Now I just feel like I am giving away secrets! I love De Boom and the great selection of drafts…read morethey have available. Staples such as Palm and De Konnick sit along with higher alc% bottles and on my last visit a draft beer from Flying Dog Beer from Maine, USA!! The inside of the bar is the perfect combo of people and darkness to provide a relaxing evening of conversation as you mull over your beer selection. In the summer outside seating is available along the canal and around corner from the cheese market. For my fellow American travelers bring Euros as no credit cards (only European debit cards) are accepted. Good luck and if Rick is tending bar you are in for an even better time!

What a memorable experience! It's the first time that we've ever been inside a working windmill…read more It's all inside the windmill museum in Schermer Polder. The cool part is that this windmill is one of the original 52 that was built to pump water out of the Schermeer Lake for land reclamation in the 1630s. The upkeep in restoring it is incredible to see as you're climbing up the step ladders to each level. You can see the mechanism that turns the sails of the mill. It's a great way to see how the miller and his family lived inside of it. It's much bigger than it looks from the outside. It's so peaceful inside with the sweeping sounds of the wind sails. You enter through the shop. There's an area to the left where you can view a film about the history of reclaimed land. We didn't see it because our tour operator had already explained it to us on the way there. We went directly to the barn with the old carriages & tools while others were using the restrooms. There were sheep grazing nearby. The scenery around us was simply amazing. The windmill is the highlight of the visit. You must visit each room and climb up at least to one level (if able). It's interesting to learn how they slept there. Lying flat was associated with death at that time. So, sleeping upright was not uncommon. It also kept them warmer in these little confined spaces. We enjoyed every minute of this visit. It didn't feel crowded like other windmill attractions. Maybe because it's out in the middle of nowhere below sea level. If you've been to Keukenhof Gardens or Zaanse Schans then you know what I'm talking about. I must say that this was our favorite part of the reclaimed land tour in the Netherlands. I'd go back again in a heartbeat.

Wonderful experience seeing the inner workings of a real Windmill. The little museum has a video…read morethat one must watch to enjoy before touring the windmill. We climbed into the upper parts to witness life as it was. A must in my opinion when in the area but check the closing times as the hours are earlier than you would think and you don't want to miss it.