Zaanse Schans

Food & Gourmet Tours

You will begin with to a trip to the enchanting village of Giethoorn in the north of the Netherlands for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Known as the “Venice of North”, the village is notable for its many canals and complete lack of roads. You will explore this fairy tale village, where less than 3,000 people live, throughout a 1-hour guided boat tour. Explore the preserved village on foot, and see how each farmhouse is built on a small man-made island. Wander the narrow footpaths to discover hundreds of bridges, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of the village. Your trip will continue to the village of Volendam, where you can admire brightly painted wooden houses and see locals wearing their colorful regional attire. Your guide will take you on a short walk through the Volendam harbor, which has been one of the most popular tourist attractions in the village since 1875. This is a great place to pick up souvenirs and gifts for those at home or for yourself, and to have photos taken in traditional Dutch costume in one of many photo studios of the village. Your last destination is to explore the most picturesque traditional 17th-century Zaanse Schans village which contains houses and a collection of beautifully preserved windmills from the nation’s industrial heritage. In Zaanse Schans village you can stroll past the charming greenhouses and visit a factory where the clogs popular in this part of the country are made. There’s also nothing more Dutch than cheese, and whilst there you can try some at the Catharina Hoeve Farm where you will also learn about its production.

Marvel at the views of the windmills and the waterfront of Zaanse Schans from one of the beautiful terraces at Restaurant De Kraai. Depending on the option selected, choose your pancake topping and select either delicious Dutch cheese, syrup, Nutella, apple sauce, or crispy bacon. Or, just sit back and relax while relishing homemade apple pie. Each option will be served with either coffee or tea.

Your boat trip starts at a dock close to Zaandam Station. Step aboard a luxury boat and enjoy panoramic views from the boat, with a roof that can be opened on sunny days. During the ride, tuck into an unlimited selection of local beers, red and white wines, soft drinks, cheese, stroopwafels, and other Dutch snacks. Your skipper will tell you tales about these tasty goods. Begin by exploring the city of Zaandam from the water. Admire Zaandam's old and contemporary architecture and learn about the city's important role in the history of Holland. After a short ride, you will arrive at the famous windmills of the Zaanse Schans. See the 8 windmills and have the best view from the water. Your skipper will tell you amazing stories about the secrets of the centuries-old windmills. You will also pass close by some of the most beautiful houses in the area, which can only be seen properly by boat. Your guide will tell you everything you need to know about them as you continue through the Dutch countryside. Then, you will arrive at the scenic town of Wormerveer. Admire the interesting mix between old-school architecture and raw industrialism. Pass by local hotspots that are still relatively off the beaten tourist track, to get an authentic taste of what everyday life is really like. After a fun boat ride, you will be returned to your starting point.

Discover charming villages reared in Dutch tradition on this exclusive tour. Just 20 minutes from Amsterdam, traditional Dutch countryside awaits you. Appreciate the landscape and visit the museum outdoor at Zaanse Schans, which recreates an industrial town full of the windmills for which the Dutch are so famous. Explore inside the mill and get a whiff of all the spices used here. Learn about the many modes of operation and production in these mills. Then, travel to the village of Marken through a lone, winding road that was built in 1957. This historic place remains well-preserved to this day.   Visit a farm in the area and appreciate the high quality craftsmanship used to produce Gouda cheese. Your tour includes an extensive tasting. Volendam, the former fishing village, is the last stop on the tour. Lose yourself amidst the striking wooden houses and a maze of narrow streets and canals. Enjoy some free time to stroll the streets and explore the shops. If you get hungry, nibble your way through the harbor's many food stalls and restaurants, sampling the local fish as you go.

Explore the historic windmills of Zaanse Schans and see the picturesque Dutch countryside by bike on this 3-day trip. Visit typical villages such as Volendam and Edam. Enjoy a cruise along gorgeous Amsterdam canals and experience the city's culinary hotspots during a walking dinner tour. Day 1: Check in to your hotel, greet your guide, and enjoy a welcome drink. Spend the evening dining in a monumental restaurant, dating back to 1885, based in the antique central train station building. This hidden gem is known as Europe’s best Station Restaurant. Hop on a scenic 1-hour canal cruise taking you through the most iconic landmarks of Amsterdam. Day 2: Be whisked away to your next destination on a comfortable, air-conditioned single deck bus. Marvel at the harbor of the typical Dutch fishing village of Volendam as you explore the streets with your guide. From here, explore your surroundings like a local. Get on an e-bike and ride through the scenic Dutch countryside. Soak in the green landscape crisscrossed with ditches. Stop for a break in rural Edam for some delicious coffee and cake. Continue to the windmill village of Zaanse Schans. This open-air museum houses a collection of working windmills, wooden houses, barns, and shops dating back to the 18th and 19th century. Relive the most prosperous period of the Zaan region. Follow your guide through the village for an orientation tour. Witness a clog-making demonstration at the Wooden Shoe Workshop and museum. Learn about Dutch cheese-making and sample some of it. Admire the elegant houses of rich merchants and windmill owners. Step inside the windmills and learn how they were used in the production of cocoa powder and oil for food. Hop on your bike to enjoy the last cycling route before your arrival in Wormer. Take a well-earned break and feast on a 3-course lunch in a beautiful grand-café, located within a historic former warehouse next to the river Zaan. Relax on the bus ride back to Amsterdam. Reflect on your day in the Dutch countryside. Then discover what the vibrant city of Amsterdam has in store for you. After a short break in the city hotel, wander around Amsterdam’s 17th-century Canal Ring, listed on the UNESCO world heritage list. Jump from one culinary hotspot to another during a 3-course walking dinner tour. Day 3: After a night of relaxation in the hotel, kick off the final day with a hearty breakfast.