Your Own Holland. Edam and Volendam: The Charms of Rural Life

We will meet you in Amsterdam and take the bus to Edam. We will visit the old chamber of weights in Edam, walk along the most humpbacked bridge of the country, visit the museum of cheese and admire the hotel whose walls are hung with impressionist paintings. We will see the town hall, old shelters, cathedrals and much more. We will get lost in charming side streets of Volendam and will enjoy fascinating views of sailboats on our walk along the promenade. Naturally, we will try local cheeses and herring.

We will talk about rural life, unique Dutch traditions, funny proverbs and old legends. We will learn about who the Dutch are, which values they honour and which they choose to ignore, their provincial lifestyles and in particular their attitudes towards family, religion and art as well as how they celebrate their holidays and have fun. We will contrast Dutch history with the current day and discuss a proud Holland: one which reconciles its innovative agricultural approaches with a keen appreciation for traditional customs.

After this tour you can return directly to Amsterdam with your guide. We advise you, however, to stay on the terrace of the old smokehouse to enjoy a goblet of steam-smoked eel soup. Enjoying this fine moment of Dutch cuisine, you can sift the precious memories you have built over this eventful day and reflect upon the happy feeling inside of you.