Dordrecht

Taste the atmosphere of Dordrecht by taking a walk along the cosy harbours and the more than 1000 monuments in the historic inner city. Visit the Dordrechts Museum with magnificent paintings of Dutch masters, such as Aelbert Cuyp and Rembrandt's pupils. From June 24^th the museum shows etches by Rembrandt and paintings of Ferdinand Bol, Nicolaes Maes, Samuel van Hoogstraten en Arent de Gelder on the special exhibition 'Rembrandt and his pupils in Dordrecht'. Or walk through the period rooms of the museum Simon van Gijn-museum aan huis, a stylish mansion with a surprising collection of arts, crafts and toys. Craftsmen, galleries and shops with curios, antiques, art, antiquarian books and design work together in the art walk Kunstrondje Dordt, a free booklet with addresses and walking route which is available from the VVV and those participating in the 'Art Walk'.

Leiden

Leiden is the first university city of Holland and as such, has attracted many collections which were turned into museums through the centuries. Hence, Leiden has 12 museums which priceless and unique collections often enjoy international fame, ranging from the Egyptian, Greek and Roman collection of the Museum of Antiquities to the treasures from other cultures in the National Museum for Cultural Anthropology, from the charming Mill Museum De Valk to the gigantic skeletons in Naturalis. The municipal museum De Lakenhal deserves special mention in 2006, since it offers three different exhibitions of works of Rembrandt. Leiden hosts many events concerning the celebration of the painter's 400th birth year.

Gouda

In The Catharina Guesthouse Museum valuable treasures are to be admired. The ceramics enthusiast can browse through the large Golden Pottery collection in the Moriaan Museum to their heart's content. The historical building is also worth the visit. The Art & Antiques Tour is a very surprising selection of artistic undertakings! The walking tour wends its way past 27 unique businesses in the city centre: galleries, antique and curiosity shops, artists' studios, museums and other creative ventures. The Art & Antiques tour can be joined for free at the tourist office by the market.

At 123 metres the St.Jan's church is the longest church in the Netherlands. The church is world famous for its splendid and unique lead stain-glass windows, having more than 70 of them! An audio tour, suitable for adults and children alike, discloses all the church's secrets.

Kunstrondje Dordt