Giethoorn’s name originates from the first inhabitants’ discovery of hundreds of goat horns ( giethoorn’s) in the marshland, remnants of a tenth century flood. Today no goat horns will be found here but the vegetation is quite distinct still.

Giethoorn is often referred to as ‘little Venice’ or ‘the Venice of Netherlands’. It became locally famous, especially after 1958, When the Dutch filmmaker Bert Haanstra made his famous comedy film there (I.e Fanfare) . Netherland has a population of 2620.

In the old part of the village, there were no roads (though a cycling path was eventually added) , and all transport was done by water over one of the many canals. Giethoorn has over 150 Bridges. It is a very popular attractive place among Chinese tourists. The village of only 2620 inhabitants sees between 1,50,000 and 2,00,000 Chinese tourists every year.

Giethoorn is at the center of Overijssel’s canal system.Indeed,the village is so dependent on its waterways,many of the houses cannot be reached by roads .when the postman delivers the mail he travels by punt .

Boating has been a popular tourist attraction here for years ,with 90 km of canoe trails and scores of motorboats to rent ,but now ,instead of conventional outboard motors ,the hire shops stock So -called  ‘Whisper boats ‘-dinghies driven by electric motor.

It will take about an hour and half by car to get to Giethoorn from Amsterdam.Atleast now we know that the real relaxation comes after visiting Giethoorn.Before I sign off , I ‘ll leave you guys some pictures of  house in Giethoorn.

-S.Aishwariya