De Rijp is a village and former municipality in the Alkmaar municipality. De Rijp was founded around the end of the 13th century. The place is also known as the 'oeverrand' (shoreline). De Rijp originated at the southern part of the dike relative to the Schermer island. The village was very prosperous in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries, thanks to whaling (small-scale fisheries), herring fisheries, and hemp processing. Whaling emerged partly due to declining income from herring fishing. The ships did not sail from De Rijp but from the Zaan and later the IJ.

Purmerend is located in the municipality of Waterland. It is a pleasant and charming city with cozy cafes and restaurants on the Koemarkt. In addition, the city is conveniently located in relation to the city of Amsterdam. Every Tuesday, there is also a nice and lively market in the city center, starting at 08:30 in the morning until 14:00 in the afternoon.

Marken frequently faced floods. Therefore, residents built their houses on mounds (raised elevations where people used to live). These characteristic cottages can be found nowhere else in the world. In the 13th century, Marken was separated from the mainland during a storm, becoming a peninsula. This was followed by centuries of isolation for the residents who depended on fishing. Marken was only reconnected to the mainland in 1957 through a dike. Despite this, the village retains its authentic character and traditions.

De Middenbeemster is a village in the municipality of Beemster, which is located in the province of North Holland. De Middenbeemster is the oldest village of the Beemster. The construction of a rectangular square in 1610 and the construction of the church on this square in 1623 soon created a neighborhood that was larger than most neighborhoods in the Beemster that had arisen since the reclamation. The church, the first Protestant and the Beemster church, was designed by the city architect of Amsterdam Henkdrick de Keyser. The square was laid out in the middle plot of the Beemster, from which the place name is derived.

Volendam was originally called Folle(n)dam. Initially, the IJe or E flowed here, along which the town of Edam was situated, into the Zuiderzee. In 1357, the residents of Edam dug a shorter connection between the Purmermeer and the Zuiderzee. Subsequently, a dam was built for the old harbor of Edam, and the old harbor was closed off; hence the name Follendam. This way, Edam got a new harbor, the Oorgat. Soon, farmers and fishermen settled here. Additionally, some laborers remained in the newly formed village after the excavation work was completed.

Broek in Waterland is a village in the municipality of Waterland, located near Amsterdam in the northern direction. Until 1991, Broek in Waterland was an independent municipality, including the cores of Uitdam and Zuiderwoude. The village has a protected village view, where some of the wooden houses are often painted in pastel colors and decorated with a door casing and a ceremonial front door. Due to the soft subsoil, certain houses have always remained in existence as a wooden structure designed by Hendrick de Keyser. Additionally, in the 18th century, the village was also known for its beauty, both literally and figuratively.

The Beemster is a reclaimed land (polder) and a municipality in the province of North Holland. The Beemster municipality was part of the transport region. Within the Beemster, there are several villages, including Middenbeemster, the oldest village in the Beemster municipality. Furthermore, the Beemster is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to five forts that are part of the Defense Line of Amsterdam, also a World Heritage Site. One of these forts is Fort bij Spijkerboor. Thus, two World Heritage Sites are combined at one location.

Edam originated near a dam on the IJe or E, which flowed into the Zuiderzee. Around 1230, the sea inlets of the Zuiderzee were dammed. Goods had to be transferred and tolls could be levied at the dam. This allowed Edam to develop into a trading place. Shipbuilding, herring fishing, and cheese trade brought prosperity to Edam. According to a legend, in 1219, the people of Edam came to the aid of the Haarlemmers during the siege of Damietta in Egypt on a crusade. As a reward for their brave actions, the German emperor granted the Edammers permission to include three stars in their coat of arms.

In 1355, Monnickendam obtained charters and privileges, also known as city rights, from the Count of Holland, William V. Monnickendam received significant privileges, placing the city prominently on the map alongside other cities in North Holland. As a result, the city of Monnickendam formed its own jurisdiction with its legislation, judiciary, and administration. This marked the beginning of further growth.

Haarlem is the capital of the province of North Holland and is one of the medium-sized cities in the Randstad. The municipality of Haarlem includes the city of Haarlem and the western part of the village of Spaarndam. Haarlem is also the largest city after Amsterdam. The center of Haarlem is quite extensive, and there are several weekly markets. On Monday and Saturday, there is a goods market on the Houtplein, known for being a lively and atmospheric square.

Alkmaar is a municipality in the Dutch province of North Holland. Until the end of 2014, the municipality consisted of the city of Alkmaar, Oudorp and part of Koedijk. It is a cozy and atmospheric municipality where old traditions are also shown, for example there is a cheese market every Friday, where it is shown how cheeses were made in the past.

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Zaandam is a bustling city located in the province of North Holland. The city is part of the Zaanstreek region and is situated on the banks of the Zaan River. With its rich history and unique architecture, Zaandam attracts both locals and tourists. Known for its characteristic Zaanse houses, wooden mills, and lively shopping streets, Zaandam offers a blend of tradition and modernity. The city center houses various shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions, including the impressive Inntel Hotels Zaandam with its striking facade made up of stacked Zaanse houses. Whether you enjoy a relaxing stroll along the banks of the Zaan, explore the local markets, or discover the historical sights, Zaandam has something for everyone.