Gooi and Vecht

Gooi and Vecht (Dutch: Gooi en Vecht) [1] is the region around Hilversum in the southeast of North Holland. Destinations Hilversum — known as the "media city" with forests and modern architecture to explore Blaricum — village for the rich and famous with luxurious villas Bussum — low-key destination, but has some quality restaurants Huizen — interesting for the Gooimeer, a popular beach for surfing Laren — wealthy village with a lively centre and the Singer Museum Muiden — well-known for the Muiderslot as well as other medieval remains Naarden — its 17th-century fortifications are among the best preserved in Europe Weesp — partially fortified town close to Amsterdam Wijdemeren — rural area with lakes, water sports, green farmland and beautiful 17th-century estates Understand While pretty much unknown to foreigners, Het Gooi is easily the most well-known region of the Netherlands among the Dutch population. It's known for the wealth of its inhabitants, the broadcasting industry and its high property values. Many of its inhabitants are Dutch celebrities working in Hilversum, the "media capital" of the country and home to the largest television studios in Europe. Since the 17th century this area has been popular with rich traders from Amsterdam, who bought and built many vacation homes here. With the introduction of radio (and later television), broadcasting organizations set up shop in these luxury villas in and around Hilversum. It became a magnet for the rich and famous, most of whom currently live in Laren and Blaricum, two of the wealthiest municipalities of the country. A conversation with the average Dutchman about the region will probably bring up adjectives like "arrogant" and "snobby". The typical Gooi "r" is not rolled as it is in standard Dutch pronunciation. This is not a historical dialect, but a modern speech trait that was brought in during the 19th-century by rich newcomers. Many Dutch people don't like this speech pattern as it would show arrogance to the general populace, but it is influential among upper class citizens nonetheless. Another term that shows a negative association with the region is "Gooi parking" (Gooisch parkeren), which is the casual parking of high-priced SUVs outside permitted parking places. Unlike most of the country, the Gooi area is located on a slightly hilly area with the soil based on sand. The landscape is characterized by forests and heathlands. An exception to this is the Wijdemeren area, most of which consists of flat grasslands, polders and lakes. At hot summer days, many locals come here to sail their boat over the lakes. Get in By train The Gooi area is well-connected by the Netherlands Railways [2] service. Hilversum is the largest city of the Gooi area and the best connected one, as it is the only Intercity station of the region (and six international trains from Berlin also stop in Hilversum every day). Weesp, Naarden and Bussum are also home to a railway station and can easily be visited with the so-called "Sprinter" trains. The other areas do not have direct train connections, so you'd need to continue your route by bus. Wijdemeren, Laren and Blaricum can be visited by bus from Hilversum (though it might be easier coming with your own transport). Huizen is best visited by bus from Naarden-Bussum, while Muiden is best visited from Weesp. Get around By far the easiest way to get around is by car. The only exception is Hilversum, as it has limited parking possibilities and a complex road network. There a bike would be more useful. See Historic villas Modern architecture Medieval remains Do Cycling The Gooi area offers plenty of biking opportunities. Most visitors take a whole day to cycle from town to town and see most of the area by bike. The countryside between the towns consists of forests, heathlands and artificial freshwater lakes. Some popular routes: Official routes Agriculture Route (Boerenlandroute). Circle around Gooi Lake (Rondje Gooimeer). Gooi Richness Route (Gooise Rijkdomroute) — 33km; 3 hours. Hilversum - Laren - Blaricum - 's-Graveland - Hilversum. Lakes Route (Plassenroute) — 41km; 4 hours. Vreeland - Nederhorst den Berg - Nigtevecht - Weesp - Ankeveen - 's-Graveland - Kortenhoef - Vreeland. Custom routes Royal Route (Koninklijke route) — 25km; 3 hours. Hilversum - Baarn - Lage Vuursche - Hilversum. Villages Route (Dorpenroute) — 30km; 3 hours. Hilversum - Laren - Lage Vuursche - Hilversum. Some surfing can be done at the Gooimeer in Huizen. Plenty of water sports activities and camping in Loosdrecht. Play golf in either Hilversum or Laren. Biking Agriculture Route (Boerenlandroute) — 40km; 4-5 hours. Naarden — Muiden — Weesp — Abcoude — Naarden Around the Gooi Lake (Rondje Gooimeer) — Eat The Gooi area has plenty of high-end restaurants. According to the Iens.nl Restaurant Guide, Bussum has three of the best restaurants of the area. Hilversum, as the media city, and Laren and Blaricum as towns for the rich and famous, also offer plenty of quality restaurants. If you're on a budget, you're in for challenge — but there are some budget restaurants in Hilversum for a quick snack. Drink For nightlife, Hilversum is the place to go. The prices of the bars are quite similar, as they differentiate by catering for different kinds of audiences. There's something for everyone, including hip bars for the rich and famous, bars for blue-collar workers, youth, 50+, all grouped together at the Groest. Bussum has a small community of bars at Generaal de la Reylaan near Naarden-Bussum train station. Stay safe Get out Amersfoort — medium-sized city full of historic buildings and streets Baarn — noteworthy is the Soestdijk Palace, a former royal residence temporarily open to the public Lage Vuursche — a sleepy village that wakes up Sunday afternoons for hungry cyclists Stichtse Vecht — lake-rich area for water sports, quite similar to Wijdemeren Utrecht — historic centre, nice antique stores, grachten and the Rietveld-Schröder House This article is an outline and needs more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. Please plunge forward and help it grow!