Highlights of Holland: laid-back 12-day tour
On this diverse 12-day Netherlands tour, we share the many highlights of the Lowlands. Visit grand museums in vibrant Amsterdam, soak up the atmosphere of The Hague and see cutting-edge architecture in the port of Rotterdam.
Aside from the main cities, you'll experience the traditions of the Dutch countryside, visiting the Edam cheese market, a clog maker and a Delft Blue pottery factory. You’ll also step into the hallowed halls of the country’s top art galleries to see great works by the Dutch Masters. If you make this trip in springtime, there's the bonus of seeing the world-famous Keukenhoff lower park.
Distances between sights in the Netherlands are short, so you’ll explore from just two different hotels. When traveling with luggage, we'll arrange a private driver for you, but day trips can easily be enjoyed by train — a great way to see the countryside.
Services
Included:
- 11 nights accommodation in double or twin rooms
- Daily breakfast
- Private airport/train station transfers as per the itinerary
- Public transport pass within Amsterdam during stay
- Activities & admission fees to sites as per the itinerary
- Second class train tickets: Haarlem - Amsterdam; The Hague - Delft - The Hague; The Hague - Rotterdam - The Hague
- Private transfer Amsterdam - The Hague
- Self-guided walking route booklet (Haarlem)
Excluded:
- International flights
- City tax/tourist tax
- Any meals & drinks not mentioned in the itinerary
- Any activities not mentioned in the itinerary
- Personal expenses
Optional:
- Tickets to Van Gogh Museum (Amsterdam)
Itinerary at a Glance
Amsterdam
Arrival in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Tour the capital
Amsterdam
Free day in the city
Amsterdam
Countryside traditions
Amsterdam
Boating to the Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam
Spring flowers galore
Amsterdam
Laidback day of leisure
Amsterdam - The Hague
Journey to The Hague
The Hague
A day in Delft
The Hague
The girl with the pearl
The Hague
Day out in Rotterdam
The Hague - Amsterdam
Homeward bound
Detailed Itinerary
Amsterdam
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam
On arrival in Amsterdam, you'll be met and welcomed at the airport or train station. Your driver will transfer you to your hotel in the city centre.
Freshen up at your hotel then head out for a stroll in the local area. Amsterdam is a labyrinth of canals and small streets, dotted with old houses and interesting shops, as well as cosy bars for a drink and dinner.
Amsterdam
Day 2: Tour the capital
Enjoy a hearty Dutch breakfast, then get ready to explore. The best way to discover Amsterdam is on foot, so today you’ll set off on a guided walking tour of the city. Your private guide will meet you in the hotel lobby for a bespoke tour taking you through over 750 years of history. You’ll see all the highlights, as well as some more hidden spots as you stroll along the harbourfront to the Zeedijk, originally built in the 13th century as a seawall. Nowadays the Zeedijk is part of Amsterdam’s Chinatown and is right on the edge of the Red Light District. We’ll also take in the historic Jewish Quarter and then in the afternoon, visit the Anne Frank Museum with an audio guide.
The evening is free for you to relax at your hotel or explore some more.
Amsterdam
Day 3: Free day in the city
Today is left free for you to choose your style of discovering the city. After a leisurely breakfast, you might visit the Van Gogh Museum, housing some of his most famous works including The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers and Almond Blossom. If you love strolling through markets soaking up the atmosphere and searching for bargains, then the Albert Cuyp market in the vibrant De Pijp district could be for you. For a laidback flea market, head to Waterlooplein, where you’ll find old records, vintage clothes and many fun curiosities.
Amsterdam
Day 4: Countryside traditions
After breakfast today, you'll explore the beauty of the countryside north of Amsterdam. Your private driver will take you first to the ancient village of Marken to visit a clog factory, where you'll see wooden shoes being made. From Marken, a ferry will take you to the famous fishing village of Volendam. 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 is always good to visit. The last stop of your tour is Zaanse Schans. During the 17th century, over 600 windmills were constructed here, creating the first Dutch industrial zone. The windmills were used to grind spices, produce paint, saw wood and make oil. A handful are still intact today, so you can see how these wind-powered machines work, both inside and out.
Later, you'll head back to Amsterdam for another evening at leisure in the capital.
Amsterdam
Day 5: Boating to the Rijksmuseum
After breakfast this morning, you'll take to the water. From a canal dock in Amsterdam's historic centre, you'll board a private open-top boat to explore the urban waterways. This is a different, peaceful way to see the city from a new perspective.
After about an hour of cruising, the boat will drop you off in front of the Rijksmuseum. This is the most famous museum in the Netherlands, home to some of the country’s most important paintings, including The Night Watch by Rembrandt, The Milkmaid by Vermeer and many other works by the Dutch Masters.
Afterwards, the rest of today is yours to spend however you please.
Amsterdam
Day 6: Spring flowers galore
After breakfast today, you'll explore the colourful world of tulips and other flower bulbs on a day trip to Keukenhof Flower Park and Haarlem. Your private driver will meet you at the hotel and it won't be long before you find yourself in the flat countryside, surrounded by fields of flowers (in season). Part of the trip will be to the well-known Keukenhof, a busy park with artfully landscaped flower plots. Every spring, the park opens to display a glorious seven million flowers.
Next stop is the historic city of Haarlem. You can take your time exploring the city with our self-guided walking route, or find a seat at one of the lovely cobbled squares and enjoy a drink or meal.
Afterwards, hop on the train for the short trip back to Amsterdam, where you can spend the rest of the evening exploring at your own pace.
Amsterdam
Day 7: Laidback day of leisure
Enjoy another leisurely breakfast before one more free day in Amsterdam. If the weather is good, you could head to the Vondelpark, a huge green oasis close to the main museums. It's a great park to join the laidback locals and soak up the sun, perhaps with a picnic. For a special dinner, book a table at an authentic Indonesian restaurant. Because of the country's colonial history, Indonesian cuisine is popular in the Netherlands. Restaurant Blauw has been famous for its traditional rijsttafel for many years and is the place to go in Amsterdam to try it out. Rijsttafel translates as 'rice table' and is an elaborate meal consisting of several rice dishes and many side dishes.
Amsterdam - The Hague
Day 8: Journey to The Hague
After breakfast this morning, your driver will pick you up from your hotel in Amsterdam for a private transfer to The Hague, your next home base.
Den Haag is the seat of the Dutch government and home to one of the most magnificent paintings in the country, Johannes Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. If the weather is good, perhaps take a tram to the nearby seaside town of Scheveningen. The beach and the pier make for a nice long sandy walk and, in the evening, it’s easy to find a good restaurant to enjoy a meal of fresh seafood.
The Hague
Day 9: A day in Delft
After breakfast today, take a day trip to nearby Delft, just a 20-minute train ride away. This charming city has many canals, traditional buildings and pretty courtyards, and is famous for being the home of Vermeer during the 17th century. A stroll along the canals and cobbled squares will take you to the Vermeer Center, where you can learn all about his life here (1632-1675).
Delft is also renowned for its typical blue and white earthenware. A short walk from the centre, you can visit a factory that still produces Delftware pottery according to traditional techniques, entirely by hand. Established in 1653, this factory is the only remaining Delft blue pottery factory from that era.
After your visit, return to the railway station to catch a train back to The Hague for a free evening.
The Hague
Day 10: The girl with the pearl
After breakfast today, you'll visit the Mauritshuis, where you can see the world-famous painting of the Girl with a Pearl Earring. Vermeer only made 37 paintings during his life and three of them are on display at the Mauritshuis. You can also see some incredible works by Rembrandt, Jan Steen and Frans Hals, alongside Fabritius’ Goldfinch.
Just around the corner from the museum is the Binnenhof, where the Dutch government sits. Although the surroundings are very stylish, the atmosphere here is very relaxed. You might just bump into the prime minister leaving work on his bicycle.
Later, head back to your hotel, or head out again for dinner and a nightcap.
The Hague
Day 11: Day out in Rotterdam
After breakfast this morning, head to the railway station. A train ride of about half an hour will take you to the vibrant city of Rotterdam. This is a city of many faces, with a historic port, trendy nightlife, a cutting-edge arts scene and sophisticated shopping. Rotterdam is also famous for its innovative modern architecture and its skyline is always changing. Spend the day exploring the city, visiting its museums and soaking up the atmosphere. At the end of the day, you can catch one of the many direct trains back to The Hague for an evening at your leisure.
The Hague - Amsterdam
Day 12: Homeward bound
Your driver will pick you up for a private transfer to the airport after breakfast at your hotel, in good time for your flight home.
