After a pickup from your central Amsterdam hotel in the morning, travel by private vehicle into the gorgeous countryside of the Netherlands for your day trip to three lovely Dutch villages: Marken, Volendam and Edam. Walk with your private guide through each town on foot for a glimpse into local history and culture, but remember ─ your itinerary is flexible. Just let your guide know what interests you!
Arrive first in Marken, a small fishing town about 30 minutes from Amsterdam that's known for preserving traditional Dutch culture. Take a walking tour along the atmospheric streets while learning about the history of this special place, and enjoy incredible views over Lake Markermeer. Then, visit a small local museum to see how the people of Marken used to live.
Next, enjoy a scenic 30-minute boat ride across IJsselmeer to Volendam. This traditional fishing village was an artist’s retreat in the 20th century for painters such as Pablo Picasso and Pierre-August Renoir, and you'll understand why as you wander the labyrinth of streets by foot. See the town's fish auction and head to a local cheese shop to sample some of the famous local cheese.
After some free time to explore Volendam at leisure and purchase lunch (own expense), set off to your next destination: the captivating medieval town of Edam. Enjoy a relaxing walk along the cobblestone streets, and gaze upon the quaint homes and bridges along Edam’s canals; it’s like taking a stroll through a Dutch postcard.
Learn about Edam’s important role in the history of Holland’s trade, navigation and culture. See the historic town hall and cross the dam to visit Edam’s oldest brick house, built around 1530 and converted into a museum in the 1800s. Inside, view the original kitchen and living quarters, and hear the legends behind the remarkable floating cellar.
You’ll then get an up-close look at Edam’s oldest wooden house, a structure that also dates from the early 16th century. After somehow surviving numerous fires and escaping building code legislation, the house is an extremely rare example of Gothic wooden architecture in the Netherlands.
After your time in Edam, relax on the drive back through the countryside to Amsterdam, and finish your tour with drop-off at your hotel.