The Zuidersee (translates from Dutch as southern sea) was an shallow arm of the North Sea segment of the Atlantic Ocean. The Zuidersee extended inland into the Netherlands. A major dam,  the Afsluitdjik, closed it off from the North Sea forming a fresh water lake, the IJsselmeer.

Our family European tour began in Holland where we spent three days visiting friends who lived in Amsterdam. We packed a lot into 3 days. They owned a wooden ketch that they sailed regularly. We spent a wonderful day sailing on their boat on the IJsselmeer. 

We visited Madurodam, a park of replicas of famous Dutch building, constructed to1:25 scale. It was named after a Dutch resistance war hero who died in the Dachau concentration camp. His parents donated funds to build the park as a memorial.

Our brief visit ended too soon. We went to the port of Rotterdam to board a ship for our Rhine cruise to Basel. We said goodbye to Holland and embarked on our next adventure.

And Z marks the end of my travel journey for the 2020 A to Z Blogging Challenge. I wonder what adventure lies ahead? 

I would love to get comments and feedback on this travelblogue. you can email me at gillian@reviewfromthehouse.com or  askdrgill@gmail.com

Thanks for journeying with me. Contest winners will be announced shortly.