Girthoorn, Netherlands

The most picturesque and magical village in the Netherlands is Giethoorn. Dutch village where getting about is only possible by boat, walking, or biking. Giethoorn gets 1 million visitors each year.

This small Dutch town of thatch-roofed farmhouses has canals, walking routes, and bike trails as its streets. More than 150 wooden bridges span the canals to connect the pathways, and boat tours and walking tours are the two most popular ways for visitors to see the town and its beautiful gardens. Or explore the almost 100 kilometers of waterways that meander between the peat islands in a canoe. The town was formed from peat; farmers constructed their homes on the islands between the ponds left behind by peat harvesting. One of the most popular activities in this area is to ride in a traditional punter, which is a narrow boat propelled by long poles and have lunch at a café along a canal.