This is the million dollar question and the answer is very simple. In Elten we've found what we were looking for: quality of life, history, nature and warmth.
Elten is a German village located in NRW (North Rhine-Wetsphalia), about 4 km from the Dutch boarder. Between 1949 and 1963, Elten was part of the Netherlands, which explains why so many Dutch citizens live on this side of the boarder and why you can speak German or Dutch anywhere you go!
At the centre of the village we can contemplate a 1000 year old Church, the St. Vitus Church.
The King of France, Otto I, has visited Elten in 994 and, in 1812, Napoleon has stayed at the Het Oude Posthuis when he was returning from Russia after losing the war against the russians.
From my house, we can see the Gerritzens Mühle. This mill was built at the end of the 19th century and has been restored and renovated, so it is fully operational again. It can be visited on Sundays.
Trenches and fortifications built during the World War I can be seen throughout the forest. Nowadays, you can find lots of trails which make the delights of the Mountain Bikers, both German and Dutch. And now also, the Portuguese ones: my husband and my son!
But, if you go deeper into the forest and actually close your eyes and just listen, you will be overwhelmed by this place. It is both amazing and tragical. If you realise that thousands of soldiers were piled up in those trenches, hurt, injured, cold, wet, terrified, just trying to survive the bombs exploding all around them... well, for me it is a place that makes me appreciate the peace I enjoy today! Respect.
Elten is strategically positioned (also for companies) so we can enjoy the best of both "worlds": Germany and Holland.
Germany isn't just Berlin you know? ;-)
Elten is a German village located in NRW (North Rhine-Wetsphalia), about 4 km from the Dutch boarder. Between 1949 and 1963, Elten was part of the Netherlands, which explains why so many Dutch citizens live on this side of the boarder and why you can speak German or Dutch anywhere you go!
At the centre of the village we can contemplate a 1000 year old Church, the St. Vitus Church.
The King of France, Otto I, has visited Elten in 994 and, in 1812, Napoleon has stayed at the Het Oude Posthuis when he was returning from Russia after losing the war against the russians.
From my house, we can see the Gerritzens Mühle. This mill was built at the end of the 19th century and has been restored and renovated, so it is fully operational again. It can be visited on Sundays.
Trenches and fortifications built during the World War I can be seen throughout the forest. Nowadays, you can find lots of trails which make the delights of the Mountain Bikers, both German and Dutch. And now also, the Portuguese ones: my husband and my son!
But, if you go deeper into the forest and actually close your eyes and just listen, you will be overwhelmed by this place. It is both amazing and tragical. If you realise that thousands of soldiers were piled up in those trenches, hurt, injured, cold, wet, terrified, just trying to survive the bombs exploding all around them... well, for me it is a place that makes me appreciate the peace I enjoy today! Respect.
Elten is strategically positioned (also for companies) so we can enjoy the best of both "worlds": Germany and Holland.
Germany isn't just Berlin you know? ;-)
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