De Familie Kip – a cozy holiday home in the middle of a Gelderland paradise
For our large families or folks who want to vacation with a big group, pack your bags and caravan over because we have found the perfect holiday home for you! Located in the greenery of a Gelderland paradise is the cozy country home – De Familie Kip – which can comfortably accommodate six to ten people.
This beautiful spot found in the midst of the glorious nature of the Achterhoek is not only special for its location, but also because it is family-run. It’s been passed down from generation to generation and has played different roles throughout its history – how cool is that! It’s currently run by the daughter of the original owner and thanks to her, it has been renovated into quite a unique and quirky vacation home. Definitely worth your visit!
Arrival
Although being in nature is definitely on the top of our list for an ideal vacation, traveling to these places with public transportation can often be difficult. Luckily we were able to invite our intern, Nina, to join us and she was happy to drive. The trip was easy and beautiful – your experience truly begins once you reach the Achterhoek. Our suggestion? Roll down the windows if the weather permits and take in that fresh air!
Location
Voorst is located between the Veluwe and the IJssel and is one of the most beautiful areas in the Netherlands. As you can see from the photos above, this area really feels like a fairytale wonderland. From wide floodplains, valleys of cows, farmsteads, cozy villages, and a river that flows through the landscape – here, you can enjoy hours of walking without crossing a public road. Do you like biking? There are miles of cycling routes over the dike. This is a great place to visit if you are looking to simply enjoy Earth’s natural wonders, take a breather, and rejuvenate.
History
Originally, this site was actually the farm of Hendrik and Riek Kip. They worked hard and were proud of their property. The building that is now the holiday home once was used to shelter the valuable equipment of the family Kip, including their tractor and plow. As I mentioned before, this estate has been passed down from generation to generation. First, the farm came into the hands of their son. He was not a farmer, but he did his best until it was time to hand the reigns over to his sister.
When she took over, she had a new vision for the estate. But first, she knew the home was in need of a major makeover. Together with her family, including son Rick and daughter Vera, she spent ten years fixing up the place! This included carpentry work, painting, demolishing, and rebuilding – everything she did with only the help from friends and family.
When you visit, you can really feel all of the love and energy that was poured into this place. Plus! It is so creatively decorated. Picture golden toilet brushes dangling from the ceiling, vintage household items like an antique telephone and 1930’s perfume bottle, and a color-coordinated library, and you get the gist!
The house today
This cozy farmhouse is just perfect for vacationing with a large group. It is suitable for 6 to 10 people with three bedrooms, two of which have their own shower and sink. There is a large living room and dining area, plus my personal favorite, an old speakeasy-style bar. The kitchen is not only fully equipped but massive! We had such a wonderful time using all the space to cook a yummy dinner!
For those who prefer to be outside, they have a fire pit under a covered area so you can enjoy it in rain or shine! Is space for 10 people still not enough? That’s okay! There is so much garden space, that you can pitch your own tent or even park your caravan or motorhome to expand the capacity. Furthermore, pets are also welcome. 😊
A quiet evening
After a productive day of wandering around the gardens and cooking a nice dinner in that giant kitchen, we decided to have a quiet evening with a good movie and an early nights sleep. Thanks to all the space, we were able to take to our own bedrooms and get a quality sense of peace. We woke up refreshed and ready to take on the next adventure. We had such a pleasure staying here that we definitely plan on coming again with more friends for a nice summer get-a-away!
→ This article was written in collaboration with De Familie Kip. We got to stay here for free, in exchange for content. Of course you can read our own opinion here!
