16
LIFESTYLE
19 PROPERTY
53 WEEKEND
Travel
57 MOTORING
62 SPORT
Groningen
– just an
hour away and full of surprises, says Mike Pickup
Martini Tower*
T
HE first thing you notice are
the bikes! The lack of hills
in Holland makes it ideal for
cycling and since Groningen
is a major university city, this form
of transport accounts for some 60%
of all journeys. However, there are
no lycra louts here, pedestrians,
cars and bikes live happily alongside
each other and despite the crowded
city centre, they all seem to avoid
each other with well-honed skills.
Being a university city, Groningen
has a lively atmosphere with an
abundance of affordable eateries
and bars offering a wide choice and
ideal for visitors of all ages; closing
time is not an issue.
Having settled in to the Hotel
de Ville in the centre of town, we
walked through tempting shopping
areas to the Restaurant de Pijp
where we enjoyed a top class dinner.
Then on to the Infoversum, a domeshaped cinema where you lie back
in comfortable seats and look up to
enjoy amazing movies displayed on
the dome which is all around you,
giving the impression that you are
actually in the movie. At ten euros
per person, it makes for a unique
cinematographic experience.
Our first evening ended
with drinks in one of Europe’s
largest pubs, holding up to 4,000
customers. The place was busy but
the service efficient and friendly.
Everyone in Groningen, it appears,
speaks excellent English and is
happy to chat.
Next morning, after a typical
breakfast of rolls, cold meats,
cheeses and pastries, we set out to
see what else the city has to offer.
Groningen is surrounded by
canals and easily managed on foot,
We were impressed with the peaceful atmosphere of
London Southend Airport compared to the more familiar
crowds and stress of Heathrow and Gatwick, a relaxing start
for our one hour flight to Holland. Groningen’s equally small,
quiet airport is just a short drive from the city centre.
Getting there
Bicycles
Boats on the canal
Museum staircase*
Infoversum dome cinema*
except perhaps for the 97m high
Martini Tower. Originating from 1230
and later re-built after a lightning
strike, its carillon contains 62 bells.
An exhausting climb up the 260
steep winding stairs is rewarded
with stunning views. For those with
less stamina there is an excellent
viewing area just under half way up.
Nearby is St Geertruidsgashuis
(St Gertude’s guest house). Built
in 1405 to house visiting pilgrims,
it is based around two peaceful
courtyards, both of which are open
to the public. It is now owned by a
housing association and home to
local residents.
In total contrast is the Groningen
museum. No old stuffy edifice, it
was built in 1994 and designed by
the Italian architect Mendini. Whilst
Railway station with papier
mache ceiling*
some exhibits are permanent,
the museum houses a number of
temporary exhibits, ensuring that
there is always something new
to see. The hugely popular David
Bowie exhibition completes its
worldwide tour in Groningen at
the end of the year. The exhibition
coincides with the Eurosonic
Noordeslang, an annual four-day
conference and festival showcasing
European pop music.
Close by the museum is the
railway station. An imposing
structure completed in 1896 and
restored in 1999, it boasts an
amazing papier mache ceiling.
Other fascinating buildings include
the Gold Office, dating back to
1635 and now a restaurant, and
the modern Wall House, a wall
with the rooms on the outside. A
rather unusual modern work of art
is a street urinal designed by Rem
Koolhaas and Erwin Olaf and made
of milky coloured glass with blue
figures; it is put into storage in the
cold winter months.
We enjoyed a trip around the city
by canal boat, some of the bridges
so low that we had to duck down
into the boat to avoid banging our
Wall House*
Groningen Museum
Urinal*
heads on the ironwork above, but
it’s a great way to see the enormous
diversity the city offers, from old
gothic buildings to modern Italian
architecture.
Stobart Air, in conjunction with
Flybe, operates a daily service
between London Southend and
Groningen with prices from as
little as £34.99 per person (one
way). For more information go
to www.flybe.com
There‘s lots to see Groningen,
a huge variety of restaurants and
bars, the locals are most definitely a
friendly bunch and it’s just an hour’s
flight away.
WIN TWO FREE TICKETS
TO GRONINGEN
Courtesy of Flybe and Stobart Air
In conjunction with Flybe and Stobart
Air, we are offering one lucky reader
the chance to win two return tickets
from London Southend Airport to
delightful city of Groningen.
To enter the competition, simply
answer the following question:
How many steps must you climb to
reach the top of the Martini Tower?
Email your answer to - competitions@
madeinessex.net The winner will be
the first correct answer selected at
random.
St Geertruidsgashuis
Entrants must be over 18 and only
one entry per household is permitted.
Flights must be completed before 31
December 2015
Terms and conditions
1. Entrants must be over 18
2. Only one entry per household
3. Flight vouchers can only be redeemed on the English language www.flybe.com.
4. You will be required to enter the voucher reference number provided at the time of booking.
5. Seats can only be booked in Q Class or lower.
6. Seats must be redeemed together and seat availability is at Stobart Air’s discretion.
7. While every effort will be made to facilitate your preferred travel dates bookings are subject to
applicable seat availability on flights. Furthermore please be aware that weekend availability is
limited and a minimum of 14 days advance booking request is required.
8. The voucher cannot be used to redeem flights on bank holiday weekends, school holidays or
dates for major sporting events.
9. The voucher covers the cost of one piece of checked baggage per person per flight (up to 20kgs)
and one piece of cabin baggage (up to 7kg, subject to cabin baggage terms & conditions). Please
note this excludes all sporting equipment.
10. Routes and validity dates are not changeable.
11. Please retain the voucher as confirmation of winning.
12. The voucher does not entitle you to a cash value in lieu and is non-transferable. The prize must
be used by the winner and a companion travelling together.
13. Please check with your local authorities regarding passport and visa requirements
14. A prizewinner, if under 18, must be accompanied by an adult on the flight.
15. The winner may be required to take part in any publicity accompanying or resulting from this
competition.
16. EU 261 compensation cannot be claimed in the event of disruption as this flight has been given
as a reward.
Images copyright Mike Pickup and *Marketing Groningen