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North Brabant

Travel Guide Europe Netherlands North Brabant

Introduction

Fortification in Breda

North Brabant is one of the three southern provinces of the Netherlands, together with Limburg and Zeeland. It has about 2,4 million inhabitants and therefore after the western provinces of North Holland and South Holland it is the most populated province in the country. It is also one of the biggest provinces, second after Gelderland.

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Geography

North Brabant lies in the south of the Netherlands. It is surrounded by the provinces of Zeeland, South Holland, Gelderland and Limburg. North Brabant also borders with Belgium (to the south). The most significant border with the other provinces in the river Meuse (in Dutch: Maas). In the western part of the province starts the delta of this river which is joint by the Waal and the Rhine. In this part lies the national park "de Biesbosch", a beautiful piece of nature. On the border with Limburg lies another nature reserve: the Peel. A region know for the "harvest" of bog, in this swampy area.

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Cities

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Sights and Activities

Efteling

The Efteling is the most well-known amusement park in the Netherlands, near Tilburg. It started out in 1933 as a sportclub, which also happened to have a playground for the kids. In the 1950's the playground was exented with a nature park and a fairytale forest was built after the designs of Anton Pieck. Every year one or a couple of new fairytales were built and the park proved to be a huge success. At the end of the 70's already 25 million visitors passed the gates. During the years more spectacular attractions and rollercoasters were added to the park, which nowadays also has its own golf course, hotel and theater.

The Efteling is opened in the summer season from the 1st april unti the 1st of november from 10.00 till 18.00. In summer there are extended times. The park is also opened in winter. (During the christmas vacations and in weekends.)

Liberty Park

In the small town of Overloon stands the National War and Resistance Museum and the Marshall Museum. Both museum joined forces under the name Liberty Park. It is located on the sight of the battle for Overloon in the second world war. In the museums you can find loads of vehicles from WWII. Liberty Park is opened every day except the 24th and 25th of December and the 1st of January from 10.00 till 17.00, in july and august from 10.00 till 18.00.

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Events and Festivals

Carnaval

The (catholic) south of the Netherlands celebrates carnaval at the beginning of the year. (40 days before Easter). During the days of Carnaval, all the names of the cities and towns get another (a bit loony) name. The party starts at Saturday and ends the following Tuesday. It goes hand in hand with a lot of drinking and dressing up.

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Weather

The weather in North Brabant is typical of what you get in the Netherlands: mild winters with a rare chance of snow, and reasonably warm summers. Eindhoven's summers are just a bit warmer, than the ones in Breda while winters are maybe a degree colder on average.

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Getting There

By Plane

Eindhoven Airport is one of the smaller airports in the Netherlands, but has connections to various cities in Europe. Transavia and Ryanair are the major airlines that operate from Eindhoven Airport. But also other smaller airlines like Wizz Air, Tailwind Airlines and Correndon operate from Eindhoven Airport. Air France flies to London City Airport. In the holiday season, there are also additional charter flights to/from popular holiday destinations.
The airport is located to the north east of the city along the A2 motorway. The airport is connected to the centre of the city by busline 401.

By Train

There are train connections between the major cities in Brabant and other cities in the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. From the major stations in Breda, Eindhoven, Tilburg and Den Bosch ('s-Hertogenbosch), there are connections to smaller cities and towns. Check the Dutch Railways website for more information about schedules and prices. More information and integrated door-to-door itinerary advice for all public transport can be obtained for free from 9292OV (Dutch only).

By Car

The A2 connects Eindhoven and Den Bosch, to the north with Utrecht and Amsterdam and to the south with Weert and Maastricht. The A58 starts in Eindhoven, as a junction from the A2 motorway, and heads to the west, connecting to Tilburg, Breda and finally Rotterdam. The A67 comes from the east (Venlo and Germany), connects with the A2 for a couple of kilometres in Eindhoven, and then continues into Belgium. From Breda you can head north towards Utrecht over the A27.

By Bus

Eurolines connects Eindhoven, Den Bosch and Breda to numerous cities in Europe. The busstop in Eindhoven is near the Central station, at the Stationsweg, opposite the office of Eurolines. In Breda at the international busstop at the Stationsweg, which is near to the Central Station. In Den Bosch it's at the Central Station at Busstop S.

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