As 3ma12 is being organised by one of our Dutch and one of our German members, it is no coincidence that the chosen location for 3ma12 is right on the German-Dutch border in the town of Bad Bentheim. In fact the chosen location is about 120Km from each of our two organisers. So in 2012 the 3ma will, for the first time in 3ma history, be a two country event with 3ma drives in both Germany and the Netherlands.

Bad Bentheim is a town in Lower Saxony, Germany, lying in the district of Grafschaft Bentheim on the borders with North Rhine-Westphalia and the Netherlands. It is also a state-recognized thermal brine and sulphur spa town, hence the designation Bad which is German for “Bath”.

The town lies on Bundesstraße 403 and is furthermore connected to the long-distance road network through the Autobahnen A30 (Bad Oeynhausen – Osnabrück – Hengelo) and A31 (Emden – Oberhausen).

Bad Bentheim was granted its arms in 1661 by Count Ernst Wilhelm of Bentheim and Steinfurt (1643–1693). The coat of arms shows a golden monogram consisting of the letters E and G on a red background, surrounded by nineteen likewise golden balls. The letters stand for “Ernestus Guilelmus”, the Count’s name in Latin. Bad Bentheim’s first documentary mention came about 1050 under the name Binithem. There are various etymologies put forth for the town’s name. It could refer to the rushes (Binsen in German) that grew on boggy land in the area in earlier times. It is also supposed by some, as with the Dutch region of Twente, that the name could go back to the Tubanti. Bad Bentheim, a former count’s residence, looks back on a history rich in tradition. For centuries, this market town was the hub of the like-named county (Grafschaft) of Bentheim.

The town’s most prominent emblem, the castle – Burg Bentheim – stands in the town’s centre where it simply cannot be overlooked. The popular tourist site can be visited nowadays as a museum, with or without a guide. The high keep, known as the Pulverturm, or “Powder Tower”, affords visitors a good view over Bad Bentheim.

A popular activity in the town is the Nachtwächterrundgänge, or Night Watchman’s Walks. These take place Monday, Friday and Saturday evenings beginning at 9 o’clock. The meeting point is the lower castle gate at the Burg Bentheim. These walking tours are staged by the town travel office and are free. On these nighttime tours through Bad Bentheim visitors are treated to stories and legends about the town and the castle as well as historical data and facts, making for an interesting insight into the town’s history. Maybe we can introduce a modern-day "Night Watchman's Drive" and have a leisurely 131 drive though the town on Wednesday or Thursday night!

Our Chosen Hotel for 3ma12 is the Hotel Grossfeld, Schloßstraße 6, 48455 Bad Bentheim. We have negotiated a special inclusive deal for dinner, bed and breakfast and full details of the hotel and our exclusive deal can be found in the Travel & Accommodation section of our website.