Highlights of Holland
On this 5-day tour, you will get to know the highlights of Holland as well as some of its hidden gems. Picturesque canals, charming cobbled alleys, centuries-old windmills and charming cheese markets await you on this packed cultural tour.
You'll start by exploring Amsterdam, visiting the famous Anne Frank House and seeing original works by the great Dutch masters Rembrandt, Vermeer and Van Gogh. On day trips from the capital, you'll also visit traditional fishing villages, stop in the town of Edam to nibble on some cheese and catch a spring flower show (in season). While you're there, be sure to do as the Dutch do and hop on an e-bike to explore.
Services
Included:
- 4 nights accommodation in double or twin rooms
- Daily breakfast
- Second class train ticket Schiphol Airport - Amsterdam - Schiphol Airport; Amsterdam - Haarlem - Amsterdam
- Shuttle bus tickets Haarlem - Keukenhof gardens - Haarlem
- Public transport pass for Amsterdam
- Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
Excluded:
- International flights
- Tourist tax
Optional:
- Private canal tour
Itinerary at a Glance
Amsterdam
Arrival & Walking Tour
Amsterdam
Canal Tour & Art Galleries
Amsterdam - Zaanse Schans
Day Trip to Edam & Zaanse Schans
Amsterdam - Keukenhof
Keukenhof Flower Park or Haarlem Visit
Amsterdam
Flight Home
Detailed Itinerary
Amsterdam
Day 1: Arrival & Walking Tour
Catch the train from the airport to the city centre and take a short stroll to your hotel. The best way to discover Amsterdam is on foot so today you will head out on a private guided walking tour to explore this beautiful city. Your guide will show you all the highlights and reveal some of the local secrets too. You’ll be wandering through the city’s narrow streets and bridges and along pretty canals taking in the eclectic mix of architecture. Later we’ll visit the fascinating Anne Frank House where you can learn more about the world-famous life story of this young Jewish girl during the Second World War.
Amsterdam
Day 2: Canal Tour & Art Galleries
Today you’ll visit two of the best museums in the country - the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. But first, you’ll join a scenic guided canal tour to explore the network of beautiful waterways around the city centre. The Rijksmuseum is the most famous museum in the Netherlands and houses some of the most important 17th-century works by Dutch master painters, including The Night Watch by Rembrandt and The Milkmaid by Vermeer. Right next door you will find the Van Gogh Museum which showcases many of this troubled artist's most outstanding works
Amsterdam - Zaanse Schans
Day 3: Day Trip to Edam & Zaanse Schans
After exploring the rich culture of Amsterdam, it is time to explore further afield. Today you will experience the beauty of the countryside north of Amsterdam. Your coach will take you to the famous fishing village of Volendam, Holland’s best-known fishing village. The next stop is the century-old cheese market in Edam. Actual cheese markets are only held on Wednesdays in July and August, but the market square and town are still very much worth a visit. The last stop is at Zaanse Schans. During the 17th century, over 600 windmills were constructed in the area. The windmills were used to grind spices, produce paint, saw wood, and make oil. A number of these windmills still exist and can be visited today.
Amsterdam - Keukenhof
Day 4: Keukenhof Flower Park or Haarlem Visit
Today you have a choice of two activities depending on the season and your preferences. In the season (mid-March to mid-May) you can visit the flower park Keukenhof on a day trip from Amsterdam. Here several million flower bulbs have been meticulously planted to create an incredible show.
If you visit at a different time of year or if you prefer you can visit the small town of Haarlem on a self-guided day trip by train. The historic centre of Haarlem has some wonderful architecture to discover. You can also take a beautiful cycle ride through the dunes of the nearby national park to the sea.
Amsterdam
Day 5: Flight Home
After breakfast, check out of your hotel and travel back to Schiphol Airport by train for your homeward flight.
