Weekend in Holland
Amsterdam - The Hague - Zaanse Schans and Volendam (3 nights / 4 days)
Day 1
Arriving to the airport in Amsterdam. Transfer from the airport to the hotel. Check-in procedure.
Historical walking tour in Amsterdam. This tour will give you an overview of the historical center of Amsterdam and the famous canal ring. Meander through the city as it has existed for almost 400 years and soak up the art and architecture of Amsterdam’s Golden Age in this introductory tour. By the end of the tour you will visit Diamand Fabric and take boat trip along the Amsterdam canals (tour duration is 4 hours); in the evening you will get to know passion of Night Amsterdam. Tour guide will show you the other side of Amsterdam, namely the freedom of all its colors. You walk along the "red light district" and learn all about the oldest profession (tour duration is 2 hours).
Day 2
The Hague is one of the most extraordinary cities in Holland and political capital of the country. Not just because it is our government city, but also because of its many monuments, historical districts and its location near the beautiful North Sea coastline. The Hague is also known as the 'Royal City by the Sea' and is called ‘the residence city’ because of the many members of the Dutch Royal Family who reside in its chic neighbourhoods (tour duration is 5 hours).
Day 3
Authentic Holland - Zaanse Schans and Volendam. Travel back in time through the historical villages of Volendam Zaanse Schans. The Zaanse Schans is one of the most beautiful parts of the Netherlands, featuring traditional wooden windmills, barns, homes and museums, all built with the unique timber architecture. There is so much to do, smell and taste that this visit will not be easily forgotten. and the Zaanse Schans, reliving the culture of the Zuiderzee fishermen, their ships, costumes and houses that have not changed for hundreds of years. Get photographed in an authentic costume then take a fun boat trip on the former Zuiderzee lake, seeing the landscape from a very different perspective. During this part of the tour you will also visit a traditional clog maker and cheese factory. Be amazed by these crafts and enjoy tasting the Dutch cheese. You can also learn all about the history of the town in the Volendam Museum (tour duration is 5 hours).
Day 4
Transfer from the hotel to the airport.
"Holland Architectural highlights"
Rotterdam-Utrecht- Amsterdam (2 nights / 3 days)
Day 1
Rotterdam is the architectural capital of The Netherlands. During our architectural guided tour you will visit some true gems of architecture as well as gaining an insight into the city's rich history and continuing development. Here in Rotterdam you can admire and get to know to The Netherlands Architecture Institute. The NAI a is a cultural institute for architecture and urban development, comprising a museum, an archive plus library, and a platform for lectures and debates. The NAI was established in 1988 and has been based in Rotterdam since 1993.
Day 2
Utrecht lies in the heart of the Netherlands, and offers a wide range of Dutch architecture, from its beautiful historic city centre, the influential Rietveld House, to its cutting edge university campus with project by OMA and UN Studio. It shouldnot be a surprise that the Rietveld Schröder House has a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List, along with the Waddenzee and the canals of Amsterdam. This architectural masterpiece, based on the ideals of De Stijl, is unrivalled both within and outside the oeuvre of the Utrecht architect and designer Gerrit Rietveld (1888-1964).
Day 3
Amsterdam has one of the largest historical city centres in the world and is full of historical monuments and contemporary architectural highlights. In the early 20th century many buildings were built in the Amsterdam School style.
In the 90's a start was made with the redevelopment of the modernist garden city of "Nieuw West" and this is a great example of urban regeneration. More recently the city has rediscovered the banks of the IJ and many impressive new buildings are being built along the waterfront. including a music hall and the new EYE film museum. Arcam – Spot on Architecture. Arcam is Amsterdam’s centre for architecture. We want to share our love for architecture with you. Arcam is the starting point for everyone who is interested in architecture. Architecture is all around us and belongs to everyone. We believe it is the city’s tastemaker.
"Second Trip to the Netherlands"
Utrecht-Leiden-Haarlem (2 nights / 3days)
Day 1
Utrecht is a national pride. Utrecht is the lively, beating heart of Holland. It was built around the Dom tower, which you can see from any point in the city, so there is no way you can get lost in the attractive, car-free city centre. Utrecht boasts beautiful canals with extraordinary wharf cellars housing cafés and terraces by the water. Everybody had to learn it at school, the highest church tower of The Netherlands is located in Utrecht: de Dom. Utrecht has a beautiful centre, almost completely surrounded by old avenues. The old Oudegracht and the Nieuwegracht are worth visiting. Take a look at the low quays (the so-called “werven”) straight at the canal and the basements which come out here from the old canal side houses. Nowadays these basements are often used as shop or pub. Unique, and in summer filled with cosy terraces. The city Utrecht has many churches; some of them are very old, for example the Roman Pieterskerk from the 11 century! This Pieterskerk was part of the so-called “Kerkenkruis” of 5 churches in Utrecht in the Middle Ages: the Dom, Cathedral of the Diocese Utrecht, as centre and 4 churches around it.
Day 2
Harlem is the capital of the province of North Holland. It is one of the nicest old Dutch cities of the country. You can already recognize the special city silhouette around the Grote or St. Bavokerk (church) from far. We will take you to the well-preserved old city centre, the narrow streets around the Grote Kerk (church) and at the Botermarkt. Haarlem is listed in the top 5 of cities with the most monuments and you can admire them! You walk along the many beautiful old inheritances which Haarlem has.
Day 3
Leiden is the city of the oldest universities. Leiden is a university city that is known primarily as the town in which Rembrandt was born. This is where the world-famous old master took his first steps on the path towards an amazing life as a painter. But Leiden is much more than this. Apart from Amsterdam, Leiden’s inner city has the greatest number of waterways and bridges in the country. Every summer an amazing parade of boats and other floating vehicles sail through the city’s canals. The inner city is also lined with gentlemen’s houses, university buildings and museums with surprising exhibitions. Naturally this student town boasts a broad variety of attractive terraces, restaurants and cafes.