Chinese-Speaking Tour: Giethoorn & Zaanse Schans & Zaandam Lego-style Town Day Tour from Amsterdam/The Hague
1. Visit 3 popular Dutch towns in one go, with convenient pick-up and drop-off services in Amsterdam & The Hague for a worry-free trip.
2. Operated by a local Chinese-speaking team in the Netherlands with support from our head office in China, ensuring a more secure and reliable group tour experience.
3. Professional Chinese-speaking driver-guide service and online Chinese customer support, ensuring no language barriers.
Package Options
Product Info
09:00 Pick-up, depart from Amsterdam/The Hague, and arrive at Zaanse Schans Windmill Village after a drive of about 30 minutes.
10:00-11:30 Enjoy 1.5 hours of free time exploring Zaanse Schans Windmill Village. 11:30 Depart for the Zaanse Schans Lego-style town in Zaandam, a journey of about 10 minutes. Enjoy 30 minutes for photos; entry into the buildings is not included.
12:15 Depart for Giethoorn, a journey of about 1.5 hours. Includes 1 hour for lunch, 1 hour for a boat tour, and 1.5 hours of free time.
17:15 Return to Amsterdam/The Hague, a journey of about 1.5 hours. All itinerary times are for reference only. The driver will flexibly adjust the order of attractions based on actual road conditions (such as traffic congestion). If there is any deviation in meeting times, the itinerary duration will be flexibly adjusted. All arrangements are subject to the actual situation on the day of travel.
For group tours, please refer to the notification from our staff on the evening before your trip for the specific time and location. Thank you for your cooperation!
Starting from Amsterdam, Netherlands, a 30-minute drive will take you to Giethoorn, a village in the De Wieden Nature Reserve in the province of Overijssel in northwestern Netherlands. It is known as the "Green Venice" or "Dutch Venice".
There's no noise from cars here; transportation relies entirely on bicycles and boats—it's incredibly peaceful! 176 wooden bridges connect every household across the crisscrossing canals—it's truly idyllic!
The traditional thatched-roof houses look like they've stepped out of a fairy tale, warm in winter and cool in summer, perfect for taking amazing photos! A must-do way to experience the village is by taking a ride on a flat-bottomed wooden boat. As the small boat slowly glides through the tranquil village, you can leisurely admire the beautiful scenery on both banks while listening to the boatman/guide tell the story and unique features of each house.
Continuing north, about 15 kilometers north of Amsterdam, there is a "Dutch Windmill Museum" called Windmill Town, also known as Windmill Village.
The windmill village preserves many old windmills and numerous beautifully decorated, brightly colored wooden houses. There are also old shipyards, clog factories, wax factories, bakeries, cheese and dairy workshops, and a 100-year-old general store, as well as places where you can experience clog making demonstrations.
The town has cheese specialty shops where you can sample various cheeses, such as Aidon and Gouda. There are also small shops selling chocolate, hot cocoa, and coffee, and some places even offer DIY workshops.
In the river port northwest of Amsterdam, Netherlands, lies a real-life fairytale world – Lego Town. Everywhere you look, there are colorful Lego-style buildings. The Inntel Hotel is particularly eye-catching; its stacked houses resemble oversized Lego bricks – absolutely dreamy!
The town is small; you can walk around it in about an hour. There are rainbow zebra crossings along the main shopping street, perfect for taking photos! This is where Tsar Peter the Great of Russia once studied his craft, so it has a rich historical background!
Purchase Notice
1. This is a local group tour. Please be aware that the order and duration of sightseeing spots may be adjusted based on actual conditions such as weather, traffic, strikes, holidays, or crowd levels. The itinerary schedule is for reference only; the actual arrangements on the day will prevail.
2. Please be aware that the itinerary may be temporarily changed or partially/fully cancelled due to weather, scenic area policies, or other force majeure factors. Please stay tuned for notifications from staff or system updates.
3. Small group tours require a minimum of 5 participants, and large group tours require a minimum of 20 participants. If the number of participants does not meet these requirements, the tour may be cancelled or rescheduled. Private tours already include group discounts, and the cost remains the same regardless of the number of participants.
4. Participants must provide correct identification information (for packages including tickets) and contact details, and keep their communication lines open so that customer service can notify them of travel arrangements in a timely manner. You are responsible for any missed tours due to personal reasons that prevent timely contact. Please monitor your email or other effective social media channels to receive order confirmations and departure information.
5. Vehicles are arranged based on the number of participants. For small group tours and private tours, the driver acts as the guide. For large group tours, if there are fewer than 20 people, the tour will not proceed as a large group, and the driver will act as the guide. The driver-guide's primary responsibility is driving; they only provide basic information and guidance for the scenic area, which may differ from the service of a professional tour guide. Please understand this before booking.
6. As this is a group tour, for the sake of the group's schedule, the driver will wait for you for a maximum of 5 minutes. If you do not appear after this time, it will be considered a voluntary withdrawal from the tour; no refunds will be provided, and the tour cannot be rescheduled. You bear the risk of absence due to personal reasons. Please be sure to arrive at the meeting point on time. Thank you for your understanding. Please strictly follow the meeting time specified by the driver-guide or tour guide (only for tours including a guide). If you fail to return to the meeting point at the agreed time, the group will proceed to the next attraction, and you will need to make your own way to the meeting point.
7. Please carry valid identification or a passport for verification on the day of the activity.
8. This activity is not suitable for wheelchair users, pregnant women, those prone to motion sickness, individuals with respiratory diseases, infectious skin diseases, epilepsy, heart disease, high blood pressure, acrophobia, or other individuals who should avoid excessive stimulation.
9. Participants under 18 must be accompanied by at least one adult throughout the trip. Seniors aged 70 (inclusive) and above must ensure they are in good health for travel and be accompanied by a family member or friend aged 22-69 throughout the trip.
10. Unauthorized departure from the group during the tour is not allowed (except during free time). We appreciate your understanding. If you leave the group midway, the transaction will be considered void, no fees will be refunded, and you will be solely responsible for any personal or property safety consequences. Please confirm the departure time and take a photo of the vehicle to avoid boarding the wrong vehicle or forgetting to board.
11. Please respect local customs and follow the rules of the scenic area. During free time, please be mindful of your personal and property safety. You will be responsible for any accidents or losses resulting from ignoring warnings.
12. This tour does not include insurance; participants bear all risks associated with this tour. Please act cautiously, pay attention to personal safety, keep your personal belongings safe, and take necessary precautions. The company and its employees are not responsible for any personal or property accidents and do not provide refunds. For international travel, please be sure to purchase personal travel insurance to ensure your rights are protected by an insurance company in case of personal accidents, such as illness or loss of property.
13. One-day tours do not include meals. It is recommended that you bring your own food and water. You may not be able to buy your preferred food during the tour, and hot food, hot drinks, and strong-smelling food are prohibited inside the vehicle.
14. The end time is subject to weather, traffic, and other conditions. Please do not book flights, boat tickets, etc., on the same day as the tour to avoid missing them due to unexpected itinerary delays. Please be aware of this possibility, as we will not provide any refunds or compensation for such occurrences.
15. It is not recommended to bring luggage on one-day tours. If you must bring luggage, you must inform customer service in advance regarding the quantity and size to confirm costs or obtain permission. For tours including transportation, the driver-guide is not responsible for the belongings of the participants.
16. For tours including transportation, the driver-guide cannot arrange special seating. If necessary, please negotiate politely with other guests. If they refuse, please use the available seats.
Reminders
A minimum of 6 traveler(s) are required for the tour to depart. If the number of participants does not reach the minimum requirement, the tour will be canceled. An email regarding tour cancellation will be sent 1 day(s) before the departure date
In the event of inclement weather such as typhoons or snowstorms, a decision on whether to cancel the tour will be made 1 day(s) before departure (local time 23:59). Notifications will then be sent via email
Travelers with the following conditions or other health issues that could be worsened by excessive stimulation should not participate in this activity: Heart disease, Asthma, Epilepsy, Pregnant women, High blood pressure
Please arrive at the designated location 30 minute(s) before the scheduled departure time, as the tour will depart on time
Depending on the number of participants, small groups will have the driver/guide, while large groups with fewer than 20 people will not be formed and will not have a separate guide. Thank you for your understanding!
This is a local tour, and the order of sightseeing may be adjusted based on weather, traffic, and other actual conditions. Please be aware of this. The itinerary times listed are for reference only; the actual times will vary depending on the day's schedule.
Since the return time is uncertain, we cannot guarantee that you will return within the specified time. For example, if you need to catch a plane or train, we cannot guarantee that you will return. Please be aware of this situation, and we will not provide any refunds or compensation for this.
Anyone under 18 years of age must be accompanied by at least one adult.
All tour participants must provide accurate contact information and keep it accessible so that customer service can promptly notify them of travel arrangements. If you miss your tour due to being unable to be contacted in time for personal reasons, you will be solely responsible. Please check your email or social media such as WhatsApp and WeChat for confirmation messages from the operator.
As this is a group tour, in order not to affect other guests, the driver will wait for you for a maximum of 10 minutes. If you do not appear after this time, it will be considered as abandoning the trip, and the fee will not be refunded. You will bear the risk of being absent due to personal reasons. Please be sure to arrive at the meeting point on time. Thank you for your understanding.
Please bring a valid ID or passport for identity verification on the day of the event.
Due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances, the itinerary may be subject to temporary adjustments. Please pay close attention to notifications from your operator or updates on their official website.
FAQ
1. Why is Giethoorn referred to as the 'Venice of the North', and what led to its distinctive canal system?
Giethoorn earned the nickname "Venice of the North" due to its extensive network of narrow canals, charming bridges, and the absence of traditional roads in its old village core. The distinctive canal system developed historically from peat harvesting. Over centuries, villagers dug peat, creating lakes and ditches that eventually formed the waterways we see today, making boats the primary mode of transport.
2. What unique transportation methods are used to navigate the canals of Giethoorn?
The primary and most iconic mode of transportation in Giethoorn's old village is by boat. "Whisper boats" (electric-powered boats) are popular for their quiet operation, allowing visitors to glide peacefully through the canals. Other options include larger canal cruise boats with guides, or renting punters and canoes for a more active experience. Walking and cycling paths are also available alongside the waterways.
3. What are the main attractions and activities to experience at Zaanse Schans during a day tour?
At Zaanse Schans, visitors can explore traditional Dutch culture. Key attractions include historic windmills, some of which are still operational and open for viewing how they grind spices or saw wood. You can also visit clog workshops to see wooden shoes being made, observe cheese production at local farms, and wander through traditional green wooden houses and museums showcasing Dutch craftsmanship and heritage.
4. What can families with children expect to enjoy at Lego Village on this Dutch day tour?
Families visiting Lego Village can immerse themselves in a world of creative play. Children and adults alike can enjoy interactive building stations, marvel at intricate Lego models of famous landmarks, and experience various rides and attractions themed around Lego. There are often opportunities for hands-on building challenges, imaginative play zones, and souvenir shopping for exclusive Lego sets.
5. What is the recommended duration for visiting Giethoorn to fully appreciate its charm?
To fully appreciate Giethoorn's tranquil charm, a recommended visit duration is typically between 2 to 4 hours. This allows ample time for a canal cruise or a leisurely boat ride, exploring the village's quaint pathways and small bridges on foot, visiting local artisan shops, and enjoying a meal or coffee by the water without feeling rushed.
6. How does the day tour provide pick-up services from both Amsterdam and The Hague for Giethoorn, Zaanse Schans, and Lego Village?
The day tour offers a convenient door-to-door pick-up service directly from your accommodation in both Amsterdam and The Hague. This eliminates the need to arrange your own transportation to a central meeting point, ensuring a comfortable and worry-free start to your journey to Giethoorn, Zaanse Schans, and Lego Village. The service aims to provide seamless travel logistics.
7. What traditional Dutch crafts and demonstrations can be observed by visitors at Zaanse Schans?
Zaanse Schans offers several fascinating demonstrations of traditional Dutch crafts. Visitors can witness the intricate process of wooden clog making, watch skilled artisans crafting Delftware pottery, and learn about the historic methods of cheese production with tasting opportunities. You can also see traditional windmills in action, used for purposes like oil pressing or pigment grinding.
8. Are there any specific cultural etiquettes or local customs visitors should be aware of when visiting Giethoorn?
When visiting Giethoorn, it is important to remember that many homes are private residences. Visitors should respect local privacy by staying on designated paths and public areas. As it's known as a "whisper village," try to keep noise levels down, especially when navigating the canals. Always ask permission before photographing private property, and be mindful of pedestrians and small boats.
