Stories, castles & creative enjoyment
Sometimes you just want something completely different. No rush, no agenda, just strolling along the water, being amazed by stories and enjoying a slice of creativity and comfort. The Vecht region is perhaps the most beautiful destination in the country for that: the river meanders through the landscape, old estates and castles tell their own stories, and behind every fence lurks yet another discovery.
Your day will start at Flora Batava in Nieuwersluis, an elegant riverside country estate. Just waking up in this stylish boutique hotel feels like a gift. Breakfast consists of fresh, local produce and when the sun is shining, you can eat outside on the terrace overlooking the lapping water and boats quietly passing by.
Tip: Get up early and take a short walk through Flora Batava's garden. In the morning mist or with the first rays of sunlight, the view over the Vecht is almost fairytale-like.
After a leisurely breakfast, hop on your bike or walk at your leisure towards Oud-Zuilen, where Castle Zuylen has stood guard over the river for centuries. The castle is one of the best preserved in the Netherlands and still exudes the atmosphere of centuries ago. Inside, you can walk from room to room, each with its own stories and historical details. The garden is just as special: bursting with colour in spring, and in summer you can smell the herbs and roses.
Tip: Check in advance if there is a tour or exhibition at Slot Zuylen. The stories about Belle van Zuylen and its former inhabitants really bring the castle to life.
For lunch, head to the coach house café near the castle, where homemade cakes and simple dishes are on the menu. Or cycle a little further and take a seat on a terrace by the Vecht. Oud-Zuilen or Maarssen are great places to stay - you can taste the atmosphere of water, history and rural tranquillity everywhere.
Then, cycle on to Fort Maarsseveen, an imposing defensive work on the border of the Vecht and the lakes. Here the atmosphere suddenly changes: art on the walls, sculptures in the grass and a terrace full of local creatives and day-trippers. The fort has become an inspiring place where there is always something to do, from workshops and exhibitions to open studios and small festivals.
Tip: Check the Fort Maarsseveen website before your visit: there are often special events, markets or performances that can give your day that little bit extra.
Want to really end your day in style? Cycle back to Flora Batava for dinner at the restaurant or a final drink on the terrace. If you stay overnight, you will wake up the next morning to the sound of birds, the smell of fresh bread and a view of the water.
Feel like going on an adventure? Plan your own 24-hour itinerary.