Giethoorn, The Dutch Venice I Visited

Index

Holiday In My Own Country

Holiday in my own country, I should do that more often. To immediately add to the word, I was looking for a nice deal for a few days. And yes, Giethoorn was among them, not the 4-day walking package, that was sold out. But I could go to De Bult half an hour by public transport from Giethoorn and in the middle of the woods. 

So Book Now!

The hotel was beautifully situated on the edge of the forest, as I noticed after traveling for 3,5 hours from Eindhoven. I spent the afternoon in the sauna and indoor swimming pool, fantastic! Small detail, I had it all for myself! After a delicious three-course menu and a good night's sleep, it was time to visit Giethoorn. This became a bit more difficult than initially thought, because the Connexxion buses went on strike today! With Arriva I went from the Bult to Steenwijk and there I would board the Giethoorn Express (Connexxion). Unfortunately it was not running this morning.

Think, How Do I Get To The Next Part Of My Journey, Giethoorn? 

I saw some Chinese tourists standing at the bus stop. Indeed they also wanted to go to Giethoorn and I asked them if they wanted to share a taxi. 

They Did

The Chinese girl had seen a number at the Chinese tourist information center in the station. Yes, there is a real information center for Chinese people about Giethoorn at Steenwijk Station, almost no information in another language. The Chinese decided to take a tour, but I didn't want a tour and had already ordered my boat trip. I boldly asked if I could come along and be dropped off in the village. After much consultation in Chinese I was allowed to join for 5 euros! A bargain compared to taxi prices in The Netherlands. 

I Had Already Feared Spending An Astronomical Amount On A Taxi, But I Was Lucky

I set off, first I arrived somewhere outside Giethoorn and the driver wanted the Chinese guests to get into a small boat. After some grumbling and pointing to a small child they had with them, it was decided that everyone had to get back in. This was on the other side of Giethoorn, which I didn't recognize from the pictures, there were restaurants there, but no tourist yet. The Taxi went to the larger boats with a roof. My luck these boats are at the beginning of the village. Here I said goodbye to the company and went to explore the village.

Old Village Of Giethoorn

The old village of Giethoorn consists of 1 long street of 6 km. With houses on both sides. I can only walk on the left, because on the right after the water there are houses, shops, restaurants and Bed & Breakfast accessible via characteristic bridges. 

It Looks Cute Both When I Walk Through It And Cruise Through It

Sailing through the village takes 1 hour and then the sailing ends at the large lake with the Weerribben-Wieden nature reserve on the other side. To explore the village, it takes 2 hours with visiting the museums and shops.

Is Giethoorn The Dutch Venice?

No idea, because I've never been to Venice. In terms of tourism, certainly, because this small village processes 1,4 million people per year. Because of the bus strike it was not busy, and I was able to stroll through the street at my own pace. But I think it's usually too many people to notice the beauty. The boat I was on, was only for a quarter full, very nice. The water was not busy yet. Long live the strike!

Advice

What I noticed by staying outside of Giethoorn was:

• That it is more peaceful and quiet in the hotels and villages around Giethoorn

• I took a whole day for Giethoorn and I had all the time to see and do everything in slow pace

• I enjoyed the nature around my hotel and this was possible because I went for a few days

• Oh and don't forget to be current about information on bus strikes :-).