Gasselternijveen(Netherlands) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

For nature enthusiasts, stay in the Hasseltinewi Nature Reserve area, where De Grote Heide Hotel offers immersive access to the Grote Heide Wilderness. This eco-luxury hotel blends sustainable architecture with panoramic views of heathlands and wetlands. Guests enjoy guided birdwatching tours, cycling trails through ancient forests, and seasonal wildflower walks. The hotel also partners with local farmers for authentic Frisian dairy experiences, including cheese-making workshops and farm-to-table dining featuring regional produce like Drents lamb and heather honey.

The central Hasseltinewi district is ideal for families, offering easy access to child-friendly nature trails and the Nature Education Center. Stay at Het Woudhuis B&B, a family-run timber cabin with spacious family suites, outdoor play zones, and safety fencing. Hosts organize forest scavenger hunts and plant specimen crafting workshops, turning exploration into interactive learning. Just a 5-minute walk from Drenthe Lake Park, where parents can enjoy paddle boating or feeding wild ducks, creating perfect moments for bonding.

Immerse yourself in authentic Dutch rural life by joining traditional farming days at De Zonneweide Farm, where you can participate in hay baling, milking cows, and crafting artisanal cheese using fresh local milk. Don’t miss the annual Drenthe Windmill Festival, showcasing 19th-century wooden windmills in operation, accompanied by Frisian folk music and craft markets. Rent a bike and cycle along historic canals, passing stone bridges and pastoral landscapes, capturing the timeless rhythm of the Dutch countryside.

For a romantic getaway, book a stay at De Sterre van de Heide, a secluded glass treehouse nestled deep within the Grote Heide wilderness. With panoramic 360° views, each suite features an private hot tub and bespoke aromatherapy systems. Couples can enjoy a starlit dinner on a private terrace, featuring locally crafted dishes like wild mushroom risotto and rye bread with honey butter. Morning sessions include private forest meditation, set amidst birdsong and mist—perfect for rekindling connection in nature’s embrace.

Autumn in Hasseltinewi is magical. Join the Drenthe Maple Festival, hiking through golden and crimson forests along scenic trails with photo spots and warm mulled wine stalls. The annual Hasseltinewi Harvest Festival in October showcases traditional grain threshing techniques; visitors can operate vintage stone mills to grind wheat into flour for homemade whole-grain bread. Evening highlights include bonfire storytelling sessions about local legends of the Drenthe Guardian, paired with locally brewed dark beer, creating a deeply atmospheric seasonal experience.

For authentic local flavors, visit De Boerderij Restaurant, a farm-to-table eatery nestled in a working farm. Signature dishes include slow-cooked venison with wild berry sauce, stone-oven roasted potatoes with smoked bacon, and homemade sauerkraut stew with pork shoulder. All ingredients are sourced directly from nearby farms, embodying the "from farm to fork" philosophy. The open kitchen lets guests watch chefs prepare meals over ancient wood-fired stoves. Afterward, join a family-style distillery workshop to craft your own Dutch fruit liqueur (Oompie).