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This Village Without Roads Is Straight Out Of A Fairytale Book
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This Village Without Roads Is Straight Out Of A Fairytale Book

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If you ever wanted to live your own fairy-tale, you may want to consider moving to the village Giethoorn. Also known as “Venice of the Netherlands”, this magical village founded around 1230 is the kind most people could only dream of…

It has no roads or any modern transportation at all, only canals. Well, and 176 bridges too. Tourists have to leave their cars outside of the village and travel here by foot or boat by (usually by “whisper boats”, which have noiseless engines). So you can probably imagine how peaceful it is here (well, when it isn’t flooded with tourists, of course)… Even the village’s website says that “the loudest sound you can normally hear is the quacking of a duck or the noise made by other birds”. It’s like something out of a storybook.

More info: giethoorntourism.com (h/t: brightside)

The village Giethoorn has no roads

Image credits: insureandgo.com

But that doesn’t mean there’s no way to get around…

Image credits: owegoo.com

The most common mode of transportation is by “whisper boats”, which have noiseless engines

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Image credits: unknown

Therefore, the village is very peaceful…

Image credits: Dino Cutic

The loudest sounds you’ll hear is probably the quacking of a duck (well, when it isn’t flooded with tourists, of course)

Image credits: owegoo.com

Also known as “the Venice of the Netherlands”, this magical village was founded around 1230

Image credits: NLHank

Its first inhabitants found numerous peat deposits and dug many holes over the years

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Image credits: Magda Djm

Eventually, these holes turned into lakes

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Image credits: worldfortravel.com

The newly created islands were connected with more than 176 bridges 

Image credits: worldfortravel.com

Which give the village a cozy fairy-tale touch…

Image credits: brainparking.com

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Rūta Grašytė

Rūta Grašytė

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Sashi G
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is more beautiful than waking up everyday in a "NEVERLAND" like this!!!

Jan Grijs
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually the country is called NEDERLAND in native tongue, so that's close enough ;)

Load More Replies...
Timo Korthoef
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry but you've kinda made a mistake here, I live here and we definitely do have roads, they're just on the other side of the houses...

Jayapushpa Kang
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was there about in April.it was really peaceful , beautiful and that day the weather was perfect for us to rent a whisper boat which was easily manoeuvred. Imagine yourself passing along these well kept houses many of them with thatched roofs, beautiful gardens with lovely plants n decos. Also lovely cafes and shops too. It felt so spacious, still and peaceful to just 'park' the boat in the midst of the lake! Walking along narrow paths and admiring the houses was indeed enjoyable too????. It was a fabulous day trip! I certainly hope to revisit some day ????

Chris English
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of life lives in the water? I'm just thinking that if this was Florida it would be inhabited by alligators. lol

Load More Replies...
Heidi Fancher
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, there are roads away from the vicinity of the village. People have to park their cars along the borderline. Would love to visit.

Load More Replies...
John O'shea
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Dutch People are surely a very fascinating People. When I attended School many years ago We were taught the Dutch are the only Nation in the World to conquer the water, as Holland is so low lying and extremely flat they built dykes to keep the sea out. There is no coastal erosion in Holland as they are Masters. I plan to visit the Venice of the Netherlands as soon as We are safe to travel again, God willing. Blessings from Eire 🇮🇪

Paula Haight
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OH MY GOD THAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I'V EVER SEEN. I WOULD LOVE TO LIVE THERE

Sarah Ashton
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been there many years ago while staying with a Dutch family. It's truly amazing and I'd like to be there now Truly amazing. Went there many years ago when staying with a Dutch family.

Mary Bowman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My friend Dolly shared this with me. <3 Isn't it peaceful!? <3 I can't wait for Yahweh to recreate this planet. I can't wait for HIS New Kingdom! <3 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NEITHER HATH ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN, THE THINGS WHICH ELOHIM HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM. [Isa.64:4] HALLELUYAH = Praise YAHWEH <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Jeff
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do they have a mosquito problem, with all that standing water?

Michael Koranteng
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will love to go for a vacation with my family one day. It really look so lovely and beautiful

Sandra Maddox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Visited here with our Dutch friends. Had an amazing meal in a 5* restaurant in the village or nearby. Sadly our friends are no longer with us so this is a special memory of years ago. ❤️

Kristine Lovell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Florida will be much like this in, oh say 50 years or so. It won't be a fairytale village though, but this place is lovely.

Karthik Shetty
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi, Thanks for sharing the information with us.During my last trip to France my owner told me about the beauty of Netherlands. Thanks heybnb for wonderful accomodation.For more information you can visit: http://www.heybnbworld.com/

get in
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How serene, without all the tourists of course. What an idyllic place to live or visit.

KT Trondsen
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow that is amazing! I wish I could live in a place like this, looks so perfect <3

Anna Salerno
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, you better not need to get anywhere in a hurry... This is a lovely village!

Katinka Min
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Spolieralert! ;-) It's been a veeeeery long time since I've been there, but they do have some roads and you can access most houses via a small dirt road from the back. The core village does look like the pics, though, and it a beautiful place.

Tina
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the Netherlands and I've never heard of this..?

Bobbi Newell
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like you need to plan a holiday, Tina! :D Also, shame on whoever downvoted this! No one can know every little thing about their home country!

Load More Replies...
Amanda Bush
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently there's a big mosquito problem in the warmer weather :(

Ruben
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.google.nl/maps/place/Giethoorn/@52.7394861,6.0775139,1416m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x47c86fcf82900261:0x5203ff28326e2844!8m2!3d52.7401779!4d6.0779779

Load More Replies...
Kenneth Mayberg
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I doubt they'll be much ice skating anymore with today's climate change.

Roz Pearson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, it will probably go under when the water levels rise. :(

Sashi G
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What is more beautiful than waking up everyday in a "NEVERLAND" like this!!!

Jan Grijs
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Actually the country is called NEDERLAND in native tongue, so that's close enough ;)

Load More Replies...
Timo Korthoef
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry but you've kinda made a mistake here, I live here and we definitely do have roads, they're just on the other side of the houses...

Jayapushpa Kang
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was there about in April.it was really peaceful , beautiful and that day the weather was perfect for us to rent a whisper boat which was easily manoeuvred. Imagine yourself passing along these well kept houses many of them with thatched roofs, beautiful gardens with lovely plants n decos. Also lovely cafes and shops too. It felt so spacious, still and peaceful to just 'park' the boat in the midst of the lake! Walking along narrow paths and admiring the houses was indeed enjoyable too????. It was a fabulous day trip! I certainly hope to revisit some day ????

Chris English
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

What kind of life lives in the water? I'm just thinking that if this was Florida it would be inhabited by alligators. lol

Load More Replies...
Heidi Fancher
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yes, there are roads away from the vicinity of the village. People have to park their cars along the borderline. Would love to visit.

Load More Replies...
John O'shea
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Dutch People are surely a very fascinating People. When I attended School many years ago We were taught the Dutch are the only Nation in the World to conquer the water, as Holland is so low lying and extremely flat they built dykes to keep the sea out. There is no coastal erosion in Holland as they are Masters. I plan to visit the Venice of the Netherlands as soon as We are safe to travel again, God willing. Blessings from Eire 🇮🇪

Paula Haight
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

OH MY GOD THAT IS THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING I'V EVER SEEN. I WOULD LOVE TO LIVE THERE

Sarah Ashton
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I've been there many years ago while staying with a Dutch family. It's truly amazing and I'd like to be there now Truly amazing. Went there many years ago when staying with a Dutch family.

Mary Bowman
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My friend Dolly shared this with me. <3 Isn't it peaceful!? <3 I can't wait for Yahweh to recreate this planet. I can't wait for HIS New Kingdom! <3 1 Corinthians 2:9 But as it is written, EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NEITHER HATH ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN, THE THINGS WHICH ELOHIM HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM. [Isa.64:4] HALLELUYAH = Praise YAHWEH <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3

Jeff
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Do they have a mosquito problem, with all that standing water?

Michael Koranteng
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I will love to go for a vacation with my family one day. It really look so lovely and beautiful

Sandra Maddox
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Visited here with our Dutch friends. Had an amazing meal in a 5* restaurant in the village or nearby. Sadly our friends are no longer with us so this is a special memory of years ago. ❤️

Kristine Lovell
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Florida will be much like this in, oh say 50 years or so. It won't be a fairytale village though, but this place is lovely.

Karthik Shetty
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Hi, Thanks for sharing the information with us.During my last trip to France my owner told me about the beauty of Netherlands. Thanks heybnb for wonderful accomodation.For more information you can visit: http://www.heybnbworld.com/

get in
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How serene, without all the tourists of course. What an idyllic place to live or visit.

KT Trondsen
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow that is amazing! I wish I could live in a place like this, looks so perfect <3

Anna Salerno
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, you better not need to get anywhere in a hurry... This is a lovely village!

Katinka Min
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Spolieralert! ;-) It's been a veeeeery long time since I've been there, but they do have some roads and you can access most houses via a small dirt road from the back. The core village does look like the pics, though, and it a beautiful place.

Tina
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I live in the Netherlands and I've never heard of this..?

Bobbi Newell
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sounds like you need to plan a holiday, Tina! :D Also, shame on whoever downvoted this! No one can know every little thing about their home country!

Load More Replies...
Amanda Bush
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Apparently there's a big mosquito problem in the warmer weather :(

Ruben
Community Member
8 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

https://www.google.nl/maps/place/Giethoorn/@52.7394861,6.0775139,1416m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x47c86fcf82900261:0x5203ff28326e2844!8m2!3d52.7401779!4d6.0779779

Load More Replies...
Kenneth Mayberg
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I doubt they'll be much ice skating anymore with today's climate change.

Roz Pearson
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, it will probably go under when the water levels rise. :(

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