The tour takes you from Herzogenrath station directly across the border to Kerkrade, past one of the Netherlands' most popular zoos and the world gardens in the "Mondo Verde" family park. On this tour, you will get to know the scenic and culinary diversity around Kerkrade and Herzogenrath. Scenic highlights include the idyllic forest, field and meadow landscapes along the Wurm Valley, the Craneweyer and the Kerkrade Botanical Gardens.

The largely natural course of the River Wurm has impressive flow dynamics that are unparalleled in the country. The force of the flowing water constantly changes the course of the river, creating new channels, gravel banks, crumbling steep banks, abandoned riverbeds and new alluvial forests. In the World Gardens you can visit the most beautiful places in the world in one day. On 250,000 square meters you can marvel at English and Japanese gardens, the Alhambra, the Trevi Fountain, the Russian taiga, the tropics and even a desert (more information at: www.themaparkmondoverde.nl). The Craneweyer, the only reservoir in the Netherlands, and the botanical gardens are also well worth a visit.

Animal lovers will get their money's worth at Gaiapark, one of the most popular zoos in the Netherlands, which has been voted the most beautiful zoo in the Benelux three times in a row thanks to its new and unique zoo concept. Visitors come face to face with the most beautiful animals in the world. Discover the mighty gorillas in the "Rainforest" and in the squirrel monkey forest, the monkeys even climb through the trees above the heads of visitors. Then travel into the cold taiga and encounter special musk oxen, lynxes, wolves and elegant reindeer (more information at: www.gaiazoo.nl).

The route is also culturally impressive. In addition to the world gardens in the Mondo Verde family park, there are historical buildings along the route, such as Rode Castle, a landmark of the town of Herzogenrath, Kasteel Erenstein, which dates back to the 13th century, and the impressive ensemble of buildings at Rolduc Abbey, the largest surviving monastery complex in the Netherlands. The latter is now used as a hotel and congress center.

Highlights along the route

• Rode Castle
• Wurm Valley
• Erenstein Castle
• Gaia Park
• Craneweyer
• Mondo Verde World Gardens
• Continium Discovery Center
• Compartment Rolduc