Private countryside tour: the highlights of Holland with guide and transport

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Zaanse Schans, Schansend 1, 1509 AW Zaandam The Netherlands

Here we have the opportunity to visit the best windmills in Holland.

In the Seventeenth Century the Zaanse Schans was the biggest industrial area in the world. A Dutch windmill basically was a little factory. Each windmill was custom build for producing various product like paint, cooking oil, paper and wood.

On the bank of the river Zaan hundreds of windmills were grinding, pounding, sawing and crushing. Products of the Zaanse Schans were exported all over the world.

The dozen windmills on the Zaanse Schans are still fully operational. On a good windy day we’ll see them turning at full speed.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Amsterdam City Tours, De Ruijterkade 34a, In the IJ hall of Central Station on the far eastern side, Marken The Netherlands

Marken is one of the most famous fishing villages in Holland. Once upon a time it was on an island in sea. The houses in Marken stand on wooden poles. It's a perfect place to try some Dutch seafood.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Cheese Market Edam, Jan van Nieuwenhuizenplein., Edam The Netherlands

Next to Volendam is the village of Edam. Edam is famous for the round, bowling ball sized cheeses covered in red wax. In July and August these cheeses are traded on the cheese market.

This 12th century village has many historical buildings, like the colorful Waag (Weigh House). The Grote Kerk (Big Church) has the most beautiful 17th century stained glass windows in Holland.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Volendam Haven, Haven 43, 1131 EP Volendam The Netherlands

Volendam is build on a dike next to het IJsselmeer. The old fisherman’s quarter is called the Maze. It’s a labyrinth of alleyways and dwarf sized houses.

Volendam is perfect to try some Dutch seafood. Most famous is raw herring with pickles and onions. It’s not as bad as it sounds. It’s actually very tender and tastes a bit like sushi, only fishier. Most of our guests actually finish it! Another dish is kibbeling, battered and deep fried pieces of codfish served with tartar sauce.

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Church Broek in Waterland, Kerkplein 13, 1151 AH Broek in Waterland, Netherlands

To the north of the city the countryside is called Waterland. Imagine a flat sea of grass and water. This is the most Dutch landscape there is.

It’s a landscape with ditches and meadows, reeds, cows and birds, farms and church towers on the horizon. This area is full of peatlands, canals and lakes.

In the centre of Waterland is the village of Broek. Although it's are only half an hour’s drive from Amsterdam, Broek in Waterland feels different from the cosmopolitan city. Most of the old houses, farms and even the church were made out of wood. Stone buildings were too heavy for the soft soil.

Duration: 45 minutes