To the Grote Markt

Beautiful north

Groningen has a canal that wraps around the entire old town, with locks and bridges. Find a canal, stand at the water's edge and take a group photo where everyone points south (as if the rest of Holland is very far away).

D'Olle Grieze in frame

The Martini Tower is nearly 100 metres tall and looks centuries old. Take a group photo with the entire tower in frame. Hold your phone in landscape and step back far enough.

Eierbal challenge

A real Groningen treat: the eierbal, a hard-boiled egg coated in ragout and deep fried. Buy one at a snack bar or cafetaria, share it and take a group photo with everyone holding a piece or mid-bite.

Flower coronation

Haarlem is THE flower city. Crown the guest of honour with a sash, tiara or bunch of flowers you find or buy along the way, and take a photo of the official coronation. The more flowers, the better.

Flower photo

Haarlem sits in the heart of the bulb region and flowers are everywhere. Buy a bunch of flowers or find a flower stall at the market and take a cheerful group photo where everyone holds a flower or wears one in their hair.

Grote Markt cheers

The Grote Markt is famous for its lively terraces, also packed with Groningen students. Find a cosy terrace, order something festive and take a photo of the official toast. To the guest of honour!

Haarlem local wanted

Locals say Haarlemmers speak the most beautiful Dutch in the country. Convince a random Haarlemmer to share one fun fact about the city, and take a photo with your impromptu city guide.

Hidden courtyard

Haarlem has dozens of hidden almshouse courtyards (hofjes) with green inner gardens. Find one (an open gate, a sign saying "hofje") and take a quiet group photo inside. Mind your volume, people still live there.

High above the city

Find a high vantage point in Groningen, think the rooftop terrace of the Forum, an elevated bridge or a stepped gable to lean against. Take a group photo with the city or a canal visible far below you.

Hout picnic for the guest of honour

In the Haarlemmerhout the guest of honour can take a break. Build a living throne with the team (a bench or linked hands) and place them in the middle. Take the most regal photo of the day under the trees.

Kick-off in the flower city

The party starts! Find a true Haarlem spot (a canal, a courtyard, a bridge over the Spaarne) and take a group photo where everyone jumps in the air at the same time with the guest of honour in the middle. Everyone off the ground, otherwise it does not count.

Kick-off with the Stadjers

The party starts! Find a true Groningen spot (a square, a bridge over a canal, a street in the old town) and take a group photo where everyone jumps in the air at the same time with the guest of honour in the middle. Everyone off the ground, otherwise it does not count.

Korenbeurs pose

The Korenbeurs on the Vismarkt has one of the most beautiful facades in town. Take a group photo with the imposing columns behind you and the whole team in frame.

On the Haarlem bike

Haarlem is a true cycling town, with narrow streets full of bicycles. Take a group photo where everyone holds, sits on or stands next to a bike. The more bikes, the better.

Painter's light

The Grote Markt has appeared in paintings of the Dutch Masters for centuries. Take a group photo on the square with the Bavo Church or city hall clearly in frame, and pretend you are posing for Frans Hals himself.

Park picnic

In the Noorderplantsoen you just flop down in the grass, the way Groningen students do. Take a group photo on the grass or by a pond with everyone relaxed, lying or sitting. Nobody is allowed to stand up.

Re-enact the wildest story

What is the most legendary party moment the guest of honour ever lived through? Quickly tell the story to each other, then re-enact it with the whole team as one tableau vivant. Capture it in a photo or short video. The more theatrical, the better.

Recreate their wildest moment

Everyone knows that one legendary night out. Imitate the guest of honour at their most wasted moment ever. One person plays them, the rest directs, capture it in a photo or short video. Best impression wins.

Spaarne selfie

The Spaarne is the lifeline of Haarlem and has been painted for centuries. Find a beautiful spot at the water (a bridge, a quay) and take a group photo with the Spaarne and ideally a windmill or warehouse behind you.

Spaarne terrace cheers

Along the Spaarne or on the Grote Markt you sit on one of the prettiest terraces in the country. Order something festive, clink with the whole team and take a photo of the official toast. To the guest of honour!

Spotlight in the Groningen sun

The final challenge! Find a beautiful Groningen spot (the Grote Markt, the Vismarkt, or in front of d'Olle Grieze) and take a great closing group photo with the guest of honour at the centre and a true Groningen backdrop. A photo for the ages, well done everyone!

Spotlight in the Haarlem sun

The final challenge! Find a beautiful Haarlem spot (the Bavo Church, the Spaarne, a canal) and take a great closing group photo with the guest of honour at the centre and a true Haarlem backdrop. A photo for the ages, well done everyone!

Stadjer wanted

Convince a random Stadjer (Groningen local) to teach you a fun fact or a word in Stadsgronings. Take a photo with your impromptu city guide and practise the word together right away.

Stadjers coronation

Today the guest of honour is king or queen of the north. Crown them with a sash, tiara or other festive accessory and take a photo of the official coronation, ideally in front of a Groningen backdrop like the Martini Tower or a canal.

Student city on bikes

In Groningen there are more bikes than people and almost everyone cycles. Take a group photo where everyone holds, sits on or stands next to a bike. The more bikes, the better.

To St. Bavo's Church

The Grote of Sint-Bavokerk is the icon of Haarlem. Navigate to the church and check in once you stand in its huge shadow.

To Teylers Museum

The oldest museum in the Netherlands sits along the Spaarne. Navigate to Teylers Museum and check in once you face its facade.

To the Haarlemmerhout

The oldest park in the Netherlands sits on the south side of town. Navigate to the Haarlemmerhout and check in among the old trees.

To the Martini Tower

"D'Olle Grieze", the symbol of Groningen, is waiting. Navigate to the Martini Tower on the Grote Markt and check in once it looms above you.

To the Noorderplantsoen

The most beautiful park in town, beloved by students and festivals. Navigate to the Noorderplantsoen and check in among the old trees.

To the Vismarkt

The Vismarkt sits next to the Grote Markt and is famous for the Korenbeurs and the statue of the three former prime ministers. Navigate there and check in.

Trivia: City rights of Haarlem

Haarlem received its city rights early in the 13th century from Count William II. In what year was that?

Trivia: D'Olle Grieze

Locals have an affectionate nickname for the Martini Tower in the Stadsgronings dialect. What do the Stadjers call the tower?

Trivia: First mention

Groningen was first mentioned as "villa Cruoninga" in an old charter. In what year was that?

Trivia: First train

In 1839 the very first Dutch train ran, between Amsterdam and Haarlem. Roughly how many years ago was that (rounded to tens)?

Trivia: Forum Groningen

In the centre stands a striking modern cultural building with multiple floors of library, cinemas and rooftop terraces. What is this building called?

Trivia: Frans Hals

One of Haarlem's most famous painters even has a museum named after him. What is his first name?

Trivia: The oldest museum

Teylers Museum is special because it is the oldest museum in the Netherlands. What other superlative does it carry, beyond "oldest in the Netherlands"? Fill in: the oldest ___ museum in the Netherlands still in its original state.

Trivia: University of Groningen

The University of Groningen is one of the oldest in the Netherlands. In what year was it founded?

Under the Bavo

St. Bavo's towers above the city. Take a group photo with the entire church in frame, hold your phone in landscape and step back far enough. Nobody is allowed to duck.