Haarlem and Countryside - by car

The village Broek is just a stone's throw away from Amsterdam but what a difference! The Beemster polder is an absolute miracle. The draining of this lake in 1612 is a shining example of how the Dutch "created" large areas of their country. In Schermerhorn we will visit a windmill from 1632! (not open on Mondays). Then we drive to the coastal area of Bloemendaal. During WWII this area was forbidden to enter. The Nazis used the sanddunes for their Atlantik-defense wall, and to execute members of the resistance. We can visit an impressive Honory Cemetary with the grave of The Girl with the Red Hair, Hannie Schaft. A short drive brings us to the city of Haarlem where we can make a walk through the oldest part of the city centre. If open, we can have a look in the Bavo church.