The Netherlands Tour

8 Days

This vacation itinerary allows your group to fully appreciate the many facets of The Netherlands: 17th century canals, floating flower markets and a spectacular countryside dotted with windmills. Experience WWII history, Delft pottery – and the world’s best tulip gardens. This itinerary bases your group in two distinctly different Dutch cities: the capital city of Amsterdam and the Hague, the official home to the Dutch government and the Dutch monarchs. Whether you like historic or modern, rural or urban, Edam or Gouda- this itinerary offers the best of all.

Highlights

Guided tours of the Anne Frank House, Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum
Tour Keukenhof Gardens' seventy-nine acres of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in Lisse
Factory tour of Delft pottery
Excursions to Rotterdam, Haarlem and Volendam

Itinerary Details

Day 1 - 5

4 Nights

Amsterdam

Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a city steeped in rich history and vibrant culture, making it a must-visit destination. Its iconic canals, which form a UNESCO World Heritage site, are lined with picturesque 17th-century gabled houses that offer a glimpse into the city’s prosperous Golden Age. A boat cruise along these canals is an unforgettable way to experience Amsterdam’s charm. Art lovers will delight in the world-class museums, including the Rijksmuseum, home to masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer, and the Van Gogh Museum, showcasing the largest collection of the artist’s works. The Anne Frank House stands as a poignant reminder of the city’s wartime history, offering visitors a moving insight into life during World War II. Amsterdam’s cultural scene extends beyond its museums. The lively Jordaan neighborhood, with its narrow streets, quirky boutiques, and cozy cafes, reflects the city’s bohemian spirit. The city is also renowned for its thriving cycling culture, offering a unique way to explore its hidden gems, from flower markets to vibrant squares like Dam Square and Leidseplein. Whether wandering through its art-filled museums, exploring historical landmarks, or savoring Dutch delicacies, Amsterdam captivates travelers with its blend of history, culture, and charm.

Included activities

DAY 1: Arrive in Amsterdam

Arrive in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands. After exiting customs, meet your local assistant in the terminal's arrivals hall. Your group will then travel by private coach to the hotel. Even though your group will arrive before the hotel's check-in time, feel free to store your luggage with the reception staff. There will be free time until this evening to begin exploring Amsterdam. Tonight join your fellow group members for a welcome dinner of Dutch specialties in the hotel's restaurant.

DAY 2:

After breakfast in the hotel, your group will meet a local guide in the lobby for an exciting, full-day tour of this scenic city. (Depending on your hotel's location, the tour may be entirely on foot or partially on foot/by private coach). Approximately 800 years ago, the Amstel River was dammed, giving the town its name. Where medieval fishing boats once docked, your group will see 17th century houses, street performers and some of the city's most luxurious stores. Here in Dam Square lies the historic heart of Amsterdam. See the Royal Palace, which was originally constructed as the Town Hall. Pass the Mint Tower, with its clock and bells that still seem to echo Amsterdam's Golden Age. Also of particular interest is the 16th-century Weeping Tower, which according to legend derived its name from the sailors' wives who used to bid their husbands an emotional farewell from here. Your group will pass the Floating Flower Market on Singel Canal, which is a stunning mass of flowers strung along the canal on permanently-moored barges. After free time for lunch, the tour will continue with a fun boat tour of Amsterdam. This is undoubtedly the best way to appreciate this city of canals. From here, the group will have a guided tour inside one of Amsterdam's best museums: The Van Gogh Museum. The tour will finish back at the hotel or in the city center if preferred. The evening is free to relax and dine in one of the city's local restaurants.

DAY 3:

After breakfast in the hotel your group will depart on an excursion of windmills, wooden clogs and cheeses. The first stop today will be in Zaanse Schans, a neighborhood in the town of Zaandam, to admire its collection of historic windmills and its traditional craft shops. Afterwards, the group will proceed east to the lovely fishing village of Volendam. A stop at a traditional cheese farm will take place before returning to Amsterdam, where the group will have the rest of the day at leisure. Group members could consider taking a tour of the Heineken Experience to learn more about one of the Netherlands' best exports. Alternatively for those wanting to relax, consider heading to one of Amsterdam's many parks.

DAY 4:

After breakfast in the hotel, the group will proceed to the Anne Frank House, where eight people from three separate families lived together in near total silence for more than two years during World War II. It was here that Anne wrote her famous diary as a way to deal with the boredom and her youthful jumble of thoughts, which had as much to do with personal relationships as with the war and the Nazi terror raging outside her hiding place. Afterwards, the group will have lunch together in a traditional, Dutch pancake restaurant. This afternoon the group will continue its sightseeing with a guided tour of the impressive Rijksmuseum, home to masterpieces of Holland's Golden Age, including some of Rembrandt's best works.

Day 5 - 8

3 Nights

The Hague

Included activities

DAY 5: Arrive in The Hague

After breakfast & checkout, the group will travel west to the lovely city Haarlem, where it will have a walking tour followed by free time for lunch. (Groups interested could tour the Corrie ten Boom Museum while in Haarlem). Afterwards, continue south to the city of Lisse to tour the legendary Keukenhof Gardens where vast numbers of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths create dazzling patches of color. Blooms here – at their peak- have a short but glorious season. The park is said to be the greatest flower show on earth, and it's Holland's annual spring gift to the world. (Note: Keukenhof is only open from March to May. For groups traveling outside of that time, a guided tour of the city of Leiden is recommended). After touring either Keukenhof Gardens or Leiden, the coach will proceed south to The Hague, our base city for the next three nights. The Hague is home to the Dutch monarchy (three royal palaces are located here), Parliament and the Supreme Court. On an international level, The Hague is home to the majority of the foreign embassies, the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. Upon arrival, group members will check in and have free time to freshen up before dining together in the hotel.

DAY 6:

After breakfast in the hotel, the group will begin with a guided tour of The Hague with admission included inside the 13th century Knights' Hall. Today a political building, this beautiful structure was originally constructed as a castle for Dutch nobility. After free time for lunch, the group will proceed to the lovely city of Delft, which is famous as home to the handcrafted, blue & white pottery. Your group will have a guided tour of the factory and free time afterwards to explore Delft before returning to the hotel in the late afternoon. The evening is free to enjoy The Hague.

DAY 7:

After breakfast the group will travel to the Netherlands' second largest city, Rotterdam, which contains one of the largest ports in the world. Full of wonderfully modern architecture and beautiful city planning, the group will have a guided city tour. See the spectacular gardens of the Arboretum Trompenburg as well as the Museumpark, the Nationale Nederlanden, the World Trade Center, the Cube Houses – and the Erasmusbrug & Nieuwe Willemsbrug bridges. There will be time for lunch on own and shopping before returning to The Hague. Farewell group dinner in a local restaurant.

DAY 8:

After an early breakfast, the group will drive by private coach to Schiphol Airport for its return departure flight to the USA.

Inclusions

Includes

City tour of Amsterdam with a canal cruise
City tour of The Hague
Accommodations: Amsterdam 4 nights, The Hague 3 nights
Meals: Continental breakfast daily. Lunch and dinner as noted in itinerary
Ground transportation via air conditioned luxury coach
English speaking assistants and guides
Admission tickets as outlined in itinerary