Culinary & Nightlife

Leave Amsterdam for half a day on this guided tour of the rolling Dutch countryside. Sit back and travel comfortably in a coach to the rural village of Edam. Take a walk through the quaint streets of Edam. En-route to Volendam, stop to visit an old cheese farm to see how authentic Dutch cheese is made. Indulge in trying some of these huge spheres of delicious cheese. Upon arrival in Volendam, follow your guide on a journey through the fishing village’s winding streets. Hear about how this bustling place was once the harbor for neighboring village Edam. Enjoy some free time to eat lunch. Next, move on to visit the windmill village of Zaanse Schans. Once used to ground spices, dyes, lumber, oil, cocoa powder, and many other items, the mills are still in use today. Some are now living museums where you can learn about the ins and outs of milling. Visit a wooden shoe factory and behold how traditional clogs are created using antique machines. Afterward, go inside a windmill and take a look at all the mechanisms and go out onto the platform for a remarkable view over the surrounding area.  Filled with newfound knowledge and a taste of the traditional Dutch ways of life, relax and reminisce about your trip while on the journey back to Amsterdam.

Immerse yourself in the culture of the Netherlands on a tour through the jewels of the Dutch countryside. Visit a cheese producer, a clog factory, a fishing village, and see the iconic windmills. Start your tour at Amsterdam’s Central Station and head in the company of your guide to the first destination of the day, Zaanse Schans. Admire the typical Dutch windmills of the town, and learn about how they are still used today. Next, drive to the Waterland area to arrive at the second stop of the tour, Edam. Walk around some of the town’s most historical sites, including the town square where the famous cheese market used to take place. Then, head to Volendam to visit a local cheese producer, learn about the production of Edam and Gouda cheeses, and try a cheese tasting. Head towards a clog factory next to discover the secrets of this typical Dutch shoe. Finally, travel back in time to the 17th century as you wander through the fishermen’s houses in the Marken, and explore this quintessential fishing village.

Time to try on something that wouldn't normally be in your wardrobe: traditional Volendam wear, including warm baggy trousers for the men and a high, pointed bonnet for the ladies. And of course, no outfit would be complete without Holland's most famous footwear - clogs! Say 'cheeeessseee' and your professional photographer will snap a photo of you and your friends, a souvenir which you can show to everyone at home. After the photo shoot, you can enjoy a guided tour in which you learn how to make a typical Dutch Gouda or Edam cheese. In the clog factory, you will get the chance to see a piece of wood turn into footwear and learn about the different varieties of clogs. In the shop you can have a look at all kinds of souvenirs and taste Dutch biscuits such as stroopwafel, a delicious local fruit wine and of course all kinds of cheeses. Try a rock hard, two-year old cheese or a cheese with cumin seeds, a famous delicacy in Holland. When you are finished perusing the souvenir section your photos will be waiting for you at the checkout. 

Start your tour in the famous old-harbor of Volendam, soak up the fishing village atmosphere and pick up souvenirs. See the famous maze Doolhof with small streets and cute houses, dress up in the Volendam costume and get photographed.  Move on to Katwoude, known for its cheese farms. Visit the traditional cheese farm and taste the different types of cheese. Head to Monnickendam, known for its smokehouses, 3 churches, and shipyards. See the beautiful houses made of light bronze bricks, the old harbor, and charming terraces. Explore the city center and head to the harbor to check out the boats. Stop at a canalside cafe for a drink and a snack. Visit a nice restaurant in Monnickendam and enjoy a lunch. Continue to the former island Marken, formerly an isolated island. See its characteristic houses, pleasant ambiance and the beautiful view over the Gouwzee and the Markermeer. Stop at the viskraam (fish stall) and try some haring (raw herring served with chopped onions) or kibbeling (fried fish nuggets). From Marken, take the boat back to Volendam. Cruise along the former Zuiderzee coastline and learn all about this area's fascinating history and culture.

Located in Volendam, on the world-famous dike, find the newly renovated home of the Stroopwafel. Visit a traditional bakery which has been transformed in recent years and completely renovated to its old-fashioned function and style. As you enter the bakery, the gorgeous smell of the Stroopwafels will envelop you in deliciousness. Walk around the store to see all the incredibly flavorful variations on this national treat and purchase a few to take home for your friends and family. After your visit to the store, head downstairs with a traditional baker and watch him at work as he crafts the tasty treats. The demonstration is given on fixed times every day. Please select the time-slot when you make your booking. Assist the baker in making the Stroopwafels and learn all about the cooking process of the cookie. Immerse yourself in this baking experience full of sweet smells and enticing tastes and then enjoy the fruits of your labor and taste the cookies you produce. Finally wander around the bakery to see how life was like for Dutch bakers in the old days.

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.

Starting out with milk from the local cows, learn about the steps involved in making cheese. Mixing, heating, pressing and eventually eating, of course! Make your own little farmer's cheese. This is a very young cheese which can be vacuumed and eaten directly or ripened at home using liquid plastic as a cover around the cheese. While the homemade cheeses are being pressed, enjoy a guided tour through the wooden shoe factory for a chance to learn how to turn a piece of wood into footwear. The varieties of clogs are shown, from historical to modern day clogs. In the shop, marvel at all kinds of souvenirs and taste Dutch biscuits such as stroopwafel, a delicious local fruit wine, and of course all kinds of cheeses. During the workshop coffee and tea are complimentary.

Choose between a customizable private tour or a small-group tour for a high-quality experience at an affordable price. Either way, you'll discover the scenic Dutch countryside and enjoy driving down winding country roads.   Climb the dikes and admire views of the water below. The local guide will explain the history of the intricate canal system that was constructed to protect the people from the sea. Visit some of the local gems, like Broek in Waterland, or Edam and Volendam and take pictures of ancient windmills and the grazing livestock.  Visit a cheese farm and learn how the famous Dutch cheese is made. Taste some delicious samples before continuing to a clog factory to see what it's like to walk in traditional wooden clogs. Take a break along the way to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with a delicious Dutch treat.

Starting out with a block of wood from the Dutch poplar tree, and learn the steps involved in making clogs. Shape the outside of the shoe the old fashioned way, with a big knife, and carve out the inside of the shoe with a sharp spoon. During the workshop, make a wooden shoe per person or per duo. Receive a semi-finished wooden shoe which can be decorated with the help of engraving tools and colorful paint. Next, enjoy a guided tour through the cheese factory and learn how to transform milk into a delicious Dutch Gouda cheese. Discover various types of cheeses and slicers used traditionally. In the shop, marvel at all kinds of souvenirs and taste Dutch biscuits such as stroopwafel, a delicious local fruit wine, and of course all kinds of cheeses. During the workshop coffee and tea are complimentary.

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.