A Perfect Amsterdam Day Trip: Windmills, Gouda, and Giethoorn Canals
Every traveler has a “one that got away.” For me, it was a Dutch countryside tour I had booked on our first trip to Amsterdam—canceled at the last minute. I never stopped thinking about it. When we returned in 2024, I made sure this time would be different.
On the itinerary, we would spend three hours at Zaanse Schans with its working windmills, cheese shop, wooden shoe factory, and pewter foundry. Then a quick stop at the Afsluitdijk, a massive dike in North Holland, before finishing in Giethoorn, the “Little Venice” of the Netherlands.
When we returned in August 2024, I wasn’t leaving it to chance. I booked it well ahead through Chase Travel, and when it was confirmed, I was thrilled.
The morning after our final cruise of that extended retirement trip, we were picked up at our hotel, the Apollo, for a ten-hour small-group tour. There were eight of us: a honeymooning German couple, a young Japanese couple, and a mother-daughter pair. Everyone was lovely, and it felt like a little travel family. We were ready for a day of windmills, canals, and Dutch charm.
Zaanse Schans: Historic Windmills and Dutch Charm
Our first stop was Zaanse Schans. Not far from Amsterdam, the drive was scenic, and when we arrived, the quiet felt almost surreal. This historic neighborhood in Zaandam is renowned for its charming green wooden houses and historic windmills. It truly feels like stepping into another time.
Gouda Cheese and the Wooden Shoe Experience
We began at the cheese shop, which also doubles as a tasting room. After a brief talk on how Dutch cheese is made, we were free to sample everything in sight—mild, sharp, creamy, even raw milk varieties, though that last one wasn’t my favorite. Then I found the winner: a young cow’s milk Gouda (pronounced “How-ta”). Creamy, mild, perfect. My husband fell for the Gouda with garlic and herbs, and there was no way he was leaving without it.
Cheese, wonderful cheese / Photo by Haberdoedas
Next came the wooden shoe factory. Watching a craftsman carve clogs from blocks of wood was mesmerizing. Then we visited the clog museum, which was full of surprises. Roller-skate clogs? Ornately carved wedding clogs? How have I lived my entire life without seeing these? And yes, I found a pair of handmade wooden sandals with a leather strap that came home with me. They’re now among my favorite shoes.
Our guide stashed our purchases in the van so we could explore the neighborhood. We wandered past windmills and through the marshy landscape, stopping for a coffee and a warm stroopwafel—two thin waffles sandwiched with caramel syrup, ooey, gooey, sticky perfection.
Afsluitdijk: Dutch Engineering and Scenic Views
From there, we drove to the Afsluitdijk, a 20-mile engineering marvel built to hold back the sea. Honestly, I hadn’t expected much, but it surprised me. Not only does it provide protection, but it also harnesses wind and water for clean energy, and it’s designed to allow fish to migrate naturally. The Dutch really do think of everything.
Giethoorn Canals: The ‘Little Venice’ of the Netherlands
Finally, we reached Giethoorn, where canals replace streets and everyone gets around by boat or bicycle. The thatched-roof houses, flower-filled gardens, and quiet lanes make it feel like something from a fairytale. The gentle lapping of water and the occasional clink of boat oars added to the charm.
Whisper Boat Fun and Canal Chaos
Our guide rented a whisper boat, an electric boat that glides silently along the canals, and we took a leisurely ride. We drifted past homes and under arched wooden bridges until the canals opened onto a large lake, where families were picnicking in their boats. My favorite sight? An ice-cream boat anchored mid-lake, serving cones to anyone who motored over.
Afterward, we had some time to ourselves. We walked the trails, stopped at the museum, and then grabbed a couple of beers at a pub along the canal. That’s when the show began. Tourists renting boats had no clue how to steer, and the canal quickly descended into chaos. Boats jammed together, bounced off one another, and veered sideways. Instead of frustration, the whole thing dissolved into laughter—from us on shore and from most of the boaters themselves. It was slapstick comedy on water, and absolutely priceless.
By the time the canal traffic jam cleared, we were all grinning. The ride back to Amsterdam was peaceful. We were all tired, that good kind of tired that comes from a full day. One by one, couples were dropped at their hotels until it was our turn. As we waved goodbye, our guide headed off to join his friends for a well-earned pint.
Reflections on a Perfect Amsterdam Day Trip
That day is one of my favorite memories of the Netherlands. Each year, when we hang a tiny Dutch clog ornament on our Christmas tree, it brings back the laughter on Giethoorn’s canals, the beauty of Zaanse Schans, the brilliance of the Afsluitdijk, and yes—the cheese. Always the cheese.
If you’re planning day trips from Amsterdam, this one is absolutely worth it. Taste the Gouda, explore the windmills, admire the dike, and rent a whisper boat in Giethoorn to see if you can steer better than the rest of us. Spoiler: you probably can’t.
Enjoy!
J.S. Whaldo
