Gasselte, Netherlands

We live in the outer rim of the beautiful small village Gasselte in the Northern part of the Netherlands, situated in the Hondsrug, the only UNESCO Global Geopark of the Netherlands. The village is typical for the region with its old farms with thatched roofs. The village is surrounded by forests and fields of heather, bogs and marshes filled with ancient hunebedden (neolithic monuments) and burial mounts, all within a few minutes reach from our home. It´s a cyclist's and walker´s paradise, with a lot of cycling and walking tracks, starting right on our doorstep.
There are several clean lakes with sandy beaches in the surrounding forrests to go swimming (Zandgat Kostvlies, Gasselterveld, Loomeer, Ieberenplas, Ellertshaar) and two open air swimming pools (Gieten and Exloo). In Borger or Assen you can find indoor swimming pools.

In Gasselte, you can find several bistro's and restaurants, a bakery, post office, gasoline station/garage, riding school and golf course. For the daily groceries and more shops, you can go either to Gieten (3km) or Borger (6km). It has good public transport connections with express busses to Assen, Emmen, Stadskanaal, Veendam and Groningen.

The vibrant city of Groningen, home of the 400 years old University of Groningen, cultural capital of Northern Netherlands, was voted #1 event city of The Netherlands. This old Hanseatic city is only 30 minutes by car or public transport. Giethoorn, our own green Venice, is located in the largest continuous fenland of Northern Europe, and is an hours drive away. An hour to the north brings you to Lauwersoog, gateway to the Wadden Sea, with the ferry to the beautiful Wadden Isle Schiermonnikoog. And since we live in a small country, Amsterdam is just two hours away by car or by train (from Assen).
But why go to Amsterdam when, according to CNN, Groningen is the place to be? 'Young and hip, Groningen is a winning alternative to Amsterdam. The canals and classic Dutch buildings are all in evidence, but without the bustling hordes of tourists'.
Check: https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/europe-best-places-to-visit/index.html

Other attractions in the vicinity:

• horseback riding in the woods with the riding school in Gasselte
• swimming and outdoor adventure at 't Gasselterveld (2 km) https://dxadventurepark.nl/
• Golf course Gasselte (2 km)
• nature reserve Drouwenerzand (2 km)
• Amusement park Drouwenerzand (3 km) https://www.drouwenerzand.nl/de/
• Hunebed museum (5 km) http://www.hunebedcentrum.eu/
• Forest and outdoor activities at Boomkroonpad (5 km) https://www.staatsbosbeheer.nl/natuurgebieden/hondsrug/buitencentrum
• Open Air Museum Ellert en Brammert in Schoonoord (15 km) http://www.ellertenbrammert.nl/index-uk.htm
• Wildlands Adventure Zoo Emmen (20km) https://www.wildlands.nl
• Drents Museum in Assen (15 km) https://drentsmuseum.nl/en
• Museum village Orvelte (18km) http://www.orvelte.net
• Museum Mill De Wachter in Zuidlaren (25km) http://www.dewachter.nl/wordpress/
• Groninger Museum (modern art, 35km) http://www.groningermuseum.nl/en
• Noorderlicht Photogallery in Groningen (35km) www.noorderlicht.com
• Historic Fortress Village Bourtange (30km) https://www.bourtange.nl
• Giethoorn - Dutch Venice (70 km) https://www.giethoorn.com/en/
• Several nature resorts

and lots more.
And of course plenty of hiking and cycling tracks trough forest, moors, marshes and open countryside.

Activities in Drenthe: http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/Netherlands/Provincie_Drenthe/Things_To_Do-Provincie_Drenthe-TG-C-1.html
Drenthe from above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YN5avcf43OE
Activities in Groningen: http://toerisme.groningen.nl/en/
Groningen from above: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nSfjV_qNSXg
Geopark Hondsrug: http://www.geoparkdehondsrug.nl/en/p/gebieden/