon DJ Tiesto.
Glide through the air in the ‘Droomvlucht’, discover
the forbidden city in Fata Morgana and step into the
magical city of Raveleijn. Here you land in the middle
of a spectacular battlefield filled with fire and water
special effects.
F
or the most enjoyable day in the Netherlands, you must visit the Efteling!
It’s one of the leading theme parks in Europe with nearly 5 million visitors
every year. In 2015, the Efteling received a record number of no fewer
than eight awards, including for the best theme park and most child-friendly
theme park in the Netherlands and Belgium.
In 2015, the spectacular new dive coaster ‘Baron 1898’ was added
to the Efteling’s already impressive list of attractions, with a music
composition by DJ Hardwell, born and raised in Breda. This hairraising dive coaster promises to take you on a thundering 90 km/h
trip to outrun the spirits before screeching to a halt again.
Langnek
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Baron 1898
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Raveleijn
photo: Suzie Geenen
New in 2016
In the spring of 2016, the 29th fairy-tale will be
created in the enchanted forest: Pinocchio. The
story comes from the book ‘Le avventure di
Pinocchio’ by Carlo Collodi from 1883.
Bosrijk
Spend the night in a fairy-tale
Endlessly enjoy the impressive attractions or the
GolfPark and then have a nice relaxing rest. Dream
away in the enchanting rooms and suites of Efteling
Hotel **** or amid the nature in the holiday park
Efteling Bosrijk.
New in 2017
Efteling will be celebrating its 65th birthday in 2017.
To celebrate this, the Efteling will be opening the
‘Symbolica: Paleis der Fantasie’ in the summer
of 2017. This covered family attraction centres on
the interaction of reality, dreams and fantasy. The
attraction will be in the middle of the park and will
enchant you all over again.
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The largest wildlife
park in Europe:
Beekse Bergen
Safari Park Beekse
Bergen in Hilvarenbeek
is the largest wildlife
park in Europe.
With lions, elephants, gorillas
and many, many other species
roaming around, this part
of Brabant feels a little like
Africa. Experience the park
on foot or go on safari in your
car. Take a relaxing boat trip
or canoe among the buffalo,
rhinoceros and ring-tailed
lemurs with a ranger. The
African wildlife comes
dangerously close!
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The Beekse Bergen has vast
sandy dunes, wooded areas, lots
of water and enormous grass
plains and it will provide an
unforgettable experience for the
whole family. The large pool at
Speelland Beekse Bergen is an
absolute guarantee for swimming
and water fun.
Beekse Bergen also offers
overnight stays in its themed
holiday park or on the
campsite by Lake Victoria. And
if the children are done spotting
the Brabant big five, they
can play and romp around in
Speelland.
photo: Suzie Geenen
Wander and roam through beautiful cities
Eindhoven
‘The Blob’, Massimiliano Fuksas
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EINDHOVEN
I
f you love design, going out
and shopping, then the largest
city in Brabant, Eindhoven,
is the place to be. It’s a vibrant
and lively city bursting with
energy with a constant flow of
new developments in creativity,
innovation and design.
The Van Abbemuseum is another
must-do while visiting this city. Its
distinctive architectural design,
alongside its collection and
exhibitions programme makes the
Van Abbemuseum a unique place
for modern and contemporary art.
Excellent shopping and impressive
architecture can be found in and
around Eindhoven’s large covered
shopping centre. In the old city
centre, you will find a futuristic
building called ‘The Blob’, designed
by the Italian architect Massimiliano
Fuksas. The organically shaped
glass and steel structure serves
as the entrance to the wonderful
Admirant Shopping centre.
The exhibitions in De Kazerne
are definitely worth a visit. Grab a
bite and a drink and be inspired
by the creative works of various
artists. The setting will leave you
speechless.
Piet Hein Eek
For another uniquely industrial dining
experience, try the Piet Hein Eek design
restaurant, Radio Royaal or one of the
other eateries in the former Philips factory
in Eindhoven. The Strijp S, the nearby
creative cultural heart of Eindhoven, is not
to be missed during a visit to this City of
Light.
With acclaimed festivals like GLOW and
Dutch Design Week, Eindhoven will play a
leading role as the capital of Dutch Design
in 2017 in the national themed year of
‘Mondriaan to Dutch Design’.
photo: Lisa Klappe
It’s a vibrant and lively city
Van Abbe Museum
Expo-Restaurant-Shop Kazerne
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GLOW festival
Dutch Design Week
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Wander and roam through beautiful cities
photo: Karin Jonkers
‘s-Hertogenbosch
Korte Putstraat
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‘s-Hertogenbosch
’s-Hertogenbosch is one of the oldest medieval
cities in the Netherlands and it was voted the
most welcoming city four years in a row. The
maze of narrow medieval streets and alleyways in
’s-Hertogenbosch can be explored on foot.
Another option is to marvel at the picturesque
bridges and perfectly preserved historical
buildings from a small boat: admire Den Bosch
from its waterways, the Binnendieze. Visitors gain
an entirely different perspective floating beneath
the walls of the fortified city.
Binnendieze
When you visit the capital city of Brabant, make sure that the Den Bosch delicacy is on
your menu. Find a table at one of the many outdoor cafes and order a ‘Bossche Bol’
(chocolate ball) with your coffee. Newly opened at the end of 2015 in ‘s-Hertogenbosch
is Van Heinde, the only food hall in Brabant. At this covered fresh market, you will find a
variety of fresh produce for your daily shopping as well as coffee bars, lunchrooms and
restaurants. The Korte Putstraat in the historical city centre is a street known across the
country for offering culinary treats in a variety of cuisines. Throughout the year, all the
eateries have extensive outdoor seating areas.
one of the oldest medieval cities in the Netherlands
Markt
Lepelstraat
Kerkstraat
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You will find two museums
only location in Brabant housing
in the middle of the city, the
original pieces by Master Painter
Noordbrabants Museum and
Van Gogh. The Stedelijk Museum
the Stedelijk Museum. Together,
is a young and lively museum for
they form
the Museum
You will find two museums
Quarter, already
middle of the city
dubbed ‘the
Dutch branch of the Guggenheim’.
modern art and design with an
The Noordbrabants Museum tells
international, specialised collection
the story of Brabant and it is the
of ceramics and jewellery.
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The lovely Sint-Janskathedraal on
the corner of the Parade impresses
through its size and enormous
wealth of sculptures. See the
wonderful Brabant
in the countryside and the
city from above during
the Wonderlijke Klim
(wonderful climb) as part of the
Bosch Experience.
From life during Roman Brabant to modern
masterpieces by Jan Sluijters and JCJ
Vanderheyden, ‘Het Verhaal van Brabant’
(The Story of Brabant) and work by Vincent
van Gogh: Het Noordbrabants Museum, with
its four thousand square metres of exhibition
space, wonderfully restored palace halls and
modern extension is a must-see in Brabant. The
building is a historical 18th century city palace
and is located in the middle of the centre of
‘s-Hertogenbosch. Beside a vast collection, there
are multiple temporary exhibitions held each
year on a variety of themes.
The ‘Statenzaal’, or Provincial Chamber, is the
showpiece of the Noordbrabants Museum. This
large chamber served for nearly two centuries
as an assembly chamber of the North Brabant
Provincial Council.
If you visit the museum, make sure you enjoy
the splendid garden, without doubt one of the
most beautiful spots in the Museum Quarter. The
centrepiece is the huge, almost two centuries old
red beech, which provides a varying but always
majestic sight each season. In the garden, you
will discover a wonderful collection of sculptures
by major southern Dutch artists from 1840 to the
present.
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Historic cities and towns, such as
’s-Hertogenbosch, Heusden and
Breda, offer a wealth of historical
monuments, including cathedrals,
city walls and courtyards.
Heusden
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Wander and roam through beautiful cities
Breda
New in 2016
A five-star hotel will be opening its
doors in Breda in 2016. Grand Hotel
Nassau Breda on the historical
Nieuwstraat is created by the
conversion of three manors, a chapel
and a former monastery. Due to the
historical setting and the chic decor,
the hotel (Odyssey Group) can carry
the name Autograph Collection of the
international hotel chain Marriott.
B
reda may be historic in outlook, but the inhabitants conduct their active
daily lives with a modern down-to-earth approach – against a gorgeous
historical backdrop. The Onze-Lieve-Vrouwekerk (Church of our Lady)
is the most important monument and a landmark of Breda that can be admired
from almost every place in the city. Breda has been voted best city centre in the
Netherlands, with plenty of pavement cafes, trendy restaurants and excellent
shopping.
Spanjaardsgat
The so-called ´Spanjaardsgat´ reminds visitors of the time
Breda was in hands of the Spaniards. The Breda Castle shows
the historical relation between Breda and the home of Oranje
Nassau. The ancestors of the Dutch Royal Family, the Nassaus,
were of great importance for the city.
In Breda, you will also find the museum
for visual culture: MOTI, Museum of
the Image. A creative meeting place for
today’s artists and image-makers and,
great for children.
Grote Markt
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Wander and roam through beautiful cities
Tilburg
T
And do not forget to visit De Pont
Museum. The museum is located
in a former wool mill and offers
contemporary visual art from 1988.
The collection includes more than
600 works of art from more than
60 national and internationally
renowned artists.
Tilburg was an important city for the Dutch textile industry. You
can learn all about it at the TextielMuseum. And there is more.
In the accompanying TextielLab, national and international
designers, architects, artists and students discover endless
possibilities in relation to yarns, the latest techniques and
traditional crafts.
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photo: Suzie Geenen
hese days the vibrant cultural climate and student population make the town highly inviting and
fully future-proof. The quays, the water and the pier in the Piushaven are a lively stage for an array
of events and activities. Every week at 013, the largest pop music venue in the Netherlands in the
heart of Tilburg, you can enjoy live concerts, dance and club evenings and festivals late into the night.
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Endless
enjoyment
of Brabant’s
natural beauty
Loonse en Drunense Duinen
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foto: Ronald Tilleman
R
photo: Frans Lemmens
Biesbosch Museum Eiland
ural Brabant is renowned for its natural beauty and it is guaranteed to provide a refreshing and
unforgettable short break. There are various national parks and areas of outstanding natural
beauty.
De Biesbosch
De Biesbosch National Park is one of the
few freshwater tidal areas in the world. It
is excellent for boating, canoeing, fishing
but also cycling, hiking, and horse riding.
The new Biesbosch MuseumEiland tells
the story of the Biesbosch through seven
stimulating themed pavilions and it is a
perfect base from which to follow hiking
and cycling routes. The MuseumEiland
is also the departure point for the
Fluistertochten (Whispering Tours) De
Biesbosch.
De Biesbosch
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Loonse en Drunense Duinen
The Loonse en Drunense Duinen National
Park is about 3,500 hectares in size and
it is situated amid the cities of Tilburg,
Waalwijk and ‘s-Hertogenbosch. The park
has the largest drifting sands in Europe
and it is often called the Sahara of the
Netherlands.
W
hether you like to go walking, cycling,
skating, horse riding or canoeing, you
will have well-marked routes at your
disposal. Brabant has Europe’s largest integrated
and signposted cycling network. There are
6100 km of integrated and marked footpaths
crisscrossing the countryside and 1200 km of
integrated mountain bike tracks.
photo’s: Suzie Geenen
Largest integrated cycling
network of Europe
Cycle through the liberated Brabant of 1944
There was a lot of activity in Brabant during the
liberation in the autumn of 1944. The Liberation
Route Europe enables you to experience that which
played out in North Brabant in 1944 and 1945 around
Arnhem and Nijmegen and on the Veluwe. The route
follows the path trodden by the Allied forces during the
liberation of Europe. Five themed routes have been
marked out in Brabant, each providing a good picture
of the battle for liberation in this specific region. At
more than 60 locations spread over Brabant, you can
listen to stories using interactive information points,
which tell you all about the significant events in our
history.
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Wish Outdoor
Brabant is culturally vibrant,
offering a wide range of annual
events from classical music to pop
and from fine arts to dance festivals.
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Vibrant Brabant
B
rabant’s nightlife is rich and varied, with numerous bars and restaurants on the market squares
or tucked away in quieter streets. Brabant also has the greatest density of festivals of the
Netherlands. The world’s best DJs perform during acclaimed dance festivals, such as Extrema
Outdoor and Wish Outdoor. The theatre scene includes festivals such as November Music, Festival
Boulevard and Mundial Festival. Most of our cities host their own Jazz Festivals and thousands of
visitors come every year to experience the GLOW light festival and the word famous flower parades in
the towns Zundert and Valkenswaard.
A selection of the many events in Brabant….
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January:
→ Storioni-Festival, 20 January31 January
An international chamber music
festival spanning the province of
North Brabant.
→ Exhibition ´Hieronymus Bosch,
Visions of Genius´, 13 February8 May
The biggest Hieronymus Bosch
exhibition ever at Het Noordbrabants
Museum, ’s-Hertogenbosch.
→ Awakenings Eindhoven,
30 January
The Techno Festival in the
Netherlands will be back in the
Klokgebouw at Strijp S with an insane
line-up.
→ Cross-linx in Eindhoven,
25 February
Cross-linx is an annual indie-classical
festival. Unexpected links between
‘new’ composed music and artists
from the avant-garde pop scene.
February:
March:
→ Carnival, 7-9 February
Festive season of public celebrations
and/or parades combining elements
of a circus, masks and a public street
party. Overturning the normality of
life.
→ Bosch Experience in
’s-Hertogenbosch,
4 March-31 October
Walk in the footsteps of Hieronymus
Bosch and discover the city and
region in which he was born.
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→ Indoor Brabant Horse Event
in ’s-Hertogenbosch, 10-13 March
The best riders from around the
world will show their skills over four
days.
→ Paaspop in Schijndel,
25-27 March
The Dutch festival season opener
with more than 175 acts from home
and abroad.
→ Grand Prix Valkenswaard, 27-28
March
The first European Grand Prix of the
year will be held at the Eurocircuit in
Valkenswaard.
April:
→ Swim Cup in Eindhoven,
6-10 April
Many national and international swimmers, including world champions and
Olympic medal winners, battle for the
honour and to qualify for the Olympic
Games.
→ Roadburn-Festival in Tilburg,
14-17 April
Annual international rock festival in
the largest pop temple of Brabant,
the 013 venue.
→ (National) Museum Week
16-24 April
Visit over 500 museums with a
discount or even free of charge!
Many museums offer additional
activities this week.
→ Down Under-Festival, 23 April
Eindhoven’s trend-setting dance
festival with a wonderful line-up and
a great atmosphere.
→ King’s Night 26 April
The night before King’s Day, with
flea markets and celebrations
everywhere.
→ King’s Day 27 April
The official national celebration of
the King’s birthday. The Netherlands
turns orange. From major ticketed
dance parties to small stages
in neighbourhood cafes – the
Netherlands celebrates.
May:
→ Liberation Festival Brabant,
5 May
The Dutch celebrate Liberation Day
on 5 May, the day on which the
Netherlands was liberated by the
Allies in 1945 during World War II.
Liberation festivals are organised
across the country.
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→ Fairytale Festival in Kaatsheuvel,
7 May
Dance festival where fantasy meets
reality.
→ National Mill Day, 14 & 15 May
This is the best day to visit a mill;
950 watermills and windmills in the
Netherlands open their doors to you.
→ 7th Sunday Festival in Erp-Veghel,
15 may
Annual dance festival, at a magical
place, exactly seven Sundays after
Easter. Nominated for best festival at
the European Dance Awards in 2012.
→ Brabantse Kastelendag, 16 May
During the ‘Brabant Castle Day’
castles in Brabant open their doors
especially for the public.
→ International Gypsy Festival in
Tilburg, 28 & 29 May
The 20th edition with a whirlwind
programme of music: Balkan,
flamenco, klezmer, gipsy swing and
jazz. But also hip-hop, brass band
and folk are common musical styles.
→ Breda Jazz Festival, 5-8 May
Around 175 performances on 16
stages in Breda’s historical inner city.
The Breda Jazz Festival is the oldest
and biggest jazz festival of Europe.
→ May Market Tilburg, 14 & 15 May
The biggest night flea market in the
Netherlands.
→ Area51 Festival, Rosmalen,
27-29 May
Techno weekend. For two days and
three nights you live in a wondrous
world, immersed in the very best
music and at an unrivalled, unique
location, Autotron Rosmalen.
Center and the Groot Tuighuis in
’s-Hertogenbosch. The time of
Hieronymus Bosch is revived.
June:
→ Intents Festival in Oisterwijk,
3-5 June
Declared the best dance festival in
2015 by festivalgoers.
→ Mandala festival in Wanroij,
3-6 June
First edition of this new festival,
dominated by creativity, art, music
and theatre. Do not expect a massive
stage, but do expect adventure in the
countryside!
→ Bosch’s World in
’s-Hertogenbosch, 4-5 June
Music, theatre, children’s games,
crafts, market, minstrels, food and
drink, readings and exhibitions
around the Jheronimus Bosch Art
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→ Topshelf Open in Rosmalen,
6-12 June
Largest and only international
tennis tournament on grass in the
Netherlands.
→ Bosch Parade, 16, 18 & 19 June
A wondrous parade of vessels
and objects over the canals of
’s-Hertogenbosch, inspired by the
work and philosophy of Hieronymus
Bosch.
→ Best Kept Secret Festival in
Hilvarenbeek, 17-19 June
The best kept festival secret in the
Netherlands with secret shows on the
water and acoustic sets in the forest.
→ Festival Mundial, Spoorzone
Tilburg, 25-26 June
The world music festival of the
Netherlands in the Spoorzone in
Tilburg.
July:
→ WiSH Outdoor in Beek en Donk,
1-3 July
Enjoy the most extraordinary stages
in the Netherlands during this
multi-day dance festival in which
experience is central.
→ Woo Hah! Festival Tilburg, 2 July
Biggest hip-hop festival in the
Netherlands in pop venue 013.
→ Kennedymars Someren 2 & 3 July
Oldest ‘Kennedy March’ in the
Netherlands.
→ XO Live in Best, 9 July
After 20 spectacular editions, this is
now a concept in the international
dance scene.
→ Tilburg Fun Fair, 22-31 July
The biggest fun fair in the Benelux
region.
→ Festival Fabriek Magnifique in
Veghel, 22-24 July
This Culture & Food festival is a
meeting point of culture, expression
and experience.
August:
→ Theatre Festival Boulevard
’s-Hertogenbosch, 4-14 August
The city will be bursting at the seams
during this free festival filled with
theatre, dance, music, performance,
cabaret, street theatre and visual art.
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→ Longines Global Champions
Tour in Valkenswaard, 4-7 August
The Longines Global Champions
Tour brings together the top 30 show
jumpers in the world to compete at
prestigious locations.
→ Decibel Outdoor in Hilvarenbeek,
20 August
Hardstyle festival in a unique area at
the theme park Beekse Bergen.
→ Cultural and historical parade
Brabant Day in Heeze, 28 August
A unique experience: no less than 16
floats with about two thousand actors
ride through the streets of Heeze with
impressive, towering theatrical sets.
September:
→ Redhead Days in Breda,
2-5 September
Come and join us on the first
weekend in September and help us
celebrate during the Redhead Days!
We welcome redheaded guests and
their family and friends from around
the globe.
→ Tilburg Ten Miles, 4 September
International running event for
competitive and recreational runners.
→ Zundert Flower Parade,
4 September
The world’s largest flower parade.
Will the floats be finished in time?
Are there enough dahlias? Come
to Zundert, find out and share the
experience!
→ Outdoor Brabant Horse Event
in Breda, 7-11 September
The best riders from around the
world will show their skills over four
days.
→ Breda Barst, 17-18 September
Two days filled with pop, rock, metal,
punk, electro, hip-hop and dance in
Breda’s city park, Valkenberg.
October:
→ Valkenswaard Flower Parade,
11 September
Colourful flower parade inspired by
the work of Hieronymus Bosch.
→ Amgen Singelloop Breda,
2 October
Running event along the avenues and
inner city of Breda.
→ Incubate in Tilburg, 12-18
September
The most adventurous music festival
in the Netherlands for cutting-edge
culture.
→ Marathon Eindhoven, 9 October
The largest one-day sporting event in
Brabant.
→ Breda Photo, 15 September30 October
International photo festival with
work from globally renowned
photographers and young talent.
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→ Circo Circolo in Liempde,
22-30 October
The leading international festival of
Het Nieuwe Circus in the Netherlands
with a mix of traditional circus
techniques and modern dance,
music, design and theatre.
→ Dutch Design Week in Eindhoven,
22-30 October
Largest design festival in the
Netherlands with more than 300
events at almost 100 locations in the
city.
November:
→ Bosch Requiem in
’s-Hertogenbosch, 4 November
World premiere of the ‘Requiem for
Hieronymus Bosch’ in the lovely SintJanskathedraal.
GLOW, the biggest light art festival of
the Netherlands.
Flowerparade Zundert
December:
→ 3FM Serious Request Glazen
Huis in Breda, 18-24 December
An annual radio and multimedia
fundraising event developed and
hosted by Radio 3FM. Three DJs
lock themselves up in a glass studio
for six days. During those days, they
eat nothing, broadcast live radio and
television 24 hours a day and can be
followed online.
→ November Music in
’s-Hertogenbosch, 4-13 November
Music festival with the music of today,
by today’s music makers.
→ Glow Festival Eindhoven,
12-19 November
For eight days, the city of Eindhoven
will be all about ‘Light Arts’ during
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About VisitBrabant
VisitBrabant is the main marketing organisation for
Brabant. Our platform visitbrabant.nl offers a generous selection of Brabant icons, festivals, activities
and events, thanks to our partnerships with local
tourist information services (VVVs) and individual
suppliers in the Brabant tourism industry.
International Sales & Trade
We invite you to discover our region! Our trade &
sales department offers high quality hospitality programmes for tour operators and press to sample the
best of Brabant including local transport, visits and
introductions to the sites. From the famous historical
towns to industrial heritage and from fun fairs and
theme parks to some true hidden gems - all to make
sure your customers’ experience meets their expectations. And even surpasses them! Our programmes
are created in collaboration with suppliers within the
Brabant leisure segment.
We can provide you with free assistance in:
→ Informationen
→ information services
→ familiarisation visits and site inspections
→ assistance arranging hotel accommodation and short break programmes
→ events listings and itinerary planning
→ introductions to museums, attractions,
accommodations and destinations
→ images database
→ regular e-newsletter updates
Feel free to contact us any time!
@BrabantTrade
E: [email protected]
T: +31(0) 13 303 03 93
Visitbrabant.com/trade
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