Giethoorn

Giethoorn is a half-day visit: a village without a single car road, connected entirely by canals and over 180 wooden bridges, navigable by quiet boat or walkable along footpaths beside the water. April-September is best for boating without cold weather. It's pricier than expected for its size, with boat rentals accounting for much of the tourist spend. Nicknamed «the Venice of the Netherlands», it formed in the 13th century when settlers dug peat for fuel, leaving behind canals that ended up being the only practical way to get around the village.