Beat the Dutch Travel

Was an extremely packed place on 12/23, likely lots of families visiting because of the holiday week-

Our tiny boat’s propeller quit working and we were close to having to abandon ship during the cruise. The driver June was hanging over the side repairing it in the dark. Would probably suggest another boat company or bigger boat for future groups. The lights in the canal were pretty. June packed hot water bottles to keep our laps warm which was nice.

Booked this on our own without KimKim. Was a fun event to soon Christmas Day since most things are closed. Emma arranged transport and we were so thankful we had drivers Reuben and Ibo!

Place is great! 22 year old son said the cheese-tasting was his favorite thing of the week. Liked the cafe for lunch afterwards, and we bought cheese and souvenirs to take home before we left.

We liked the city of Haarlem very much! We purchased tickets for the Corrie ten Boom museum on our own after reading her book The Hiding Place and really enjoyed the 50 min. tour. We liked the canal cruise very much. Shopping was fun by all, and we sampled and enjoyed the street food vendors. Emma planned an Escape Tour and made dinner reservations for us also, but we had one person in our group who wasn’t feeling well, so we went back early for the day.

Be on time! The reservations tell you this, but you must be waiting in the alley at your ticket time or they will give your place away to others waiting. We had a late train because of a prior train accident, which forced us to run to the museum to make it just in time!

Kinderdijk windmills, water taxi to the windmills, Cube Houses, and Markthal for dinner were terrific! Markthal closed at 6:00 pm, which ended up being just enough time to get and eat dinner for us.

We ran out of time to play this tour escape game. However, I know we would’ve liked to play it as it’s a great multi-age group game and a fun way to discover new places in Haarlem! We will do this next time for sure.

Beautiful hotel and rooms, centrally located, 6 minute walk to trams and so many attractions.

Great location on a quiet street but close to train and city center. Lovely amenities of the hotel and the room itself. Very friendly staff.

Loved the location and amenities. Cool to be next to a whiskey bar. Loved the breakfast and just a pretty location. Felt like a local.

Super interesting and love the audio guide

Can’t come to Amsterdam without visiting. Very moving exhibit

Loved walking the city and hearing the history while getting to sample different local foods and drinks. Great guide.

Loved having this instead of buying individual tickets for each trip.

This hotel is great - right across from the central train station. We had a room that overlooked the central station - very nice and interesting. Restaurants and shops are close. We could walk. They also provide a coffee/expresso machine in their lobby.

Berg's Bakery is amazing. It is a 6th generation family bakery. The owner, himself, did our workshop, and we enjoyed chatting with him about his journey in the stroopwafel industry.

I would recommend staying in a deluxe room in the newer addition of the hotel (gray stone building behind the abbey). My first night I stayed in a room in the older building, which was not what I was expecting. However the hotel upgraded me to the deluxe room which overlooked a beautiful garden. The breakfast was very good.

I loved everything about this hotel. Spotlessly clean, charming art, good view, well located, and the best breakfast of the trip. They serve omelettes and have a great selection of breakfast items,

This hotel was very clean, luxurious, well appointed and quiet. The breakfast was excellent!

Excellent location near the best restaurants, and short walk to the train station. Despite its central location, it is quiet and peaceful.

The kayaking on the Lesse River from Dinant was an incredibly physical but rewarding experience. It was hot, but the adventure was worth it. We had initially planned to do some climbing afterward, but due to scheduling issues, the climbing wasn't available in the morning. We ended up kayaking first and were too tired to go back for climbing. For future travelers, I would recommend planning only one of these activities per day, especially if it's hot, to avoid fatigue. Overall, kayaking was enough to fill the day with excitement.

The visit to the battlefield was definitely the highlight of our whole trip. The guide was so knowledgable, and it was so informative!

Our 3-night stay at Huize Welgelegen within the ARTIS zoo was nothing short of extraordinary. The location was superb, with easy access to transportation and a plethora of excellent dining options nearby. The highlight of our stay was the exclusive access to the zoo after hours—a truly once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe the animals up close and personal, with the entire zoo to ourselves. This magical experience was a huge hit with our children and left an indelible mark on our memories and our favorite stay while in the Netherlands. The daily delivered breakfast, thoughtfully left in our fridge, added a delightful touch to our mornings. The historic charm of the home, juxtaposed with its modern and remodeled kitchen and bathrooms, provided a perfect blend of old-world elegance and contemporary comfort. The spacious layout allowed us to relax and unwind, with the primary bedroom offering breathtaking views of the zoo. Every detail, from the comfortable beds and bedding to the overall ambiance, contributed to a restful and rejuvenating experience. We highly recommend Huize Welgelegen for those seeking a unique and unforgettable retreat, as it truly offers a once-in-a-lifetime experience that surpasses expectations.

Our stay at Wikkelboats Wijnhaven in Rotterdam was a fantastic experience that catered perfectly to our family of four. The well-laid-out accommodations made us feel right at home and garnered attention from passersby, giving us a touch of celebrity treatment during our vacation. The location was ideal, being conveniently close to all the amenities one could need in downtown Rotterdam. The highlight of our stay was undoubtedly the hot tub, which provided a luxurious and relaxing way to unwind after a day of exploring the city. The comfort of the beds was much appreciated, ensuring a restful night's sleep for all of us. Overall, Wikkelboats Wijnhaven offered a unique and memorable stay that exceeded our expectations, making it a highly recommended choice for families looking for a truly special accommodation experience in Rotterdam.

Our stay at Daalder, the country cottage on Texel Island, was a delightful retreat that offered a clean and well-appointed space for our vacation. The presence of 1.5 bathrooms and shared laundry facilities was a convenient and welcomed perk, adding to the comfort and ease of our stay. The cottage lived up to its description, providing a peaceful atmosphere that allowed us to unwind and relax amidst the island's serene surroundings. While the location was tranquil and ideal for a peaceful getaway, it was a bit distant from most of the island's attractions and activities. However, this seclusion added a sense of tranquility to our stay, allowing us to truly disconnect and enjoy the natural beauty of Texel Island. The thoughtful welcome bag filled with Texel goodies was a charming gesture that added a touch of local flavor to our experience. The kids were thrilled to have their own room, adding an element of excitement and independence to their stay. Daalder on Texel Island provided a cozy and comfortable retreat that met our expectations and offered a quiet respite from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It's a recommended choice for those seeking a peaceful and idyllic escape in the heart of nature.

AMAZING - Astrid was great with the kids, food preferences and overall made the experience fun for the whole family. The biking made us a little nervous at first, but in the end, it was a fun addition to the trip and we can now say we biked in Rotterdam. Astrid did an incredible job of understanding we were still a little jet lagged and the kids being tweens and them not being fully engaged at all times. We were concerned with it being a private tour that there wouldn’t be anywhere to “hide” if we didn’t care for a food selected, but that was never an issue. Astrid was very understanding that we may not like/enjoy every food we tried. That made the whole experience more enjoyable as we didn’t have to pretend what we liked/didn’t care for. This also allowed us to try everything and not feel forced to eat the entire portions given if we didn’t want to. The tour was certainly more than just about food - but a cultural experience with traditional Dutch food along the way.

This food tour was truly delightful, offering us valuable insights into Rotterdam. The transition from Texel to Amsterdam felt quite overwhelming, yet Jelte's expertise truly helped us feel more connected to the city and appreciate its history and charm. Our son has a passion for architecture, and it was truly fascinating when Jelte, who holds a degree in architecture, shared intriguing insights about Amsterdam's architectural aspects during our tour. Jelte also interacted wonderfully with the kids and was empathetic to the fact that we might not enjoy everything we tasted. The only drawback of the tour was the repetition of foods we had already sampled in Rotterdam. However, the silver lining was comparing our preferences between the same dishes from Amsterdam and Rotterdam. Jelte was fantastic in offering us a new item to taste when we mentioned we had tried and disliked herring (we hear the taste grows on you). We certainly appreciated his flexibility and attentiveness he gave throughout the tour.

Our private canal boat tour in Amsterdam was a truly remarkable experience that brought a unique perspective to our exploration of the city's iconic waterways. The boat itself was impeccably clean and well-appointed, with thoughtful amenities like sunscreen, and beverages available for us, ensuring our comfort throughout the tour. Our guide Julian was not only informative but also engaging, making the tour both educational and entertaining. His insights and knowledge of the city added depth to our understanding of Amsterdam's rich history and culture. What set this tour apart was the flexibility it offered—we had the freedom to request specific sights or let our guide lead us to hidden gems and must-see locations, ensuring a personalized and enriching experience tailored to our preferences. Cruising along the canals in the comfort of our private boat, surrounded by the charm of Amsterdam, was an unforgettable experience that allowed us to immerse ourselves in the beauty and uniqueness of the city.