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Behind the water tower, there are two small boats moored alongside a landing stage on the Wantij river. Our boatmen navigate them through the historic centre of Dordrecht or the impressive Hollandse Biesbosch nature reserve. If you would rather stay on dry land, there are guided tours of the garden, kitchen, restaurant, market, bakery and hotel at Villa Augustus.

  • The ‘Groothoofd’ in Dordrecht The ‘Groothoofd’ in Dordrecht
  • Picnic on board Picnic on board
  • View of historic Dordrecht View of historic Dordrecht
  • Boat trip through the creeks of the Biesbosch Boat trip through the creeks of the Biesbosch
  • On the river during the boat trip On the river during the boat trip
  • Learn all about Villa Augustus Learn all about Villa Augustus
  • View of the garden during a guided tour View of the garden during a guided tour
The ‘Groothoofd’ in Dordrecht The ‘Groothoofd’ in Dordrecht

Boat trips

Discover how beautiful the Island of Dordrecht is. And how better to do that than over the water? That’s why Villa Augustus has two boats in the Wantij behind the hotel. Welcome aboard!

During a hour-long trip, our boatman navigates through the historic centre of Dordrecht: via Europe’s busiest river junction and the Groothoofd quay, immortalized by countless Dutch grand masters, and past centuries-old houses that stand with their feet in the water and where the waves lap at the windows…
A two-hour (or longer) boat trip takes you to the wetlands of the Hollandse Biesbosch. This nature reserve is a green labyrinth of creeks and reed beds, the domain of beavers, ospreys and white-tailed eagles, and of course, hares!

Fancy a trip on the water? Why not take one of our picnic baskets along with you?

See here the contents of our baskets.

  • €100 per hour, per boat
  • maximum of 9 persons per boat, including the boatman
  • don’t forget to book in advance
  • NB: we don’t sail in bad or extreme weather
Picnic on board Picnic on board

Guided tours

There is so much to tell about Villa Augustus. About the old water tower that has stopped weeping, our hotel rooms (including those in the former water reservoir), a special garden where the Dutch seasons can be seen – and harvested – from the early spring to deep in the winter. And, of course, the restaurant and the market, where all vegetables, fruit, herbs and spices from the garden go immediately after being harvested. Stories about how the garden inspires the kitchen, and the chef inspires the gardener.

During the guided tour, you walk together with one of our chefs, a member of the hotel or market staff, or one of the gardeners through the garden, the kitchen, the restaurant, the market, the bakery and the hotel. They tell you everything about Villa Augustus. About the history of the water tower, the origins of Villa Augustus, and how it is now.

  • €50 per group (maximum 12 persons)
  • 60 minutes
  • multiple groups possible on request
  • don’t forget to book in advance

View of historic Dordrecht View of historic Dordrecht

And more…

A useful overview(pdf) of our boat trips and guided tours!

  • Boat trip through the creeks of the Biesbosch Boat trip through the creeks of the Biesbosch
  • On the river during the boat trip On the river during the boat trip
  • Learn all about Villa Augustus Learn all about Villa Augustus
  • View of the garden during a guided tour View of the garden during a guided tour
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