Giethoorn, Enkhuizen and reclaimed land

The new and the old Netherlands

Visit to Nieuwland information centre Lelystad (1 hr)

Transfer to Lelystad for a visit to the Nieuwland information centre.
Here you learn about the Dutch creation of new land (polders) by reclaiming it from the sea. Lelystad is located in one of the polders.

Visit to Giethoorn including boat trip (1-2 hrs)

Then on to Giethoorn:  this picturesque village is sometimes called the “Venice of the north” and rightly so. Of course we take a boat trip (30 min.) through the small waterways of Giethoorn. Either you  join the boat trip or  you may sail your own private little boat though the lovely canals. 

Visit to Urk 

This small fishing village was an  island until 1939 and now creates a small ’bump’ in the otherwise flat landscape of the polder.  It is fun to wander through the small alleyways around the harbour and imagine what life was like in the old days, but just sitting on a bench overlooking the bustling harbour may also be a great option….

Visit to Zuiderzeemuseum – Enkhuizen (2 hrs)

In the outdoor museum you can visit houses, shops, farms and even entire villages that have been rebuild here. Local actors play the former inhabitants of the buildings and will give a genuine idea of the sometimes very stark living conditions in the old days. The museum collection in the indoor museum contains ships and fishing vessels.

This tour includes

• Transport by coach and driver
• Visit Nieuwland Information centre
• Visit to Giethoorn including boat trip (30 min.)
• Visit to Urk
• Visit to Zuiderzeemuseum – Enkhuizen

Extra special options

• Dinner at a special fisherscafé ‘t Ankertje in Enkhuizen.
• Dinner at one of the historic buildings in the Zuiderzeemusuem
• Special workshops at Zuiderzeemuseum e.g. eel smoking
• Evening tour of Zaanse Schans escorted by the Mayor’s wife in national costume
• Evening dinner at picturesque restaurant Swarte Walvis at Zaanse Schans