Vicinity The Loosdrecht Lakes “the Water Gardens” Loosdrecht offers ample opportunity to turn your holidays or daytrip into a successful stay. To begin with, all five interconnected lakes, accompanied by the Vuntus Lake, the Stille Plas (the Quiet Lake) and the clear water company lake, offer with their total surface area of 3600 hectares (8.895 acres) unprecedented possibilities for the best fun in aquatic sports. It is for good reason that Loosdrecht is known as the Water Gardens of the Netherlands. Vacationers looking for relaxation will be sure to enjoy the virgin Vuntus Lake. To a small degree it is allowed to enter this lake by motorboat, or rent a rowing boat or canoe at one of the several rental sites and explore this lake for its extraordinary flora and unique bird population. The Vuntus itinerary will be sure to leave an unforgettable impression on you. The eastern part of the Vuntus Lake is solely accessible by rowing boat or canoe. The Nature Reserves Foundation has plotted a two-hour itinerary here. At the sides of the lake one finds many so-called excavations; these are great for taking a swim. The marinas sell the Nature Reserves Foundation route for the Vuntus Lake, and of course they will gladly offer explanation on which starting points are the best. At the Stille Plas it is relatively quiet. The lake is separated by the Five lakes by the Nieuw Loosdrechtsedijk and the Herenweg. From either the Third and the Fourth Lake the Stille Plas is accessible through two small waterway connections: the Kostverlorenvaart and the Weersloot. In the many marinas of the lakes one can find sailing- and surfing schools for young and old. But there is much more: fishing, taking a cruise, shopping, playing tennis or midget golf, visiting museums, sauntering about and enjoying a concert; every one of these activities are popular with holidaymakers of Loosdrecht and its vicinity. The culinary supply is large and furthermore Loosdrecht has a number of bad weather facilities like an indoor swimming pool, indoor tennis- and squash lanes, horse riding schools, a snooker- and bowling centre and there even is a children’s’ party centre. During high season almost every weekend has special activities, with for example the well visited evening fairs with live music at the Oud Loosdrechtsedijk and the annual fair at the Nootweg in Nieuw Loosdrecht. The annual Gondelvaart (Gondola-course) at the third Saturday of August is a not to be missed spectacular show on the water. The end of June features the jolly-boat "Round of Loosdrecht", with live music and snacks and drinks along the route. The river Vecht The Vecht: river of wealth, splendour and glory. From way back to the Roman times, this river has been a busy route which was and still is cherished. In the Middle Ages this river functioned as most important commercial route between Utrecht and Muiden. But true glory came as prosperous merchants from Amsterdam started building their country estates at the banks of this river in the 17th and 18th centuries. In the past years, many of these estates have been brought back to their splendour by wealthy private individuals who even have started building new country estates. Nowadays one can enjoy the atmosphere and the remains of the wealthy era and the beautiful farmlands beyond by boat on the river. You will sail back in time by renting a nursery flatboat. These are grand old-fashioned boats from five to twelve meters (sixteen to forty feet) long, used in the old days to ship vegetables and cattle. Experience the grandeur of the river Vecht by sailing from Weesp in the direction of Utrecht. The river Vecht will meander past endless meadows with cows, sheep and infinitely many pollard willows. You will pass the picturesque Villages of Nigtevecht and Nederhorst den Berg. The river Vecht can be crossed by a small ferry as well. By foot or by bike one can cross the river from Nigtevecht to Nederhorst den Berg and vice versa. The ferry sails throughout the year. The Kortenhoef Lakes (Kortenhoefse Plassen) Water, water, and then again: water, swamp land, meadows and reed borders: the Kortenhoef Lakes came into existence around the 1600s by peat cutting. In order not to disrupt this sanctuary and nesting ground, the Kortenhoef lakes are only to be reached by rowing boat and canoe. Would you like to canoe on the Wijde Gat and the Kleine Wijhe? The Nature Reserves Foundation has marked off a beautiful route of 10 kilometres (6 miles), which will take approximately 4 hours of peddling. The route has been marked with blue poles and yellow numbers. The Starting point of the route is to be found at the boat rental companies, and from there you row via the Hilversum Canal to the lakes. The Kromme Mijdrecht Not many people know the idyllic river the Kromme Mijdrecht (the Curved Mijdrecht). The water here is clear and clean with ample possibilities for swimming. At Amstelkade Recreatie rowing boats and kayaks are for rent. The farm Amstelkade Recreatie offers housing and employment to mentally disabled. Several sailing routes are available here, as well as rental bikes and tandem bicycles. At the terrace café refreshments, sandwiches, soup and Dutch apple-pie is served.