Groningen

The university city of Groningen was voted the best city centre in the Netherlands in 2005-2007.

The grey tower of St Martin's Church from the 15th century can be seen from a distance. Do yourself a favour and climb the tower for a great view of Groningen and the surrounding area.

Lunch can be enjoyed in the Goudkantoor ("Gold Office") from 1635. The building got its name from a gold and silver control office that was located here in the 1800s and today there is a restaurant in the building.

In the so-called A quarters are buildings from the 12th century - which at that time served as warehouses for the Hanseatic League. Today, most of these 200 houses are inhabited properties.

The fact that more than a quarter of the city's population of 180,000 is made up of students definitely makes its mark on this gem in the north of the Netherlands. A sizzling student life usually contributes to an equally sizzling nightlife. Groningen's clubs decide when to close - so seeing people go straight from the disco to work is not a rare sight!

If you're into innovative forms and inspiring art, Groningen is the place to be, as many of the leading names in modern architecture are represented here. The Groninger Museum is well worth a visit. Not only because of the interesting exhibitions, but also because of the building itself: a delightful mix of colours and shapes.