Traditional Dutch Architecture
Daytrip from Amsterdam
At a stone’s throw from Amsterdam you find the former island of Marken. Dams and poulders now connect the island with the mainland. The island is a touristical hotspot in summer. We went there mid winter and the village was deserted. But Marken surely embraced us with its charms. We walked around for a couple of hours and visited a wooden shoe factory, the Marker Museum and the Reformed Church. Unfortanedly it was too cold and rainy to walk to the lighthouse “Het Paard”. This long distance walking route on a dam is ideal for a summer picknick. Well it was a wintersday and we stayed indoors and finally had a hot chocalatemilk and applepie in one of the cafe’s along the harbour.
Roundtrip from Amsterdam to Marken and Volendam
Bus 311 to Marken leaves  from behind the Central Station in Amsterdam. If you go on a daytrip to Marken you could get off the bus in Monnickendam. A friendly village on the lakeside of the “Ijsselmeer”. From Marken you can jump on a boat to Volendam. There is a regular hourly service from March untill late October. From Volendam you catch bus 312 back to Amsterdam. On the way back you might want to jump off the bus at the village of Zuiderwoude and dine at a local scenic restaurant.
