As if descended from pastoral postcards, it is shrouded in the smells of freshly mowed grass, spices and chocolate! But can you imagine that the mills are still working and making a profit? And have their own language? And that some millers have science degrees? And why do ghosts live in some of the mills? Find out! We'll also take a look at how people live in the Dutch province, taste cheeses, waffles, chocolate beer, turn into anise liqueur fans and enjoy every minute of this amazing day!
Amsterdam Central Railway - Station Stationsplein 13a, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam Centraal Station - the meeting point, where we give you some information about Zaanse-Schans. From there we will take a train to the fairy-tale windmill village, which only takes 15 minutes to get to.
There will be a lot of sightseeings on our way, such as spicemill, oil mill, sawmill and dyemill, where you can find out more about Dutch past, Naval history of the country and discover all the different ways to use windmills in modern times.
Albert Heijn Store - the oldest supermarket in the Netherlands, where we will share you with some secrets of this successful family business.
There you can taste delicious chocolate beer and find out more about history of this product and social initiatives, that makes our world better!
There you can taste local cheese and mustard, discover more about Dutch cuisine and visit a little farm with goats and hens.
There you can watch a demonstration of the clogs making and find out more about national clothings of this region.
Antique store, pastry-museum and other locals stores - where you can find lots of treasures or taste some lovely Dutch sweets!
We will take our way back to Amsterdam through beautiful green yards and cozy alleys - we will have a little walk around those cozy streets with old wooden houses, where you can find out more about Dutch households and family traditions.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Amsterdam Central Railway - Station Stationsplein 13a, 1012 AB Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Private guide
- Clog making demonstration
- Tastings in cheese store
- Train (or bus) tickets (approx. 12 euro/person)
- Windmill tickets (17,5 euro each/person)
- Other tastings
* This is an individual walking tour. That is why we will be telling you everything that interests you: country's history, Dutch economy, local traditions, innovations, design, traditional cuisine, art, social and ecological projects etc. We guarantee that after all you will have a clear image about the country and local people.
* This tour is conducted by a team of guides (Anastasia, Sasha, Anna, Kate, Olga, Hanna).
* We do not visit Teylers Museum and Frans Hals Museum during this tour.
We were lucky to have sunshine on the day we visited Zaanse Schans. Our guide Marie's smile is as bright as the sunshine. She is patient and caring, sharing with us stories of the windmills and brought us to the cheese and chocolate places. The drinks at the cafe are lovely. We also enjoyed the special area she showed us at Amsterdam Ctrl Train Station.