Groningen, Netherlands

The somewhat bleak surroundings to Groningen – a huge expanse of gas wells, and closer to the city much of the historical attractions were bombed out in the last World War – are misleading. Because well-preserved inside the old city that even cars aren’t allowed into is a magical, fairy castle, medieval city that hearkens to the opulence of the era. Furthermore, the city is a university town that fills up with tens of thousands of students throughout the year, and stays lively during the summer. If there’s one thing about those Dutch, they can party, and Groningen’s nightlife is a solid testament to that fact.  

Before diving into the bars, clubs and discos for outrageous, all night fun, spend a day ambling about the breathtaking old city, where colorfully painted houses blend in serenely with waterways and canals resembling Amsterdam – even Venice. Visit the Martini Tower, which you will be able to ascend. From here you will capture a stunning panorama of the rest of the town, plus a lot of the outlying countryside that, from a distance at least, is pastoral enough. The ornately sculpted exterior and interior to this impressive structure is a testament to its incredible age – the Martinitoren was constructed in the 13th century.  

Another impressive historical attraction is the Fraeylemaborg, a superb exhibition of the Dutch wealth ranging from the 1500’s to the 1800’s. Alongside a series of well-kept gardens, the ornamented inside of this building, which preserves the historical trappings several epochs in distinct room, is a masterful salute to the grandeur of European aristocracy, a destination that nobody could find dull. If the family does begin to yawn, however, there are a number of beautiful parks with ample green space and hedge work harkening back to the middle ages. Also, don’t miss other historical attractions such as the University of Groningen, the Aa Church, and the Herestraat mall.