Dutch Windmill Adventure in Zaanse Schans

Leaving Amsterdam, we couldn’t resist a quick detour to Zaanse Schans in Zaandam it simply wouldn’t have been a proper Dutch adventure without it! Picture this: rows of storybook windmills standing proud against the chilly winter air, their massive sails slowly turning like they were winking at us. Zaanse Schans is a living museum showcasing how these 18th- and 19th-century windmills powered everything from spice grinding to wood cutting and oil pressing. Talk about wind with purpose!

The cold nipped at our noses (and possibly froze our toes), but it couldn’t dim the charm of the place. Bundled up in coats, gloves, we joined the crowd, snapping pictures and exploring the old buildings. To escape the icy breeze, we ducked into the canteen for lunch. Nothing fancy, but warm soup and crusty bread never tasted so good when you’re thawing out after a chilly stroll. We laughed about the cold, and spoke to Georgia about the big windmill sails their purpose and why they were so important in draining the marshes.

It was an impressive place, but it’s a real tourist trap, if we had known we might have looked for a more authentic place, still we saw what live would have been like 100 years ago and it was exceptionally well laid out, just so many tourists even in the bitter January cold!

From there, it was back on the road, leaving the Netherlands behind and heading towards Ghent, Belgium. The drive was a quiet moment of reflection and snacks the “Are we there yet?” questions were kept to a minimum. And the closer we got to Ghent, the more the excitement built. New country, new adventures, and yes, a sneaky promise of waffles and chocolate to keep spirits high.

Zaandam’s windmills? Tick. Fun, laughter, and frozen noses? Double tick. Belgium, get ready for us!

We love Dutch Windmill Adventure in Zaanse Schans!

Learn more about Zaanse Schans Windmills!

Learn more about Zaanse Schans Windmills!

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