NETHERLANDS GUIDE

Discover Benelux | Top Places to Visit in the Netherlands in 2020 | The Ultimate Destination
tower fort which was built in 1847 as part
of the New Dutch waterline by the Lek.
At one time it protected the river dikes
from territorial ambushes. Now it is home
to the Duits & Lauret brewery, where craft
brews are produced on the banks of the
water. Visit the tasting studio or relax on
the fort’s terrace to try the local speciality.
The site also boasts several attractions of
military-importance for visitors to discover.
Fortresses of the
New Dutch Waterline
Explore more of this mass fortification
defence line, around which Amsterdam
and Utrecht are located. It is formed by
over 45 fortresses and is 135 kilometres
in circumference and has a protected
status as a National Heritage Site. These
Photo: Hans van Vrouwerf
Fort Everdingen.
fortresses, which tell the age-old story of
water as a means of defence, will appear
while discovering the region’s pathways.
Uiterwaarden.
Bird-spotting
Between the two major cities lies one of
the most beautiful and relatively undiscovered
nature reserves in the area, the Zouweboezem.
Mainly known for its cane-field
grounds, it also showcases an impressive
assortment of flora and is the home of several
marsh birds, including the largest colony
of purple herons in the Netherlands. The
recently built wetland boardwalks allow visitors
to get up close to the cane fields and
the diverse birds you will find there.
Issue 71 | November 2019 | 37