Amersfoort, Eemdijk and Baarn

Amersfoort is located in the east of the province of Utrecht. The municipality has approximately 150,000 inhabitants, making it the second city in Utrecht and the fifteenth in the Netherlands. Amersfoort is an important garrison town and fulfills an important economic function in Utrecht. Despite all the hustle and bustle, the city center with its many canals has retained an authentic medieval character. From the parking lot you cycle more than 22 kilometers before you reach the first attraction: the beautiful Groeneveld country estate. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries it was common for wealthy Amsterdammers to purchase a country estate where they could go during the summer. Groeneveld was built in 1710 by the prosperous Marcus Mamuchet. He had the middle part of the castle, the coach house and an orangery built. Over the years, the castle has been inhabited by various owners and they expanded it into what it is today. The estate surrounding the castle is approximately 130 hectares and is managed by Staatsbosbeheer. The nearby Buitenzorg is also a beautiful, extensive estate. The house was built in 1840 on behalf of Joan Huydecoper and Johanna van Tets who were also the owners of Groeneveld. Buitenzorg was probably made as a copy of Buitenzorg/Bogor near Jakarta in Indonesia. The house was extensively renovated three times in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. The house often changed hands and was eventually purchased by the Dutch Pathfinders Guild. Via the next country house you arrive at the Beijing country estate. Here you see a large, elongated country house from the eighteenth century. It is striking that the right side of the facade looks more opulent than the left. This has to do with the location; This part is still clearly visible from Torenlaan. A curved driveway has been constructed in front of the house. Behind and next to the house extends part of the former park, with lawns, groups of trees and a coach house that also serves as a home. In 1948, a bandstand was also built in the park. When you arrive back at the hotel, it is nice that you can rest in your hotel room or take a hot shower. This way you can take a refreshed seat at one of the tables in the attractive restaurant. During a romantic dinner you can enjoy your day before retiring to crawl between the sheets in your room. This way you can start route 117044 well-rested the next day.