Just beyond the city limits, the Amsterdam countryside unfolds: a scenery of meadows, picturesque villages and a rich cultural history. This private tour takes you off the beaten path, where you’ll learn all about the eternal interactions between land and water. And, highlight of the day: a private reception by a miller in his windmill.
* tour price based on standard tour.
Highlights
- Explore scenic villages and farmland.
- Travel in comfort with electric transport throughout the tour.
- Taste fresh organic milk.
- Step inside a unique 17th-century windmill for a private reception with the miller.
Optional additions
- 45 minutes boat tour through typical Dutch polder landscape with private local guide.
- 30 minutes walking tour through 17th century fishing village.
What our guests say about this tour
"GREAT DAYS IN AND AROUND AMSTERDAM"
The countryside tour was superb. The private windmill tour was a memory that will remain forever.
Thank you very much.
Greg, USA
"OPERATING A WINDMILL, HOW SUPER COOL IS THAT"
I can’t say enough great things about the private windmill tour. Our whole group (grandparents, adults, kids) loved this unique excursion into the heart and history of the Netherlands. The guide gave us a full tour (inside and out!) of this centuries-old windmill and explained how they work and what their operation meant over the years. Anyone with an interest in sailing or machines will absolutely love learning how all the parts fit together and watching the whole thing go. They even let us operate it which was super cool. (We didn’t break it, I swear.) A great go-to destination outside the big cities.
Ilan, USA
EXPERIENCE AMSTERDAM COUNTRYSIDE LIKE A LOCAL
We prefer to take routes away from mass tourism, so you can experience places like a local. We love connecting people with their surroundings and with each other—something that also applies to our countryside tour. Let us take you out of the city, and we promise you won’t feel like a stereotypical tourist. As we drive along meadows and dikes, we’ll pass through several authentic villages and visit a unique windmill. If you like, we can also add a boat tour through the polder landscape.
Dutch landscape
Your tour begins with a drive through some of the most scenic landscapes. The small, quiet roads wind through a world of grass, water, cows, and sheep. Whenever you like, we can stop for short strolls to soak in the scenery. Along the way, we’ll pass by an organic dairy farm and through several charming Dutch villages.
Most people have a picture in mind of the typical Dutch countryside, but during this full-day tour, you’ll discover the surprising variety within this landscape of grass, water, cows, and sheep.
The area closest to Amsterdam is shaped by centuries of natural interaction between land and water. A bit further north, we drive through some of the Netherlands’ world-famous polders.
Polders
A polder is land reclaimed from the water—there are about 4,000 polders in the Netherlands. These areas were once lakes, now transformed into fertile farmland. Maintaining polders requires expert water management, something the Dutch have mastered over centuries. Living below sea level, we’ve made water management a way of life. The polders we’ll visit on this tour are among the oldest in the country—making them some of the oldest in the world.
Highlight: a private windmill tour
We arrange a private reception inside a 350-year-old windmill just for you! The miller will show you how different types of grain are milled and explain the fascinating mechanics of the windmill. This mill is not normally open to tourists—it is owned and maintained by a foundation, and retired millers volunteer their time to keep its history alive. Their passion for this unique piece of heritage is contagious. During this personal tour, you’ll explore every part of the mill, inside and out. Many of our guests consider this visit the highlight of the day!
Amsterdam and her food history
The region we explore during this tour lies just north of Amsterdam. For centuries, it has supplied the city with food—crops, dairy, and cattle have long been farmed here and traded in Amsterdam. As we travel through the countryside, you’ll learn about this deep-rooted relationship between the city and its rural surroundings.
Modern art in a historical setting
Are you a modern art lover? If so, we have a special hidden gem for you. On the edge of a 17th-century fishing village, you’ll find a grand 19th-century water pumping station—a striking historical building in a picturesque landscape. Today, it serves as the home and gallery of Dutch artist Sonja Besselink. If this sounds like your kind of experience, let us know—we’d love to introduce you!
FAQ
Where is the meeting point?
Since we customize each tour, the starting point and route will be adjusted to your itinerary and wishes.
Are the windmills at De Zaanse Schans part of the tour?
No. We don’t visit mass tourism places during our tours.
I have particular interests and/or special needs. Can this tour be customized?
Yes, to a certain extend. Please contact us, and we will be happy to come up with a tailor-made tour for you.
Is the tour suitable for young children?
This tour is suitable from the age of 12.
Is this tour suitable for people with reduced mobility?
There is not much walking during the Amsterdam countryside tour. However, there are some steps to reach the top of the dike looking over the IJsselmeer, and steep steps in the windmill.
The weather is bad, what happens now?
Amsterdam Odyssey tours will take place under any weather conditions, unless a formal warning regarding the weather has been issued by the Royal Dutch Meteorological Institute (KNMI). Dutch weather can be unpredictable. Make sure to pack and dress accordingly!
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