Traditional Artisans

Old Holland showcases the traditions the Netherlands became famous for: shipbuilding, clogs, fishing and cheese-making. For a fantastic trip back in time, head to Volendam, Edam and Marken – picturesque fishing villages on the shores of the Markermeer known for their various regional delicacies. From traditional windmills and repurposed factories, the region is awash with industrial heritage – a time when smoking chimneys and spinning sails enabled the mass production of goods. Modernday Zaandam blends old and new, finding innovative ways to repurpose and showcase its industrial character. And then there are the lush green TwiskeWaterland and Beemster nature areas just north of Amsterdam. Dotted with waterside tea rooms, grazing cows and quaint villages, there is ample scenery to enjoy on a bike trip along the winding country lanes.

Picturesque villages

The traditional houses and windmills of Zaanse Schans are well worth a visit, but there are plenty of other stunning villages to explore. Beemster boasts scenic waterways, dykes and mills, such as those in Jisp and De Woude. Nearby you’ll nd De Rijp, dubbed ‘Holland’s most beautiful village’.

ZAANSTREEK.NL

Jongwijs

For artisanal bread, vegan lunches and hearty dinners, look no further than Jongwijs, a familyrun restaurant and hotel.

The menu is inspired by two concepts: Jong (‘young’) – or an ever-changing selection of plant-based dishes – and Wijs (‘wise’) – which breathes new life into age-old recipes and regional ingredients.

JONGWIJS.NL

Picture-perfect Edam

‘As a frequent visitor to Amsterdam, I assumed there weren’t many more secrets left for me to uncover. But during our annual trip, we made a short stop at Edam and discovered the cutest village in Old Holland. Cobblestone streets, picture-perfect corners and old houses straight from a romantic lm set. It’s best to discover Edam by foot or bike as the streets are very narrow and parking spots are rare. My tip: enjoy their famous local cheese at the Edam Cheese Market. Right up until 1922, farmers from the surrounding area sailed to the market, where their produce was weighed and sold. You can witness these old practices for yourself when the market is revived every Wednesday morning in July and August.’

@SIGRIDOFTHESUN Sigrid

Rijckoort

How to get there

Zaandam and Zaanse Schans: Take a train from Amsterdam Central station to Zaandam (two stops further is Zaanse Schans train station) (15 minutes).

Edam: Take bus 314 from Amsterdam Central station to Edam (25 minutes). It also stops at Monnickendam.