Thursday, March 04, 2010

Green Gorgeous Giethoorn

Giethoorn is a village in the province of Overijssel. It literally means "goat horn," and was named that way because the first settlers found masses of goat horns everywhere in the area. It's referred to as the "Venice of the North" because there are no roads in the center of the village.

People park their cars and hop into a boat to make their way into the center of the village.

Giethoorn, The Netherlands

All of the homes have thatched roofs which kindof makes it a fairytale-like village to wander through.
Giethoorn, The Netherlands

Giethoorn, The Netherlands

Giethoorn, The Netherlands

The homes are pretty much right on the waters edge. I'd always be worried I was going to drop the lawnmower in the canal if I lived here.
Giethoorn, The Netherlands

Here you can see one of the canal "streets."
Giethoorn, The Netherlands

Boats galore!
Giethoorn, The Netherlands

You CAN get around via the footpaths and footbridges in the village if you don't have a boat and don't feel like going for a swim (you can't really swim, the canals are only about 1 meter deep).
Giethoorn, The Netherlands

Giethoorn, The Netherlands

Giethoorn, The Netherlands

I think that it's quite a picturesque place to visit, though there really isn't a whole lot to do other than ride the canal boat and take some nice pictures. I don't know that I would make a trip JUST to go there, but if you're nearby I'd say it's worth a peek!

*****
I'm participating in Mrs. Matlock's Alphabe-Thursday! Click the link below to see what other great goodly things people have posted about.

Jenny Matlock

21 comments:

Pondside said...

I think I'd like to visit, just to walk around and take in the atmosphere. What an unusual and beautiful place. (running off to look at a map!)

Sonya said...

Thats a must see for me..I love the homes and my camera is itching to take some shots..lol

Viki said...

Sounds like a place I would like to go. Seems like it would be a very laid back kind of place. Very quaint. Thanks for sharing.

Sarah said...

This looks beautiful! Certainly somewhere I would love to visit. SO different from anywhere around here. Love the gardens they have.

GardenOfDaisies said...

That is really a beautiful little village. The houses are really close to the canal aren't they? One would have to be very careful with young children!

My name is Riet said...

That is on my list to go someday . Great pictures.

4 Lettre Words said...

So peaceful. I love the little boat idea!

Jenny said...

Mub, I am in love!

Those thatched roofs...the green grass...the canals...the cottages!

Absolutely Gorgeously Grand!

A+++++++++++++

Noodle said...

Know you kim ou would drop the lawn mower into the cannal... =0) Looks like a fun place to take in the atompshere...

Julie Kwiatkowski Schuler said...

What a beautiful place! It looks like it popped right out of nursery rhyme book.

Unknown said...

Gorgeous photos, great G post! :)

Steph said...

Wow, how lovely. I like the thatched roofs. Thanks for the tour of this quaint, amazing village. It must be so fun to see it in person.

Alea Milham said...

What a lovely village! Thanks for the tour!

brainella said...

What a cool place. I would LOVE that. Does it snow much there? You could skate through town!

Jo said...

it does look like a fairytale village with all of those thatched roofs. it looks so pretty!

Anonymous said...

Had to do a Funda check on the real estate. If you don't want "cute" and "thatched" the prices aren't too bad! Otherwise...

http://www.funda.nl/koop/giethoorn/bouwperiode-voor-1906/sorteer-prijs-op/

Wizardress said...

So ironic that you should show this- Marcel and I were just talking about going there yesterday. How far is that from y'all?

Orange said...

thanks for sharing this..lovely pics. I would like to visit this place some day!

Connie said...

What a lovely village!! So interesting!! Thank you so much for sharing your photos!! Love them!!

Best wishes for a wonderful week!!

CaraBee said...

What a charming village! I can't imagine living in such a lovely place. Thanks for the tour!

Cap Creations said...

This is so interesting and pretty. And seems fun too! Would love to see it one day.

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