Private Luxury Tour to Zaanse Schans, Edam, Volendam and Marken

Het Twiske:
On the way we will pass through:
Nature reserve in the north of the Netherlands, designated Natura 2000 zone, surrounded by peat lakes and home to birds such as the European syllable, the hill spire or the stinging lagoon. An ideal place for photography and wildlife observation.

2 Zaanse Schans – Zaanse Schans : Mills, history and Dutch tradition
Discover Zaanse Schans, a unique village in the heart of the Kalverpolder, surrounded by peat meadows and 17th century houses. Stroll among historic windmills, artisan clog workshops and the aroma of cocoa as you watch boats sail down the river.
1. Learn how these mills helped drain polders, make paper, grind grain and cut wood. Today, of the original 9,000 mills, only 1,000 remain, preserved thanks to this open-air museum.
2. Book your tour and experience the authentic traditional Netherlands

3. Wooden Clog Workshop in Zaanse Schans
Visit the historic wooden clog workshop in Zaanse Schans, located in De Vrede, an 18th-century warehouse. Discover the traditional art of Dutch clog making, preserved thanks to original machines and the dedication of artisans like Jaap Kooijman.
5. A century ago, more than 8,000 people worked in this industry; today only a few teachers remain. Learn about its history and try on these iconic clogs, symbol of rural life in the Netherlands.

On this route we will pass through a polder with numerous farms, villas and extensive farmland. Through Wijdewormer with the Natura 2000 area of Twiske.
In the Middle Ages, Wijdewormer was an inland sea called "Wormermeer", with the village of "Nek", today's village of Neck, as a fishing village. In 1626 the "Wormer" was reclaimed and became the 1,666 hectare piece of land that Wijdewormer reclaimed. Unlike many other reclaimed lands in the province of North Holland, Wijdewormer was filled with fresh water and there was no ebb and flow. Therefore there was no open connection to the sea. During the 17th century, Wijdewormer became a granary for the Zaan region, where ships were built.

8. Edam, the best preserved pearl in the North of the Netherlands
Experience the magic of Edam, one of the most charming villages in the Netherlands, where canals, Renaissance mansions, hydrangea gardens and picturesque tea houses create a fairytale-worthy setting.
Its history dates back to the 12th century with peasants and fishermen settled on the banks of the river. The construction of 33 shipyards, their fleet of vessels and fishing fueled a thriving foreign trade, making Edam one of the richest cities in Holland.
The perfectly preserved facades of the 18th century bear witness to their splendour. And of course, Edam is world famous for his cheese, whose weekly fair gave a big boost to the local economy.
On this tour, you will not only stroll through its streets full of history, but also taste authentic Edam cheese in a unique setting.
Book now your private tour and let yourself fall in love with the flavors of the most authentic Holland

Jacobs Hoeve Cheese Farm and Jersey Organic Farm
Katwoude is located on the IJsselmeerdijk between Monnickendam and Volendam. The rural setting with farms is typical of the North Holland polder, the breeding ground for the famous Dutch cheeses. At the bottom of the dike lies the atmospheric Jacobs Hoeve. Upon arrival, our staff in original costumes will show you how the cheese is made. The cosy shop offers a wide selection of exclusive cheeses, souvenirs and typical Dutch delicacies.
Here we will make a delicious free tasting of more than 35 types of Dutch cheeses from sheep, cow, goat and mixed cheeses. We can accompany this with a delicious typical Dutch beer or a wine. (Drinks are subject to charge)

On the shore of the Markermeer, the picturesque fishing village of Volendam retains its essence with traditional costumes, folk music and the best marine gastronomy. Its streets of wooden houses and unique mosaics take us back to the past, as we stroll through De Dijk, facing one of the largest lakes in Europe.
Souvenir shops and restaurants, open all year round, offer an authentic atmosphere and fresh fish and seafood dishes, straight from the water to the table. The historic port still remembers the 1934 fish auction, and you can taste herring, eel or cod at its local stalls.
You want a special memory? Dress in a traditional Volendam costume and take a unique souvenir photo.
Included in our private tour of the Dutch countryside, so you can live the true tradition of the Netherlands

Gastronomic delights in Volendam
Volendam has a large number of restaurants and fish stalls, as it is a fishing village. Due to its location on the water, fish is one of Volendam's star products, so here we will taste some of its delicious typical fish dishes such as kibbeling, herring / haring, paling smoked fish, salmon, oysters. In short, we can indulge our palate, all accompanied by a good wine or champagne. To finish the gourmet touch, a lush dessert of pofertjes or Stroop Wafels.

From Volendam to Marken we will go around Europe's largest artificial freshwater lake. Due to a great flood in 1916 which washed away a large part of Waterland, leaving Marken with floating houses, dead people, destroyed villages, the Netherlands decided to close itself off from the sea. The Zuiderzee became the IJsselmeer. Lives were protected, but all the fishermen, sailors, and people who made sails for ships were left without work. Many of them tried to establish fishing in the North Sea but this was not possible in the long term due to the distance. Before the closure, the Zuiderzee was an important source of income for fishermen. Especially herring and anchovy fishing. After the completion of the 32 km Afsluitdijk, the salt water gradually became fresher. As a result, most of the fish disappeared, only eel, pikeperch and smelt managed to survive. In this lake we will be able to see part of the world's migratory birds.

16. Marken – A storytelling village by Lake IJssel
Discover Marken, a historic gem that was an island until 1957, when a levee joined it to the peninsula. In the 13th century, priests and fishermen settled here, cultivating the land and living off the sea. To withstand the floods, its inhabitants built wooden houses on palafitos, a unique piece of Dutch engineering.

Today, Marken retains its authentic traditional culture, with picturesque houses, grazing sheep and colorful boats on the lake. To walk through its streets is to enter a story, surrounded by idyllic landscapes that seem to be taken from a postcard.
Included in our private tour of the Dutch countryside, so you can experience the history and beauty of one of the most charming villages in the Netherlands.

Zeedijk Marken
The former island of Marken, now connected by a dam to the mainland, is now connected to Waterland. On this route I will introduce you to the special character of this former island. There are so many beautiful historic buildings to see here that almost all of Marken enjoys a protected townscape! On the way to Marken, you can quietly reach it via the dike and enjoy the view of Marken, which is slowly approaching. We will see along the water: on one side the Gouwzee and on the other the IJsselmeer lake.
Werven
Marken was originally built on quays: artificial hills two or three metres high that residents used to throw manure, grass and household waste on to protect themselves from flooding. Since the construction of the Afsluitdijk in 1932, the danger of flooding has of course passed, but the quays remain, as do the characteristic wooden houses on stilts.