AMSTERDAM TOURS
Amsterdam and its beautiful region has so much to offer. What about visiting one of the top museums in the world like the Rijksmuseum or strolling around the Jordaan district of Amsterdam with its hidden courtyards called 'hofjes'?
Amsterdam is surrounded by so called polders, this unique landscape is where Holland is famous for. In these polders you'll find Dutch windmills, many of them still operating. Together with your local guide you can experience this craftsmanship by visiting a true historical 17th century windmill. You can even combine this tour with a visit of a Dutch countryside village such as Edam or Volendam making it a half day tour. Or what about a bike trip in the countryside just at the other side of Amsterdam Central Station?
Trying Dutch typical cuisine is also a way to get to know the true Dutch. Combine historical city sightseeing with tastings of several typical Dutch food and drinks and join my food tour.
For inspiration purposes, you'll find below some ideas of successful tours I guided. Feel free to send me an email or WhatsApp with your wishes or ideas and I tailor-made a city walk, half or full day tour according to your interest. I am looking forward to meeting you and showing you the best places where I was lucky to grow up!
Please note that prices depend on group size, type of tour and means of transport.
CITY WALK AMSTERDAM
Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands or as we say Holland. Amsterdam has the facilities of a true big city but the charm of a Dutch town. A customized walking tour through Amsterdam with your private local guide shows you the highlights of the city. You will learn about the history of Amsterdam and its beautiful canals and canal houses. Inspiring background stories of its maritime history and famous inhabitants gives you the feeling of being part of historical Amsterdam. Depending on your interest and timeframe we can also focus on a specific neighborhood, for example Jewish Amsterdam or even combine the city walk with a private canal boat ride, guided museum visit or food tour.
CITY WALK 'REMBRANDT AND AMSTERDAM'
One of our most beloved painters and known all over the world is Rembrandt van Rijn. Most of his life he lived in Amsterdam. On my city walk 'Rembrandt and Amsterdam' we will get to know Rembrandt while walking on the same cobbled streets Rembrandt once walked on. In his footsteps we will walk along historical buildings that were important for him as a painter and citizen of Amsterdam. I will reveal the connection of those buildings with his most famous paintings. But we also dive into his personal life. After this entertaining walking tour you will be even more fascinated by Rembrandt. As an extra option you can combine this tour with a museum visit to the Rijksmuseum to enjoy the paintings of Rembrandt in real life.
MUSEUM TOUR
RIJKSMUSEUM
Visiting the Rijksmuseum is a must do while staying in Amsterdam. Masterpieces of the Dutch masters like Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Jan Steen and Johannes Vermeer are on display at the Gallery of Honour at the Rijksmuseum. The museum gives you a rich overview of 800 years of Dutch (art) history from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. To find your way in the more than 8.000 objects on display book your private tour. Together we wander through the castle-like museum. Let me give you an exclusive insight in the stories behind the paintings and objects. Learn all about the fascinating lives of the Old masters and their families and friends. No boring history stories but a lot of fun and inspiration.
CITY WALK JORDAAN DISTRICT AMSTERDAM
Once the border of Amsterdam, now one of the highlights of the city, is the neighborhood Jordaan. I will guide you through a mix of charming little streets with tiny houses, garden courtyards (hofjes), along canals and the famous Western church. In the middle of the Jordaan you will enjoy how the Dutch live in Amsterdam. How does it work with all those bikes, house boats and huge canal houses? And did you know that Rembrandt once lived here? Also during WWII many jews went into hiding in the Jordaan District like Anne Frank.
FOOD TOUR
Dutch life is also about 'gezellig', a typical Dutch word where no accurate translation is for but think about cosy, pleasant, sociable. On my food tour you will experience true Dutch gezelligheid combining a walking tour and typical Dutch food tasting like our famous stroopwafels (Sirup Waffles), poffertjes (small pancakes) and haring (herring). Dutch food has a great historical background and a lot of it is still reflected in our daily life. After this fun food tour you have tried some of our favorites snacks and for sure you know exactly what the word 'gezellig' means for the Dutch.
MUSEUM TOUR
VAN GOGH MUSEUM
Who has not heard about Vincent van Gogh, world famous for his paintings of sunflowers. But also for his letters, thanks to the more than 800 letters he wrote we know so much about his ideas and personal feelings. During our museum tour we dive into the life of Vincent van Gogh and the transition he made as an artist. You will get to know the true Vincent by his paintings, personal letters and befriended painters. The van Gogh Museum houses the world's largest collection of his paintings. Make the most of your museum visit with a private guide.
CITY WALK ALKMAAR
Only 26 miles from Amsterdam city centre is the historical city of Alkmaar located. World famous for its Cheese market every Friday. Did you know that Alkmaar has been trading cheese since 1365? As I was raised in Alkmaar it could not get more local. With joy and pride I reveal our favorite stories about Alkmaar. We stroll along the canals with the famous Dutch drawbridges. I explain the different facades of the patrician houses and of course I show you our monumental weighing house. You get a sneak peek in Dutch daily life combined with sightseeing and fun.
VISIT TO WINDMILL VILLAGE ZAANSE SCHANS
Amsterdam is surrounded by the typical polder landscape with its famous windmills. During a half-day excursion to the village of Zaanse Schans you visit a working windmill and discover the magic behind it. The Zaanse Schans is a typical Dutch village where you can really feel the Dutch history and nature. We have a city walk along the little streets with the typical green craftsman houses. In the cheese farm we will find out how our world famous cheese is made. And we visit the clog museum and learn how it works with our wooden shoes.
VISIT FISHING VILLAGES EDAM & VOLENDAM
Let me guide you on a half-day city tour to the picturesque villages of Volendam and Edam. Volendam is an old fishing village. The characteristic small houses along tiny canals with drawbridges gives you the feeling of stepping back into Dutch history. Since Volendam is well known for seafood, there are plenty of opportunities to try Dutch herring. Or what about a picture of you wearing the traditional costume which is still worn by most elderly? Edam is another hidden treasure, already in the 14th century of great importance in shipbuilding and cheese trading.