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

Zaanse Schans

2 hours

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 products 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. Entrance to one of the windmills is included in this tour.

Volendam

1 hour

Volendam is build on a dike next to het IJsselmeer and is famous for the picturesque harbor. 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. Volendam has a pretty large variety of bars and restaurants where it’s possible to try local beer and/or have lunch.

Marken

1 hour

Marken used to be an island in the open sea but now it’s a quaint peninsula in the fresh water lake IJsselmeer. Several houses and even small neighborhoods are listed as national cultural monument and here it’s also possible to have lunch, in a cafe on the waterside.