Welcome to the picture-perfect city of Amsterdam, buzzing with bicycles and boats. Every alley leads to another cosy bruin café and the canals are more plentiful than in Venice. Delve into the gezelligheid of Amsterdam during a city orientation – to see its beautifully preserved medieval buildings and tree-lined canals. Then, enjoy a Welcome Reception and laid-back city cruise along the winding canals, soaking up the alluring setting as you enjoy a light meal.
This morning, we Dive Into Culture and enjoy a Small Group Sightseeing tour of the Rijksmuseum, home to masterpieces by Rembrandt, Hals and Vermeer. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city your way. Visit the floating flower market or stroll along the canals to admire Amsterdam's pretty gabled façades. End your day with delicious local flavours at one of the city's many cosy restaurants. However you choose to spend your day, you’re in for a gezellig time in one of Europe’s most charming capitals.
Take a trip back in time to discover the centuries-old traditions of Holland today. First we will visit the pretty town of Haarlem and discover its sights and stories on a walking tour with a Local Specialist. Next we will continue to historic Zaanse Schans and Dive Into Culture as we discover the art of carving traditional wooden clogs. Learn about the Zuiderzee and the incredible story of the Dutch battle against the encroaching sea to reclaim the land as we travel on to the fishing village of Volendam on the shores of the IJsselmeer. Here we will meet the miller of Katwoude for a MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience to learn about the important role windmills play in managing rising water levels in the Netherlands. Investigate the inner-workings of one of the country’s iconic windmills before visiting a nearby farm for a taste of delicious Dutch cheeses. This evening, we Connect With Locals to enjoy a wonderful home-cooked dinner with the Pauw family during an exclusive Be My Guest experience.
Explore Amsterdam your way today. Don your most comfortable shoes, as this is a city for walking. Spend the day discovering Amsterdam’s elaborate canal system and admire the centuries-old gabled homes that jostle for positions overlooking the water. Relax in a leafy plein and enjoy a crisp pils as you watch the busy Amsterdammers go about their business. You could choose to brave the city streets like the locals by bicycle. Pedal along tree-lined canals and over bridges for a closer look at some of the city’s great highlights like the Westerkerk, tranquil Jordaan and Vondelpark.
The aroma of delicious Dutch cheese will delight our senses today. Seemingly frozen in time with its beautiful 15th-century town hall and medieval cheese weighing station, Gouda’s status as a cheese trading town dates back to the Middle Ages. Dive Into Culture and witness this proud tradition first-hand in the town’s quaint market square, before spending the rest of the day at leisure (Please note, when the Keukenhof gardens are open, an excursion to see the tulip fields will be included instead of the visit to Gouda). Returning to Amsterdam this evening, you’ll be treated to a superb Farewell Dinner in the heart of the city.
The time has come to bid tot ziens to the magnificent city and your fellow travellers after an enjoyable encounter with Amsterdam and the surrounding Dutch countryside. Find out more about available airport transfers at trafalgar.com/freetransfers.
Prices shown are per person based on two people sharing a twin room. To request a personalized travel quote, click "Request Quote" and a Travel Specialist will send your custom quote including airfare if requested.
Optional Experiences are subject to change. Your Travel Director will supply you with a final list of Optional Experiences available on your trip. Optional Experiences cannot be booked online; they can be purchased during your trip through your Travel Director.
Available on Day 2
Nibble your way through Amsterdam's international dining scene on a tasting tour led by a Local Specialist. Learn about the international flavors that have influenced Dutch cuisine, while grabbing bites at a cheese shop, beer garden and family restaurant. Savour handpicked local delicacies including artisanal cheeses, a sweet ‘stroopwafel’ and the best fish in town. We'll wash them all down with a beer or Jenever.
Adult Price: € 62
Available on Day 2
We'll pay a visit to The Royal Palace in Amsterdam with our Local Specialist. Built in 1648, it originally served as the Town Hall and is still in use by the Dutch Royal Family today. It has also been a Napoleonic Palace, before its current role. Its rich history and the interior of this magnificent building in the heart of Amsterdam make this a must see. Hidden Amsterdam
We'll pay a visit to The Royal Palace in Amsterdam with our Local Specialist. Built in 1648, it originally served as the Town Hall and is still in use by the Dutch Royal Family today. It has also been a Napoleonic Palace, before its current role. Its rich history and the interior of this magnificent building in the heart of Amsterdam make this a must see.
Adult Price: € 51
Available on Day 2
In the heart of the canal district lies Museum Van Loon, a magnificent private residence built in 1672. The former residence of the artist Ferdinand Bol, the 18th-century interior still evokes the splendour of the Golden Age. With our Local Specialist, we’ll discover the large collection of paintings, fine furniture, precious silver and porcelain from several centuries. A short walking tour in the heart of the city will then take us to the Beguinage (Begijnhof), a hidden courtyard where extremely pious women lived for almost 700 years. This glimpse behind the façades of Amsterdam's world-famous canals is highly recommended. Van Loon Museum
In the heart of the canal district lies Museum Van Loon, a magnificent private residence built in 1672. The former residence of the artist Ferdinand Bol, the 18th-century interior still evokes the splendour of the Golden Age. With our Local Specialist, we’ll discover the large collection of paintings, fine furniture, precious silver and porcelain from several centuries. A short walking tour in the heart of the city will then take us to the Beguinage (Begijnhof), a hidden courtyard where extremely pious women lived for almost 700 years. This glimpse behind the façades of Amsterdam's world-famous canals is highly recommended.
Adult Price: € 44
Available on Day 5
We'll take a short drive with our Local Specialist to the imposing Muiderslot Castle, for a real taste of Dutch history. It's part of Amsterdam's Defence Line and features on the UNESCO World Heritage List. During your guided tour through rooms refurbished in 17th-century style, it's easy to picture yourself in a Rembrandt painting, as it evokes the period when Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, known as the "Dutch Shakespeare", occupied the castle. We'll also enjoy a garden tour and a refreshment in a typical Dutch Inn. Muiderslot, A Genuine Castle
We'll take a short drive with our Local Specialist to the imposing Muiderslot Castle, for a real taste of Dutch history. It's part of Amsterdam's Defence Line and features on the UNESCO World Heritage List. During your guided tour through rooms refurbished in 17th-century style, it's easy to picture yourself in a Rembrandt painting, as it evokes the period when Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, known as the "Dutch Shakespeare", occupied the castle. We'll also enjoy a garden tour and a refreshment in a typical Dutch Inn.
Adult Price: € 58
Plus, receive travel inspiration, news and latest promotions.
You can unsubscribe at any time. Your Travel Credit will be sent by email.
Email Sign-up Travel Credit: Receive a $125 per person ($250 per couple) discount toward your first tour (operated by Trafalgar or Insight Vacations) when you sign up for GET emails; valid for each full-paying adult who signs up with a unique email address. Valid for new bookings only made through December 31, 2023 for travel through December 31, 2023; full payment is due within three days of booking. Discount is not combinable with any other discount or offer, including our GETAWAY Deals, Limited Time Offers, AARP member discount, Past Traveler discount or Multiple Trip discounts. Offer cannot be booked online. Savings not valid on all itineraries and/or departure dates, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Offer excludes Edinburgh Tattoo and Floriade departures. GET reserves the right to validate bookings and will remove any additional offers added online that are not combinable. Other conditions may apply.