Premala and Alexandra were the most thoughtful and mindful hosts we've ever had the pleasure of staying with.
The Avontuur really is a special place that is challenging to put into words. Imagine an environment with the spirituality of a Buddhist temple, with the warmth and cosiness of a log cabin with a raging fire in a snow storm, with the central location of a penthouse in the heart of the city, and with the peace of a bench on a quiet spot of the Mediterranean sea. All the imagery that comes to my head at least! Inspiring as these are qualities we work to bring to our own home as well.
In practical terms now.. it was an oasis in the heart of the city. Super comfortable and cosy, with the gentle movement of the water in the dock adding to the sensation of relaxation you feel as soon as you walk through the door. The captain's hut is a warm inviting space with all the amenities, which you can tell has had such love and care into it. The bathroom was interesting with a sit down shower which is novel to me at least, but this adds to the experience of being in a different place. The ship is covered in houseplants which bring great energy and fresh air. The private deck is the perfect space for a smoke without disturbing anyone, and/or sitting and enjoying the sunshine with a lovely view of the water and other boats. Sitting out there at night is also fantastic with the city lights reflecting off of the water, creating the kind of picturesque scene that inspires some to paint.
We signed up to do a private yoga class with Premala, one of the paid extras identified when booking, and it was fantastic. I had never done a full yoga class myself, while my partner had never had a private session. Premala was awesome. His style was one focussed on gradual stretching, compression and opening up. In the intro before we started he eased us into this concept, highlighting that his style was not an athletic one with overly-challenging postures. It was all manageable as a complete beginner, and it was all about stretching to the limits that your own body can manage. The class left me feeling invigorated and warm, with my whole body gently exercised and tested. I'd had leg pains from all the walking involved in city trips, and remarkably between the yoga and the environment of the Avontuur this disappeared too.
I would highly recommend Premala's class for anyone who's ever been intrigued by yoga, or wants to work with someone talented to improve their practice and take it to the next level.
Overall we adored our time on board, and couldn't reccomend enough staying on the Avontuur for anyone with good vibes looking to really relax and luxuriate in a serene environment. Having also loved the city of Rotterdam, we'll be back some day in the future for sure.