Historical River Estates
The winding River Vecht between Amsterdam and Utrecht is a wonderful setting for a boat trip or cycle route. The bank or water offer an open view of the imposing castles, country houses and accompanying tearooms. Rich merchants from the Golden Age once spent their summer months here. A smart place to take a holiday, because at the beginning of the 17th century the River Vecht was the most important link between Amsterdam and Utrecht. The holidaymakers ‘only’ needed five to seven hours to reach their rural residence.
Castles
Even castles on the Vecht were purchased by rich merchants. Zuylen Castle in Oud-Zuilen, for instance, was converted into a country house. Pause here to take a look at the castle and get acquainted with its most well-known resident – the enlightened and revolutionary 18th-century writer Belle van Zuylen.
Magnificent castles can also be found in the surrounding area around Breukelen. Castle Nijenrode is the most imposing, with its gateway, drawbridge and surrounded by water. Nowadays it teems with students; after all, it is the only private university in the Netherlands, set up in 1946. Here you can still sample the atmosphere of the noble and distinguished student life of bygone days. Take a walk through the beautiful park as well, with its rose garden, old lime trees, a deer park and a pheasantry. Unfortunately it isn’t possible to view the interior of Nijenrode, but a look at the outside speaks volumes.
Cycling, sailing
Hop on your bike for the 36-kilometre ‘rural route’, for example. Simply follow the ANWB signs at the side of the road. Are there two of you or are you in couples? Perhaps it would be a nice idea to hire a tandem? A sailing trip is a little less active, but is certainly just as breathtakingly beautiful. Various boat owners offer boat tours, in classic pleasure boats or whilst enjoying high tea… In many cases the tours begin in the fortified towns of Muiden or Weesp. You can also hire a boat yourself so that you can moor wherever you like. At a congenial terrace, for example.
Or in the harbours of charming places like Muiden, Weesp, Loenen, Vreeland and Breukelen for a romantic walk or culinary break.
- Tell a friend