6x unplugging in the nature of Drenthe

Some background. So what makes nature in Drenthe so special? All the places in this blog are in UNESCO Global Geopark de Hondsrug. A huge park consisting of all kinds of smaller nature areas and stretching from Groningen to Drenthe.

Unique, because protected UNESCO status is only granted to areas of great geological and cultural-historical value. The finds and landscape of Geopark de Hondsrug tell stories about the history of the earth and of mankind. From the sand ridges and moraines from the last ice age to the mammoth fossils, dolmens and burial mounds. Want to know more about the geopark? You can read all about it here.

For a moment, I’m confused. Are we at The Blue Lake? In the light of the rising sun, the water of the large lake at the Gasselterveld turns a brighter shade of turquoise. I’m sitting about 20 kilometres away from it. The Gasselterveld may be less well-known than Het Blauwe Meer, but the natural surroundings are certainly just as marvellous (and slightly greener in colour). Light-coloured sand and tall pine trees surround the lake. It’s the sort of place where you just want to plonk yourself down, drink coffee from your thermos flask and gaze out at the scenery. Or – if you love photography as much as I do – go completely wild. The pastel-pink sky and the sun rising a little higher above the trees with every passing minute make for the perfect photo. Would you like to find out more about the Gasselterveld? Then do have a look at the Staatsbosbeheer website.

Gasselterveld car park:Houtvester Jansenweg 3, 9462 TB Gasselte (open from 6.00 to 20.00; free between October and April, otherwise €2.00)

We set off in Eko Tours Drenthe’s eco-carts in the area around the Exloo Forest. During this 100% electric excursion, we cruised silently along winding sandy tracks right through the forest. Fun for us, kind to nature. Our guide was full of stories and knows the area like the back of her hand. Every now and then – and often on request – we stopped to take photos. Because this landscape of dense forests, dolmens and sunflower fields is truly inspiring.

Tip: do you want to take the best photos during your excursion too? Then choose one around the ‘golden hour’ in the morning or evening.

A 20-hectare piece of private wilderness with dozens of special nature cottages in the countryside of Drenthe; that is Mariahoeve Estate. Officially a nature campsite (because you can also camp there), but above all a place to get grounded. Here you put the percolator on the wood stove, stoke the campfire outside and eat marshmallows under the stars. A hidden gem to unplug and connect with yourself and each other. The estate organises all kinds of things to help you do this. Think meditation sessions, water workshops and parent-child weekends. We slept in the stargazers, yurts, domes and tipi tents.

Did you know that Honeyguide Anne-Floor has stayed at Landgoed Mariahoeve before? She then slept in 'Walden', a nature cabin by the lake. Read her experiences and more about the estate in her blog.

In few places is nature so diverse as at Noordsche Veld in the Kop van Drenthe. Turn off your phone and follow old-fashioned route signs through woods and heathland. We started at Natuurplaats Noordsche Veld with a (h)honest lunch. Led by Merel Djamila of @mereljournals , we followed a journalling workshop. Merel herself paints small works of art in her journal to immortalise her travels. We are instructed to go into nature - by ourselves and in silence. We observe, sketch and then get to work with paint. Just like Van Gogh, because he too loved to paint outdoors. Conclusion: what a unique way to capture your experience! It doesn't get more slow travel than this. Will you bring a journal and some paints next time?

Every day, the herd of Drenthe Heath Sheep migrates through the picturesque Balloërveld. Driven by shepherd Marianne and her dog Toeter. The flock is huge, but dog Toeter keeps all the sheep neatly together. We get to walk along with Marianne who tells us what the work of a shepherd entails. The joys: being outdoors and offline every day. The burdens: through all kinds of weather. Are you curious to know what a day looks like for Marianne? Go with her to places you don't get to as normal hikers. You can find out more about these trips here.

Tip: also take a look at the Schaapskooi and pick out a unique souvenir at the wool atelier.

Out and about with the flock of Drenthe Heath Sheep on the Balloërveld ©Amanda de Nijs | @amandadenijs.photography

Not part of the Instameet, but certainly a wonderful unplugging experience is Cabiner. By now a phenomenon among nature lovers and outdoorsmen. For those unfamiliar: the concept of Cabiner is off-the-grid. You go packed and packed on a trek towards your forest cottage, which is - you guessed it - really off the beaten track and in the middle of nature. No wifi and no water (from the tap). But you do: whistling birds, watching deer run by from your bed and complete unspooling. Honeyguide Anne-Floor experienced it. She wrote about her experience in this blog.