This day trip takes you to 5 lesser-known places in the Netherlands on a day trip from Amsterdam. See the monumental village of De Rijp and the windmill of Schermerhorn. Experience the oldest working planetarium in the world and be amazed by the mummies of Wieuwerd!
First, you will travel to De Rijp which resembles an open-air museum. Walk along beautiful wooden houses, white bridges over the water and an incredible townhall from the Dutch golden age. If you're looking for instagrammable pictures, don't look any further!
Continue to Schermerhorn where, in the Dutch golden age 52 windmills made land out of water, and visit one of the few remaining windmills! You can explore it from bottom to top where you will also view the surrounding landscape.
Then head to the province of Friesland to explore Franeker. This town (one of the famous 11 cities of Friesland) is home to the oldest working planetarium in the world. Admire the moving model of the solar system that was built between 1774 and 1781, suspended from the ceiling of a canal house.
In the Frisian village of Wieuwerd go inside the local church where you will see four mummies lying in a crypt dating back three centuries.
Finally, on the way back to Amsterdam, you will stop at the Afsluitdijk. This world-famous water barrier is the most impressive example of Dutch water management. The construction of the 32 kilometers long dyke started a hundred years ago and connects the provinces of Noord Holland and Friesland. Snap photos from the watchtower for a splendid image of the wadden sea at one side and the IJsselmeer lake on the other.