Hoorn, authentic harbor by the Markermeer.

A beautiful old city, about 40 kilometers from Amsterdam, is Hoorn. In the past it was a succesful trading port situated on the Zuiderzee. After closing this sea with a 30 kilometer barrier dam the Zuiderzee became a lake, called IJsselmeer. After the construction of a dam between Enkhuizen and Lelystad the lake south of the dam was called Markermeer.
Hoorn has several museums, traditional ships, an historic steam tram and cosy shopping streets.