Tegelen As the area is well known for it's centuries-old expertise in ceramics and pottery I took a trip to the ceramics museum located in a restored tithe barn on the beautiful estate of Kasteel de Holtmühle (17th century). This estate has been preserved (or restored?) and hosts the tithe barn, castle gates, gardens, ponds, moats and farmlands and all around the Kasteel de Holtmühle are nice walks to explore.

Reuver I arrived in Reuver with no plans. I decided to grab a bike at the station. I peddled until I came across a ferry crossing point. I jumped on and discovered Kessel. The castle there ( Kasteel de Keverberg - the most 'modern castle' in The Netherlands) which was destroyed in the war has been renovated in a unique way with lots of glass and viewing platforms - which offers amazing views over the Mass River.

Swalmen Sitting between Germany and the Mass river I arrived to Swalmen station with my bike in toe and had a small cycle around the area and croseds back and forth over the Schwalm river . On the Markt square is a pub called De Mert which I'd say is lively in the evening although a little quiet when I was there.

Venlo Just over the street from Station Venlo is the Limburg Museum. I went on a Saturday morning and I must have had this whole large airy building all to myself which was equal parts nice and strange. For those not from this province this collection provides some historical insight to the region. I didn't see anything about WW11 here which I was expecting given the level of activity (bombings and the 'Venlo Incident') perhaps I missed a section. Walking around Venlo and seeing the beautiful town hall and the Gothic Romerhuis I can imagine that the city must have lost quite a lot during WW11 in terms of structures which suffered heavy bombings and of course the 'Venlo Incident' was the pretext for the Nazi occupation. The Venlo station too is typical post war 1950's style.

Blerick Just over the river from Venlo lies the station of Blerick . The bridge connecting Blerick to Venlo is dominated by large impressive sculptures-  the Guardians ( De Wachters ) they guard over the city and protect it from violence, war and aggression - a fitting tribute give this bridge was repeatedly bombed during WW11 Blerick sits pretty on the Mass river and the impressive Town Hall is hard to miss as you arrive in Blerick from over the water. Recommend a walk along the river and a quick stop in the cafe Sur Meuse if you need a stop along the way.

Echt Walked from the station into the centre of the city and spent the afternoon exploring the collection at the Museum van de Vrow although I didn't think I would spend so much time there I really enjoyed the way the collection was put together and what I expected would be one hour turned into the afternoon - followed by a coffee in the picturesque square - not a bad life! Missed out on checking out the nearby nature reserve and the self sufficient Lilbosch Trappist Abbey nearby.

Roermond Surrounded by the Mass, the Massplassen, and the Roer there is no shortage of water in these parts. The countries largest lake (Massplassen) draws watersports fans from all over the country - as does the huge designer fashion outlet. The centre's skyline is dominated by the towers of two Churches. St Christopher Cathedral (a Gothic church with a golden St Christopher on the spire outside and with some beautiful modern stained glass windows on the inside) and the 13th Century (renovated in 1800 by Cuypers) Munsterkerk. If shopping/jet skiing is not for you I recommend the Cuypers House to learn more about one of the Netherland's most famous architects. A coffee/food stop in the cafe in the History house to learn more about the region (and the collection is housed handsomely in the city library ). Also really enjoyed seeing the galleri het acchterhuis which sits pretty across the Roer rover over a Stone bridge and lined by a street with lots of cafes and terra