Muiderslot Castle - Giethoorn

Route: Amsterdam - Muiderslot Castle - Giethoorn - Amsterdam
Duration: 7 h
Our first stop we will make at the Muiderslot is one of Holland’s most picturesque medieval castles. With a long and rich history, the castle is now a national museum and open for the public to explore its awe-inspiring rooms (restored to how they looked in the 17th century), as well as its collection of arms and armour.  This fortress at the mouth of the River Vecht was built around 1280 by Count Floris V. Soon thereafter, in 1296, the castle was destroyed by Bishop Willem van Mechelen. In 1380, a new castle was built on the ruins of the old one. Now the 600 years later the castle is in perfect condition . Our next stop will be at Giethoorn, a typically Dutch village in Overijssel, you can perfectly see how the Dutch love to live with and on the water. In an environment full of lakes, reed beds and forests lies this picturesque village with its many handsome farms with thatched roofs and characteristic wooden bridges. Giethoorn was established as a settlement of peat harvesters. Peat cutting created ponds and lakes, and people built houses on the islands between them. As a result, access was only possible by bridge or using traditional Giethoorn boats, so-called punters – narrow boats pushed along using a long pole by a punteraar. Fortunately, little has changed in Giethoorn. The tall wooden bridges are still there, and you can still travel the waters on a punter, as well as on an electric boat or a tour boat. Next we will go to1-hour canal cruise, where you sail under the guidance of a skipper / guide through the historic center of Giethoorn and over the lake `t Bovenwiede. After boat trip you have some free time to walk the narrow paths along the canals and simply soak up the easy-going atmosphere of the village. After free time we will return to Amsterdam.
Price: Per person