Highlights
- View Vincent van Gogh's original masterpieces in Amsterdam
- See the historic Kinderdijk windmills up close
- Ride around Biesbosch National Park on an e-bike
- Enjoy an evening boat tour around Dordrecht
- Explore the architecture of Rotterdam on a walking tour
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Visit the Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum | Amsterdam |
| Day 2 | Explore the Windmills of Kinderdijk | Dordrecht |
| Day 3 | Cycle Around Biesbosch National Park | Dordrecht |
| Day 4 | Go on a Walking Tour of Rotterdam | Rotterdam |
| Day 5 | Depart Amsterdam - End of Trip |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Visit the Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum
Welcome to the Dutch Lowlands! After arriving in Amsterdam, you'll transfer to your hotel in the city center, a picturesque labyrinth of canals and small streets dotted with old houses and buildings.
Begin your art tour on a private boat cruise through the city's canals. After about two hours on the water, the boat will drop you off in front of the Rijksmuseum, the most famous museum in the country. It's home to The Night Watch by Rembrandt van Rijn, considered one of the most important paintings ever created in the Netherlands. Near this massive artwork, you'll also see The Milkmaid by Johannes Vermeer and many other 17th-century works by Dutch Masters.
Next, you'll stop by the Van Gogh Museum. Take a break for lunch in the museum's café, then explore the collections at your own pace. Van Gogh famously created over 2,000 paintings in a little over a decade. The museum houses some of his most famous works, including The Potato Eaters, Sunflowers, Almond Blossom, and one of his very last works, Wheatfield with Crows.
In the evening, have a leisurely dinner at one of the many restaurants near your hotel.
Day 2: Explore the Windmills of Kinderdijk
Catch the train to Dordrecht this morning. With its origins dating back around a thousand years, this is the oldest (official) city in Holland. Dordrecht was an important merchant city with a lively trade in wood, cereal, and wine, thanks in part to its location in a wetland area connected by other regions by the Merwede, Noord, and Ouwe Maas rivers.
The city's history, wealth, and culture are clearly visible today — the city center is filled with beautiful old monuments, some of which have been transformed into restaurants, museums, and theaters. Within walking distance of your hotel, you can board a waterbus (a public transport boat) and cruise over to Kinderdijk. Have lunch at the charming Grand Café Buena Vista before going on a walking tour of the area's windmills. Kinderdijk has sixteen 18th-century windmills, and this is one of the best places in the country to view these iconic structures up close.
In the evening, enjoy dinner in one of the city's many cozy restaurants.
Day 3: Cycle Around Biesbosch National Park
Today you'll explore Biesbosch National Park on an e-bike! Enjoy a self-guided bike tour around the largest freshwater tidal zone in Europe. You will spot many different bird species here and a large population of beavers, the largest rodent in Europe and a symbol of the park! Stop for lunch along the way in one of the cafés lining the route. Ride back to Dordrecht and spend some free time relaxing or exploring before a boat tour in the evening.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 4: Go on a Walking Tour of Rotterdam
A quick train ride will take you from Dordrecht to Rotterdam today. It's a city of many faces, known for its rough-and-tumble port history, trendy nightlife, upscale shopping options, and lively art scene. Above all, perhaps, Rotterdam is an architectural highlight of Holland. Enjoy lunch at a café before heading off on a private excursion to the Museumpark, a creatively landscaped outdoor space that connects Rotterdam’s major museums, including the Kunsthal Rotterdam art museum.
Continue your explorations of Rotterdam on a walking tour that takes you to the newly built Central Station. As you walk through the city, stop to admire monuments like the Lijnbaan, a post-war Modernist shopping area, Theater Square, and the Timmerhuis, one of the most unique and sophisticated indoor markets in all of Europe. The tour ends near the iconic Erasmus Bridge. Enjoy dinner and drinks in one of the city's many restaurants on the last night of the trip.
Day 5: Depart Amsterdam - End of Trip
Today the trip comes to an end. You'll transfer to the airport in Amsterdam to catch a flight out. Safe travels!
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