The capital of Netherlands, Amsterdam is known as " venice of the North", because of its beautiful waterways that criss cross the city, its impressive unique architecture and has more than 1500 bridges ! Declared a UNESCO SITE in 2010, a Canal Ring was dug in the 17th Century under the Golden Dutch Age to attract wealthy homeowners.

Today the Leidseplein and Rembrandtplein are the city's prime nightlife spots. And Jordaan, which was traditionally a working class area has gone upmarket with plenty of quaint art galleries, hip boutiques and happening cafes and restaurants.

to Volendam and Marken

Volendam and Marken is a glimpse into the past. A couple of hours (leisurely) drive along the low-lying fields and windmills of North Holland. This little fishing village is too cute to be true. This quaint fishing village surrounds a picture-postcard harbour lined with wooden houses, where the locals still wear the traditional wooden Dutch clogs, aprons and bonnets !

 It's easy to see why Picasso and Renoir were drawn here to paint scenes of the harbour lined with steep-roofed fishermen's houses, canals and drawbridges.
Today, the tranquil streets lined with souvenier shops and Dutch cafes and restaurants. Lunchtime in Volendam is a seafood banquet fresh from the sea, including smoked cods, eels and fresh raw herring ( my favorite )

 The drive from the city of Amsterdam to Volendam, Marken and Edam and of course the The Windmills of Madurodam and the Zaanse Schans Windmills , started early in the morning with slight showers but luckily lasted only a couple of hours and turned out to be a most pleasant and scenic drive.

 Windmills, Cheese Factories, Clog factories....

 coffee break at DELFT....but looks like its so touristy. Very pricey even souveniers and fridge magnets are expensive here.

















our reliable transport 















at Volendam


Marken





fishing village of Volendam

notice the iced shores !! freezing cold !!














We walked around Volendam and finally decided to stay in THE SPAANDER HOTEL, strategically located at the seafront surrounded with seafood restaurants and cafes and souvenier shops.
Plenty of carpark lots behind the Hotel.
lobby/dining area,Spaander Hotel

carparks behind Hotel

attic style room,ensuite










NO CHICKENS ALLOWED !!!


and the WINDMILLS of ZAANSE SCHANS...

























EDAM























 

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