Do you dread long car journeys, including car sickness, or complicated and expensive flights? Just stay at home, because you do not need to leave Dordrecht at all for the ultimate holiday feeling! Nice and active outdoors in a relaxed atmosphere and close to home. What more could we want this summer?
These surprising Dordt spots will make you feel like an absolute holidaymaker.
Sleeping in a cardboard house
Would you like to spend the night in a sustainable tiny house in one of the most beautiful spots in the Biesbosch? Then book one of the four original Wikkelhouses on the Stayokay campsite. Each tiny house has its own toilet and shower, a small kitchen, and space for four people. Three of the four cottages are right on the water's edge. What makes the cottages so nice? "The cosy atmosphere, the location in the middle of nature, the convenience of the Stayokay facilities nearby, the breakfast basket every morning", Ramon Utterlijn, reception supervisor at Stayokay, could go on. "Perfect, is what I get back most from our guests. And, of course, it's great that the houses are sustainable and made from recycled materials. They consist of 21 layers of corrugated cardboard, surrounded by a layer of plastic and a layer of wood. We started three years ago with one Wikkelhouse, but it went so well that we now have four and they are doing great. For this reason the Stayokays in Apeldoorn and Gorssel have now also started Wikkelhouses."
Water sports at Board Academy
Board Academy is also located on the grounds of Europarcs resort de Biesbosch on Rijksstraatweg. A strange, unexpected location? "We hear that more often", laughs Chris de Bruine, one of the owners of the water sports centre. "But for water sports we are perfectly placed here. You can literally go in all directions to have a great active day on the water here. You can wakeboard, water ski, wakesurf, fun tubing and SUP at our centre. Never done it before? Then take a lesson or join a workshop or clinic. Combinations of the various water sports are of course also possible, as are children's parties and group arrangements. We rent out our SUPs in a backpack so that people can choose the location where they want to do it. The Biesbosch is of course suitable for this, but in fact it can be done anywhere. We also organise various SUP tours, both in the Biesbosch and in the city centre of Dordt. We have exemption from the municipality to go on a SUP tour with a maximum of eight people through the atmospheric harbours. Super fun of course! We expect it to be another busy summer, just like last year. The trend to discover our own region has been set and that is a good thing. There is so much beauty around here.
Windsurfing with Windforce
Enjoying the water at the Spaarbekken. Windsurfing club Windkracht not only offers surfing pleasure, it is also the relaxed, helpful and friendly atmosphere that catches the eye. "And that is exactly the intention," says chairman Esther van Koten enthusiastically. "Everyone feels welcome here. The 160 or so members, but also the non-members. If non-members want to come and surf for a day, they can rent everything from us (suit, shoes, sail and board) for €13 for a whole day. People with their own gear can buy a day pass for €5. Members of course have unlimited access. It is also nice that we have our own clubhouse with a shower where you can buy drinks and snacks. It is also a godsend if you want to warm up in rainy weather. The Spaarbekken of Evides is the only place in Dordrecht where you are allowed to windsurf. A wonderful place, but of course it is also great to do. It is a healthy sport. You are busy with nature and because of that, all daily things fall away from you. It is also nice that windsurfing is suitable for all ages. You can learn it from the age of 10, our oldest member is 88. In addition to the surfing lessons, we also regularly organise boarding days where people are taught the basics of windsurfing for a whole day." Windforce is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and weekends from 1 April to 1 November.
Enjoying the beach at Merwelanden
Why go to Zandvoort or Scheveningen? Dordrecht has its own magnificent plage in the Merwelanden. Enjoy the sun, sand, water and the open air. There are playgrounds for children and restaurant De Merwelanden with a nice spacious terrace on the water for a snack and drink. You can also go there for ice cream or chips. Finished baking for a while? Then walk into the Biesbosch with its endless footpaths, sports fields and beautiful spots for a picnic or summer barbecue. The latter is also possible at the day campsite or on the large lawn behind Sterrenwacht Mercurius.
The Merwelanden beach, day camp site and Mercury Observatory can be found at the end of Baanhoekweg.
Picnicking in the New Dordtse Biesbosch: get something tasty at the Oogstpark
The Nieuwe Dordtse Biesbosch has an extensive network of walking and cycling paths. A great nature reserve to go to on a summer's day for a nice hike and a pleasant picnic. If you are in this beautiful area, don't forget to visit the Oogstpark for a drink and some goodies to go. The delicacies depend on the harvest at the time, everything in the Oogstpark is organic. An example of such an original little dish to go is the farmer's curd with strawberries and rhubarb compote. The seasonality is also reflected in the products they sell on a small scale. Think of marmalades, herbal tea blends and all kinds of other fresh products. The relaxed atmosphere makes it easy to relax in this intimate park on the Oude Veerweg, next to P2 of the Nieuwe Dordtse Biesbosch. It is also fun and educational for children. This summer, this unexpected picking paradise is open for the third time on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 11.00 am. Wednesdays will be added during the summer holidays. In July and August, the flowers are also in full bloom and visitors can put together the most beautiful bouquets themselves for just €7.50. All income from the Oogstpark goes towards maintaining the grounds.
