Hidden Gems

This tour visits five special places

Hidden Gems of the Netherlands

This very special daytrip is called Hidden Gems because it takes you to lesser known, but truly magical places. See the monumental village of “De Rijp” and the magnificent windmill of Schermerhorn. Experience the oldest working planetarium in the world and be amazed by the mystery of the mummies of Wieuwerd!

Price	€ 99,-
Distance	Approx. 310 km.
Departure	9.00 A.M. from Amsterdam (near central station)
Duration	8,5 Hours (approx.)

The Hidden Gems tour takes you to:

De Rijp

This village looks like an open-air museum, but it’s real! It’s hard to imagine that De Rijp is still to be discovered by the many people who visit The Netherlands. Beautiful wooden houses with red rooftops, an old white bridge over the water, an incredible townhall from the Dutch golden age, just enjoy an unforgettable walk through this monumental village.

Museum Mill of Schermerhorn

In the Dutch golden age, this area was drained by 52 windmills. We visit one of the few that’s left over! You can explore it from top to bottom and also view the beautiful landscape surrounding it. This place is not as well-known as (for example) the Zaanse schans, but it is just as impressive! More information at the website of the mill.

Franeker oldest working planetarium in the world

Planetarium in Franeker

We continue to the province of Friesland for our next destination, which is truly out of this world: the planetarium of Franeker! The town of Franeker (one of the famous 11 cities of Friesland) has many beautiful sights, but the highlight is the oldest working planetarium in the world! This accurately moving model of the solar system was built between 1774 and 1781 by a Frisian wool comber. It is suspended from the ceiling of the living room of a beautiful canal house. It will definitely leave you mind boggled. More information at the website of the Planetarium.

The Mummies of Wieuwerd

You’re in for another treat on this unique tour: the mystery of the mummies of Wieuwerd. In this Frisian village, something happened that puzzles scientists up to this day. In the local church, four mummified people were found! They’re there for more than three centuries and you will see them lying in the crypt in which they were buried in! More information at the website Mummiekelder.

Afsluitdijk

On the way back to Amsterdam, we stop at the Afsluitdijk. This water barrier is the most impressive example of Dutch water management. The construction of the 32 kilometers long dyke started a hundred years ago. It connects the provinces of Noord Holland and Friesland. We stop at the watchtower for a splendid look upon the construction with the ‘wadden sea’ at one side and the ‘IJsselmeer lake’ on the other.

Itinerary of the Hidden Gems tour

09.00 – 09.30	Transport to De Rijp
09.30 – 10.30	De Rijp
10.30 – 10.45	Transport to Museum Mill Schermerhorn
10.45 – 11.30	Museum Mill
11.30 – 12.30	Transport to Franeker
12.30 – 14.15	Franeker (Planetarium)
14.15 – 14.45	Transport to Wiewerd
14.45 – 15.30	Wieuwerd (crypt of the mummies)
15.30 – 16.00	Transport to Afsluitdijk
16.00 – 16.30	Afsluitdijk (watchtower)
16.30 – 17.30	Back to Amsterdam