Going Dutch in Volendam – Tulips, Canals and Cheese
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Volendam Harbour
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Henri Willig Cheese Farm ©PT Wilding
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Henri Willig Cheese Farm ©PT Wilding
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Keukenhof Gardens ©Keukenhof
The wonderful town of Volendam
Volendam is a pretty, Dutch fishing town, located just half an hour north of Amsterdam. The town is brimming with beautiful coloured houses and the harbour is full of fishing boats bobbing on the tide. The town itself is a traditional one, yet it still offers many shops, restaurants and tourist attractions. It proves an ideal base for many excursions in the Netherlands. What’s more, from here you can also enjoy a range of different boat excursions to other Dutch towns. Located on the shores of the Markemeer, Volendam is a typical Dutch village with a special atmosphere. While staying in this wonderful town, there’s plenty to keep you entertained.
Discovering all things Dutch
Due to its vicinity to Amsterdam, day trips to the capital city are possible. From its canals to its world-famous museums and historical centre, Amsterdam is one of the most romantic and beautiful cities in Europe. Furthermore, the city is awash with museums! Why not discover the Anne Frank House, the Maritime Museum and the stunning and recently renovated Rijksmuseum art museum? For those that have visited Amsterdam before, there are plenty of alternatives to the ‘typical’ tourist experiences. Perhaps enjoy a visit to Castle Muiderslot, Naarden, or a behind the scenes tour of the theatre or opera house.
Read MoreTulip Season – March – May
During the Bulbfields season from late March to late May, a visit to Keukenhof Gardens should not be missed to see the tulips in full bloom! Only an hour’s drive from Volendam, the flower gardens are easily manageable for a day’s excursion. Each year, the world’s finest bulbfield and flower park displays its floral art with a different theme and a fresh look every day! Around 7 million bulbs are planted each year, making the gardens a technicolor delight with a stunning sea of flowers as far as the eye can see.
Dates
Dates throughout 2023
Suggested Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to the Netherlands!
Arrive in the Netherlands and check in to your hotel. Depending on arrival time, begin exploring your area.
Day 2
Historic Volendam
Volendam is a pretty Dutch village north of Amsterdam and is Holland’s best-known fishing village, where the locals still dress in traditional costume. Spend time strolling through this beautiful village, see the harbour with many old ships or perhaps enjoy a boat trip to Marken. There is the possibility to have your photo taken wearing traditional Volendam clothes and learn more about Volendam in one of its museums. The village offers plenty of tourist shops and restaurants where you can try the local smoked eels, a Dutch delicacy!
Gouda Cheese Factory
Why not taste one of Holland’s most famous exports – Gouda! Near to Volendam is the Henri Willig cheese farm. Here you can learn about the traditional Gouda cheese making process, where staff still wear traditional Dutch dress. After the demonstration, groups are invited into the farm’s shop where guests can try different flavoured versions of Gouda cheese. The farm shop sells different types of cheese, as well as other typical Dutch delicacies and souvenirs.
Day 3
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is one of the most interesting cities in Europe. It is the capital of the Netherlands and known for its artistic heritage, elaborate canal system and narrow houses with gabled facades. Explore this unique city on foot, walking alongside its many canals or why not enjoy a canal cruise to see the city from a different point of view? Each area of Amsterdam has its own character and its own unique variety of shops, restaurants, cafes, museums and attractions.
Enjoy a free visit and tour of the famous Gassan Diamonds factory, where you can see the process of diamond cutting and polishing. Museum fans are spoilt for choice with great museums such as Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Anne Franks House. Alternatively visit the Heineken factory and enjoy a self guided interactive tour through the dynamic world of Heineken!
Day 4
Heritage Boat and Steam Train Experience
This morning travel to the town of Enkhuizen. From here, you can see the remarkable Houtribdijk, a 17- mile dyke and dam completed in 1975 as part of the Zuiderzee land reclamation project. In Enkhuizen, we board the museum ship ‘Friesland’ for a relaxing cruise on the IJsselmeer to Medemblik. There’s free time for lunch before we climb aboard the ‘Museumstoomtram’, a charming, historic narrow gauge, steam-hauled train that travels for 20km through the bulbfields to Hoorn. The train stops at stations along the route, each a little museum in its own right, with views of windmills and (in season) the fields of tulips.
Day 5
Depart
If time allows, take in some final sightseeing and souvenir shopping. Commence your return journey.
Suggested hotel – Inspected by Greatdays Staff in October 2019
The Old Dutch Hotel, Volendam ***
Family run hotel, located on the waterfront in the centre of Volendam. 32 rooms in total, all equipped with safe, telephone, TV, small desk and shower. The hotel’s restaurant offers typical Dutch and international cuisine. In summer months, guests can sit outside on the hotel’s terrace overlooking the lake. Coaches park at the public coach parking in town and luggage has to be loaded/unloaded at the back street as there is no coach access at the front of the hotel, however the hotel offers luggage service.
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- Old Dutch Hotel Volendam ©PT Wilding
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- Old Dutch Hotel Volendam ©PT Wilding
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- Old Dutch Hotel Volendam ©PT Wilding
Van Der Valk Volendam ****
his modern, waterfront hotel surrounded by countryside is 3 km from local history exhibits at the Volendams Museum and 4 km from ship-building exhibits at the Edams Museum.
Relaxed rooms, some with water views, feature free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs and minifridges. Upgraded quarters add balconies, and tea and coffeemaking facilities. Suites offer sitting areas and open-plan bathrooms; some have fireplaces. Amenities include an elegant restaurant and a bar. There’s also an outdoor pool and a sauna. Coach parking available.
Fletcher Hotel Amersfoort ****
Inspected by Greatdays Staff in October 2019
In a Bauhaus-inspired building surrounded by wooded gardens, this relaxed hotel is 1 km from the A28 highway, and 3 km from both The Mondriaan House and Koppelpoort, a 15th-century medieval gate. Rooms offer flat-screen TVs and free Wi-Fi; some have colourful, retro-style furnishings. Upgraded rooms add tea and coffeemakers; some have balconies. here’s a warm bar/lounge with a pool table. Breakfast is extra. Other amenities include an airy restaurant with a terrace, plus a simple cafe, a gym and meeting facilities. Coach parking is available free of charge.
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| Dates | Half Twin | Single Supplement |
| Dates through 2023 | From £375.00 per person | From £115.00 per person |
