During our five days in Amsterdam, we wanted to see more than the city. One of our favorite days took us into the Dutch countryside. Our tour included Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn, two places that felt completely different from Amsterdam.

We spent the day seeing windmills, traditional homes, quiet waterways, and beautiful gardens. Our guide, Jay, made the day even better. He was fun, knowledgeable, and shared plenty of information along the way.

We were ahead of schedule when Jay suggested stopping at a farmers market he enjoyed. Of course, we said yes. We had about 20 minutes to explore the market and support a local farmer.

The market had fruits, vegetables, cheeses, homemade jams, spreads, and other local products. Raun and I bought some delicious peaches and apricots. We sat at the picnic tables and started eating them right away.

What happened next made the stop even more enjoyable. Everyone in our group began sharing what they had purchased. We sampled different foods and enjoyed some time together before continuing our tour.

Sometimes the unexpected stops become part of the memory.

After the farmers market, we continued to Zaanse Schans. This was the Dutch countryside I had pictured before our trip. The windmills immediately caught our attention.

We walked through the area and enjoyed seeing the windmills along the water. We also watched a clog-making demonstration and learned about traditional cheese making. The green wooden houses added even more character to the area.

Everywhere we looked felt like another photo opportunity. Zaanse Schans gave us a glimpse of Dutch traditions and life from another time. It was interesting to see those traditions still shared with visitors today.

After Zaanse Schans, we continued to Giethoorn. The atmosphere changed as soon as we arrived. Giethoorn felt peaceful and almost storybook-like.

Thatched-roof homes sat beside quiet waterways. Colorful gardens surrounded many of the houses. Small bridges connected homes and paths throughout the village. Boats moved quietly along the canals while visitors enjoyed the scenery.

After the busy streets and bicycles of Amsterdam, Giethoorn felt completely different. We took our time looking at the homes, gardens, and waterways. It was a place that made you want to slow down and enjoy your surroundings.

One thing we love about traveling is seeing how different places can feel within the same country. Amsterdam gave us canals, museums, restaurants, and plenty of city energy. The Dutch countryside gave us something completely different.

We saw windmills, traditional homes, local food, beautiful gardens, and peaceful waterways. Our day in Zaanse Schans and Giethoorn became one of the highlights of our time in the Netherlands.

If you are spending several days in Amsterdam, consider leaving the city for a day. Seeing another side of the Netherlands made our trip even more memorable.

After our day in the Dutch countryside, we returned to Amsterdam for the rest of our stay. Soon, it was time to pack our bags again. The next stop on Our European Summer Adventure was Belgium, where family, friends, and a new city were waiting for us.

Before we move on to Belgium, if you missed our time in Amsterdam, we shared the city, museums, restaurants, and some of the experiences that surprised us.

You can read Our European Summer Adventure: Five Days in Amsterdam Here.