The Horizon, historical Dutch ship, windmill view!

The Horizon – Historic Dutch ship with views of the skyline and windmill of the centrally located fortified town of Wijk bij Duurstede. Welcome aboard our 130-year-old sea tjalk The Horizon. A beautifully furnished ship where up to 6 guests can enjoy life on and around the water. For those who want to experience authentic Holland and love unique overnight stays, our Horizon is the perfect place to stay! New owners, read the reviews: https://www.airbnb.nl/h/zeetjalkhorizon The space Despite her age, the Horizon is a comfortable ship with all the desired amenities on board: good Wi-Fi, a warm and cosy living area with a wood-burning stove, a large internet-enabled TV screen, and a fully equipped kitchen with gas hob, dishwasher, oven, and of course, a good coffee machine. The ship is 23 metres long and 5.3 metres wide, with a total living space of over 100 m². The Horizon is not only a great base for those who like to go out and explore, but also perfect for guests who simply want to spend some quality time together — catching up, relaxing, or cocooning. The ship’s snug and homely atmosphere feels like a warm blanket and invites you to enjoy each other’s company. The interior is spacious, with several areas to sit: have a drink at the bar, relax on the sofa while enjoying the wood stove and TV, or play a board game at the dining table in the wheelhouse while taking in the quintessentially Dutch view of the water, the old windmill, and Wijk’s iconic white houses along the dike. The ship’s beautiful rounded stern houses a cosy master bedroom with a double bed surrounded by portholes, wardrobe and storage space, and a double washbasin with mirrored cabinets. The bed is made up, and soap and towels are provided. At the other end — in the bow — you’ll find the second bedroom. This has two single beds, slightly smaller than average (140 cm x 180 cm), but still comfortable for adults. The third sleeping space is in the living room, where a corner sofa quickly converts into a double bed. Duvets, pillows, and bedding are stored inside the sofa. The bathroom is small but practical, with a shower, washbasin, mirrored cabinet, and toilet. And of course, you can also sit outside in the cockpit or on deck — and if it gets chilly, just wrap yourself in a warm blanket! :) IMPORTANT TO KNOW: It almost goes without saying (as this is a sailing vessel) that, unfortunately, this accommodation is not suitable for guests with reduced mobility, difficulty walking, or other physical conditions that limit movement. There are several steps and height differences on board, so for an enjoyable stay, guests should be able to move around the ship with ease. USEFUL TO KNOW: Dutch rivers are connected to the sea and to rivers in Germany. This means that during high tide or extreme snow or rainfall, the water level can rise significantly. Should this happen, we will, of course, find a solution to ensure our guests can still come aboard. We may move the ship to a higher quay (within the same harbour) or place a boarding platform on the jetty. We will always inform our guests of such changes as early as possible so they can decide whether to proceed with, postpone, or cancel their stay. Guest access The entire ship is yours during your stay. Other things to note GOOD TO KNOW: Staying on a 130-year-old ship is quite different from staying in a house on solid ground. A ship is, after all, not a house. Sleeping on a ship can mean gently waking up to the soft rocking of the water, but also hearing sounds you may not be used to, such as flapping ropes, quacking ducks, chirping swallows, or small boats mooring nearby. For someone with sailing experience, the smell of diesel oil feels familiar and nostalgic, but for others, it may take a little getting used to. Here are a few more things you should know: You need to be able to walk well, as there are many steps and changes in level on board. The toilet works perfectly as long as nothing other than toilet paper is flushed. Regarding the shower: there is a small boiler, so if more people are staying on board, it’s best to leave a few minutes between showers so the boiler has time to heat the water again. If you are staying with 6 guests, 2 of them will need to sleep on the sofa bed in the living room. This means the sofa will need to be unfolded into a double bed each night. On rare occasions during busy summer periods in the harbour, another boat may moor alongside. In short: staying on the Horizon is for people who enjoy a unique experience and can appreciate the nostalgia of our beloved old ship! :)