Valkenburg Kasteelruine and Fluweelengrot

There is this beautiful little town only about 20 minutes from us called Valkenburg that I love to go too.  Their city center is a great place to find a really good cafe, cute little souvenirs, people watch, and enjoy some awesome ijs (ice cream).  We have gone 2 times but never made it to the ruins that site above the town or the caves that sit below it.  I had a few days before school started for Bella so we decided to finally see them!  This site gives you a little more information on the ruins and the cave:  http://www.fluweelengrot.nl/kasteelruine_valkenburg.

We started with the Velvet Cave (http://www.fluweelengrot.nl/fluweelengrot), which in hind sight I would not have done by myself with both kids.  I didn't realize that I could have walked a little around the corner and just done the ruins like I had planned.  It was a nice tour, about 45 minutes, and the cave was really cool. The only problem (not really a problem) was the tour was in Dutch.  They were nice enough to give me a sheet in English of all the markings to follow along but I totally missed the conversation which at times seem funny.  All the drawings on the inside were done with charcoal and were AMAZING!

Bella at the start of the tour. She looks so grown up here!

This was so amazing to see in person.  The red was so awesome.

One of the Royal families of Valkenburg.

This one was part made after the Liberation from Germany.  It has US soldiers names. Many of the people in Valkenburg hid in the caves different times throughout WWII.

This is a drawing of the Castle back on the day when it wasn't in ruins.  So detailed and very beautiful.

After the cave tour, we ended up at the ruins.  It was a beautiful day to be outside and the kids really like walking around the ruins.

Almost a smile!

Sat himself in the corner!

Looking down onto the city center of Valkenburg

Bella copying Zerek's cheese face!

Weird smiles

Snack Break

Some of the remaining parts of the Castle

The town from the street view. Love it!

So glad we went! I wouldn't do the cave tour again, but its amazing to see just once! As for the ruin's and the town, I will be happy to return!!!