We have to be honest here. Eindhoven is not the prettiest of Dutch places to visit by any means. But the city makes the most of what it has, and that includes the best winter festival of lights in the country.

Eindhoven was actually founded in the 13^th century but it was not until the start of the 1900s that it really grew, thanks to textiles and tobacco, and to Daf Trucks and Philips.

What there was of the medieval city was largely destroyed by both German and allied bombers during World War II and the post war reconstruction which followed, and which paid scant attention to the city’s heritage.

Today the city’s wealth is still largely based on innovation and technology, thanks in part to its university of technology, and its “brainport” – the term used to describe its economic strategy.

Eindhoven is now the fifth largest city in the Netherlands, with a population of some 240,000 – including a lot of students. It is also a great place to visit in the winter because there is lots to do indoors.

What to do?

Glow with the flow
The Glow festival takes place from November 11 to November 18 this year and is well worth a visit. The works are dotted all over the city centre – blasted across the main railway station, for example, or stretching up high rise buildings.

The theme this year is “the beat” – the first in a trilogy which be followed by “the stream” next year and “the light” in 2025, when the festival also celebrates its 25th year.

Glow is a free festival with a clear walking route which takes around two hours to complete. You can also sign up for a guided tour in a group or private visit. Pick up the map at the tourist board or railway station.

Evoluon
Evoluon looks like a flying saucer that has just landed on the edge of a park. Designed by architects Louis Kalff and Leo de Bever it was a forward-thinking technology museum from 1966 until it was closed by Philips in 1989.

Now revamped and reopened, Evoluon is the headquarters of Next Nature, an organisation that aims to raise awareness about the impact of technology on our lives and the planet.

Inside is a fascinating and very accessible exhibition RetroFuture which looks at how we used to view the future decades, if not centuries ago. It is an absorbing and unpretentious show which will appeal to all ages.