Volendam's Charm: Unveiling the Hidden Gems of Markermeer (Edam-Volendam)
Volendam's Charm: Markermeer's Secret (and My Slightly Chaotic Review)
Okay, so I just got back from Edam-Volendam, lured by the promise of windmills, canals, and authentic Dutch life. And hey, the picture postcards painted a pretty picture, but let’s be real, my experience was… well, it was a thing. This review is going to be less "objective travel guide" and more "my unfiltered brain dump after a week of stroopwafels and trying to figure out which way the wind blows." Consider yourself warned.
SEO & Metadata (because apparently, that's a thing these days):
- Keywords: Volendam, Edam, Markermeer, Netherlands, Dutch, Travel, Hotel Review, Accessibility, Spa, Dining, Family Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible, Wi-Fi, Safety, Amenities, Netherlands Travel, Dutch Culture, Markermeer Region, Volendam hotels, Edam hotels, what to do in Volendam
- Description: A chaotic, honest review of a stay in Edam-Volendam, focusing on accessibility, amenities, dining, and – most importantly – the human experience (and my own slightly frazzled reaction to it all). Expect opinions, anecdotes, and maybe a few tangents.
Accessibility: The Good, The Bad, and the Slightly Confusing
Alright, let's dive in. Accessibility is a huge deal for me. I appreciate a place that tries, even if it stumbles a little.
- (Generally): Getting to Volendam isn't too bad. Train to Purmerend, then a bus. It's doable. In Volendam itself though, cobblestones? Oh boy. They looked charming in the brochures, but after a few hours – well, my ankles were screaming.
- Wheelchair Accessible?: I wish I could give a straight answer. Some shops had ramps, some didn't. The hotel? Mixed bag. Elevators were present, hurrah! But some hallways felt a touch narrow, like a squeeze through a particularly friendly (and slightly rotund) Dutch person. It's worth calling ahead and asking very specific questions about the room and the route. Don't assume anything - I learned that the hard way.
- Hotel's Efforts: The hotel did have clearly marked accessible rooms (which is a big plus!), but finding the route to the lobby from a certain room felt like embarking on a treasure hunt. After a while it got kind of charming.
On-site accessible restaurants / lounges: This is an area I was hoping for more in terms of detailed information, but its lack made it tricky.
Internet Nirvana (and the Occasional Wi-Fi Woes)
- Free Wi-Fi in all rooms!: YES! Praise be. Necessary for my constant Instagram updates.
- Internet and Internet [LAN]: Surprisingly, the LAN access was a nice touch, for those old school types.
- Internet services, Wi-Fi in public areas: Wi-Fi was generally reliable, although it did occasionally decide to take a vacation when I needed it most, like, you know, when I was trying to order food online in my pyjamas at 2am. Classic.
Things to Do (Besides Wondering if You're Still in the Netherlands)
- It's all about the charm: The harbor? Stunning. The windmills? Majestic. The cheese shops? Dangerous (for my wallet).
- Boat Trips: The classic. A Markermeer cruise is a must, even if you feel like you’re that tourist. You just need to do it!
- Walking: Be prepared for the cobblestones!
Ways to Relax (or, How I Tried to Unwind)
- Spa: Oh, the spa. Now this is where it gets interesting.
- Pool with view: I was promised a pool with a view. I was getting a view of other tourists, and a pool which was just okay. It wasn't the worst, but… not great.
- Sauna, Steamroom: I got the impression they were actually pretty good. Did I get in them? Nope.
- Massage: I did have a Massage. It was pretty darn good. I had the opportunity to relax finally after my bumpy stay.
- Fitness center, Gym/fitness: Nope. No thanks.
Cleanliness and Safety: Sanitized, But Maybe a Little Too Sanitized?
Look, I'm all for cleanliness. But sometimes, a place felt like a slightly clinical operating room. I was so happy to see all the measures, but almost sad at the human touch.
- Anti-viral cleaning products: Good.
- Hand sanitizer: Ubiquitous.
- Daily disinfection in common areas, Room sanitization opt-out available: Fine. I get it. But I also felt like I had to sanitize my hands every 5 minutes.
- Individually-wrapped food options, Safe dining setup, Sanitized kitchen and tableware items: A little too much. The joy of a communal breakfast was somewhat muted.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: They were. Very.
- Physical distancing of at least 1 meter: Pretty strictly enforced. Sometimes made me yearn for a hug.
- Rooms sanitized between stays: Yup.
- Shared stationery removed: Understood.
- Staff trained in safety protocol: yes, they were polite, and kept their distance.
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: A Culinary Adventure (Sometimes Good, Sometimes… Not So Much)
- A la carte in restaurant, Breakfast [buffet], Breakfast service, Buffet in restaurant, Coffee/tea in restaurant, Coffee shop, Desserts in restaurant, International cuisine in restaurant, Poolside bar, Restaurants: This was all there. The restaurants were good, I can't complain. The buffet was… not great.
- Bar, Happy hour: always great.
- Room service [24-hour]: Praise be! Especially on those late nights.
- Snack bar, Soup in restaurant, Salad in restaurant: Okay.
- Asian cuisine in restaurant, Vegetarian restaurant, Western breakfast, Western cuisine in restaurant: I don't think I saw these.
Services and Conveniences: The Good, the Grumbles, and the Surprisingly Useful
- Air conditioning in public area: Thank goodness
- Business facilities, Cash withdrawal, Concierge, Convenience store: Good.
- Currency exchange: Awesome.
- Daily housekeeping: Essential.
- Dry cleaning, Elevator, Facilities for disabled guests, Food delivery, Gift/souvenir shop, Indoor venue for special events, Invoice provided, Ironing service, Laundry service, Luggage storage, Meeting/banquet facilities, Meetings, Meeting stationery, On-site event hosting, Outdoor venue for special events, Projector/LED display: All good, I didn't have any.
- Safety deposit boxes: Yup.
- Smoking area: It seemed to be there.
- Terrace: yes.
- Wi-Fi for special events, Xerox/fax in business center: Good.
For the Kids (and the Overly-Excited Adults)
- Babysitting service, Family/child friendly, Kids facilities, Kids meal: I didn't see any kids! But I'm sure they have these.
Access, Security, and All That Jazz
- CCTV in common areas, CCTV outside property: Good.
- Check-in/out [express], Check-in/out [private]: Good.
- Couple's room: Didn't get to experience this.
- Exterior corridor, Fire extinguisher, Front desk [24-hour], Hotel chain, Non-smoking rooms, Proposal spot: There.
- Safety/security feature, Security [24-hour], Smoke alarms, Soundproof rooms: Present.
Getting Around: The Great Bicycle Debate
- Airport transfer: I didn't have these, but sounds useful.
- Bicycle parking, Car park [free of charge], Car park [on-site], Car power charging station, Taxi service, Valet parking: The hotel had a car park.
Available in all rooms: Amenities Abound!
- Additional toilet, Air conditioning, Alarm clock, Bathrobes, Bathroom phone, Bathtub, Blackout curtains, Carpeting, Closet, Coffee/tea maker, Complimentary tea, Daily housekeeping, Desk, Extra long bed, Free bottled water, Hair dryer, High floor, In-room safe box, Interconnecting room(s) available, Internet access – LAN, Internet access – wireless, Ironing facilities, Laptop workspace, Linens, Mini bar, Mirror, Non-smoking, On-demand movies, Private bathroom, Reading light, Refrigerator, Safety/security feature, Satellite/cable channels, Scale, Seating area, Separate shower/bathtub, Shower, Slippers, Smoke detector, Socket near the bed, Sofa, Soundproofing, Telephone, Toiletries, Towels, Umbrella, Visual alarm, Wake-up service, Wi-Fi [free], Window that opens: All there.
Final Verdict: Would I Go Back?
Look, Edam-Volendam is undeniably beautiful. It has soul. But this particular
High Vosges Dream Chalet: Dishwasher & Unforgettable Views!
Alright, buckle up buttercups! We're diving headfirst into a Volendam adventure, a proper Dutch mess of clogs, cheese, and… well, who knows what else! This isn’t your Instagram-filtered, perfectly curated travel blog. This is the real deal. Grab a stroopwafel, and let’s go:
Day 1: Amsterdam's Hangover & Volendam's Charm (Maybe)
8:00 AM - The Amsterdam Aftermath (Ugh.) Okay, so maybe we overdid it with the "brown cafes" last night. My head feels like Willem Dafoe’s hair in Platoon. Note to self: Jenever is a DEVIL. Dragging myself out of the AirBnB, which, by the way, is way closer to the Red Light District than Google Maps led me to believe. (I swear, I saw a window dancer wink at me. I think.)
9:30 AM - Train to Edam-Volendam (Praying for Relief). The train… thank God for trains. Especially ones full of chatty, brightly dressed Dutch folks who seem surprisingly unfazed by my general state of disarray. I'm pretty sure I'm drooling a little. Trying to remember where I put my phone. Ah, yes, it was in my sock. Don't judge me.
10:30 AM - Edam: Cheese Dreams & Canal Whispers. Edam! Home of the cheese with a history. Oh, and the canals. The canals are adorable. Seriously, like something straight out of a fairytale. I walked to every shop and saw the famous cheese. Bought some for my hangover, thinking. “Maybe some cheese will help it, maybe not…”
12:00 PM - Edam's Windmill Whisperers and Lost Souls (Food!). Found a cafe by a beautiful windmill. Ordered a HUGE plate of bitterballen (deep-fried meatballs) and a coffee. Bitterballen: a life saver. Coffee: slowly helping me regain some semblance of humanity. Sat there, watching the world go by, feeling the sun on my face and quietly falling in love with the Netherlands. I even saw a pigeon.
1:30 PM - Ferry to Volendam (Salty Air & Sarcastic Seagulls). The ferry! Oh boy. The Markermeer is… well, it's water. Windy, salty water. The seagulls are seriously judging my choices. The view of Volendam from the water is stunning, though. That iconic harbor, the colorful houses, the fish… It's almost too perfect. Almost.
2:00 PM - Volendam at First Glance (Mostly Stunning). Stepping off the ferry and BAM! Color explosion! The harbor is a riot of boats and brightly painted buildings. I stumbled into a cafe where I saw my favorite dutch delicacies!
3:00 PM - The Fisherman's Wharf (A Sensory Overload!). Oh, and the harbour! The smell of fried fish is INTENSE. Like, I can taste it before I even see it. Which, I do… immediately. First thing: Fresh herring! Now, I’m not usually a raw fish kinda gal, but when in Volendam… This particular herring? Divine. Salty, fresh, and somehow, miraculously, chasing away the last vestiges of the Amsterdam hangover. Seriously, go eat herring!
4:00 PM - Exploring The Harbor. The little boat shops are so attractive! I saw a few women dressed in the costumes of the region, but I didn't want to bother them for a photo.
5:00 PM: A little shop for souvenirs Every souvenir shop in town has the same things. But I found a clog necklace! I found a fridge magnet and a little wooden tulip.
6:00 PM - Dinner (And Another Fish Adventure). Okay, I'm obsessed now. Walked into a restaurant and have some more herring and some delicious fried fish in the harbor.
7:30 PM - Sunset stroll & a touch of existential dread. The sun setting over the Markermeer is truly something else. The sky explodes with these otherworldly oranges and pinks. Perfect moment, ruined by the sudden realization that I'M ALONE in a foreign country, with a rapidly depleting bank account, and probably smelling of fried fish. But hey, the view, right?
8:30 PM - Finding a Bar (And a Quiet Beer). Found a nice little bar looking at the harbor. I ordered a beer, and actually was able to think and sit in silence. The bar has a television, and I saw a Dutch movie. I felt like I was at home.
9:30 PM - Bedtime (Thank Goodness). Back at the little hotel and ready to sleep.
Day 2: The Markermeer and the Mystery of the Missing Clogs
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast and Regrets. Dutch pancakes! Delicious, fluffy, and a perfect cure for the slightly-too-much-beer headache I'm sporting. Realizing I still haven't learned any Dutch beyond "dank je wel." Oh, and I think I may have left my favorite scarf in the bar last night. Sigh.
- 10:00 AM - A Boat Tour (Embracing the Waves). Signed up for a short boat tour of the Markermeer. The wind is whipping, the waves are choppy, an the guides all seem to know each other. A little rougher than I expected, but the view of Volendam from the water is still breathtaking. Tried to take a picture - failed.
- 11:30 AM - Clog Shopping (The Quest Begins!). Time for the dreaded clog shopping. I swear the clog stores are just as crowded. Finally, I found a pair that don't make me look like I'm trying out for a lumberjack competition.
- 12:30 PM - Lunch (The Great Cheese Battle). Found a cheese shop and got a cheese sandwich, I loved it.
- 1:30 PM - Talking to Locals. I was trying to befriend some locals, and found some of them were really kind and friendly. We chatted for about an hour.
- 2:30 PM - The Lost Scarf Mystery. I went back to the bar, and thank the stars, the scarf was there!
- 3:30 PM - Saying Goodbye Volendam: I have to say goodbye to Volendam. I got in the ferry and back to the train.
The Verdict:
Volendam? Messy, charming, full of history, and possibly the best herring I've ever tasted. Yes, it’s touristy, but who cares? It’s beautiful, it’s real, and it’s definitely a story I'll be telling for years to come. (And if anyone finds a scarf in a bar, please send it my way!)
Jaw-Dropping Historic Farm in Germany: A Fairytale Come True!
Volendam's Charm: Unveiling the Hidden Gems (And The Slightly Less Hidden Ones) of Markermeer (Edam-Volendam) - My Brain Dump
Okay, so... Volendam. What's *actually* good there besides the obvious? Everyone raves about the harbor.
Alright, alright, the harbor. Yes, it's postcard-perfect. *Eye roll*. Seriously though, it *is* stunning, no argument. But beyond the obvious Instagram bait? The vibe. It's a total sensory overload, frankly. Smells of fresh fish (good and… strong), squawking seagulls, the clink of glasses in the cafes spilling out onto the cobbled streets. Found myself just *standing* there one afternoon, feeling… well, strangely content. That's something, yeah? Also, the *people*! The locals, in their traditional costumes (some of them, anyway, not everyone's strolling around in those things 24/7), are surprisingly friendly. Don't be shy to try a chat... even if my Dutch is about as good as… well, let’s just say Google Translate got a workout. And honestly, the *food* is a win. Fried fish, yes, but also some seriously delicious herring. Don't be a wimp, try it! Just… maybe have some breath mints handy afterwards.
What about Edam? Is it just cheese? Because frankly, I'm lactose intolerant, so…
Okay, okay, cheese is *a thing* in Edam. It’s practically the national religion. And yeah, I know, lactose struggles. But DON'T write it off entirely! Edam is more than just cheese (though the cheese market is… well, a cheesy spectacle, even if I *couldn't* indulge). Think canals! Gorgeous, quiet canals, lined with ridiculously cute houses. Just… *breath-takingly* cute. I nearly keeled over from the adorableness at one point. It's way less manic than Volendam, a total breath of fresh air. And the atmosphere… well, it just feels… authentic. Found a small, local bakery. The aroma of fresh bread hit you like a warm hug. Worth the trip, even if every other shop is trying to sell you… you guessed it… cheese. Just remember your Lactaid pills, my friend.
Is it touristy? Like, annoyingly so? I hate crowds.
Yes. And no. Volendam is *definitely* touristy. Like, packed like a can of sardines touristy, especially during peak season. I nearly got trampled by a herd of selfie-stick-wielding… well, you get the idea. Edam? Less so, thank goodness. But honestly, embrace the chaos, somewhat. You're there for the experience, right? You *will* be jostled. You *will* hear a cacophony of languages. You *will* get photobombed. Just… breathe. Grab a coffee. Find a quiet corner. And remember, everyone else is there for the same reason: to be charmed. Embrace it! And wear comfortable shoes. Trust me on that one. My arches are still screaming from the cobblestones.
Okay, food. Besides the fish and cheese (or avoiding them), any culinary recommendations?
Oof, tricky. Food can be very hit or miss. Volendam, mostly geared toward tourism, can be pricey and a bit… well, uninspired. I stumbled upon a tiny little cafe, away from the main drag, called "De Rustieke Keuken" (totally made that up, or maybe it's actually called that... my memory is a mess!). The best darn apple pie I’d ever had, along with a coffee that was actually strong. Worth seeking out. In Edam, look for anything freshly baked. Seriously. The bakeries. Find them. Or, be adventurous! Try a “bitterbal” from a snack bar, you will need to order more than one! But… yeah, be prepared to pay a premium in the main tourist areas.
The traditional costumes… are they… cheesy? Or charming?
Okay, this is where it gets complicated. Some of them are *definitely* a little cheesy. The ones you see in all the photos, the ones the tour groups are clamoring to photograph? Yeah, they're basically props. But… seeing the actual traditional attire worn by the locals, going about their daily lives? (Found one lady in a full head-dress at the grocery store, trying to reach a packet of… uh… stroopwafels. That was a *moment*). That’s different. It's a glimpse into the past. It’s beautiful, the detail is amazing, and it's a reminder of a different way of life. But, and this is a big but: don't be *that* tourist, running up and shoving a camera in someone’s face. Have some respect. Admire from a distance. Maybe ask politely for a photo… and be prepared for a “no.” And frankly, some of the outfits look incredibly *un*comfortable. Heavy skirts! Starched collars! I'm sweating just thinking about it.
Markermeer… is it worth the boat trip? What’s the deal with the water?
The boat trip… yes! Totally worth it. Seeing the villages from the water gives a whole new perspective. The Markermeer itself… well, it's not exactly the Caribbean. It's a bit… murky. And not exactly the bluest of blues. But it has its own beauty. The vastness of the water, the sky… it's calming, even if the water isn’t exactly inviting for a swim. I took a ferry from Volendam. It was a gorgeous clear day, sun was shining, and the boat was rocking ever so gently. The waves, though murky, still held a certain charm. Watching the little boats sail by was truly magnificent!. The breeze, the calls of the seagulls… it was a perfect moment. Just don't expect crystal-clear visibility. Think… slightly opaque, and embrace the weirdness! Also, bring a jacket. Even on a sunny day, the wind can bite.
Hidden Gems? Secrets the Guidebooks DON'T tell you? Spill.
Okay, the *real* hidden gems… tricky. Most of the "hidden" stuff has been… well, discovered. But here's a thing: wander off the beaten track. Seriously. Get away from the harbor in Volendam, walk down some side streets. Edam is better for this, but explore, get lost. I found a tiny antique shop in Edam, crammed with the most bizarre and wonderful junk. Didn’t buy anything (budget!), but just browsing was a delight. And… (this is slightly embarrassing)… the best "hidden gem" came from a complete *accident*. I got lost, took a wrong turn, ended up in this quiet residential area in Volendam. Saw a gorgeous tiny garden. Watched a local woman watering her roses. Felt a littleFind Secret Hotel Deals
