There are many harbor towns around the former Zuiderzee, which are still so authentic that you could call the IJsselmeer the largest open-air museum in the world. This museum could never have been so alive without the animating contribution of the 300 traditional sailing ships that sail from one port to another day after day.

Many harbors are quite small and in the evening are packed with sailing monuments. Especially in summertime the harbors ensure a lively scenery. Day trippers come to the harbor to see how ships are maneuvered with a self-evident and routine as if it were a game of Tetris. The next morning everyone sets sail again and will head for another scenic city. As a result, you really imagine yourself in a bygone era, especially on the ships themselves.

Inland waterways are particularly attractive before and after high season. When it is too autumnal to go to the North Sea, you can often sail around on the IJsselmeer, the Markermeer and the Waddenzee quite free of horrors.

The harbors are not so far apart, so you can decide to moor before the cold hits your bones.