Hotel Hof van Gelre is an ideal starting point for cultural excursions due to its central location. Here is a selection of museums that are definitely worth a visit.
Museum MORE Gorssel
MORE is the largest museum of Dutch Modern Realism. It houses the collection of Hans Melchers, which includes works of leading Dutch modern-realistic artists from the last 100 years. www.museummore.nl
MORE Ruurlo
Located in the wooded surroundings of Ruurlo, the special Ruurlo Castle is surrounded by a beautiful English landscape garden. Carel Willink is one of the most significant Dutch realistic painters. The exhibition showcases the development of a young aspiring artist who matured into a grandmaster with technically perfect works. www.museummore-kasteelruurlo.nl
Museum STAAL in Almen
In the cozy village of Almen, you will find the Museum STAAL (STAring ALmen), founded by Pien Pon, with works of the renowned Achterhoek poet A.C.W. Staring. Further along the Berkel, you can visit the Staring “tea house” on a beautiful walk. www.museumstaal.nl
Villa Mondriaan Winterswijk
The Villa Mondriaan is a museum about Piet Mondriaan's early years. Mondriaan gained worldwide fame in Paris and New York. Much less known is that his painting career started in Winterswijk, where he lived from the age of eight to twenty. http://www.villamondriaan.nl
Crystal Museum in Borculo
With an immense collection of crystals, minerals, gemstones, and fossils that date back millions of years in history. Beauties from the earth's interior! Housed in the former town hall in the center by the Berkel. www.kristalmuseum.nl
Fire Brigade and Storm Disaster Museum in Borculo
The largest fire brigade museum in the Netherlands originated when some hand pumps were found in the attic in 1956, which had been hidden there during World War II. Over ten years later, some members of the volunteer fire brigade decided to establish a museum. The museum is still run solely by volunteers. In the same building, you will find the Storm Disaster Museum with photos, articles, and items related to the storm disaster of 1925. www.brandweermuseumborculo.nl
Museum and Pancake Farmhouse Evre Brooks in Gelselaar
Here, the Marsman family offers hospitality to all who want to enjoy the beauty and coziness of a 5-century-old Saxon farmhouse. http://www.erve-brooks.nl
Museum and Pancake Farmhouse Erve Kots in Lievelde
This open-air museum shows how the Saxon farmer used to live and work. Through “Los Hoes” and “De Schoppe” you can enter the old farmhouse with the (beer) brewery. www.ervekots.nl
Natuurdiorama Holterberg
The nature museum on the Sallandse Heuvelrug has the largest collection of European animals, around 1000 species. From the largest songbird in the Netherlands to the only monkey found in Europe. http://www.museumholterberg.nl
Paleis 't Loo Apeldoorn
In the heart of the Netherlands, on the outskirts of Apeldoorn, lies Paleis Het Loo. Since 1984, this former royal palace has been accessible to the public after extensive restoration. The furnished rooms show how the Oranges lived and worked for 300 years. The baroque gardens are symmetrically designed following the 17th-century model and are unique in the Netherlands. Over 300 years, the palace had various inhabitants and underwent numerous changes. https://www.paleishetloo.nl
