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RECOMMENDED PLACES TO SEE
Number shown on the maps above:
1. Sonsbeek Park a romantic landscape park;
2. Burgers Zoo is more than just a zoo: it gives you the chance to see the animals from many parts of the world in their natural environments, which have been carefully recreated here. In Burgers' Desert, in a hall that soars to 20m (65ft), you can wander through a rocky cactus desert with birds, fish and an oasis with fish. Burgers' Bush for its part is a dense tropical jungle covering 1.5ha (4 acres) inhabited by caimans, tortoises and hundreds of birds. There is also a suspension bridge by which you can cross a safari park with giraffes, rhinoceroses, lions and other animals of the savannah. In Burgers' Ocean, the zoo's latest addition, you can stand on a tropical coral beach and see, through glass windows what goes on in the sea.;
3. Netherlands Open-air Museum where the staff dress-up in traditional costume, illustrate the rural way of life, handicrafts and industry in the Netherlands of the 19th century. 10-17hrs Daily.;
4. Museum of Modern Art;
5. Burgerweeshuis;
6. Eusebiuskerk church with its 93 mtr high tower. This late-gothic church, built between 1450 and 1570, was largely destroyed in September 1944. In September 1994, the church and tower were re-opened to the public after undergoing a thorough restoration for the third time. The in-built lift, rising 73 mtrs and going straight through the biggest carillon of Europe, invites you to view Arnhem and its surroundings in comfort from behind glass. The church is open to the public free of charge, except during activities. There is a charge for taking the lift.;
7. Duivelshuis is a 16th century house which derives its name from the satyrs which can be seen under the oriel window. It was the residence of the army commander Maarten van Rossum in the 16th century. There is a statue of him on the roof. The local council has owned the building since 1830. In 1963 a passage was built to connect it with the new town hall, designed by architect J. Konijnenburg.;
8. Zijpendaal beautiful park;
9. Airborne Museum, Oosterbeek;
10. Historical Museum Arnhem records the visual arts, industry and archaeology in a beautiful building with a rich history.
11. Arnhem War Museum, unique collection of war material, also from everyday life during the war.
Arnhem Town
Arnhem, the capital of the province of Gelderland, was declared the centre of the regional government back in 1544 by Charles V. In September 1944, the town suffered serious damage in the Battle of Arnhem, one of the most notorious battles World War II. All the townspeople were forced to abandon their homes and were not able to return until 1945, when the peace treaty was signed. Arnhem rose again from the ashes and is now sprucing itself up rapidly. The monuments that have been restored include the Eusebiuskerk 6 0n map from 1560, which was almost totally destroyed during the war. The tower at 93 m (305 ft), is now taller than it ever was and has a glass lift which affords visitors a stunning view of the Rhine valley. The Duivelshuis (7 on map), built in 1545 by Maarten van Rossum, is an outstanding example of Dutch Renaissance architecture.
Arnhem is also known for its monumental parks, such as the Sonsbeek 1 on map, a romantic landscape park, and Zijpendaal 8 on map. It is also worth allowing time for a visit to the Burgers' Zoo 2 on map and Openluchtmuseum 3 on map (open-air museum), where the staff, dressed up in traditional costume, illustrate the rural way of life, handicrafts and industry in the Netherlands of the 19th century.
The most popular place that attendees said they wanted to visit was the Airborne Museum (9 on map). This is in the next village west at Oostbeek so we will probably take those who wish to go on the coach and leave the others to see the rest of Arnhem. There is a very pleasant walk round the streets of Arnhem written in English which I will try to get copied.
ACCOMMODATION
Best Western Hotel Haarhuis
Address: Stationsplein 1 Local Tele: 026-442-7441
Has: 84 rooms; Lifts; no smoking areas; air conditioning in restaurant; takes AMEX, Diners Club, mastercard, VISA.
Restaurant Meals: A La Carte without drinks: 3 course €28/£19, fuller meal €41/£28.
Michelin rated "Comfortable" hotel. Located in front of the station and near the town centre, built about 1950 combining the functions of hotel and meetings. Rooms well kept but sometimes a little small. A classic French/Dutch menu in the restaurant.
RESTAURANTS
These are from the Michelin Guide and are listed in order of distance from the Hotel. The distances are based on taxi rides and some maybe nearer walking. Michelin uses crossed forks as a rating for the quality of the restaurant cooking; XXX Very comfortable XX Comfortable, X Quite comfortable; and these are shown next to the restaurant name below. You will notice that the town centre map is crowded with little green squares which are all the other restaurants in Arnhem. You may well find a very good restaurant closer to the Hotel. If you have a particular request don't forget to ask the Hotel Concierge, that sort of advice is part of his role. The restaurant in the Hotel looks good so maybe its not necessary to go any further:
X Smaak - C on map - French/Dutch (€28-43/£19-30, carte €21-48/£14-33)
Pleasant restaurant alongside the Rhine. Meals served outdoors. Air conditioned. 1 crossed forks Michelin. - [Rijnkade 39. 026-442-6664 From hotel 0.9 miles 5 mins).
X Salathai - E on map - Thai, Dinner only (€29/£20, €21-31/£14-21)
Thai Restaurant facing the Rhine. Meals served outdoors. 1 crossed forks Michelin. - [Rijnkade 65. 026-446-0848 From hotel 1.0 miles 4 mins).
X La Rusticana - B on map - Italian, Dinner only (€38/£26, carte €23-60/£33-41)
In the "Bakkerstraat" (Bakers street) one can find the best Italian restaurant in Arnhem. La Rusticana serves a wide variety of Italian "cuisine" variations from a list of Pizza's to the finest Carpaccio and Pasta's. The restaurant offers several cosy rooms with all their own style. The secret can be enjoyed in summertime, when the backgarden is open and one can dine under wine leaves and large trees. As this garden is in the centre of town, it is a strange awareness being in such green hidden place. Meals served in garden. 1 crossed forks Michelin. - [Bakkerstraat 58. 026-351-5607 From hotel 1.0 miles 5 mins).
X Zilli en Zilli - D on map - Italian (€28-33/£19-23)
Congenial trattoria alongside a busy square. Good Italian wine list. Meals served outdoors. 1 crossed forks Michelin. - [Marienburgstraat 1. 026-442-0288 From hotel 1.5 miles 7 mins).
XX De Steenen Tafel - A on map - (€46-68/£32-47, carte €55-70/£38-48)
De Steenen Tafel is something to write home about. This old water tower in the middle of a beautiful forest is one of the finest restaurants in the area. Recently remodelled, there’s more room inside, as well as a new sun lounge, making this place modern yet warm. In the summer, the terrace overlooking the most beautiful part of Arnhem will keep you there from lunch until after dinnertime. The boss is, lucky for us, a total control freak: he prepares everything himself. He does his job so well, that we felt bad digging into the his "architectural wonders" that were (almost) too beautiful to destroy. The wine list is impeccable. The staff is pleasant and helpful, and they convince you that the money spent is worth it. The prices aren’t cheap, but this is a place for people who place a high priority on good food. Leave some space in your stomach for the impressive cheese options. Meals served in garden. 2 crossed forks Michelin. - [Weg achter het Bosch 1. 026-443-5313 From hotel 3.0 miles 9 mins).
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