Best of the Netherlands
Fully Escorted Tour
The Netherlands is famous for tulips, windmills, and wooden clogs - but there’s so much more to discover! On this 6-night escorted trip, you’ll explore the highlights of Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Groningen, while also wandering through charming villages and picturesque little towns along the way.
Escorted tours offer expert guides who provide deep local insights and worry-free planned itineraries. Enjoy the company of like-minded travelers, visit hidden gems not found on typical tours, and enjoy peace of mind with a travel support system.
What's Included
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Amsterdam (AMS)
- Accommodations in hotels listed, or similar:
- 2 nights in the Amsterdam area at the Hotel Ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport
- 1 night in Rotterdam at the Holiday Inn Express Central Station
- 1 night in the Arnhem area at the Fletcher Hotel De Buunderkamp
- 1 night in Groningen at the Fletcher Familiehotel Paterswolde
- 1 night in the Amsterdam area at the Hotel Ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport
- Guided sightseeing as described in itinerary, including:
- Amsterdam sightseeing tour with canal cruise and Diamond Center
- Panoramic driving tour of The Hague*
- Visit to the Royal Delft Pottery Factory
- Guided sightseeing tour of Rotterdam
- Interactive Dutch Cheese Experience
- Visit to a Wooden Clog Workshop
- Free time in Gouda, Arnhem, Giethoorn, Groningen & Volendam
- Breakfast daily and 3 dinners
- Services of a Professional Travel Director
- Headsets throughout the tour
- Transportation by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach
- Hotel tips, taxes and service charges
* During tulip blooming season (early April through early May), this tour will be replaced with a visit to Keukenhof Gardens.
**Note: Children must be 8 years or older at time of travel.
Great Ways to Explore
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Marvel at the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh in Amsterdam.
- See the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens if visiting during early April through early May.
Visit the Royal Delft Pottery factory to see how this delicate porcelain is created.
-
Stroll through the central Grote Markt square in Groningen, also known as the "World Cycling City."
Feeling Cheesy? Taste the Netherlands' famous cheese at an interactive Dutch cheese workshop in Gouda!
This 6-night escorted vacation in the Netherlands will have you saying "it's all gouda!" From the romantic canals of Amsterdam to the quaint quaint villages of Giethoorn and Volendam, you'll see and experience it all in the famous home of tulips, windmills, and wooden clogs.
Begin your vacation in Amsterdam, the busting capital renowned for its elegant architecture, art museums, and canals. Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the canals and soak up the city's unique cafe culture before heading to Rotterdam, Europe's busiest port. Visit The Hague, home of the Dutch Parliament, or in tulip season, the iconic Keukenhof Gardens.
You’ll also enjoy a visit to the Royal Delft Pottery Factory to see how this precious pottery is made. Visit Gouda, known for its namesake cheese and seasonal cheese market, regularly held on the medieval Markt square. Take a stroll in Volendam, known for its old fishing boats, characteristic small houses, drawbridges, and canals. Additionally, drive over the 19-mile Barrier Dam, constructed to protect the part of Holland that is below sea level.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
- Round-trip economy class airfare to Amsterdam (AMS)
- Accommodations in hotels listed, or similar:
- 2 nights in the Amsterdam area at the Hotel Ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport
- 1 night in Rotterdam at the Holiday Inn Express Central Station
- 1 night in the Arnhem area at the Fletcher Hotel De Buunderkamp
- 1 night in Groningen at the Fletcher Familiehotel Paterswolde
- 1 night in the Amsterdam area at the Hotel Ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport
- Guided sightseeing as described in itinerary, including:
- Amsterdam sightseeing tour with canal cruise and Diamond Center
- Panoramic driving tour of The Hague*
- Visit to the Royal Delft Pottery Factory
- Guided sightseeing tour of Rotterdam
- Interactive Dutch Cheese Experience
- Visit to a Wooden Clog Workshop
- Free time in Gouda, Arnhem, Giethoorn, Groningen & Volendam
- Breakfast daily and 3 dinners
- Services of a Professional Travel Director
- Headsets throughout the tour
- Transportation by private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach
- Hotel tips, taxes and service charges
* During tulip blooming season (early April through early May), this tour will be replaced with a visit to Keukenhof Gardens.
**Note: Children must be 8 years or older at time of travel.
-
Marvel at the works of Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Van Gogh in Amsterdam.
- See the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens if visiting during early April through early May.
Visit the Royal Delft Pottery factory to see how this delicate porcelain is created.
-
Stroll through the central Grote Markt square in Groningen, also known as the "World Cycling City."
Feeling Cheesy? Taste the Netherlands' famous cheese at an interactive Dutch cheese workshop in Gouda!
This 6-night escorted vacation in the Netherlands will have you saying "it's all gouda!" From the romantic canals of Amsterdam to the quaint quaint villages of Giethoorn and Volendam, you'll see and experience it all in the famous home of tulips, windmills, and wooden clogs.
Begin your vacation in Amsterdam, the busting capital renowned for its elegant architecture, art museums, and canals. Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the canals and soak up the city's unique cafe culture before heading to Rotterdam, Europe's busiest port. Visit The Hague, home of the Dutch Parliament, or in tulip season, the iconic Keukenhof Gardens.
You’ll also enjoy a visit to the Royal Delft Pottery Factory to see how this precious pottery is made. Visit Gouda, known for its namesake cheese and seasonal cheese market, regularly held on the medieval Markt square. Take a stroll in Volendam, known for its old fishing boats, characteristic small houses, drawbridges, and canals. Additionally, drive over the 19-mile Barrier Dam, constructed to protect the part of Holland that is below sea level.
Please note that some recommendations in the following suggested itinerary may not be included in your package. Check What's Included above for full details on inclusions.
Departure Airport:
Departure Date:
Price Per Person:
Day 1. Welcome to Amsterdam!
Say "hallo" to Holland! Arrive at Amsterdam airport and enjoy a transfer to your first accommodation in the Amsterdam area. The rest of the day is free to explore the vibrant capital on your own - perhaps you want to take a leisurely stroll along the famous canals, or do as the locals do and rent a bike! Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers.
Transfer to Amsterdam hotel
Check-in - Ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport Hotel
Just 6 miles from Amsterdam, the Tulip Inn Amsterdamn Airport rests in Schiphol, in the Noord-Holland region to provide an excellent stay. The hotel features a terrace, a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, private on-site parking, free Wi-Fi, a gift shop, and bike rental.
Rooms are plush and feature air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, daily housekeeping, coffee and teak making facilities, and a private bathroom as well as a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. With the Hauge 26 miles away, Rotterdam 30 miles away, and the Schiphol Airport 2 miles away, this hotel offers an excellent stay for those traveling far.
Day 2. Amsterdam
Your first full day in the Netherlands begins with an exciting excursion! See the city from a different perspective on a canal cruise followed by a visit to a diamond center where you can watch skilled craftsmen cut and polish precious stones.
You'll then have time in the afternoon to explore on your own. Consider a visit to the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh Museum, Dam Square or the Jordaan District - all cultural highlights of the city. End your day of sightseeing with a delicious stroopwafel!
Day 3. Amsterdam - The Hague/Keukenhof - The Hague - Delft - Rotterdam
Begin your day with an orientation drive of The Hague to see the Dutch Parliament and the International Court of Justice or, during the tulip blooming season (early April through early May, weather permitting), see some of the 7 million flowers planted annually at the world-famous Keukenhof - one of the world’s largest flower gardens.
Journey next to the historic city of Delft for a tour of the iconic Royal Delft Pottery Factory.
The Holiday Inn Express Rotterdam - Central Station by IHG is conveniently located next to Rotterdam Central Station.
The hotel features a breakfast buffet, dry cleaning/laundry services, a bar, a business center and a meeting room. Additional amenities include free Wi-Fi throughout the hotel, bike rentals, a front-desk safe, and a vending machine with snacks and drinks.
Guest rooms feature a private bathroom with a hairdryer. Other amenities include air-conditioning, a desk, a TV, and a coffee maker. Additional conveniences include rollaway beds (surcharge) and free cribs/infant beds.
Rotterdam Zoo and the Maritime Museum are both a short 12-minute drive from the hotel. The hotel's close proximity to Rotterdam Central Station makes it easy for guests to travel to other places outside of the city.
Royal Delft pottery is part of the Dutch cultural heritage like windmills, wooden shoes, and Dutch cheese. Pay a visit to the famous pottery factory to see how this exquisite pottery is made; you'll learn how this centuries-old craftmanship has been passed on from generation to generation, and will marvel at the factory's amazing collection of hand-painted earthenware.
Day 4. Rotterdam - Gouda - Arnhem
Arrive in Gouda, renowned for its cheese! Stroll around the picturesque narrow streets to the medieval Market Square, see the Gothic-style Town Hall with its red and white shutters and the Goudse Waag used for cheese weighing in the 17th-century. Then, enjoy your interactive cheese experience.
Your next stop is Arnhem, site of the disastrous Battle of Arnhem, where you will see John Frost Bridge, named for the commander of the British forces that held the bridge for four days. Enjoy time on your own to do some independent exploring in the old city center.
Check-in - Fletcher Hotel De Buunderkamp
The Fletcher Hotel Amsterdam is a 4-star hotel just about a 15 minute drive from the city center.
Guests can enjoy the indoor swimming pool and sauna, and dine at the hotel's in-house restaurant Skyrestaurant Pi, which has panoramic views of Amsterdam.
Each guest room has complimentary Wi-Fi, a private bathroom, a TV, a desk, a coffee maker, hairdryer, phone, and safe.
Your interactive cheese experience will provide a multi-sensory journey through the history and production of the city of Gouda's most famous product! Step into the shoes of a cheese farmer, learn how historic traditions have met modern innovation, and sample some of the best cheeses, right from the source!
Day 5. Arnhem - Giethoorn - Groningen
Your first stop today is in Giethoorn, a quaint village built on canals that is often referred to as "Little Venice." Only fully accessible by boat, this fairy tale town is world's away from busy cities like Venice or Amsterdam.
Spend the night in the provincial capital of Groningen, the largest city in the northern Netherlands. This vibrant university city is brimming with culture, excellent restaurants, and nightlife. You can explore its rich history, evident in sites like the iconic Martinitoren and the historic Grote Markt, or immerse yourself in modern art at the striking Groninger Museum.
Check-in - Fletcher Familiehotel Paterswolde
Cozy and traditional, the 4-star Fletcher Familiehotel Paterswolde has a history tracing back more than 120 years, and has set the standard for family-style hotel comfort for decades.
The rich history of this antique accommodation is apparent from the moment guests set eyes on it, boasting a cottage-style layout with a muted color palette, and an interior that prioritizes familiarity over innovation. Rooms are intimate and homey, including warm colors, soft bedding, dim lighting, free Wi-Fi, a private bathroom, daily housekeeping, and more.
Guests may enjoy a variety of on-site amenities, starting with a brasserie that serves daily breakfast through dinner. A health club is also available on-site where guests can get a great workout in before continuing their days in Groningen.
Relax at the indoor pool, sauna, steam bath and solarium, or book a massage for even more relaxation. The hotel has also taken their step to providing easy access routes to explore the surrounding beautiful landscapes, either on foot or by bike. Getting to the city is just as easy by bike or by car.
Day 6. Groningen - Volendam - Amsterdam
Enjoy a scenic drive through the lovely Frisian Lake District. Cross over the 19-mile Barrier Dam, which is part of an incredible system of 1,200 miles of dikes, dams, and dunes built over the last 900 years to protect the part of Holland that is below sea level.
Visit a renowned wooden clog workshop, then continue to the fishing village of Volendam. Finally, return to Amsterdam to enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant.
Check-in - Ibis Styles Amsterdam Airport Hotel
Just 6 miles from Amsterdam, the Tulip Inn Amsterdamn Airport rests in Schiphol, in the Noord-Holland region to provide an excellent stay. The hotel features a terrace, a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, private on-site parking, free Wi-Fi, a gift shop, and bike rental.
Rooms are plush and feature air conditioning, a flat-screen TV, daily housekeeping, coffee and teak making facilities, and a private bathroom as well as a hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. With the Hauge 26 miles away, Rotterdam 30 miles away, and the Schiphol Airport 2 miles away, this hotel offers an excellent stay for those traveling far.
Wooden clogs are a symbol of Dutch heritage, dating all the way back to the 13th century. Traditionally worn by farmers, fishermen and factory workers to protect their feet, they are now primarily sold as souvenirs, but remain a beloved part of Dutch culture. Visit a wooden clog workshop to observe skilled artisans crafting clogs using both traditional and modern techniques.
Day 7. Depart the Netherlands
Your Netherlands vacation ends today. Say "vaarwel" to all things Dutch as you transfer to Amsterdam airport for your flight home.
Transfer to Amsterdam airport (AMS)
Fly home!