5x weekend breaks just outside Amsterdam

You will find this incredibly cute little house at the end of a dead-end dyke in the village of Grootschermer. From Dijkhuisje De Taanman you have a beautiful view of the Eilandspolder nature reserve. Now that's a peaceful way to wake up in the morning. The cottage has a large double bed, a terrace and even a heater where you can curl up at night.

In the region of Laag Holland, you will find all kinds of picturesque villages where it is great to relax on one of the many terraces or during a trip on a whisper boat. Both Amsterdam and the North Sea beach are half an hour's drive away. At Dijkhuisje Taanman you have everything close at hand, yet a stay here feels like an oasis of calm.

Free port Zwier is a fine getaway close to the city. After just a half-hour drive from Amsterdam, you find yourself in a green oasis. At Zwier, everything is possible and nothing is necessary, as long as you go home recharged after your stay. Sounds good, right?

You’ll find a variety of accommodation options at Zwier. How about, for example, a harbour cottage where you can enjoy views of the Vinkeveens lakes from your bed? Hire a boat here during the day and explore the various little islands in the area. In the evening, round off the day in the hot tub as the sun sets over the harbour. Pure bliss!

Honeyguide Eliane spent a weekend at Zwier. Curious about her experiences? You can read all about it in this blog.

Want to spend a special night with the beach around the corner? Then Be My Guest House is the place to be! This building dates from 1908 and is now a municipal monument. It used to house a bread and pastry shop and later a brown café. Today, you will find an inn with nine special rooms.

Each room is designed by a different local artist, making all rooms unique. For instance, can you sleep in a box bed or do you prefer the forest room? In any case, spending the night here is quite an experience. And to think that you are also a stone's throw from the beach. Definitely not a punishment! Honeyguide Yalou has already written a blog with tips for visiting Wijk aan Zee.

If you have always wanted to sleep in a church, I have the golden tip for you: an overnight stay in Het Kerkje van Etersheim is a truly unique experience. The little church was built in 1901 and was actually used as a church until 1971. Since 2012, you will find the cosy and small-scale bed & breakfast, which has two rooms. A special place to spend the night I can assure you.

The little church is located in Etersheim, an ancient hamlet on the Markermeer between Hoorn and Edam-Volendam. The little church of Etersheim is surrounded by the beautiful North Holland landscape and from the Upper Room you have a view of the Markermeer. The famous Zuiderzee route starts right outside the door and Amsterdam is just a 30-minute drive away. Honeyguide Marit already visited this region once a gives you tips for visiting Laag Holland in this blog.

Talking about unique places... At Bed & Beemster, you spend the night in a renovated caravan or in a Scandinavian-style bedroom in the beautiful surroundings of De Beemster. This is one of those places where you wake up in the morning to soothing birdsong and end the day with an enchanting sunset from your own terrace.

During your stay, you can borrow bicycles to explore De Beemster. There is also a bbq ready for a summer dinner and if you want to go on a bit longer in the evening, use the accompanying fire pit for a campfire.

Exploring the surroundings is at least as much fun. Bed & Beemster is located in World Heritage Site De Beemster and among the historic Defence Line of Amsterdam. The picturesque village of Middenbeemster is just around the corner and cities such as Amsterdam and Alkmaar are also within easy reach.