Dutch Countryside Tour from Amsterdam
Clogs, Canals & Cheese in Zaanse Schans, Edam & Volendam
OVERVIEW
Curious about the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam? This private day tour invites you to experience the charm of the Dutch countryside in the most authentic way. You’ll visit three picture-perfect towns—Zaanse Schans, Edam, and Volendam—each offering a glimpse into the country’s rich traditions.
See how the Dutch once harnessed the wind to power their industries with a walk among real working windmills. Learn how world-famous Dutch cheese is made—and taste it fresh at a local farm. Watch skilled artisans shape wooden clogs by hand, and stroll through cozy, colorful villages that look straight out of a painting. Along the way, you’ll hear quirky stories, try local treats (including chocolate beer!), and learn what makes this region of the Netherlands so unique.
Whether it’s your first time visiting the Netherlands or you’re eager to explore beyond the city, this countryside escape is the perfect way to get a deeper, tastier, and more memorable experience of Dutch life.
HIGHLIGHTS
Visit the working windmills of Zaanse Schans
Chocolate masterclass & tasting
Cheese-making demonstration with local pairings
Traditional clog workshop & Dutch costume fun
Walking tours of Edam and Volendam
Local food tastings: herring, mustard, sweets
Dinner at a historic smokehouse
ITINERARY
10:00 AM | Departure from Amsterdam
Pick-up from your hotel by your private guide and driver.
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Zaanse Schans Windmill Village
Wander through this open-air museum of historic windmills. See how wind power drove Dutch industry in the 17th century, from paint and oil to perfume production.
12:00 PM – 12:30 PM | Chocolate Masterclass & Tasting
Discover the history of cocoa in the Netherlands with an optional chocolate workshop, featuring cocoa tastings and even chocolate beer.
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM | Cheese Farm Visit & Tasting
Watch a cheese-making demonstration and sample Edam, Gouda, and mustard pairings. Optional visit to a high-tech dairy with automated milking.
1:00 PM – 2:00 PM | Traditional Clog Workshop
Enjoy a hands-on clog-making demo and try on traditional Dutch costumes. Visit the antique store and bakery museum, and grab a few sweet souvenirs.
2:00 PM – 2:30 PM | Scenic Drive to Edam
2:30 PM – 3:45 PM | Edam Walking Tour
Stroll past cobbled lanes and peaceful canals, visit the historic Weighing House, and learn how Edam became a major cheese export hub.
3:45 PM – 5:00 PM | Volendam Promenade & Tastings
Explore this charming fishing village, snap photos by the harbor, taste fresh herring, and spot whimsical street art and murals.
5:00 PM – 6:30 PM | Dinner at Historic Smokehouse
Enjoy a traditional Dutch dinner in a family-run smokehouse featuring house specialties like eel soup and local champagne.
6:30 PM – 7:00 PM | Return to Amsterdam
Relax during the drive back after a day full of flavor and stories.
DURATION
Full-day(10+ hours)
Includes:
Private guide & transportation
Guided tours of all locations
Windmill entrance
Cheese tasting
Chocolate masterclass
Clog workshop
Dinner at a traditional smokehouse
Custom-designed personal tours available upon request
Excludes:
Personal expenses
Insurance
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