Smûk Recreatie

Some say that Friesland is the most beautiful province in the Netherlands. Anyone who visits Smûk Recreatie in Echtenerbrug can’t help but agree wholeheartedly, because a small hidden paradise is what they’ll find. Surrounded by lush meadows and wide waterways, it lies right in the heart of this unique area. Crista and Gert Diever have been running the old farm there for 17 years. Together with their three children, Sanne, Femke and Jente, they continue the family business that Gert’s grandparents took over in 1939 and passed on to his parents in 1970. On the lovingly landscaped grounds of Smûk, guests will find an exceptional temporary home in the middle of nature, offering overnight stays either in one of the six Smûk tents or in the Smûk Huske, a beautiful 30-square-meter former coachman’s house, in the Smûk Thuskes—a mixture of tent and hut—or in the Tiny House. The choice is huge!. The accommodation is equipped with a lot of sophistication, surprising comfort and stylish furniture, and everything is decorated in calm, natural colors. There are real beds, running water in the house and electricity—but expect the occasional visit from a curious chicken. If you don’t want to miss out on wellness, simply hop in the hot tub and enjoy the best way to relax under the open sky. Fresh apple pie, homemade stew, vegetables and everything else your heart desires can be found in the small farm store next door. This place offers a truly idyllic ambience in which you can really flourish! And speaking of which, flora and fauna are truly omnipresent. From frogs to cows, every living creature finds enough space and peace to thrive here—guests from all over the world included.

WHAT WE LIKE MOST:

• The word Smûk—it’s Frisian and describes a very specific feeling, a mixture of coziness, warmth, homeliness and togetherness (similar to the Danish “hygge”); anyone who’s been here will understand exactly what that means ...
• Hay bales as a stylish design element? Oh, it’s definitely a thing! The farm’s barn was converted into a very cozy lounge and beautifully decorated with old furniture, atmospheric lighting, pictures and just hay bales.
• Homemade pizzas from the outdoor oven—you’ll still be dreaming of them after the stay. Once a week, the family invites guests to a social pizza evening, which is almost legendary in the Smûk Recreatie.
• Smûk Huske is lovingly equipped with a kitchen, a bathroom, a fantastic terrace, a wonderfully comfortable bed up under the roof and cozy bunk beds on the first floor (children love them!); there’s WIFI, too.
• The Smûk tents are furnished with just as much care with cozy pillows, real beds, warm blankets, atmospheric lighting, tables, chairs, and small cupboards with dishes; a few meters away is the covered outdoor kitchen; showers can be taken in the farmhouse in the public bathrooms.
• The Smûk Thuskes are a combination between a cottage and a tent: The roof is a tent while the rest is finished with wood, so you have that lovely “outside feeling”, especially when it's raining or the wind is blowing. The view of the fresh forest meadows is included!
• In the Smûk Tiny, you are cozy for two, “Smûk en miniature” so to speak. There is even a wood-burning stove!
• The Smûk Fjildhuske in the middle of nature has its own wooden terrace, its own bathroom, a wood-fired whirlpool and, of course, a first-class panoramic view of the surrounding meadows.
• Sitting in the jacuzzi looking at the stars—this is one of the Smûk moments that you’ll definitely take home with you.
• Whatever you do, don’t leave without tasting a piece of Crista’s famous apple pie!
• In addition to his work on the farm, Gert is committed to nature-based agriculture; this is how the family came into possession of a very special, endangered breed of cow—the red and white Friesian cow, nurtured and cared for here.

GOOD TO KNOW:

• The houses for 4 people each have a double bed and a bunk bed.
• If you want to experience the full splendor of Friesland’s unspoiled nature, you should definitely take a walk or a bike ride through the Rottige Meente nature reserve, where you make your way along the canal and to the village of Echtenerbrug-Delfstrahuizen; from there, you can get directly onto the beach at the Tjeukemeer, the largest lake in Friesland.
• At the campsite you can ‘digitally detox’, but there’s WIFI available at Smûk Huske.
• Electric boats and canoes are moored at the Christiaansloot pier—you can discover the Tjeukemeer with a sloop directly from the farm and go to Sloten, Lemmer or Langweer, for example.
• If you’re traveling with children, you should plan a trip to the orchid farm, where you can admire numerous species of butterflies, marvel at alpacas and conquer an indoor playground ...
• The Weerribben National Park with the largest fen in Northwest Europe and enchanting forests is also worth a visit.
• Bed linen and towels are included in the house price and can be booked for the Smûk tent; campers have access to running water at all times, there are shared sanitary facilities and everyone has access to the outdoor kitchen with refrigerator, kitchen inventory, plates, cutlery and glasses.
• No need to fear bad weather—in the cozy common room, you can borrow books, magazines or games and simply enjoy your time there.