Experience the best of Arnhem

Arnhem lies on the Lower Rhine at the edge of the Veluwe, a large area of woods and heath, and its fashion shops and creative studios give it a youthful feel. The Eusebius Church, rebuilt after the damage of 1944, rises over the centre with a lift to the top of its tower, and the Sabelspoort is a surviving medieval gate. In September 1944 the city was the objective of the airborne Operation Market Garden, and the bridge fought over, now named for Colonel John Frost, still crosses the river.

At Oosterbeek, the Airborne Museum in the Hartenstein villa tells the story of the battle. The Netherlands Open Air Museum shows historic farms and workshops from across the country, and Burgers' Zoo has a rainforest hall and a large savannah. North of the city the Hoge Veluwe National Park holds the Kröller-Müller Museum, with a major Van Gogh collection and a sculpture garden.

Arnhemse meisjes, sweet puff-pastry biscuits, and Gelderland smoked sausage are local specialities, with stamppot, mashed potato with kale or sauerkraut, in the cold months. The heather on the Veluwe blooms purple in late summer.