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trade information pack Brabant
trade informationpackBrabant
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Why visit Brabant?Where is Brabant?Practical informationThings to do in Brabant
Festivals and eventsCities and shoppingCulture, heritage and artTheme parksNature and outdoorRecreation and relaxationSports
Key international eventsNew developmentsAbout VisitBrabant
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Why visit Brabant?
In medieval times, the historic city of ’s-Hertogenbosch was home to another renowned artist: Jheronimus Bosch lived and worked here. He died 500 years ago, and so 2016 is Jheronimus Bosch Year.
But there is more. Brabant is home to one of the top theme parks in Europe: De Efteling. Fairy-tales, fun and adventure for the whole family. Eindhoven is Brabant’s hotspot for design; designer Daan Roosegaarde recently opened his illuminated cycling path in nearby Nuenen. The city of Breda has been voted best city centre in the country, and ’s-Hertogenbosch has won the award for most welcoming city four times in a row over the past years. The Tilburgse Kermis is the biggest fun fair in the Netherlands and the surrounding countries. And the people of Brabant complete the package. They are known as sociable and welcoming people who work hard, but certainly also know how to enjoy the good things in life.
Welcome to Brabant! The world famous painter Vincent van Gogh was born and raised here, and drew inspiration from the Brabant countryside. Many of the locations featured in his life and work can still be visited today. And 2015 has been declared Van Gogh Year.
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Where is Brabant?
Welcome to the Brabant region. This friendly province in the south of the Netherlands offers a wide range of surprising short breaks.
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Location
Closer to Amsterdam and Belgium than you’d think, Brabant is an easy day trip or short break destination from Amsterdam or Schiphol airport (60 minutes by direct train) and the historic Belgian cities (60 min only by coach).
Centrally located: in the heart of Europe and at the centre of the Benelux region.Fly directly into Eindhoven Airport (300 flights a week) with Transavia, Ryanair and Wizzair from the UK (21), France (15), Spain (48), Italy (32), Portugal (12), Germany (5), Ireland (7) and many East European countries. Very convenient direct transfer service from Eindhoven Airport to Amsterdam, Weeze (Germany) and Antwerp (Belgium) via AirExpressBus.Average contracted hotel group rates are cheaper in Brabant than in Amsterdam or Brussels. And these cities are only 1 hour away by coach.
Brabant is located in the centre of the Benelux region (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxemburg) and only a short drive by coach from Amsterdam (60 min), Antwerp (30 min) Brussels (60 min) or Cologne (80 min). Access to Brabant is easy, with great transportation links from international airports such as Eindhoven, Rotterdam, Schiphol, Weeze, Dusseldorf, Cologne, Brussels and Charleroi. Various (low cost) airlines connect Brabant to the rest of Europe.
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Accommodation
Visitors may feel in need of a good night’s sleep after all the fun and excitement on offer here. Understandably so. Hotels, hostels, holiday parks or bed & breakfasts, there’s always a bed for a tired guest in Brabant. Tomorrow’s another day, as the locals say.
There are over 300 hotels to choose from, most of them 3 or 4 star accommodations, with a total number of 10,500 rooms.
Average pre-contracted group rates for hotels in Brabant are much lower than they are in Amsterdam or Brussels. And these cities are only an hour away by coach.There is plenty of variety in accommodation; from leisure, business, heritage, art, design, and themed hotels, to country lodges, youth hostels, B&Bs and holiday parks. Visitors who stay at De Efteling Hotel and De Efteling Village Bosrijk get free access to De Efteling theme park.All the main hotel chains are represented: Golden Tulip, Tulip Inn, Holiday Inn, Park Plaza, Mercure, Novotel, Van der Valk, Campanile, Fletcher, Amrath, Hampshire, Sandton, Apollo, Bastion, Best Western, Mövenpick, Pullman.
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Icons of Brabant
2016 – Bosch 500 celebrating 500 years of Jheronimus Bosch, with:
Bosch Experience: a virtual expedition through time about the famous medieval artist Jheronimus Bosch (opens in 2016).Bosch: Visions of a Genius exhibition, focusing on Bosch’ paintings in his hometown ’s-Hertogenbosch, where they were all conceived and produced (12 Feb - 8 May 2016). Bosch by Night. A spectacular light show every evening in 2016 on the central market square in ’s-Hertogenbosch, right in front of Bosch’s home and studio.
2015 – Van Gogh Year with:Van Gogh Village Nuenen with a Van Gogh cycling route featuring a glow-in-the-dark cycling path by Daan Roosegaarde.The Vincentre – an outdoor museum covering 22 sites related to Vincent van Gogh and the years he painted in Brabant.The Story of Brabant exhibition: a good selection of works by Vincent van Gogh, made during the years he spent painting in Brabant.
De Efteling theme parkThe largest amusement park in the Benelux countries; a magical experience in a fairy-tale world. Spectacular new dive coaster ‘Baron 1898’ from summer 2015.New Raveleijn park show with live birds and horses: a riveting experience.Stunning new fountain show Aquanura with music by DJ Tiësto.
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Food
A visit to Brabant simply must include a sampling of the local specialties. Brabant is strawberry and asparagus country. And it has its own locally brewed Trappist beer.
The Korte Putstraat in historic ’s-Hertogenbosch is a street that is known across the country for offering culinary treats in a variety of cuisines. For a uniquely industrial dining environment, try the Piet Hein Eek design restaurant, Radio Royaal or one of the other eateries in the former Philips factories in Eindhoven.La Trappe: the oldest Trappist beer brewed in the Netherlands has been produced by the monks of the Our Lady of Koningshoeve Abbey, near Tilburg, since 1884. Another local abbey that produces its own tasty brew is the De Kievit brewery, part of Our Lady of Refuge abbey in Zundert: Zundert Trappist.Local products such as asparagus, strawberries and other fruits, cheese and meat can be bought at farmer’s markets and local or farm shops. Definitely worth a visit. Philips Fruit Garden in Eindhoven: apples, pears, plums and pancakes are on the menu at De Proeftuin restaurant. Do not forget to sample the wares at the farm shop.
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From the famous historic towns to industrial heritage and from fun fairs and theme parks to some true hidden gems, the generous range of experiences is typical of Brabant. And the locals are happy to share their best kept secrets with visitors. We give you an overview in seven convenient categories: Festivals and Events; Cities and Shopping; Culture, Heritage and Art; Theme Parks; Nature and Outdoor; Recreation and Relaxation; and Sports. Come and experience the good life!
Things to do in Brabant
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Brabant is culturally vibrant, offering a wide range of annual events from classical music to pop and from fine arts to dance festivals.
1. Festivals and events
2015 is Vincent van Gogh Year, hosted by Van Gogh Brabant with the Van Gogh Museum, Kröller-Müller Museum and Mons 2015. In 2016 the city of ’s-Hertogenbosch is hosting an international event, Bosch 500, to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of the great Jheronimus Bosch (ca. 1450 – 1516).The towns Zundert and Valkenswaard are famous all over the world for their flower parades in September each year. The Zundert Flower Parade, which uses only dahlias, has been turning the town upside down since 1936. Twenty teams compete. After a whole year of preparations, the parade takes place on the first Sunday in September, attracting tens of thousands of visitors every year. Various Brabant cities host music and theatre festivals; examples are November Music, Festival Boulevard, Mundial Festival.Dutch Design Week is the main event devoted to Dutch design, held annually in and around Eindhoven.
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The people of Brabant know how to have a really good time. But they do not keep their secrets to themselves! Experience Brabant’s exuberant hospitality.
2. Cities and shopping
The maze of narrow medieval streets and alleys in ’s-Hertogenbosch can be explored on foot. But another option is to marvel at the picturesque bridges and perfectly preserved historic buildings from a small boat: take a canal tour.’s-Hertogenbosch and Breda may be historic in outlook, but the inhabitants conduct their active daily lives with a modern down-to-earth approach – against a gorgeous historical backdrop.Eindhoven: the largest city in Brabant offers a wide range of facilities in the performing arts, design and nightlife. And it has the longest nightlife street in the Benelux countries.
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Breda has been voted best city centre in the Netherlands, with plenty of pavement cafes, trendy restaurants and excellent shopping. ’s-Hertogenbosch, one of the oldest medieval cities in the Netherlands, was voted the most welcoming city four years in a row. Roosendaal’s Rosada Fashion Outlet Centre holds 60 different international brand stores, offering minimum discounts between 30% and 70%.
Tilburg was an important city for the Dutch textile industry. These days the vibrant cultural climate and student population make the town highly inviting and fully future-proof. Excellent shopping and some very good architecture can be found in and around Eindhoven’s large covered shopping centres.Nightlife in Brabant is vibrant, with a rich and varied supply of bars, restaurants and clubs to cater to every taste.Flea markets are held in several cities every weekend from May to October, and every day during the summer holiday season.
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Two newly renovated museums have been re-opened in ’s-Hertogenbosch. The Noord Brabants Museum and the Stedelijk Museum ’s-Hertogenbosch have already been dubbed “the Dutch branch of the Guggenheim”. But there’s more, all across Brabant.
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THE NOORD BRABANTS MUSEUM, ’S -HERTOGENBOSCH
3. Culture, heritage and art
The Noord Brabants Museum houses a good selection of original Van Gogh works centred on Brabant. From 12 February to 8 May 2016 the Noord Brabants Museum will be hosting a much-anticipated Jheronimus Bosch exhibition: Jheronimus Bosch – Visions of a Genius. The Van Abbe Museum presents modern and contemporary art. It is located in the centre of Eindhoven.De Pont Museum in Tilburg offers contemporary visual art from 1988.Other highlights include the Museum of the Image (Breda, formerly the Graphic Design Museum), Audax Textile Museum (Tilburg), Natuurmuseum Brabant (also in Tilburg) and the Jheronimus Bosch Art Centre (’s-Hertogenbosch). Vincent van Gogh House in Zundert – the birthplace of the painter – an outdoor museum covering 22 sites related to Vincent van Gogh and the years he painted in Brabant, reminds visitors of the stunning talent and craft of this wayward thinker (see also Vincentre in Nuenen).
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DDW, short for Dutch Design Week, presents the brightest new ideas and creative solutions by innovative designers every October.
Historic cities and towns, such as ’s-Hertogenbosch, Heusden and Breda, offer a wealth of historical monuments, including cathedrals, city walls and courtyards.
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Design is big in Brabant. Eindhoven is a centre of innovation and design. Many pioneering designers are graduates of Design Academy Eindhoven, and Philips Design Centre is a vibrant hub of smart technology.
St John’s Cathedral in ’s-Hertogenbosch is the highlight of Gothic architecture in the Netherlands. With its richly decorated interior it is well worth a visit. And it is not the only impressive cathedral in Brabant: Breda and Oudenbosch, too, are certainly worth a visit.Go for a walk in the Holy Triangle near Breda. Three monasteries form the angles: The St Catharinadal Priory, Our Lady Abbey and St Paul’s Abbey. Across Brabant, various locations painted by Vincent van Gogh can still be seen, including the Potato Eaters’ house.Castle Heeswijk, a fortress dating from the 11th century, is just one of many historic castles and monasteries that can be visited. Admire ’s-Hertogenbosch from its waterways: the Binnendieze. Floating beneath the walls of the fortified city, visitors gain an entirely different perspective.The Dutch Water Line is a military defence system used to fend off Spanish and French attacks in the 16th and 17th centuries. A great backdrop for a hike or a bicycle ride. In use until 1952, this was the longest chain of forts and fortified inundation areas the Netherlands has ever known. The fortified cities of Willemstad, Heusden and Haaren take visitors back in time.
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One of Europe’s leading theme parks with 4.2 million visitors per year, De Efteling’s mission is to continually delight its visitors with new forms of family entertainment.
4. Theme parks
Fun and excitement in De Efteling’s many fairy-tale themed attractions and showsOvernight possibilities in the four-star Efteling Hotel and the Efteling Village Bosrijk holiday park. With its spacious natural landscaping, the Efteling Golf Park (18-hole course / 6256 metres) presents both a peaceful retreat and a sporting challenge.The impressive Efteling Theatre is one of the largest theatres in the Netherlands. Safari Park Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek is the largest wildlife park in the Benelux region. With lions, elephants, gorillas and many, many other species roaming around, this part of Brabant feels a little like Africa.Beekse Bergen also offers overnight stays in its themed holiday park or on the campsite by Lake Victoria.And if the children are done spotting the Brabant big five, they can play and romp around in Speelland Beekse Bergen.
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And did you know that Brabant has an African heart? At Safaripark Beekse Bergen, take a jeep safari and spot the big five!
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5. Nature and outdoor
De Biesbosch National Park is one of the few freshwater tidal areas in the world. It is excellent for boating, canoeing, fishing but also cycling, hiking, and horseback riding. National Park De Loonse en Drunense Duinen, also known as the Brabant Sahara, features large sand dunes and shifting sands.Follow the Southern stretches of the Dutch Water Line by bicycle or on foot and take in the beautiful scenery and numerous historic monuments.Tech prodigy Daan Roosegaarde has created a unique and innovative cycling experience as part of the Vincent van Gogh cycling route in Nuenen: as the sun sets, millions of sparkling lights embedded in the cycling lane light up to reveal Vincent’s starry skies.
Rural Brabant is renowned for its natural beauty, guaranteed to provide a refreshing and unforgettable short break. There are several National Parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty.
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Brabant knows how to enjoy the good things in life.
6. Recreation and relaxation
Brabant nightlife is rich and varied, with numerous bars and restaurants on the market squares or tucked away in quieter streets. In summer, many have extensive outdoor seating areas.Be like a Brabander and relax over a coffee at a pavement cafe after your walk, or enjoy the excellent food in one of the many restaurants after cycling in the beautiful countryside. Brabant is home to one of the leading theme parks in Europe; De Efteling. It has been voted the Netherlands’ most popular day out. And Safaripark Beekse Bergen shows Brabant’s African colours. For the longest nightlife street, come to Eindhoven and dance until you drop on Stratumseind.The local culinary speciality comes from ’s-Hertogenbosch, where the bakeries make a light and airy pastry, filled with whipped cream and topped with chocolate: the Bossche Bol.Explore the historic centre of ’s-Hertogenbosch by boat: the picturesque Binnendieze takes you above and below ground.
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Brabant offers plenty of opportunity to be active; from walking, cycling, and mountain bike trails to horseback riding and golf.
7. Sports
Whether you like to go walking, cycling, skating, horseback riding or canoeing, you will have well-marked routes at your disposal. Brabant has Europe’s largest integrated and signposted cycling network (4950 km) with more than 200 different cycling routes.There are 6100 km of integrated and marked footpaths criss-crossing the countryside and 1200 km of integrated mountain bike tracks with 40 different routes. Golfers will find 35 golf courses laid out in some of the loveliest countryside in the Netherlands. Indoor Brabant & Outdoor Brabant are two major international equestrian events in Brabant.
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Key international events
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2015‘Van Gogh: 125 years of inspiration’
Brabant is the homeland of Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890). Van Gogh’s masterpieces are scattered throughout the world, but their roots are in Brabant. Here is where Van Gogh produced his first masterpiece The Potato Eaters. To this day, Vincent’s footsteps can be traced in places like Zundert, Nuenen, Tilburg, Etten-Leur and ’s-Hertogenbosch. The house where he was born, his young brother’s grave, his art room at school, the parsonage and several churches where his father worked. Nuenen is a historical village that offers a walk along 22 locations related to his work. The Noord Brabants Museum houses a wonderful collection of Brabant artists from the same period, alongside original works by Van Gogh, in ‘The Story of Brabant’.
Partners & LocationsAmsterdam: The Van Gogh MuseumOtterloo: the Kröller-Müller Museum Van Gogh Brabant – Vincent’s HomelandMons 2015, the European Capital of Culture in 2015
THE POTATO EATERS BY VAN GOGH
In 2015 it will be exactly 125 years since Vincent van Gogh died (1853-1890). The Van Gogh Europe Foundation will honour the famous Dutch artist with a fantastic programme: fascinating exhibitions, dedicated cycling routes, art events and digital applications.
Excursions, programmes and itinerary suggestions
We have a number of itinerary suggestions to help you with your visit to Brabant. The following pages offer some outlines for Vincent van Gogh and Jheronimus Bosch-themed programmes. Please contact Mr. Pim Sybesma by mail on [email protected] or by phone: +31 6 510 44 318.
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Vincent’s Homeland
Brabant is the homeland of Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890). His masterpieces have been scattered around the world, but their roots are in Brabant. Here are five suggestions to explore.
Vincentre & Van Gogh Village Nuenen(Duration: 1½ hours) Nuenen is a treasure chest of locations that Van Gogh recorded on canvas. Across the road from the parsonage where he lived and worked is the Vincentre, formerly the Town Hall, where Vincent registered as a resident. It is now a fascinating museum and the starting point for a walking tour with a guide past several of these locations. Visitors will without doubt recognise some of the buildings from his famous works.
Vincentre, Van Gogh Village Nuenen, including a cycling tour with guide(Duration: 2½ hours) In countless letters, many written during his stay in Nuenen, Van Gogh made it clear just how much he loved Brabant, its landscapes and its people. Often, the locals would appear in one of his many sketches, examples of which can be seen at the Vincentre. Next up is the engaging guided cycling tour of the village, which takes in 22 locations connected with the artist. Visitors will see the parsonage where he lived, the church he painted for his mother and the cottage where his first masterpiece ‘The Potato Eaters’ came into being.
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Vincentre, Van Gogh Village Nuenen & Paint Like Van Gogh workshop(Duration: 3½ hours)For those who dream of painting like the great master Van Gogh, this tour is the ticket. Participants can take home their artwork afterwards. A professional artist will guide visitors through the process step by step. But of course, to be an artist, inspiration is a must, and it comes in the shape of a visit to the Vincentre and a walk through the village past several famous Van Gogh locations.
Vincent van Gogh Brabant / Kröller-Müller Museum (Duration: min 1 day)A versatile programme which will take visitors to Vincent van Gogh’s birthplace in Brabant, the place where he spent a large part of his early youth, and to Nuenen where he found inspiration for his first masterpiece ‘The Potato Eaters’. This work can be seen at the Kröller-Müller Museum, our next stop, located in the Hoge Veluwe National Park. The Kröller-Müller Museum is Vincent van Gogh’s second home; with almost 90 paintings and 180 drawings, it has the second largest Van Gogh collection in the world. The museum also has an extensive and wonderful sculpture garden with works by a wide range of prominent artists. The Hoge Veluwe National Park offers free bikes for a cycling tour.
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Van Gogh Museum / Van Gogh Brabant / Kröller-Müller Museum (Duration: 2 or 3 days) This is the most comprehensive of the Van Gogh arrangements, and one which gives a good impression of where the painter grew up and what his inspirations were. Visitors will not only be introduced to Vincent’s homeland Brabant; they can also see his most famous drawings and paintings at the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam and the Kröller-Müller Museum in the Hoge Veluwe National Park (Gelderland). This comprehensive arrangement with its focus on the art works can take the order that is most convenient for your group; start in Brabant, or in Amsterdam, or in the Veluwe National Park. The free White Bikes in Gelderland offer a wonderful opportunity for an outdoor activity, taking in the rolling hills and heath landscape and see some deer or wild boars.
The locations mentioned as part of the tours are not the only Van Gogh-related locations to offer special rates and package deals. The Van Gogh House in Zundert, the Van Gogh church in Etten-Leur, Vincent’s drawing studio in Tilburg and the special exhibition at the Noord Brabants Museum are also available as special package deals for tour operators. For more information, simply contact VisitBrabant.
2016‘Welcome home, Jheronimus’
Brabant was home to Jheronimus Bosch, one of the leading Dutch painters from the Middle Ages. This is where he found the inspiration for his unique and legendary works, teeming with freaky creatures, extra-terrestrial nightmares and surreal dreams. One of the most influential Dutch painters ever, his celebrated visions have proven to be timeless. From the way they still affect us today, it is hard to believe they were made five hundred years ago.
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The city of ’s-Hertogenbosch will be commemorating the 500th anniversary of Jheronimus Bosch’ death. With Bosch: Visions of a Genius for example, the largest exhibition of Bosch works ever held. Never before have so many paintings and drawings by Jheronimus Bosch been brought together. And in the city of the great master himself. Experience it in ’s-Hertogenbosch.
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’s-Hertogenbosch – The City of Jheronimus Bosch
Below are four different ways to discover ’s-Hertogenbosch, the hometown of one of the leading Dutch painters from the Middle Ages.
The city of Jheronimus Bosch(Duration: 2½ hrs) A guided walk along the old streets and historic sites in ’s-Hertogenbosch. The history behind unusual buildings and sites will come to life and visitors will be introduced to the typical ‘Den Bosch’ culture. The Binnendieze is a unique waterway that winds its way through and even underneath the town, which 500 years ago was the city of Jheronimus Bosch. Save some time for a visit to the recently renovated Noord Brabants Museum for The Story of Brabant with its focus on work by Bosch and Vincent van Gogh.
The world of Jheronimus Bosch(Duration: 3 hrs)Discover the world of Jheronimus Bosch by exploring the historic city centre and visiting the famous St John’s Cathedral. Inside the Moriaan, a historic building on the market square, information about the world-famous painter is available. Gain a different perspective on the town by taking a boat down the Binnendieze waterway, passing a range of landmarks, including the ramparts and bastions. Then it’s on to the Museum Quarter with the newly renovated Noord Brabants Museum and Stedelijk Museum, where a guide will give a comprehensive tour of the museums’ collections which feature art, archaeological discoveries and silver and gold exhibits. The museum’s Story of Brabant gallery has a special focus on Jheronimus Bosch and Vincent van Gogh.
Tour de Bosch (Duration : 2 hrs 15 min)During a walk around ’s-Hertogenbosch, a guide will tell some of the interesting stories behind the facades and the history of the city. The walk takes visitors to the late-Gothic St. John’s Cathedral, the city’s main landmark. Then the tour takes to the water; the Binnendieze is a unique waterway that flows through and even underneath the city. After the walk and the boat tour there will be plenty of time to shop in the characteristic streets and little shops.
Bosch Grand Tour (March - October)(Duration: 1 day)The Bosch Grand Tour takes visitors around Brabant to enjoy a unique programme visiting the very best museums in the province. The exhibitions act as guides through the world of Jheronimus Bosch, ranging from the Museum of the Image in Breda where Bosch’s Garden of Earthly Delights has been animated, to the Natuurmuseum Brabant in Tilburg which will exhibit some of the beautiful animals from Bosch’s era.
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New developments
The Story of Brabant gallery in the Noord Brabants Museum. The history of Brabant is the central theme in this brand new wing of the Noord Brabants Museum; one of the largest galleries within the new complex. The history of Brabant has been enriched by two unique names in art history: Jheronimus Bosch (1450 – 1516) and Vincent van Gogh (1853 - 1890). An absolute highlight of the Brabant gallery will be the substantial selection of original works by Vincent van Gogh who laid the foundations of his art in Brabant, the land he continued to dream of.2016 will mark the 500th anniversary of the death of Jheronimus Bosch who lived and worked in ’s-Hertogenbosch. The city will commemorate this with an exhibition that will run for three months, from 12 February to 8 May 2016. Never before have so many works by Bosch been seen together. Bosch: Visions of a Genius - Exhibition. The Bosch exhibition will present an important selection of his paintings, panels and drawings from February to May 2016. It will be the most complete Bosch exhibition ever. A once-in-a-lifetime experience: exactly 500 years after his death, and for one time only, Bosch’ paintings will be back in his hometown ’s-Hertogenbosch, where they were all conceived and produced. And the exhibition will include the results of the Bosch Research and Conservation Project, unveiling many mysteries surrounding the works of the master.
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Bosch Experience. The Bosch Experience offers a virtual expedition in time: in just 15 minutes, the clock is set back 500 years to 1516. Travel through time and experience animated (street) life, work, customs and traditions, transport, clothing, birth, sickness and death in the Late Middle Ages. The presentation ends with Jheronimus Bosch, and visitors will see his house, studio, life and work. This is a truly immersive experience; visitors ‘descend’ into the world of Bosch, even into the world of his paintings. High-tech and accessible, and even including a Bosch boat trip on the Binnendieze, this is a compact and attractive heritage experience.Bosch by Night. A spectacular light show will take place every evening in 2016 on the central market square in ’s-Hertogenbosch, right in front of Bosch’s home and studio.
De Efteling presents two new shows and a new ride opens in the summer of 2015. De Efteling will present an entirely new Raveleijn park show. A spectacular live show unfolds in a gigantic open-air arena, with horses and ravens appearing. The show features amazing stunts and unbelievable feats, along with special effects based on fire and water.Aquanura is the third-largest fountain show in the world. Four frogs transform the Vonderplas lake into a musical spectacle. Featuring a soundtrack by DJ Tiësto, some well-known Efteling melodies and more than 200 fountains, the show brings to life a number of fairy tales, including The Frog Prince and The Indian Water Lilies, as well as Efteling attractions like the Haunted House, Raveleijn and Dream Flight.Baron 1898 is the name of the latest rollercoaster ride to be added to the Efteling’s already impressive list. Based on a story of a rich and arrogant gold miner, the Baron, who is double-tracked by a group of white witches. This hair-raising dive coaster promises to take you on a thundering 90 km/hr trip to outrun the spooks before screeching to a halt again.
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AugustTheatre Festival Boulevard ’s-Hertogenbosch 6 - 16 August Lakedance Best 8 AugustFolkwoods Festival 14 - 16 August Decibel Outdoor Hilvarenbeek 15 AugustBrabantse Dag Heeze 22 - 30 August Cultural and historical parade Brabantse Dag Heeze 30 August
SeptemberOutdoor Brabant Breda 2 - 6 SeptemberBloemencorso Zundert 6 SeptemberTilburg Ten Miles 7 September Bourgondisch Den Bosch 11 - 14 September Bloemencorso Valkenswaard 13 SeptemberIncubate Tilburg 14 - 20 September Breda Barst 19 & 20 SeptemberHelmond H2O 19 - 21 September
OctoberAmgen Singelloop Breda 4 OctoberFestyland Volkel 9 - 10 October Marathon Eindhoven 11 October Dutch Design Week Eindhoven 17 - 25 October
NovemberNovember Music 4 - 8 November Bosch Requiem ’s Hertogenbosch 6 NovemberGlow Festival Eindhoven 7 - 14 NovemberSpeedfest Eindhoven 21 November
DecemberSinterklaas 5 December Ravenstein by Candle light 12 December The Fish Pond Song Trilogy exhibition ’s-Hertogenbosch 19 December - 5 June 2016Christmas 25 & 26 December
Main events 2015
MarchIndoor Brabant ’s-Hertogenbosch 12 - 15 MarchBook Week 7 - 15 March Cement Festival 17 - 21 March
April Paaspop Schijndel 3 - 5 April Museum Week 18 - 24 April King’s Night 26 AprilKing’s Day 27 April
MayBiking month 1 - 31 May Liberation Festival Brabant 5 May Shine Festival ’s-Hertogenbosch 7 - 17 MayBreda Jazz Festival 14 - 17 MayStoet van Bosch ’s-Hertogenbosch 16 MayRicoh Vestingloop ’s-Hertogenbosch 17 MayBosch Parade ’s-Hertogenbosch 18 May - 2 JuneJazz in Duketown ’s-Hertogenbosch 22 - 25 May Brabantse Kastelendag 25 May JazzBoz Bergen op Zoom 29 - 31 MayInternational Gypsy Festival Tilburg 30 & 31 May
JuneTopshelf Open Rosmalen 8 - 14 June Bosch Parade 18 - 21 JuneBest Kept Secret Festival Hilvarenbeek 19 - 21 JuneFestival Mundial Tilburg 26 - 28 June Bike Festival Brabant 27 & 28 June
JulyWiSH Outdoor Beek en Donk 3 - 5 July Kennedymars Someren 4 & 5 July XO Live Best 11 July Breda Live 11 JulyTilburg Fun Fair 17 - 26 July Pink Monday at Tilburg Fun Fair 20 JulyBloem & Tuin Nuenen 24 July - 2 August
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JulyWiSH Outdoor Beek en Donk 1 - 3 July Kennedymars Someren 2 & 3 July XO Live Best 10 July Breda Live 10 JulyTilburg Fun Fair 15 - 24 July
AugustTheatre Festival Boulevard ’s-Hertogenbosch 4 - 14 August Lakedance Best 6 August Decibel Outdoor Hilvarenbeek 13 AugustBrabantse Dag Heeze 20 - 28 August Cultural and historical parade Brabantse Dag Heeze 28 August
SeptemberTilburg Ten Miles 4 September Bloemencorso Zundert 4 September Bloemencorso Valkenswaard 11 SeptemberIncubate Tilburg 12 - 18 September Breda Photo 15 September - 30 OctoberHelmond H2O 16 - 18 September
OctoberAmgen Singelloop Breda 2 OctoberBook Week for children 5 - 16 October Marathon Eindhoven 9 October Circo Circolo Liempde 22 - 30 October Dutch Design Week Eindhoven 22 - 30 October
NovemberBosch Requiem 4 NovemberGlow Festival Eindhoven 5 - 12 NovemberNovember Music 9 - 20 November Arrival of Sinterklaas 12 November
DecemberSinterklaas 5 December Bosch Forever 11 DecemberChristmas 25 & 26 December
Main events 2016
JanuaryGenneper Parken New Year’s Run Eindhoven 3 January Welcome Home Jheronimus 12 - 14 JanuaryStorioni Festival 20 - 31 JanuaryCulture Night Breda 22 January Eindhoven Culture Comedy Award 30 & 31 January Festival 39˚ Breda 30 & 31 January
February Carnival 7 - 9 FebruaryTuin Idee ’s-Hertogenbosch 25 - 28 February
MarchBook Week 12 - 20 March Paaspop Schijndel 25 - 27 March
AprilShine Festival 1 - 24 AprilMuseum Week 16 - 24 April King’s Night 26 April King’s Day 27 April
MayBiking month 1 - 31 May Liberation Festival Brabant 5 May Parade Jheronimus Bosch 5 - 8 MayNational Mill Day 7 & 8 May Breda Jazz Festival 12 - 15 May May Market Tilburg 21 & 22 MayBrabantse Kastelendag 25 May International Gypsy Festival Tilburg 28 & 29 May JazzBoz Bergen op Zoom 27 - 29 May
JuneFestival Mundial Tilburg 24 - 26 June
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About VisitBrabant A
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Brabant partners
VisitBrabant is a partnership organisation. We work closely with the main suppliers of tourism services across the region: the tourist offices (VVV) in Bergen op Zoom, Breda, Eindhoven, ’s-Hertogenbosch, Tilburg and further regional VVV offices.
Convention Bureau Brabant
Convention Bureau Brabant is a not-for-profit organization that markets the Brabant region as a prime business events destination. It identifies business events, brings out bids and provides free assistance to associations that wish to bid for national and international business events. Brabant has a long history in staging successful major events and conferences. CBB offers advice in finding the right location, asks for the quotes and arranges site visits/site inspections. This makes for a streamlined orientation process: simple, efficient and well-organized. The bureau’s services and expertise are available without charge, because it receives financial support from its affiliated organizations, venues and accommodations in the region.
If you are looking for a venue for your meeting, conference or training, or you are in need of an original idea for your company party or corporate event, Convention Bureau Brabant is happy to help you find a location that can really make a difference.
If you’d like to know more about CBB’s services or plan a site visit, please contact +31 73 7820200 or email [email protected].
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VISITBRABANT OFFICIAL LAUNCH (CHV NOORDKADE)
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VisitBrabant: Who are we?
VisitBrabant is the main marketing organisation for Brabant. VisitBrabant uses the very latest technologies to offer visitors to the region a surprising range of activities, tailor-made to suit their personal preferences.
Users of our platform VisitBrabant.nl will find a generous range of Brabant icons, festivals, activities and events that can be completely geared to one another. The platform presents a customised selection based on personal preferences and previous choices. Transparent use of the most innovative interaction solutions and the latest technology creates a personal profile with many advantages. Users make their own choices and VisitBrabant provides a suitable range of activities.
7 ThemesPeople’s spare time may be the most precious thing in their lives. This is why VisitBrabant.nl provides an overview of the leisure sector in Brabant using 7 different leisure themes. These themes enable users to quickly filter the generous range of activities Brabant has to offer. The themes are aimed at different activities:
Festivals and eventsCities and shoppingCulture, heritage and artTheme parksNature and outdoorRecreation and relaxationSports
Ready to spend some quality time in Brabant? Go to VisitBrabant.nl and be inspired.
What can VisitBrabant do to help?
VisitBrabant can provide free assistance with:Providing information Familiarisation visits and site inspectionsHelping to arrange hotel accommodation and short break programmes. Events listening and itinerary planningIntroductions to museums, attractions, accommodation and destinationsImages databaseRegular e-newsletter updates
Contact
For more information on group packages and group rates, please contact Mr Pim Sybesma, Manager International Relations VisitBrabant.
+31 13 303 03 93+31 6 51 04 43 [email protected]/trade
