art and nature Archives - CLEVERcreating

A Magnificent Museum and the Enchanted City of Cuenca, Spain

April 12, 2024April 12, 2024 by Hannie Mommers

In between Madrid in the centre of Spain and Valencia on the East coast lies Cuenca, an eagle’s nest between 2 rivers.

There are just a few tourist highlights in Cuenca to be seen, for instance, the Cathedral and the so-called Hanging Houses, but the old city as a whole is fantastic. It is stuck on a mountaintop, sandwiched between 2 gorges carved out by the rivers Huécar and Júcar.

That and our favourite Spanish museum, Museo de Arte Abstracto Español, make a visit more than valuable for us. All the more now we have heard of yet another touristic highlight: The Enchanted City.

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National Park Hoge Veluwe, the Netherlands, Definitely Worth a Visit

February 22, 2024February 22, 2024 by Hannie Mommers

Years ago my husband and I were finally able to take a day off (we had the worst bosses ever – we were both solo entrepreneurs) and decided we wanted to have a combination of culture, nature, exercise and fun. Preferably all in one place.

We could have gone to Insel Hombroich just across the border of Germany, but another great place where you can have it all is National Park Hoge Veluwe. It’s located in the east of the Netherlands and even on that winter’s day it was beautiful.

Cars are allowed in the park but are strongly discouraged by an additional charge on the entrance fee. If you have no difficulty moving, it is better to park the car at one of the entrances and continue on foot or by bicycle. This way you save nature and you see more details of the park.

Plan A Visit To Discover Art In Belgium, 2024 Looks Promising

February 9, 2024February 8, 2024 by Hannie Mommers

When Tom and I still lived in the Netherlands we often visited Belgium. When we were young we were attracted by the cafes and the amazing variety of Belgian beers as much as by the rich history.

Later we mainly visited museums like the Art Museums of Brussels and Antwerp or the Designmuseum in Gent (unfortunately closed until 2026).

As we live in Spain now, we can’t go that often and have to plan a visit to see art in Belgium, yet 2024 will be a time to go. The main reason is the Triennale Beaufort but our visit will also include the Verbeke Foundation and probably Bruges.

Is the Remote Situated Kröller-Müller Museum Worth Visiting?

October 2, 2023October 2, 2023 by Hannie Mommers

Most tourists visit Amsterdam or the Randstad region when they go to the Netherlands. There is nothing wrong with that because both the city and the area have a lot to show.

Personally, I don’t like crowds much myself, so when I still lived in the Netherlands I usually went to other parts of the country.

I have always found the Hoge Veluwe National Park and the Kröller-Müller Museum worth visiting. In every season, although we were longer inside the museum in the winter and spent more time outdoors in the summer.

Zollverein Essen and More Industrial Heritage in the Crammed Ruhr Area

May 19, 2023May 19, 2023 by Hannie Mommers

Despite the industrialization of the area my favourite place to go was the Ruhr area in Germany. When I still lived in the Netherlands, it was a car journey of 1,5 hours from our house.

The area became the “European Capital of Culture” in 2010. This meant a facelift for a region that had been a dirty, neglected orphan since the mines and steel industry slowly came to a halt.

There are a lot of interesting places nowadays, but my favourites are Insel Hombroich and Zollverein Essen.

Insel Hombroich, a Stunning Place of Art, Architecture and Nature

February 27, 2024May 15, 2023 by Hannie Mommers

When I still lived in the Netherlands, Insel Hombroich was a car journey of 1,5 hours from our house. I have visited the location often with friends and family and it was a favourite day out for my staff and me.

An average museum visit lasts between one and two hours. Visiting Insel Hombroich can easily take up a whole day. One of the reasons why it is perfect for a short getaway.

The area is a breathtaking landscape full of little buildings, beautiful vegetation, and most of all a lot of art in all disciplines and genres.