New Year in Giethoorn

Giethoorn is a small village based in Overijsel province some 120 km north east of Amsterdam. The village, often referred to as the Venice of north, is a small settlement without roads where the houses are connected by canals formed by digging peat. There is a large lake nearby that is suitable for swimming in the summer or scating when the lake freezes some winters. Specially in the summer it can be filled by tourists that outnumber the local population of some 2,800 people several times. I visted it on the 31st of December when it was not busy. Although there is no enterance fee most peole rent a boat (electric) at the start of the village and this can be expensive depending on the type of boat and time the boat is needed for. If you have not used a boat before don't worry it is easy to use. There are restaurants and cafes around and it is a lovely place to spend a day in summer or half a day in winter before going back to a warm fire and some champagne.