Dutch Countryside and Windmill Tour

Being an ardent traveler Europe was always on the top in my bucket list but somehow I had one strong gut feeling that being an IT professional someday my employer would send me there on work and I will get a chance to fulfill my dream. And yes, this dream came through last year and I got to visit Amsterdam not just once but twice in the same year for a span of 6-8 weeks. I also got a chance to see Belgium and Berlin. However, in this blog, I will be covering only the Dutch countryside tour. Please wait for the upcoming blogs for my rest of Europe Travel diaries J

If you ask anybody about what pops up in their head when they think of The Netherlands, most people’s minds will drift to windmills, tulip fields and the lively center of Amsterdam. Its picturesque canals, historic buildings, exotic nightlife, and open-minded culture stands out. While Amsterdam is undeniably one of the country’s most fascinating tourist attractions, the scenic Dutch countryside and windmills in the surroundings are often overlooked.

During my stay, while I managed to see the lively city of Amsterdam, I also wanted to explore the Dutch countryside since I had heard and read a lot about it. So despite hectic work schedule somehow managed to book a tour especially to see this. Thanks to “Tours and Tickets”. For people like me who don’t plan and just land in Amsterdam, this is the best tour group to see places around Amsterdam. This short half-day tour was just 59 Euros covering Zanse Schans, Marken and Volendam along with Amsterdam Canal Cruise.  For a 6.5 hours interactive tour of some beautiful Netherlands sights, this is an extremely good deal. You can also take a train from Amsterdam Central to Zanse Schans. You should reach there in 35 minutes. Finish the tour and return back same evening.

We were asked to be there at the “Tours and Tickets” office in Amsterdam Central at around 2:30 PM. And we started off with our guide and fellow travelers in a bus from here. The moment our bus stepped out of Amsterdam central and started driving along the countryside the scenic beauty was just mesmerizing. We were given earphones in bus so that we could listen to some of the deep insights on Netherlands. And in between our guide would give us some interesting facts and keep us entertained en-route.

Our first stop was Zanse Schans that is famous for the windmills and this is one of the most famous landmarks of Netherlands. It took around half an hour travel to reach Zanse Schans from Amsterdam by bus.

Zanse Schans – The Windmill Village

We reached Zanse Schans at around 3 PM. This is a picturesque village famous for its iconic windmills.

Let me give you a background of why windmills are considered very important here. Windmills are an important part of making the Netherlands what it is today. Because the country is about as flat as can be, the wind has free reign most of the time. Annoying? Sometimes, especially when cycling the wrong way, but also a significant power source! The windmills at the Zanse Schans are actually among the first fully industrial regions in the world and they help make mustard, paint, oil, and paper. Windmills also quite literally shaped the Netherlands. They were used to pump the water out of submerged meadows and even to reclaim whole areas from the sea. This is the most important fact in fact. If it were not for the Dutch windmills, your trip to Amsterdam would look a whole lot different!

We got down from the bus and started following our guide who took us through the village, wooden houses with brown and green shades, canals with clear reflection of the houses, mills, barns, workshops and windmills of all sizes. We walked by each one these and could not stop clicking pictures along the colorful windmills. 

Finally, guide took us to one of the windmill where we were permitted to enter and the miller explained the mechanics behind this, how they operate it, what timings of the day and how it is beneficial for the town. 

We were able to enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings and immerse ourselves in the Old Dutch lifestyle. 

As we walked across the Dutch countryside houses with swans passing by small canals, I could think of my childhood memoirs where I would draw and paint these in my art classes. I could not believe that I am actually seeing them now. I was completely awestruck and my excitement was at a different tangent altogether. It was so calm and serene. 

That is why they say one should dream since dreams do come through someday. And I strongly believe in this J

Marken –

We then left from Zanse Schans in bus and started our journey towards our next stop – Marken.

Out first stop here was at Dutch clog (Klompen) factory at Klompenmakerij. You can easily identify this factory by spotting a giant wooden clog outside. 

This is a wooden shoe factory. A shoe making enthusiast who explained us how Dutch have been wearing shoes or clogs or Klompen (in Dutch) since medieval times welcomed us. He said, these are worn by farmers, fishermen, factory workers, artisans and others to protect their feet. Nails, fishing hooks and sharp implements that might pierce a regular boot will not go through a wooden shoe. On boats and docks and in muddy fields, wooden shoes also keep feet dry. After briefing us on the clogs, he gave an exciting free demonstration of how these clogs are made from a block of wood. This demonstration takes approximately 10-15 minutes and he explained in both English and Dutch Language.

Post this we were allowed to explore the factory on our own where in there was free trial clogs kept for both male and female in all different sizes, shapes and colors.  

I did try one pair and they were quite heavy weight. When I started walking, I felt that they are taking me instead J. 

Finally at the end of the factory, you will reach the souvenir shop where you can buy the clogs or clogs in the form of key-chains, showpieces, wall hangings etc.

Post clicking pictures here our guide told us that in order to reach Volendam we need to take a small cruise from the Marken Harbor. So we started walking through the Marken village up-to the Harbor. As we were walking passing by the small characteristic wooden houses, it was amusing to see the clogs hanging outside houses. Each house had very artistically used these clogs to decorate in distinct ways, which was very interesting. 

Also while walking across each lane/house we got some more flavors of Dutch countryside. It was so calm and clean. This is a very good place to unwind yourself away from the city’s hustle bustle.

Finally we reached the harbor and we hopped onto Volendam Marken Express cruise to start our journey to Volendam.

Volendam – The Fishing Village

The cruise journey was hardly 15-20 minutes and we were approaching Volendam we could see lot of old Dutch ships. Volendam is also called Holland’s best-known fishing village.

Our first stop was the cheese factory Volendam. 

Despite the same, its much more than a factory – it is an interactive experience that will introduce you to the wonders of Dutch cheese and also ending with varieties of cheese tasting. We were welcomed by a lady in traditional Dutch attire and she escorted us to to the basement for factory for an interactive demonstration on how cheese is made out of milk and how it is made in different sizes and shapes. She explained in Dutch, English and French. 

Post the demonstration we were next directed to walk towards cheese tasting zone where in another lady gives us different varieties of cheese bits to taste. Finally, to the purchase counter where in you can buy them as a souvenir for your loved ones.

Our guide then directed us to a restaurant where he asked us to try out the fish chips here. Volendam being called the fishing village and me being a seafood lover, this can’t be missed for sure  J. Trust me it was yummy and definitely a must try.

We quickly finished our lunch and since there was some time left before moving to the next spot we took a stroll across the riverside lane. 

There were lot of souvenir shops where in you could buy some key-chains, small windmill showpieces, and Dutch caps. I found these Dutch caps very cute and these are worth taking for your family and friends.

Post lunch we went to Volendam’s Stroopwafle factory. This tour also was similar to cheese factory with one demonstration followed by waffle tasting and finally buy if you need. Stroopwaffle is one of the Dutch delights and is a must try when in Netherlands. I liked the taste and brought some packets home.

We then started walking through Volendam village following our guide until we reached a spot where our bus was waiting to pick us up. Walk across this village was quite picturesque with small wooden houses giving us various flavors of Dutch countryside. 

We set off to Amsterdam with wonderful memoirs of Dutch countryside.

Amsterdam city has its own charm. However, to experience everyday life in the Netherlands, get out of town and get mesmerized in these postcard-perfect Dutch villages.

A very important note for me to remember whenever I read this blog in future: I am writing this blog in the month of March 2020 when the whole world is battling for deadly corona virus. In order to contain the spread, our government has announced total country lock-down for 21 days. During this time, I have planned to complete my pending travel blogs of 2019. I hope that life comes back to normalcy soon.