Houseboats and glamtainers

Stavoren is a small harbour town on the Frisian shore of the IJsselmeer, and staying on the water is one of its distinctive features. Houseboats and glamtainers, which are converted shipping containers fitted out as comfortable holiday cabins, offer a different way of spending the night than a hotel, and they place you right next to the harbour and the lake. Options range from traditional boats to modern, well-equipped vessels, including the one named Blackbird, and their layout and amenities differ, so it is worth reading each listing carefully.

What a stay gives you is the rhythm of the water. You wake to the sound of the harbour, watch sailing boats come and go and see the light change over the IJsselmeer, and in the evening the sun sets across the open lake, which can be spectacular in clear weather. Glamtainers add a modern touch: they combine the simplicity of camping with the comfort of a small hotel, often with a terrace, a view and a kitchenette. Whether you choose a boat or a container, you should expect a compact space, so it suits people who are happy to travel light.

Stavoren has an old history. It claims to be the oldest of the eleven Frisian cities and was an important trading port in the Middle Ages. The best known story is the legend of the Vrouwtje van Stavoren, the Woman of Stavoren, a rich widow whose arrogance led to her ruin when a shipment of grain was dumped into the harbour, which is said to have formed a sandbank that blocked the entrance. A statue of the woman stands in the town. The fishing port, pavement cafes and the J.L. Hooglandgemaal, a large pumping station, are other places to see, and the town has a small beach on the IJsselmeer.

The area suits an active holiday. Cycling along the dikes is easy and popular, kayaking and sailing are widely available, and the Frisian countryside has lakes, villages and bird life. A seasonal ferry service links Stavoren with Enkhuizen across the IJsselmeer, which makes it simple to visit North Holland without a car. The Elfstedentocht, the famous Frisian skating tour, passes through the town in years when the ice is thick enough.

A stay on the water suits couples, families and groups of friends who want something unusual and relaxed. Book well in advance for summer, and check what is included, such as bedding, towels and parking, before arrival.