Discover the untouched Dutch countryside with this guided excursion from Amsterdam. You’ll tour the scenic villages, admire the age-old windmills, sample authentic Dutch cheese, and learn about the secrets of crafting the perfect pair of Dutch wooden footwear using the intricate traditional methods. Complement your refreshing sightseeing with a classic cruise across Amsterdam’s historic canals.
As the tour starts, you’ll travel towards north, straight to the Zaanse Schans Village on the banks of Zaan River. Immerse yourself in its mindblowing lush settings, see charming wooden barns, and further ponder over the importance of windmills in the Dutch culture and history, as you spot many of them along the way and even visit one to view it in detail. Interestingly, these elegant windmills trace its origin past to 17th century and are well maintained and still in use.
You’ll crave for a simpler life as you next move on to Edam. This tiny yet enormously striking town invites you with its serene canals and historic attractions like the 15th century cathedral of Grote Kerk, Carillon Tower, and mostly the Town Square which once hosted the exclusive cheese market. Before you leave, follow your guide to a cheese factory where you’ll get to taste the popular Edam cheese and know how it’s made.
The next stop at the antiquated village of Volendam allows you to uncover the region’s maritime past. Gain an in-depth insight into its culture and traditions as you stroll through its quiet streets, check out the old shops, and dress yourself up in traditional Dutch attire to take home a unique souvenir image. Following this, you’ll visit Marken, a fishing town where you’ll mainly tour a clog workshop to see tradesmen working on the renowned Dutch wooden shoes.
Once you’re back in Amsterdam, you’ll board a boat for a one-hour cruise which sails you down the UNESCO-listed canal district. This lets you appreciate the city’s beautiful sights covering bridges, age-old houses, house boats etc from water. There is also an audioguide made available in different languages.