Windmills & Edam

Ijmuiden, for Amsterdam

Shopping time included

by coach & on foot

Departing from IJmuiden, you will enjoy an approximately 45-minute scenic drive to your first stop, a visit to Zaanse Schans.

Here, you will feel as though you have stepped back in time as you explore this open-air museum, a faithful recreation of the 17th century community of Zaan. Take a stroll along the cobbled streets, watching craftsmen practicing their historic trades and viewing a demonstration of the Dutch art of clog-making.

Zaanse Schans is a unique part of the Netherlands. Original buildings vividly depict Dutch life and several of the colourful windmills are open to visitors. Peruse the century-old grocery store as well as a bakery, cheese and dairy farm, all of which offer a variety of traditional treats with friendly occupants who are happy to share information and tales about life during this golden age in the Netherlands’ history. You will have the opportunity to shop for traditional souvenirs including wooden clogs, charming miniature windmills and delicate blue-and-white porcelain.

Rejoining your coach, you will continue to the picturesque town of Edam, renowned for its round cheese covered in red wax. Pronounced ‘Ay-dam’, this pretty little town has a population of approximately 7,000 and was originally a shipbuilding port in the 17th century. Take a guided walk along the canals and over drawbridges whilst enjoying lovely views of quaint homes with steep-gabled rooftops and old cobblestone streets. Along the way you will see the Captain's House and a leaning bell tower, once part of a large Gothic Catholic church. The bells in the tower chime every quarter of the hour.

After your visit to Edam, you will make a stop at a local cheese farm where you can sample some of the delicious produce. You will have a short amount of free time to shop for cheese. When you purchase the famed cheese, you might be surprised to find that it is not wrapped in the familiar red skin. That is just used for export; in Holland it is wrapped in yellow! Any purchases of cheese must be consumed during your cruise and cannot be brought back to the UK.

At the end of your memorable visit into the countryside, a leisurely drive returns you back to IJmuiden.

Why book with us?

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Enjoy great-value experiences without the worry of arranging everything independently.
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If we’re unable to visit a port, you’ll receive a full refund for any affected experience. And if itinerary timings change, we’ll work with our local partners to minimise disruption.
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Our experiences are operated by experienced, responsible local partners with the appropriate insurance and expertise.
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If your experience is delayed returning to the ship, our onboard team will be kept informed and will make the necessary arrangements.
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