On a sultry spring day, I immerse myself in cosy Hanseatic city Zutphen, located between Arnhem and Apeldoorn, for a mini NL city trip. Long before 'organic' and 'artisanal' became trendy and the norm, Zutphen, with its close-knit anthroposophical community, already had organic shops.
You can still find plenty of quirky shops and initiatives with a higher purpose. That's why Zutphen strikes me as a city of our time. And that in an entourage that breathes history and within walking and cycling distance of beautiful nature. It makes me happy.
To see and to do - In Zutphen
Stroll along the Martinetsingel
From this canal, you look down on the old city wall with the Walburgiskerktoren and the Drogenapstoren in the background. In the foreground is the Bleek, a city garden with old fruit varieties, a herb garden of lunch café ByChiel and a vegetable garden.
Go back in time at the Pelican
On Tuesdays, coffee roaster Ruud or owner Johan roast the coffee beans in their own coffee roasting house, De Pelikaan. The smell released in the process meets you from a distance. The interior of the Wassink family business has remained unchanged for more than 200 years.
Coffee and tea connoisseurs from all over the world place orders with this purveyor to the royal household. The most popular tea? Smoked scented tea number 5: Earl Grey with lapsang souchong. The most popular coffee? Espresso Arabica Medium.
Shop simplicity and beauty - still life and Horta
On Lange Hofstraat, living and lifestyle shop Stilleven and flower shop Horta are located next to and opposite each other. Horta's pavement is a feast for the eyes thanks to its decoration with pots and plants. Stilleven ('calm and sustainable living') lives up to its name and sells products that, without exception, exude calm and simplicity.
Imagine yourself in France and stroll through the picturesque hollyhock alleys
You wonder why they are not yet Instagram hotspots: Heukestraat, Barlheze and Kolenstraat. Hollyhocks and other floral cheerfulness grow against the facades here. With much love, some residents transformed their neighbourhood into a colourful haven in the middle of the city centre.
Relax in the Tichelbeeksewaard
Cross the Oude IJsselbrug and you will have a beautiful view of the IJsselkade with the white facades of stately buildings and walk a short 1.3 km round trip through nature.
Eating and drinking in Zutphen - Tips for delightful
Feast on vegetarian tagines at Moroccan restaurant Sultani
Being a host is right up Fady's street. And when you know that locals meet here at Sultani for a drink and a bite to eat, you know that you will feel right at home.
Let wine roll over your tongue at organic wine house Neleman
Good wine to save the world', 'Fucking good wine' and 'Make wine, not war'. All slogans from the mouth of Derrick Neleman, owner of organic wine house Neleman, who is averse to wine snobbery.
The passionate entrepreneur grows an award-winning organic wine on his own vineyard near Valencia. Every aspect of business operations Derrick substantiates whether it is good for people and the world. For example, with the 'cork return' campaign and planting 1 tree for every 173 bottles sold.
Spending the night in Zutphen - Sweet dreams
Sleep and relax in the 'hut in zut
In the city centre, with the Berkel river on your doorstep, you stay overnight at Hut 16 in an old carpentry workshop transformed into an attractive B&B. And how nice: for pure relaxation, you can hire the private wellness. After a day in the city, you can relax in the jacuzzi or Finnish sauna.
Love,
Simone
PS. Simone is a storyteller who is always looking for oases of peace and beauty in nature or cities, which she calls 'calmspots'. Follow Simone on Instagram @simone_wit.