Cheese, Mussels and Clogs.
Make your way to the bus and train station - Amsterdam Centraal, for a mere EUR10 you can get a full day bus ticket to explore any of their 3 routes.
We chose Route 3: Small Town Harbours. Starting in Edam… not just a cheese but also a picturesque town that was once a well-trafficked port for cheese and timber traders.
We explored the quaint lanes by foot and then decided to hire bicycles and with a wobbly start set off north to Warder along the coastline.
Interesting to know we didn’t have any sea views. As a third of the Netherlands is below sea level. We cycled for miles and more. Stopping for a drinks break – coffee, beer and of course “appeltaart”. You can either return your bike to Edam or take it onto the next town Volendam.
As non cyclists – 14 miles was enough for us. We hopped back on the bus to Volendam. Volendam is just beautiful. Lined with colourful flower laden houses. Seafood vendors galore and a harbour filled with old fishing boats. Visit the Cheese Factory have a tour, do a tasting and definitely buy some cheese to take home. You would be silly to not treat yourself to a seafood lunch and a glass or two of crisp wine or the equivalent to water in Netherlands .. Heineken. (bier for breakfast, bier for lunch, bier bier bier!)
When your tummy is full and your mood is merry, take a ferry across to Marken. The Clog Experience will educate you on the interesting life of clogs and due to lunch time merriness you might find yourself now stumbling due to your newly purchased “wooden heels”.
It’s a jump back on the bus and home to Amsterdam Centraal. Feeling well accomplished on what could certainly make the list of a “perfect day out”