We're Mennonites from the US. How do we visit the places of Menno Simons in Friesland?
Witmarsum and Pingjum, two villages a few kilometers apart near Harlingen, hold the core of it. The Menno Simons monument stands among trees about a kilometer outside Witmarsum, traditionally where he met fellow Anabaptists in a farmhouse; in Pingjum, a Mennonite house of worship hidden inside a farmhouse, built around 1600, is described as the oldest that still exists. Its custodian reports regular busloads of American and Canadian visitors. From Amsterdam it's about 109 km over the Afsluitdijk, roughly 1 h 27; a seven-hour day by car is €455 in Business Class, with 280 km included.
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With a chauffeur by the hour: prices per vehicle
| Option | Price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| Business Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €65 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · E-Class, EQE, EQE SUV, BMW i5, BMW 5 Series · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
| Van Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €80 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · V-Class, EQV · up to 7 passengers, 7 bags |
| First Class, with a chauffeur by the hour | €100 / hour | per hour · minimum 2 hours · 40 km included per hour · S-Class, EQS, EQS SUV, BMW i7 · up to 3 passengers, 3 bags |
By the hour: minimum 2 hours, 40 km included per hour, starting and ending in the same city. The chauffeur waits between stops. Prices are per car, not per person, with 9% Dutch VAT included, and the same day and night. During ADE week (pickups October 20 to 26, 2026) fixed ADE-week prices apply, shown before you book; promo codes cannot be used that week. Booked less than 12 hours before pickup: +10%. At an airport or an intercity station the first 60 minutes of waiting are free, elsewhere 15 minutes; after that waiting is charged per minute at the class's hourly rate (Business €65 an hour). Free cancellation up to 1 hour before pickup.
What is included in the price
- A fixed price confirmed at booking, with VAT included: no meter and no surge
- The chauffeur’s name, car and phone number before pickup, plus e-mail reminders 24 hours and 2 hours ahead
- Water and phone chargers (iOS and Android) in the car
- Status updates to the person who booked, if that is not the passenger: confirmed, chauffeur en route, guest in the car, arrived
A heritage day
| Stop | What |
|---|---|
| Afsluitdijk | The 32 km dike across the former Zuiderzee |
| Witmarsum | Village and the Menno Simons monument outside it |
| Pingjum | The hidden church in a farmhouse; ask ahead for access |
| Harlingen | Lunch in a harbor town |
| Back | Through Flevoland, a different road home |
Arranging access
The Pingjum church is cared for by a custodian and usually opens by appointment only, so contact the local Mennonite congregation well before your date. Witmarsum and Pingjum are only 4 minutes apart by car.
Related questions
Is there Mennonite heritage in Amsterdam too?
Yes; the Singelkerk at Singel 452 is a Mennonite hidden church that doesn't look like a church from the street. Check the congregation's services and guided tours before you go.
Can a group travel together?
A Van seats up to seven; for a larger group, several Vans travel together on one booking.
Is Friesland worth two days?
With Leeuwarden and the Wadden coast, yes.
Sources
- Weekly Word: "Menno was here" (checked October 31, 2026)
- Friesland: Witmarsum walking route (checked October 31, 2026)
- I amsterdam: the Doopsgezinde Singelkerk (checked October 31, 2026)
Book it, or ask dispatch first
Book online in a few minutes (no account, no app), or send your flight number and address on WhatsApp and dispatch replies in English, 24 hours a day.