It may sound like a cliché, but it’s absolutely true: the moment you step onto a boat bound for one of the islands, your holiday begins. As soon as you spot the ferry in the harbor, excitement starts to build. And once on board, the stresses of daily life fade away, leaving you instantly relaxed—exactly what we needed.

Tip: If you're traveling on a Friday, be sure to arrive at the port early. You can pre-order tickets online for a smoother process, though reserving a specific time isn’t possible. We aimed for the 17:00 ferry but, despite arriving well in advance, found it already full. The same goes for the return trip on Monday morning, a common changeover day for island accommodations. Luckily, ferries run every hour, so the wait is never too long.

The crossing itself is brief - just 20 minutes, enough time to enjoy a quick coffee. Once on the other side, it’s a short fifteen-minute drive to our weekend retreat: the luxurious holiday home at Park Duynzoom in De Koog. Before our arrival, we had been in touch with the house manager, who was already there to welcome us.

After a quick introduction to the sauna, wellness tub, and some local tips, we decided to skip cooking and ordered from Pollo de Koog - a must for chicken lovers, offering everything from burgers to fresh salads. They deliver until late, and Vin, one of the incredibly friendly owners, always ensures great service. Of course, dining out on Texel is also a fantastic option, with plenty of great restaurants to choose from.

• Vibes Foodbar, in Den Burg, is a hip and modern restaurant, where the chefs cook with Texel products as much as possible. 

• Restaurant BOSQ is a beautiful restaurant, where you can really eat on a high level. Hospitality is hugely important here and it shows in everything. BOSQ has a fantastic wine list as well as organising boozy brunches! 

• When visiting nearby Den Burg, you shouldn't miss a coffee and some baked goods at Texelse Branding, a coffee roasting house with café and bakery.

Did we mention there is a sauna and a wellness tub in the garden of the villa? Of course we couldn't wait to try them out, which we did in the evening. From the wellness tub you can rinse off under the outdoor shower and then step straight into the sauna for the ultimate relaxation session.

Tip: It takes a while for the sauna to reach a good temperature. So make sure you turn it on an hour beforehand.

After a restful night - because in a Dutchen house, you always sleep soundly on those comfortable box springs - we started the day with a delicious breakfast: a freshly brewed Nespresso and warm rolls from the bakery. Feeling refreshed, we set off to explore Texel’s capital.

Den Burg is just a 15-minute drive from De Koog, a charming historic town filled with cozy cafés, excellent restaurants, and unique shops. It’s the perfect place to spend a leisurely day wandering through the streets, soaking up the atmosphere. Planning a shopping day in Den Burg? You won’t be disappointed!

These are our favourite shops:

• Boutique De Kust

• STEK Conceptstore

• Interieur shop Kees de Waal

Did you know that Texel is home to no fewer than five breweries? The most famous is the Texelse Bierbrouwerij, but the others are well worth a visit too! You can find their beers in various liquor stores and cafés across the island. For the ultimate tasting experience, head to Café de Slock—the perfect spot to sample local brews or pick up a few to take home.

After a leisurely afternoon exploring Den Burg, it was time to head back to our villa. On the drive, we suddenly realized - we hadn’t even been to the beach yet! As soon as we arrived, we switched on the sauna, laced up our walking shoes, and set out to take a quick look.

From the house, a scenic 10-minute walk leads you straight through the forest and dunes to the shoreline. By the time we arrived, the sky was already darkening. With the thought of the warm sauna waiting for us, we decided to save a proper beach walk for the next day.

Earlier in Den Burg, we had stocked up on groceries, ready to prepare a delicious meal. The kitchen truly has everything you could need. In fact, that level of thoughtful design extends throughout the entire house. Every detail has been carefully considered, with comfort as the top priority.

After dinner, it was time for game night! We had brought along UNO and 30 Seconds, and the big, comfy sofas by the fireplace made the perfect setting for an evening of fun. And so, we played, laughed, and relaxed long into the night.

No trip to Texel is complete without at least one refreshing beach walk. On Sunday morning, we set out early for a hike to De Slufter, a breathtaking nature reserve in the National Park Dunes of Texel. This vast, sandy plain is enclosed by dunes but remains open to the North Sea, creating a stunning, ever-changing salt marsh landscape - perfect for photography and nature lovers alike.

From Duynzoom, the walk to De Slufter is about seven kilometers. We followed the shoreline on the way there and returned through the dunes. The wide, firm beach made for an easy and pleasant walk, with several beach pavilions along the way - ideal for a coffee break or a relaxed lunch.

After several kilometers, the landscape suddenly opened up, revealing the vast inlet cutting through the dunes. The view was even more impressive than we had imagined! The water extends much further inland than expected, and the surrounding dunes are simply stunning. The well-maintained trails lead through rolling dunes, peaceful forests, small streams, and even grazing sheep, offering plenty to see along the way.

It’s a fairly long walk, so bringing some snacks and water is a good idea. But in nice weather, the National Park is an incredible place to spend a day hiking. And after all that activity, what could be better than unwinding in your own wellness tub?

This long weekend was exactly what we needed - pure relaxation, far from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Duynzoom proved to be the perfect retreat, and Texel, with its natural beauty and endless activities, stole our hearts. We’ll definitely be back!