Escape from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam and immerse yourself in Dutch history during this half-day trip to Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans.
From our central departure point in Amsterdam, we take a 20-minute drive to Zaanse Schans. Zaanse Schans is an historical heritage site that was established as a place to preserve windmills, artisan crafts and old Zaanse homes. This area is famous for its typical 18th and 19th Century architecture. View the live demonstrations of artisan activities like clump making. You'll also have enough time to explore the impressive surroundings before we continue our trip to the polders. After our visit to Zaanse Schans, we continue our drive to Edam, our second destination for the day.
In Edam, also known as the Pearl of the Zuiderzee, it appears as though time has literally stood still. The cheese trade and boat building industry turned Edam into a thriving commercial city in the 14th and 15th centuries. You can still witness this wealth today in the form of monumental buildings with richly decorated facades. After a stroll through the historical streets and along the serene moats, we take you to a cheese-maker. Here you learn exactly how the famous Edammer cheese is made. Naturally you can also taste it for yourself!
Our last destination for this tour is the picturesque fishermen's village of Volendam. Visitors from around the world head to Volendam to admire the small colourful houses, the boats in the harbour and the Volendammers in their traditional Dutch clothes. Our guide will take you on a short stroll to see the highlights that Volendam has to offer. Eat some fish, immortalise yourself in traditional clothes, or take a look in the kitchen of the syrup waffle museum. After your visit to Volendam, we drive back to Amsterdam where you can reminisce on half a day filled with Dutch history.
