Apeldoorn in Gelderland

76km (47 miles) E of Amsterdam; 40km (25 miles) E of Amersfoort; 26km (16 miles) N of Arnhem

"Royal Apeldoorn" is a title often bestowed on a city (pop. 136,000) that has hosted the likes of Willem III in 1685, Louis Napoleon in 1809, Queen Wilhelmina from 1948 until her death in 1962, and Princess Margriet from 1962 to 1975. It's a city of many parks and gardens, and a good place in which to base yourself for a visit to Hoge Veluwe National Park .

Getting There -- There are up to four trains every hour from Amsterdam Centraal Station and from Amersfoort and Arnhem. Buses depart every half-hour on average from the bus stations in Amersfoort and Arnhem. By car, take A1/E30 east from Amersfoort, or A50 north from Arnhem.

Visitor Information -- VVV Apeldoorn is at Deventerstraat 18, 7311 LS Apeldoorn (tel. 055/526-0200; fax 055/526-0209; www.vvvapeldoorn.nl), a block north of Marktplein in the heart of town. The office is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 5:30pm and Saturday from 9am to 5pm.