24 Hours as a Tourist in Your Own Region
While our “Tourist in Your Own Region” campaign is in full swing, the “24 Hours in the Biesbosch Line” Instameet will take place during the last week of May. Seven women from all corners of the Netherlands are coming to discover what the Biesbosch Line has to offer, and I’m lucky enough to be able to join this Instameet as well.
Three years ago, I started volunteering with the Biesboschlinie. That role challenges me to see the region where I was born and raised through the eyes of a tourist. This “24-Hour Tourist in My Own Region” challenge fits in perfectly with that, and I’m really looking forward to it! In this blog, I’ll take you along on my journey as a “24-hour tourist in my own region.”
The kickoff: cycling to Woerkum
Four completely different accommodations, spread throughout the region, have made a room available for the overnight stay. Together with Marlies, I get to stay in Babyloniënbroek—I can practically walk there from home. This gives us the idea to go for the full experience and spend these 24 hours exploring by bike.
It’s a warm, sunny Thursday when, after lunch in Veen, we hop on our bikes and ride along the dikes to the meeting point in Woudrichem (commonly known as Woerkum). With the Afgedamde Maas on our right and the villages, meadows, and fields to our left, it’s a delightful ride.
A view from the Martinus Tower
After a stroll through the fortified town and a refreshing ice cream from Baks Ice Cream Parlor, it’s time to climb the Martinus Tower. City guide Peter from the Stadsgidsengilde Woudrichem entertainingly tells us about the tower, the clock, and the history of Woudrichem. From the top of the tower, on a clear day, you can see for kilometers. Up close, we can see Loevestein and the Gorinchem skyline. Further away, we can even see as far as Tilburg and Rotterdam.
We wrap up Thursday together on the terrace of Bodega Wouw, a wine and tapas bar located in the historic19th-century gunpowder cellars. The cool drinks and appetizer platter are gratefully received.
From Fortified Town to Polder
From here, our paths diverge, and everyone heads off in pairs to their overnight accommodations. That means it’s time to bring out our steel steeds again. We leave the charming fortified town behind us and ride into the polder. The peace and vastness are a welcome change of pace.
At Bed & Breakfast Babylonia in Babyloniënbroek, we’re warmly welcomed by Eric and Lianne; they’ve made their apartment, “De Bonte Specht,” available to us—and what a gem it is! We lack for nothing here.
A place I’ve driven past so many times in the car is now a place to relax after a warm and busy afternoon. From the terrace, we look out over the fields toward the Witte Molen in Meeuwen, and we decide to end the day with a short walk.
The Broekse Ommetje is a short walking route through the quiet village, past old farms and meadows teeming with meadow birds. The sun has already set when we arrive at the ferry across the canal; hares are running through the field, and we walk back to the B&B, quietly savoring the moment.
Paddling at sunrise
Early Friday morning, an activity is already on the schedule: a sunrise canoe trip on the Alm using canoes from Kanoën in Altena. It’s barely past 5:00 a.m. when the first paddles glide through the water. The sun has a bit of trouble breaking through, but when it finally does and we paddle almost silently across the Oude Alm toward the Almbos , it’s magical. The water lilies are just about to bloom, birds are singing at the top of their lungs, and the water is as smooth as glass. What a wonderful way to wake up!
For the last time, we cycle to our B&B, where a delicious breakfast awaits us. We sigh to each other that it’s a shame we can’t spend more time in this lovely place. The next activity is on the agenda: with our panniers packed, we ride to Sleeuwijk. Along the way, we pass the Noordeveldse molen—one of the many mills in the region— Duyls Bos, and the Zevenbansche Boezem nature reserve.
Out and about on an e-chopper
Places we don’t have time for right now, but each one is well worth a visit. Today, however, we’re hitting the road on e-choppers from E-verhuur Versluis. After a brief explanation, we’re ready to go. For some, it’s their first time; others are already waiting at the top of the dike. As a local, I’m almost automatically chosen as the guide, so I ride proudly at the front, with the wind in my face, through our beautiful region.
Halfway through the trip, it’s time for lunch: a Biesboschlinie sandwich. A tasty collaboration between VVV Biesboschlinie and Spar Andel. The sandwiches are filled with local products, and as soon as buffalo mozzarella comes up in conversation, the idea spontaneously arises to ride past the water buffalo farm De Buffelgaard. A guided tour and a buffalo milk ice cream follow. No one turns that down, because it’s another warm day today. Fortunately, that’s hardly a problem for us on the e-choppers.
That vacation feeling right close to home
Silently—because it’s electric—we cruise back to Sleeuwijk. The 24 hours have flown by. To the question, “Can you experience that vacation feeling right in your own region?” I can answer with a resounding “YES!” after this experience.
On vacation, people often manage to find all kinds of activities in the immediate vicinity, but we sometimes forget to look at what’s right under our noses.
Are you a resident of the municipality of Altena? Then you’re a resident of the Biesbosch Line! Maybe you think you already know the area, that it’s not all that fun to climb a tower you’ve known for years, that canoeing on the Alm is boring, or that you’ve seen all the bike paths. Well, I challenge you to go out and experience it for yourself and give yourself the chance to be surprised. Set out as a “tourist in your own region.”
Want to spend 24 hours along the Biesbosch Line, too?
Here are the links to all locations:
Baks Ice Cream Parlor
Stadsgidsengilde Woudrichem
Bodega WouW
Canoeing in Altena
E-verhuur Versluis
Buffalo Verschure
Camping De Speeltol
B&B Tol Oost
B&B Fort Bakkerskil
Bed & Breakfast Babylonia
Do you have an Instagram account? Then join in on all the experiences on social media. On Nederlandwatbenjemooi.nl, you can read Lydia’s story. You’ll also find all the lodging options there.