Exploring The Netherlands In One Charge.
DAY 1: THE BUTHER, THE BAKER, THE CANDLESTICK MAKER.
100% Charge, Bourtange Village.
Going from Rotterdam to Fort Bourtange feels like traveling through time. If it weren’t for the EV charging station just outside the fortified walls, you could almost be fooled!
Surrounded by moats and ramparts, the star-shaped fortress is a showcase of 16th-century ingenuity designed to fend off invaders during the tumultuous Eighty Years’ War. Driving past the lush greenery and charming canals on the village outskirts, it soon becomes clear this is but a taster of the cobbled streets and beautifully preserved buildings beyond the drawbridge.
Today, the structures that once housed soldiers and their families now host museums, shops, and cafés. There’s even a wonderfully old-fashioned candle maker—a must-see for those into anything crafty. And if you happen to pick up more souvenirs than initially planned, the all-electric MINI Countryman has the boot space to cater to even the most enthusiastic shopper. No compromise on souvenirs needed!
DAY 2: YOUNG AT HEART.
85% Charge, Groningen - Hoge Der A.
The Netherlands’ youngest city and no stranger to keeping up with trends, Groningen is constantly looking for ways to better city life and reduce its impact on the environment. Branded as a hub for forward-thinking entrepreneurs and the innovative projects they bring with them, Groningen’s fresh energy is perceptible from the oldest alleyway to the trendiest student spot.
Sitting at a comfy 85% charge, the drive feels even comfier in the indulgently spacious all-electric MINI Countryman, effortlessly making the switch from countryside terrain to the urban bustle of our second destination. Here, the city’s top attractions are calling to be explored: the peaceful Almshouse courtyards, the rose garden at Prinsentuin park, the Korenbeurs market, and the most photographed spot in Groningen—the picturesque, two-height quays of Hoge der A and Lage der A.
In complete contrast to the old-worldly canals, the Forum Groningen also proves worthy of a visit. Standing at 45 meters tall and opened to the public in 2019, this contemporary-looking cultural centre encases cinemas, museums, restaurants, the city library, the Smartlab, and a rooftop terrace with unrivaled views of the soaring Martinitoren (Martini Tower).
There’s a lift to get you all the way up there, but with lunch on the horizon you’ll have worked up an appetite, nonetheless. On the menu? Locals will always recommend a low-food-miles-affair at the famous Vismarkt, the go-to place for fresh, local fish since the 1400s. And Kibbeling, the Dutch equivalent of fish & chips (minus the chips), sounds pretty good!
83% Charge, Groningen - Marina Reitdiep.
Colorful Scandinavian-style buildings create a magnificent backdrop to the marina, which is on the Dutch Standing Mast Route, through Groningen city to Friesland and the Wadden Sea.
Just a quarter of an hour away from the city centre, the short drive north takes you past waterfront houses finished in striking hues of powder blue, and yellow, and pink. Golden hour here—at what is widely considered one of the most “instagrammable” spots in the Netherlands—is a unique photo opportunity. But there’s plenty more to do than fill your camera roll.
Water sports enthusiasts will be in their element, and you can even rent a sloop or an electric boat. Sail Groningen’s city centre or go further afield, where beautiful sailing routes take you through the Dutch countryside. Like the all-electric MINI lineup, electric boats are fun to drive and will put your mind at ease.
DAY 3: HARNESSING THE POWER OF THE WIND.
39% Charge, Schermer Windmills.
Tulips give way to yet another wonder of nature: something as initially unassuming as the wind itself. Here, in the Netherlands, harnessing the power of the wind is a deep-rooted tradition. One resulting in an affordable, cleaner source of electricity that helps reduce fossil fuel dependence.
The mills in question—the Schermer windmills—are so special in their form, function, and history, they have been declared national monuments. Made using reed and pine and carefully maintained up to present day, they were originally put there by rich merchants in the Golden Age of the Netherlands, and subsequently used between 1633 and 1635 to drain lakes to create new farmland—now called polders.
The Schermer Mill Complex is located in one of these such polders, where the Windmill Museum and De Otter care project make it a worthy stop on any itinerary. Running since 2008, the De Otter project sees people with cognitive disabilities work in the mill and sell their baked goods in the bakery next door, with the help of the local miller. It’s a great opportunity to stock up on delicious bakes and park up to enjoy the area’s great views. With sunlight streaming in through the glass sunroof and its easy-to-clean fabrics, nothing beats a picnic in the all-electric MINI Countryman.
32% Charge, Zaanse Schans.
Not too far from the Schermer windmills and attracting people from all over the Netherlands and beyond, Zaanse Schans is an open-access heritage site that feels like stepping back into the 18th century. Here, locals and visitors find themselves surrounded by a backdrop of wooden houses, charming handicraft shops, and windmills—lots of windmills.
Traditional crafts and industries remain alive and well here, as illustrated by the assortment of goods being produced the “old-fashioned” way. In fact, a lot of hard work goes on behind the blades. If you popped your head around the door of De Kat (The Cat), for instance, you’d see miller Piet Kempenaar and his team busy supplying high-quality paints and pigments to artists and restorers all over the world, a task conducted at this mill since 1664. Or oil extraction at the De Bonte Hen, a mill that has survived several lightning strikes since being established in 1693. That’s one lucky bird! Meanwhile, the Het Klaverblad, built by owner and miller Ru Pos, brings back a rare mill type: the see-saw mill. Its name and logo—a four-leaf clover—represent Pos’ four daughters, one of whom runs the carpentry shop on site.
Katarina and Paya the dog pictured across the water and in front of a traditional wooden home in Zaanse Schans.
Explore more benefits of MINI Electric
Like the colorful homes of the Netherlands, there are tons of colors and upholstery options to choose from when designing an all-electric Countryman.
