Freedom. Calm. A sunrise over the Havel. The first rays of sun glisten on the water, a great crested grebe calls in the distance – and you ask yourself: "Why didn't I do this sooner?"
A houseboat holiday on the Havel is more than just a trip. It's that special feeling of simply setting off without knowing where you'll moor for the night. No plan, no time pressure – just you, the water and the moment. And it was exactly this feeling that was the start of Bootado. We don't sell freedom – we make it something you can experience.
A small question with a big impact
Sometimes a simple question changes everything. For us it was: "Can you insure a houseboat too?"
Back then we came from the insurance and property world. Houseboats were – honestly – something we had little to do with. But then came 2020. A year in which the world suddenly stood still. Trips were cancelled, plans postponed – and many of us realised just how much we long for freedom. That's exactly when the idea for Bootado was born – out of the wish to decide for ourselves where the day would take us.
The first trip – and the moment that changed everything
Curious, we rented a houseboat. A few days on the Havel – no appointments, no phone signal, no obligations. Just us, the water and the silence. In the mornings we stood on deck with a cup of coffee, watched the sun rise and knew: this is freedom.
It wasn't the cruising that moved us – it was the being. That sense of losing yourself in the moment, when the world outside goes quiet. Back on land it was clear: this is what we want to share. That feeling of arriving – right in the middle of the water.
From an idea to a brand
The path there wasn't a straight one. We contacted more than 40 marinas, had countless conversations, often heard no – and sometimes yes. The boats that existed never quite fit: too expensive, too plain, too little heart. So we decided: we'll do it ourselves.
A marina operator put us in touch with a boat builder, and suddenly there was that spark. We began to develop boats that don't just work but move you. Every detail was questioned: how does the morning light fall onto the bed? Where does the coffee machine go? What does the rain sound like on the roof? That's how our first boats came about – thoughtful, homely, stylish.
A home on the water – Marina Röblinsee
The perfect place for this dream? Marina Röblinsee. A slice of natural idyll, framed by water, forest and sky. This is where our boats lie – ready for all those who are ready to let go. Here the Havel isn't just a river, it's a feeling. A place where time doesn't matter.
Why Bootado – and what makes us special
When the first boats were finished, the question arose: how should they be marketed? The classic way, through platforms? With partners? As a franchise? Our answer: no.
Bootado was meant to stay genuine. Personal. That's why we do everything ourselves – from the concept to the booking. That way what matters stays tangible: closeness, trust and the feeling that this isn't about boats – but about moments that stay with you.
Why we love the Havel
The Havel isn't a river you simply travel along. It's an experience. Sometimes wide and calm, sometimes winding and mysterious. You glide past villages, through forests, under old bridges – and you feel it: this isn't about speed. It's about what happens between the moments. And the best part: you don't need a licence. Just curiosity, a little spirit of adventure – and the desire to truly feel life again.
Conclusion: freedom needs no destination
A simple question turned into an idea. An idea into a concept. And that concept into Bootado – a place on the water where you're allowed to arrive. Today Bootado stands for mindful tourism, for style, calm and nature. For people who are looking for something special – and prefer silence to entertainment.
