Fun things to do in Provincie Limburg

Grubbenvorst is a pretty village complete with its own village green, it is located in the Dutch province of Limburg, about 6 km northwest of Venlo.

The name Grubbenvorst comes from Grubben (or Gribben) and Frost. Gribben was the name of the castle which is now ruins, whilst Grubben means a hollow way. Frost indicates forest owned by the lord of the area, although this has now mainly disappeared.

Must see sights include: the ruins of the castle (broken lock), the Roman Catholic church, the ferry, Kalden Plants the nature reserve and the lake known as Alley.

August 2010

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The monastery church is a famous pilgrimage spot.
It was founded by Ferdinand Adolf, earl of Plettenberg and Wittem, as a castle chapel, and local church with adjoining monastery. The first stone was laid in june 1729, and the church was consecrated on 16 may 1733.
The first brothers living here were german capuchins. Since 1836 the Redemptionists are serving the church.

More in the travelogue.

Laco Glanerbrook, Kummenaedestraat 45, 6165 BT Geleen.
Geleen is a city in south Limburg. Laco Glanerbrook is a large complex with 5 or 6 open air and indoor swimming pools of different depths, suitable for all ages, as some have slides, diving platforms, some are very shallow etc. We went there twice, on very hot summer days. The 2006 July was the hottest on record in Holland for the last 100 years!!The place was packed both times. It is a great place to spend a hot summer day if you are in the area, since you cannot go really sightseeing, walking or cycling. It is great for people watching, and they are all locals. We unexpectedly saw many relatives there!
Cost $4 Euro per person, open 10 am to 6 pm. Has lots of parking space and enough shade inside (trees, no umbrellas). I saw at least two lifeguards. You can buy simple food like friet (chips), ice cream etc. The complex includes a gym and other halls.

The area around the marinas where the Maas river is enlarged in central (west) Limburg, Netherlands has been used to build marinas. The area and towns around the marinas are close to idyllic and I recommend driving through them. Small castles or at least big mansions, beautiful neat houses, the lake, the boats in the marinas. Some good camping places. I think you can swim in the lake, saw a small beach and people windsurfing.
5 Aug 2006

“Die Twee” Ijssalon. Main square, Sittard, Limburg.

Probably one of the best places to sit in Sittard as a tourist, particularly on a hot summer day. It is in the main square (which is interesting and has lots of old, well kept buildings), next to an old church. Great people- watching spot. Friendly staff. Liked the name of the place (means “these two”). We had two ice coffees (good), paid 7 Euro.
24 July 2006.

An interesting city, definitely worth at least a quick two hour stroll, or a day if you want to visit the main monuments. Has many old churches and old, well kept buildings and a “very nice” (for lack of other words) main square.

In the southern part of Limburg the highest hills of the country can be found.

Most famous is the Vaalserberg.
This hill is 322meters high and the top of the hill marks the border with Belgium and Germany. It's therefore also known as the "3-country-point". Look-out platforms offer a good view and there are lots of tourist activities set-up here. Including a large labyrinth.

The St Pietersberg 120m high is a hill just south of Maastricht. Inside a large cave system exists (man made for the mining of rock).

The Wilhelminaberg (230m) is the 2nd largest hill of the country and artificial. It consists of coalremainings from the mines. Nowadays an indoor skifacility is located on the slopes of the hill, and the hill therefore has the honor to contain the worlds largest indoor skicenter.

The Cauberg (150m), the walhalla for Dutch cyclers. It's not so high, not so steep but for some reason it's notorious among cyclers and one of the thoughest hills to take.

To compare these hills with the rest of the Netherlands. Only Gelderland has it's highest point above 100 meters (the Veluwe hills are in this province), Overijssel (veluwe hills) and Utrecht (Utrechter hills) manage to have a hill with a height above 50 meters.
Flevoland's highest point is only 8 meters high.

If you are fedd-up with hills, go to Roermond instead. There's plenty of leisureactivities over here. Wether it's cycling, walking, or waterrecreation. There's a nice small citycenter and those who like to shop won't get bored easily.