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This Wonderful Village Has No Roads, Only Canals

By Alex Moretti

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Such a place exists indeed, in the Netherlands, and if you say you never heard of it, your imagination has already been there for sure.

It’s called and is one of the most beautiful settlements in Europe, to say the least. The village is known as Venice of the Netherlands, for having no roads to travel, the only way to navigate being using the canals and the boats available. This means there is no modern transportation, no cars, no oil spilling engines, just the boats.

Giethoorn is known as Venice of the Netherlands, for having no roads to travel, the only way to navigate being using the canals and the boats available.

Founded many hundreds of years ago by refugees from the South, the name translates into “the horn of goats”. Everything is derived from the inexplicably, for that time, large numbers of goat horns they found on their arrival on the spot, while looking for a new area to live in. While digging for peat, the settlers left holes in the ground, which later turned into lakes and a whole system of canals.

Wanderful village of Giethoorn 6
The village became famous in the 1960s thanks to the Dutch director Bert Haanstra, who used it as a location in one of his movies.

Since the inception, the village has become a haven of peace and serenity. Just think of how tremendous and remarkable it would be to visit your family or go to work paddling a miniaturized water craft.

Things are a bit more advanced though, people have begun using all-purpose boats, inflatable boats, everything you need to navigate being available for rent, but keep in mind there are only electric devices used, nothing based on gas, which makes it an even a more safer retreat.

Full of flowers, so you'll know you're in the Netherlands
Full of flowers, so you’ll know you’re in the Netherlands

The village is a major tourist attraction these days, as it is surrounded by peace, the atmosphere is forever one perfect for relaxation and calmness. People come from all around the world to visit and wonder how little has been changed in the miraculous Giethoorn over the years. We strongly advise to plan a trip there, it should be more than inspirational. Time seems frozen in place, standing still, and waiting for you to be taught a lesson about the forever amazing simplicity of life.

One of the many bridges in Giethoorn
One of the many bridges in Giethoorn
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About Alex Moretti

Adventure junkie, content creator and storyteller, Alex left his nine-to-five career lifestyle to become a full time world traveler. He started his journey to the unknown 5 years ago and visited more than 30 countries and 400 cities ever since. Learn more about Placeaholic's Editorial Process.

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