From Colony III to Dutch Venice

Welcome then, welcome now! Welcome to the area of the Free Colonies of Benevolence. A unique piece of Dutch history with a rich history located in Drenthe, Friesland and Overijssel. Surrounded by three beautiful National Parks: the Drents-Friese Wold, Weerribben Wieden and the Dwingelerveld. A wonderful base for your cycling tour. From Colony III to Dutch Venice This 47 km long route takes you from Willemsoord (Colony III), the Weerribben-Wieden National Park to Giethoorn, the Dutch Venice. The route takes you through the beautiful watery nature reserve Weerribben-Wieden, the largest low peat swamp in Western Europe. Once you arrive in Giethoorn you can rent a whisper boat, take a guided tour or enjoy a lovely walk over the bridges and through the picturesque village. More cycling or walking routes are available at the Weldadige Oorden. You can also use the area map on the back of the'Benevolent Rondje\\\' as a guideline. This contains even more useful and interesting information. Have fun cycling! Weerribben-Wieden National Park This park is the largest peat bog in Western Europe. This water-rich nature reserve in the Kop van Overijssel is an oasis of space and tranquility. De Wieden is a cultural landscape. The landscape has been shaped by peat extraction; Peat was dredged here from the fifteenth century onwards. Here you will find ponds and ditches, vast reedlands, meadows full of flowers and dense swamp forests. Parking and boarding areas You can start wherever is easiest for you at the junction. Possible boarding points are: A. Eetcafé De Steen Willemsoord B. Restaurant Geertien Blokzijl C. Hotel-Brasserie De Pergola Giethoorn D. The gentlemen of the Recht Steenwijk Look for the addresses on the back of this cycling route. Tip! On presentation of this route you will receive a 10% discount on the rental of a whisper boat or a boat tour at Hotel-Brassie De Pergola, Dominee TO Hylkemaweg 7 in Giethoorn.