Move away from the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam's city center and explore the gentler pace of life in the Dutch countryside. Snap photos of riverside windmills, visit fishing villages still steeped in tradition, bite into savory samples at a local cheesemaker, and find out how pairs of iconic Dutch clogs are crafted.

Leaving the city behind, head north to Zaanse Schans to get up-close views of wooden windmills erected hundreds of years ago. Let their spinning arms wave you on to Volendam, where waterfront houses and boat-filled canals maintain the community's longstanding maritime traditions. In the charming village of Marken nearby, snap photos of typical wooden Dutch houses, reached by boat if you're visiting in the summer, or coach if you've arrived in the cooler winter months.

Spend your afternoon at a farm, where experienced hands make artisanal cheeses you can sample as you go behind the scenes to follow the process from curd to completion. Before you head back to Amsterdam, make a final stop at a clog maker for an in-depth look at how these wooden creations are crafted and when they're used. Who knows, you may even get to try on a pair yourself!