Giethoorn "The Venice of the Netherlands"

After twenty years sailing from Friesland we added a new departure location in 2002-Wanneperveen. This little village is about 3 km from Giethoorn. This new recreational area is an excellent base from which to visit Overijssel and places such as Giethoorn, Zwartsluis, Blokzijl, Meppel, etc. Weerribben and the Turfroute are also close by. You have cruised through this magnificent scenic area at least once. It is also perfectly possible to venture into the province of Friesland, from Giethoorn it is once day's cruising (6 hours) by way of the Tjeukermeer, upon request we will send you a route book.

Taking a boat through North West Overijssel

Beulaeke Haven is the perfect starting point for beautiful boat trips, with unspoiled nature reserves, lakes, reed fields, with both wide and narrow waterways affording many wonderful vieuws.

Vollenhove

A practiced eye will find reminders of the fact that the polder used to be part of the Zuiderzee.
You will sail past Oud Kraggenburg, for instance, which used to have a lighthouse.
This little island has now been claimed by the land. When you arrive in Vollenhove you will have two options:
either moor in the outer harbour, or go slightly further into the charming inside harbour.
Since Vollenhove is quite small, you will be able to explore it on foot, with or without a guide.
In the early days, Vollenhove was a strategic location, with the Zuiderzee in the west and expansive marshes and woods to the north.
Many important noble families built manors here: so many that Vollenhove got itself the title “City of Palaces”.
The status of these manors as “havezate” meant that the owners were allowed to have their say in the “Ridderschap en Steden”, which was the provincial government in the late middle ages.

Blokzijl

Street names such as Zuiderkade, Bierkade and Zeedijk remind us of the time that Blokzijl was still on the shore of the Zuiderzee.
Unlike Vollenhove or Kuinre, Blokzijl did not rely on fishing in the old days but on the trade with Holland instead.
The city flourished in the 17th century, but then its wealth declined and Blokzijl stopped growing.
This may be the reason why the town still has a very authentic feel.

Wanneperveen and Beltschutsloot

The riverways of the Belterwijde and the Schutslootwijde lie within a short distance of each other, these two water villages are much loved by the Dutch. The name Wanneperveen is derived from the stream "the Wannepe" that centuries ago ran near Vollenhove in the Zuiderzee. Belt, named after a former sandbank, and the embankment named Schutsloot are now combined into Belt-Schutsloot, this water village is situated in the middle of reed fields. "De Blauwe Hand" has formed a connection point for the two villages from way back in time.

Giethoorn

Giethoorn is called the "junction of the north". And is an internationally known tourist hot spot. Almost everyone in the Netherlands is familiar with this picturesque village, so have a day out in Giethoorn (for more information see: www.giethoorn.info).

Belterwijde

Just like Beulakerwijde, Belterwijde makes up part of the large nature reserve "De Wieden" (5,400 ha). The whole area is characterised by a process in which the open water gradually becomes overgrown, making Belterwijde especially suited to windsurfers and waterskiers.

Meppel

The unique moor areas of Northwest Overijssel make the surrounding areas of Meppel attractive landing places popular with many water sporters. The characteristic Meppeler tower is at the heart of the atmospheric old town centre which has a shoppig promenade and a traditional weekly Thursday market ((for more information see: www.meppel.nl).

De Weerribben

In North-West Overijssel, not far from Steenwijk is the national park "de Weerribben", this reserve is at least 1000 ha. and is ideal for cycle tours, but to really get to know this lovely nature reserve explore it from the waterways. Info-tel.: 0031-561 477272 (also see: www.deweerribben.nl).