Exploring Dutch Culture: A Tailor-Made Journey to the Netherlands

Arrive in Amsterdam and meet your private driver for the transfer to your hotel in central Amsterdam. After time to settle in, set out on a walking tour with your private guide to get acquainted with the city. Stroll past gabled homes that line Amsterdam’s web of canals, and see the historic buildings that frame its central squares. This evening, join a sunset cruise along the city’s curving canals.

Enjoy a full day to explore Amsterdam as you wish. Delve into a world of art at some of the city’s excellent museums, including the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Rembrandt House Museum. Trace World War II history with a visit to the Anne Frank Museum or the Dutch Resistance Museum, or discover the city and its parks by bike, as the locals do. Consider taking a stroll through the lively Albert Cuyp Market, where Amsterdamers come to buy everything from stroopwaffels and flowers to shoes. We’ll provide plenty of suggestions to make sure you make the most of your day. (B)

Head out of Amsterdam with your private driver and guide on a full-day excursion to the towns on the shores of the Markermeer, a vast freshwater reservoir. Take a guided walk in Edam, admiring the 17th-century architecture built during its heyday as a whaling center during the Dutch Golden Age, and learn about the town’s long history of cheese-making. Ride the ferry to Marken to discover stilted houses and rural customs, then explore the labyrinthine fishery district and thriving port of Volendam. (B)

Just outside of Amsterdam, the Zaanse Schans is a glimpse into the past. In the 1960s, 18th- and 19th-century houses, barns, and windmills were relocated here on the banks of the Zaan River to recreate a typical Dutch village. On an outing with your private guide, meander among picturesque wooden houses and manicured gardens, stop at workshops where cheese and clogs are made, cross hump-backed bridges, and visit a working windmill. Return to Amsterdam for a free afternoon to relax or explore. (B)

This morning, travel to The Hague, the seaside seat of government and the home of the United Nations International Court of Justice. Meet your guide for a private walking tour, hearing about the city’s history as you stroll its pedestrian-only cobblestone streets. End the tour at the Mauritshuis Museum, a 17th-century mansion that houses a fabulous collection of works by the Dutch Masters, including little-known paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer’s iconic “Girl with a Pearl Earring.” Tonight, we recommend heading to the Grote Markt or the Plein, where you can soak up the city’s ambiance while enjoying one of the city’s excellent restaurants. (B)

Enjoy a full day to discover The Hague on your own. Your guide will have suggestions based on your interests. You might head into the Old Town to see the elegant royal palace and the Hall of Knights at the Binnenhof, home to the Dutch Parliament. Follow narrow lanes past inviting boutiques and cafés, and consider a stop at the nearby Escher Museum or Kunstmuseum. Alternatively, ride the tram to the seaside district of Scheveningen for a stroll along the elegant 19th-century buildings that line the beachfront promenade. (B)

Experience enchanting Delft today, exploring this medieval gem on foot with your private guide. Delve into its royal history and admire its Renaissance and Gothic architecture—including the Oude Kerk, a leaning church that dates back some 800 years. After free time over lunch, visit Royal Delft, the factory where renowned Delftware pottery has been produced since the 17th century. Tour the museum and the factory and find out how the trademark Delft blue is made. Then try your hand at creating your own piece during a tile-painting workshop. (B)

Today is yours to spend as you wish, exploring the Hague at a leisurely pace, or heading out on an excursion to one of the sites nearby. Venture to the bustling port of Utrecht and climb to the top of the Domtoren cathedral for sweeping city views. Go further afield to Leiden to retrace the footsteps of 17-century Puritans who went on to settle New England. Or, depending on the season, head for Keukenhof, where millions of flowers covering 70 acres bloom brilliantly in spring. This evening, depart The Hague for Rotterdam and settle into your hotel in the city center. (B)

Set out to discover Rotterdam a memorable way: on a lively bicycle tour that combines the city’s innovative architecture with its culinary delights. With your private guide, pedal to landmarks like the Cube Houses and the historic harbor, stopping along the way to sample local snacks and specialties. This afternoon, take advantage of time at leisure to head to one of the city’s museums or take a walk among the its glittering skyscrapers. (B)

Depart for the airport with your private driver to catch your flight home.