On a city break abroad: what to do in Münster

So because Münster has played such an important role in Dutch history, we will start our city trip where the history of our little country was written: the Peace Hall. The festive hall in the city hall is where the Peace Treaty between Spain and the Netherlands was signed in 1648.

Münster's old town gives you the feeling of walking back in time through its small alleys and streets. Ever since the Middle Ages, Münster has been an important trading city and the wealth of the past can still be seen in the beautifully decorated facades. Take your time when strolling through the old town because there is a gem behind every corner.

A gem like fair fashion shop Grüne Wiese. Here you will find fair and sustainably produced clothing from brands from A like A-dam to Z ... or at least W like Wunderwerk.

I was an instant fan when I walked into the shop. But now that I have investigated further,I really understand how high sustainability is in their priorities. They really have thought of everything: Did you know that you can't put ordinary receipts in paper waste? They therefore use blue eco-vouchers that can be recycled.

Just in the old centre you will find this special place: Hella good. Owner Hella was on holiday in Canada when she got the idea to open a second-hand shop. There, she browsed around many small second-hand boutiques without that typical "second-hand, just not quite fresh" atmosphere. Why don't we have such cute little shops? she wondered.

Back in Münster, it took only three months until she opened her own preloved shop. And doesn't preloved sound much more loving than second-hand? Isn't your new jacket just a bit more special because it has already been used and appreciated by someone?

The coconut bagel with coconut-almond cream and berries? The jalapeño popper sandwich? Or mango caprese with vegan mozzarella? It's hard to choose at the Beetschwester. Because everything sounds soooo delicious and everything is vegetarian or even vegan.

This small but über-hip restaurant is also a hidden tip in my opinion. At least it was a coincidence that we came across this place, and I did some really good research beforehand on what there is to do (and especially eat) in Münster. So keep it to yourself for now.

I admit: I am a crazy plant lady. I love plants, in all shapes and sizes.At home, I have about 35 of them, but secretly I dream of living in a greenhouse one day. Until then, I will have to make do with regular visits to plant shops and botanical gardens.

Münster has Germany's second-largest university - and of course that includes a botanical garden. This is part of the park of Münster Castle, the university's main building. the garden and greenhouses are divided into themes. These include a greenhouse with succulents, with carnivorous plants and with epiphytes (which are plants without roots that grow on other plants), the Alpinum with plants that grow in mountain ranges, the Arboretum and a Mediterranean garden.

Are you a plant lover too? Honeyguide Anne takes you on a tour of 5 tropical gardens in the Netherlands.

From the botanical gardens and the castle, you can walk straight to Münster's city lake, the Aasee. Find a spot under one of the large trees and relax with a view of the water. And if you get hungry, there is a nice place nearby where you can get a Mediterranean snack: elbēn.

Elbēn means ‘two hearts’ in Syriac-Arabic. This is where different cultures come together. Started as a project to offer Syrian refugees a new outlook in Germany, people from all corners of the world now work together here. And they prepare delicious manakish, richly filled flatbread from the Levant.

Worldwide, about a third of all food ends up in the waste bin. And often this happens all before we even have the food in the house. So before we as consumers have any influence on it. It could be because the apple has been dented and no longer looks attractive. Or because too much has been produced. Or because something is "past its date" but actually still edible.

At the fairTEILBAR shop, this sort of food gets a second chance. What I find particularly special is their payment system: #paywhatyoufeel. You decide for yourself what it’s worth to you (and what you can afford). Now, I realise that you don’t necessarily do your weekly shop whilst on a city break, but the fairTEILBAR just outside Münster’s old town is still well worth a visit: they turn overripe fruit and veg into delicious products that also keep for longer, such as passata and chutneys. And I think that makes for a lovely little gift to bring back for your loved ones at home.

PS: In the immediate vicinity of the fairTEILBAR you will find other sustainable gems and elbēn is only a kilometre walk away.

By now it is evening and we have ended up in a part of Münster that is the opposite of the old city centre: the harbour. Where grain used to be stored and building materials transported, Münster's culinary and cultural life is now buzzing.

On the quay, you will find trendy restaurants and bars, the art hall for modern art and local manufactures. For example, the glass cheese factory Hafenkäserei. Here you can watch live how the tastiest organic cheeses are made. From the terrace you have a view of the quay while enjoying a nice cheese and beer.