Taking a much needed break at ‘free port of the city’ Zwier in Vinkeveen
Need an escape from the fast-living city life? We know just the spot for you. Zwier, located in Vinkeveen, is the perfect place to recharge by the water. They have it all, boating, sailing, supping, and canoeing – this really is an aquaphile’s dream!
More fond of staying on land? That’s okay! Zwier also has a variety of beautiful accommodations – harbor houses, luxury tents, & boathouses so you can enjoy the view of the water without actually having to get wet.
Arrival
Because this campsite is truly a free haven from the city, it is a bit tricky to get there by public transportation. We opted to go by car, and we highly recommend you do too! It was only an hour’s drive from Rotterdam, and very easy to find. Parking is available right outside of the site.
The reception area was very warm and welcoming. The building is also home to their cafe, kitchen, indoor lounge, library, and drink selection! The colorful decorations, cozy chairs, and healthy plants really give off that home away from home atmosphere. It really set the mood that we were in for a relaxing stay!
Location
Although Zwier is quite close to Amsterdam, we were surprised to discover it’s technically located in the province of Utrecht. Right on the Vinkeveense Plassen, you literally find yourself surrounded by water. Walking through, we were blown away by their thriving edible garden! Furthermore, the cascading luxury tents and incredible harbor houses paint quite the beautiful backdrop – perfect for those shots for Instagram. 😉 Not to mention all the boats! I mean, you can’t have a harbor without boats, am I right?
Harbor Houses
These Tiny Houses are not only stunning to look at from the outside, but they also offer gorgeous views over the harbor from the inside! This is definitely perfect for anyone looking for a more comfortable stay – a cozy bed, private bathroom and shower, small dining area, and a small kitchen area is all included. For those who suffer from seasickness, make sure you look closely at the options. They offer harbor houses on both land and water.
Bell Tents
If you’re like us, you can’t resist the opportunity to sleep in a luxury bell tent. There’s just something special about camping in a real tent! However, this isn’t your typical camping experience. Inside we found our very own bed, WHICH ACTUALLY HEATS ITSELF, a lounge chair, a small dining area, and refrigerator. This was definitely more glamping than camping, and we were all for it!
Pakschuyt
The Pakschuyt is a beautiful old ship, super luxuriously renovated and fully equipped. It even sails! Picture sunsets, open water, the sound of Bobby Darin serenading, ‘Beyond the sea,’ and you’ve got yourself a really romantic setting. This is the perfect option if you’re looking for a weekend getaway with your partner.
Island Hut
The island hut is exactly how it sounds, a lovely hut on an island. This is perfect if you are looking for more privacy. With the Vinkeveense Plassen as your backyard, you have access to your own boat, a simple kitchen, and everything you need to cook a simple meal.
Restaurant and Bar
Of course, you have the option to take care of meals on your own, but why would you when the kitchen is always cooking up something nice? The food and drinks at Zwier are an important part of their story: they want to stimulate and inspire you to take good care of yourself and the world around you. With their all-in packages you can pick up breakfast, lunch and a 3-course dinner in their kitchen in their living room. And this made us so happy! Each meal (vegetarian only) was delicious! And how convenient to not have to worry about cooking (or doing the dishes). Leaves you with so much more time to play.
Drinks (and other healthy, tasty snacks) are based on a trust system. They have a massive selection of wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages to choose from. Once you make your selection, you use their iPad to pay! Simple and efficient – just the way we like it here in Holland.
Outdoor fun
At a young age, my family coined me as a water baby, because I couldn’t get enough of it. So imagine my excitement when I saw that majority of their offered activities were water-based! Unfortunately, our staycation was booked right smack-dab-in-the-middle of a storm, so sailing, supping, and canoeing weren’t really great options. However, in between showers, we did take the electric boat out for a quick spin. We also didn’t let the rain stop us from renting out a time slot in their self-heating hot tub. And for those not interested in water at all, they have a giant fire-pit great for smores and even a lovely swing-set. There really is fun for everyone.
Next morning
Although we were meant to stay for two days, the weather had different plans for us. As I mentioned before, our trip ended up taking place during a huge storm. This wasn’t your average grey, wet, Dutch weather – it was quite intense. So intense in fact, the poles of our bell tent were shifting and being lifted out of place. Because of this, we made the tough decision to go home early. Crazy weather aside, we had a blast during our 24 hours there and can only imagine just how much more fun it would be on a normal day!
→ This article was written in collaboration with Zwier. We got to stay here for free, in exchange for content. Of course you can read our own opinion here!
