Zaanse Schans and Zaandam: author's walking tour

What to Expect

You will learn how the oldest oil paints are made, how the famous clogs are crafted, the secrets of cheesemaking, and the interesting tales behind the first Albert Heijn supermarket. We will explore the Dutch cows' peculiarities, the history of the orange carrot, Dutch sense of humor, and their approach to modern architecture.

• We will visit the Clock Museum and the first Albert Heijn store, opened in 1887, to discover the incredible secrets of the supermarket, and the inventions that helped protect food in the 19th century.
• We will stroll along the river, visit paper, oil, mustard mills, and the only working oil mill where the secrets of oil paint production are still passed down.
• We will walk through picturesque farmlands with sheep and goats and visit a cheese factory where you can taste delicious Dutch cheese.
• We will explore the wooden clog museum, where you can see the clogs being hand-crafted and purchase real or souvenir wooden clogs.
• We will feed ducks, buy souvenirs, and enjoy delicious pancakes while admiring the lovely scenery.
• We will learn about polders, Dutch low-lying lands, and climb a wooden observation tower to see endless polder fields.
• Lastly, we’ll visit Zaandam to see the unique hotel built from small green houses and the house where Peter the Great lived briefly.
• And of course, end the day with some urban delights - shopping and visiting local cafes.

During the tour, you will visit:

• Clock Museum
• Albert Heijn Museum
• Mustard mill De Huisman
• Oil mill De Kat
• Oil mills De Os, De Bonte Hen, De Zoeker
• Sawmills Het Jonge Schaap, De Gekroonde Poelenburg, Het Klaverblad
• Traditional clog workshop
• Antique cheese dairy
• Zaandam train station building
• Unusual Inntel hotel
• Peter the Great's house

And also:

• Enjoy a beautiful walk through farmlands with sheep, goats, and cows
• Learn the secrets of windmill operations
• Taste various delicious Dutch cheeses

• The tour will be conducted by me or another guide from our team
• Please note: the guide has the right to terminate the tour if the traveler's words/actions are offensive to him, the country, or violate the laws/traditions of the country.

What's Included and What's Not

• Cheese tasting is included
• Additional expenses: transportation (Amsterdam-Koog-Zaandijk-Zaandam-Amsterdam NS) - €7.60, entrance to Zaanse Schans museums and mills - €10-15