Volendam

Legend has it that the Volendam coat of arms is a compliment to the beauty of the Volendam girls ! No wonder that a famous singer sang the praise of this characteristic Dutch fishing village in the words: As a result of its completely insulated location, this village preserved its character for six centuries, also because of the tough vitality of the fishermen. The characteristic small houses, which together with the canals and the drawbridges form the most picturesque spots, present the visitor an atmosphere of geniality and romance.

It's about 30 minutes by more..

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url:	www.vvvvolendam.nl

Edam

Although Edam is only a 30-minute bus ride from Amsterdam, it is the perfect day trip for tourists interested in walking tours, small museums, and noshing on cheese at a cute cafe. Try De Prinsen Bar and Eetcafe for Dutch cheese samplers, fresh bread, tasty olives, and crisp green salads (Prinsenstraat 8; Tel: 0299/372-911). The pace in Edam is much slower than the in the city, so visitors can also relax and recharge here. Most tourists like Edam so much, that they decide to stay overnight at the canal side Hotel de Fortuna, which is more..

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tel:	+299-315121
url:	www.vvv-edam.nl
address:	Damplein 1 PO Box 91
email:	info@vvv-edam.nl

Zaanse Schans

The Zaanse Schans is a delightful old hamlet on the banks of the river Zaan with characteristic green wooden houses, charming styalised gardens, small hump-backed bridges, tradesmen's workshops, historic windmills and engaging little shops. This enchanting hamlet gives an excellent impression of how a typical Zaanse village must have looked like in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Apart from the cluster of windmills and houses there are also several museums, restaurants and a visitors' centre to be found as well as

The possibility of taking a more..

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url:	www.zaanseschans.nl

The city of Utrecht

Dutch Mill

A beautiful ancient city right in the centre of the country and just 45 minutes by train. The city has beautiful canals that are quite different to the ones in Amsterdam. The centre of the city is The Dom a cathedral with a tower about 200 meters a part of it as that part of the church was blown away during a storm. The city was founded during the Roman periode and was then called Ultrajectum. Since then it has palyed its very important role in the history of the countrie. The canals do have lovely houses, there ar some ancient marketplaces and a part of the canals are called more..

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Delft and The Hague

Delft is a great one-day escape not only because it is the charming hometown of the painter Vermeer and home to the Royal Dutch Delftware Manufactory, but you can also combine it with a trip to the nearby city of The Hague. In Delft, you can visit a number of all day art markets and flea markets, people-watch, trek across canal bridges, and enjoy some of the best syrup waffles the Netherlands has to offer. A quick trip to The Hague (the Netherlands capital) will take you to a number of amazing museums such as Mauritshuis (Vermeer and more..

The Historic Triangle

The Historic Triangle is a popular day trip for small groups and families. Upon arrival in the tiny town of Hoorn, visitors will notice a modern train station that exits to a pedestrian overpass (follow the signs). This will take you to an old-fashioned train station where visitors will board a steam train to the town of Medemblik. During the 65-minute ride the train passed modern white windmills and kids waving from backyards. After spending roughly 50 minutes in Medemblik and collecting cutesy postcards, visitors will board a 1920s-era boat to Enkhuizen. more..

Cycling in the countryside.

Cycling in the countryside
photo by: edward

You still can find the classical Holland within a few miles from Amsterdam. A great way to get around and see a lot is the bicycle.
The region just east of Amsterdam is less visited by the crowds, but nevertheless very interesting. Lowlands with rivers and windmills, old fortified towns like Weesp, Muiden (medieval castle), and Naarden (see also information on wikitravel). A bit more to the east forest and heath, with even some (very modest) hills.
Now you can cycle out of Amsterdam, within half an hour you’re out of town. You can take your bike on the more..