Where to stay
De Thuiskamer: A beautiful 17th-century home in the historic Grou village that sits across from a medieval church. Rooms from $110 (dethuiskamer.nl/welcome).
ATboot B&B Hotel: Located on a lakeside harbor with rooms and apartments overlooking the waterfront. Rooms from $92 (atboot.nl/bnb.htm).
Where to eat
Restaurant de Vrijheid: This waterfront restaurant with a French flair is a short ferry ride from Grou center. Lunch from $10, dinner entrees from $26 (restaurantdevrijheid.nl).
Trije Hus: Located on a canal island northeast of Grou. No boat, no worries — the restaurant taxi will pick you up. Sandwiches from $6, dinner entrees from $20. Open April through late October (trijehus.nl).
Restaurant 't Kofschip: A casual restaurant in Grou that is perfect for people-watching. Dinner from $16 (kofschipgrou.nl).
What to do
De 8 van Grou: The group offers varying routes that encompass up to 10 small ferries. A guide (in Dutch) sells for $3.50 at different points in town, including the tourist information office at Halbertsma's Plein 12. Information is online (also in Dutch) at grouaktief.nl.
Joop Zandberg: The bike shop rents regular bikes for $9 a day, and tandem and electric bikes for $22 a day (joopzandberg.nl).
Alde Feanen National Park: Walking and biking trails crisscross this 2,683-acre peat bog. The park is open year-round; the visitor center is open April through October. Park entrance is free. Visitor Center ages 13 and older $2; ages 5 through 12, $1; younger, free (np-aldefeanen.nl).
