Experience the best Holland has to offer on this 10-day luxury tour! You'll sleep in one-of-a-kind boutique hotels and dine in fine restaurants while exploring the capital city of Amsterdam, pristine Hoge Veluwe National Park, the lively university town of Leeuwarden, and the windswept islands of Vlieland and Texel. Highlights along the journey include a private gondola tour, a day trip to historic windmills in the Dutch countryside, a self-guided bike ride along picturesque sand dunes, plenty of time to enjoy viewing Vincent van Gogh's original masterpieces, and an overnight stay in a gorgeously restored complex of Golden Age canal houses.

Highlights

  • See the top museums and cultural attractions of Amsterdam
  • Get up close to historic Dutch windmills
  • Explore the hidden gem of Deventer 
  • Ride a Venetian-style gondola through the canals of Leeuwarden
  • Get away from it all on the idyllic islands of Vlieland and Texel
  • Sleep in unique lodgings and luxury hotels 

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Visit the Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam
Day 2 Take a Day Trip to Marken, Volendam, Edam & Zaanse Schans Amsterdam
Day 3 See Vermeer Originals & Explore Delft Delft
Day 4 Enjoy Nature and Art at Hoge Veluwe National Park Otterlo
Day 5 Sightsee in the Historic Center of Deventer Deventer
Day 6 Discover the Canals of Leeuwarden on a Gondola  Leeuwarden
Day 7 Cycle Around the Car-Free Island of Vlieland Vlieland
Day 8 Boat from Vlieland to the Island of Texel Texel
Day 9 Hike the Sand Dunes and Visit Fishing Villages on Texel Texel
Day 10 Return to Amsterdam & Depart  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Visit the Rijksmuseum & Van Gogh Museum

Museum crowds in Amsterdam

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.

You'll spend tonight and tomorrow night at the extraordinary Hotel Pulitzer, a luxury hotel made up of 25 interconnecting canal houses dating back to the Golden Age. After checking in, enjoy dinner at one of several nearby restaurants.

Day 2: Take a Day Trip to Marken, Volendam, Edam & Zaanse Schans

Dutch windmills at sunrise

After exploring the rich culture of the capital city, it is time to check out some other Dutch icons: wooden shoes, fishing villages, cheese, and windmills! Today, you will experience the beauty of the countryside north of Amsterdam. 

Begin in the picturesque village of Marken, located on an island in the Markermeer lake. Explore the small town and visit a wooden shoe factory before catching the ferry to Volendam, Holland’s best-known fishing village. The quaint harbor is lined with cafés and fish vendors. It's a good place to sample local treats like kibbeling (traditional battered and fried fish nuggets). Next, your guide will take you to visit the centuries-old cheese market area in Edam. The market happens on Wednesdays in July and August, but the market square and waag (weigh house) itself are very much worth a visit even outside those times. 

The last stop on your tour today is Zaanse Schans. During the 17th century, over 600 windmills were constructed in the area as part of an early industrial zone. The windmills were used to grind spices, produce paint and oil, and cut wood. A number of these windmills still exist and can be visited today, inside and out. After a busy day of sightseeing, you'll head back to your hotel in Amsterdam.

Day 3: See Vermeer Originals & Explore Delft

Souvenir shops selling Vermeer-inspired products

After breakfast, take a quick train ride to your next destination, The Hague. Known to the Dutch as Den Haag, it's 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. You'll have a chance to view it in person while visiting the Mauritshuis. The museum features a few of the 37 paintings Vermeer created during his life, as well as works by Rembrandt, Jan Steen, and Frans Hals.

Next, the itinerary takes you to Delft, a charming city full of quaint canals and monumental buildings. The great painter Johannes Vermeer lived here in the 17th century. Visit the Vermeer Center, where you can see reproductions of his work and tour his studio, then stop into nearby workshops where the world-famous blue and white Delft Blue pottery is made. First introduced as a cheap alternative to Chinese porcelain, it's still produced according to age-old techniques.

The Vermeer Center is very close to the house where Vermeer was born (currently the Flying Fox Inn, still serving dishes from the Golden Age) and the central square with the magnificent town hall and de Nieuwe Kerk (New Church). When you're finished sightseeing, check into your overnight accommodations at the Hotel Royal Bridges.

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Day 4: Enjoy Nature and Art at Hoge Veluwe National Park

A forested path in De Hoge Veluwe National Park

The adventure continues with a trip to De Hoge Veluwe National Park, one of the largest forested areas in the Netherlands. It once served as the private hunting grounds for Dutch royalty. Check into your hotel in Otterlo, right next to the park gate, and travel by e-bike to the Kröller-Müller Museum. The museum has the second-largest Van Gogh collection in the world, with almost 90 paintings and over 180 drawings. Among these are Cafe Terrace at Night (1888), Sorrowing Old Man (1890), and Country Road in Provence by Night (1890). You'll also find masterpieces by Georges Seurat and Pablo Picasso.

In the sculpture garden, one of the largest in Europe, stroll around hundreds of works sculptures by artists including Aristide Maillol, Jean Dubuffet, Marta Pan, and Pierre Huyghe. Spend the rest of the afternoon exploring the surrounding park on your e-bike.

Day 5: Sightsee in the Historic Center of Deventer

Lights on the water in Deventer

Your next destination on the itinerary is Deventer, located on the banks of the IJssel River. The best way to explore the small city is on foot. Stroll along the narrow streets to see monuments, squares, churches, museums, and antique shops. Stop into Deventer Koekwinkel, a popular institution that's been producing the world-famous kruidkoek (spiced cake) for over four centuries.

Brink Square is the beating heart of the city, lined with cafés, restaurants, and shops. On weekends, a colorful market takes over the square. Nearby, the impressive Lebuïnus Church is a highlight. The interior's gothic arches are a delight, and you can climb the tower for an excellent view of the city. If you're traveling with children, check out the Speelgoedmuseum, a popular toy museum. Deventer is also known as "the city of books." The oldest library in the country is located here, and there are many excellent shops selling new and secondhand titles. 

In the evening, join the locals for an outdoor dinner beside one of the city's picturesque squares. You'll spend the night at the Grand Boutique Hotel Huis Vermeer.

Day 6: Discover the Canals of Leeuwarden on a Gondola 

A canal in Leeuwarden

Today you will travel by private car to the province of Friesland. Though you will notice similarities in architecture between Friesland and other Dutch provinces, the locals have a unique culture and a distinct language, Frisian. You will notice many signs are marked in both Frisian and Dutch.

The lively city of Leeuwarden, the birthplace of graphic artist M.C. Escher, has a canal system like Amsterdam's. A local guide will show you around the city center, pointing out highlights like the crooked tower of Oldenhove, on which construction started as early as 1529, but was never completed. Then you'll go on a private gondola tour through the canals. 

The rest of the day is free. Consider having dinner at popular Proefverlof, located in a former prison.  You'll overnight at Boutique Hotel Catshuis.

Day 7: Cycle Around the Car-Free Island of Vlieland

A peaceful beach on the island of Vlieland

Catch a ferry across the Wadden Sea to a chain of small islands where you'll spend the rest of the trip. On arrival at the small and central village of Oost-Vlieland, you'll pick up an e-bike to explore the island of Vlieland at your own pace. Pedal along the beach, sit down for a seafood lunch in an oceanfront restaurant, then walk along the sandy shore. The island is car-free (except for a few cars owned by the islanders themselves) and flat, so it’s an excellent destination for families. Birds love these islands and the Wadden Sea, so be sure to bring your binoculars!

Spend the night at Loods Logement, located in the village.

Day 8: Boat from Vlieland to the Island of Texel

A bright red lighthouse on Texel

After breakfast, travel by boat to the next island, Texel. Along the way, you'll spot Texel’s magnificent bright red lighthouse. When you arrive in the harbor, a taxi will be waiting to take you to the fishing village of Oudeschild, where you will stay in a small luxury hotel right on the harbor. Walk to the lighthouse, wander around the beach at low tide, cycle around the area, and enjoy views of large flocks of sheep grazing the pastures. In the evening, sample local specialties like lamb, cheese, and seafood in one of the island's family-run restaurants.

Day 9: Hike the Sand Dunes and Visit Fishing Villages on Texel

A solitary church on the island of Texel

Today, you'll continue your exploration of Texel on a bicycle. The scenery is quiet and stunning, with vast marshes, dazzling sand dunes, and seemingly endless beaches. Birds love these islands and the Wadden Sea, so be sure to bring your binoculars!

Stop at the natural area of De Slufter, climbing the dunes for mesmerizing views from the top. Bring a picnic lunch and you could easily spend a day hiking here between the sand dunes and the muddy salt marsh. Swimming gear is a good idea as these shallow waters are tempting for travelers of all ages! Later, explore one or two of the island's villages, stopping at local farms to pick your own fruits or sample homemade ice cream. At some farms open to visitors, you can see sheep barns and cows being milked.  

Another interesting stop along the way is the Juttersmuseum Flora near De Koog. This quirky beachcomber museum displays items found on the island's beaches over many years, including a collection of messages-in-bottles. Then cycle along the western side of the island, following the shore of the North Sea. Finish the day with snacks and drinks in one of many beach cafés.

Day 10: Return to Amsterdam & Depart

Cheerful tulips in bloom on Texel

This morning, it’s time to bid farewell to the island of Texel. On the way to the harbor to catch the ferry back to the mainland, you might spot some Dutch tulip fields in full bloom. It's a cheerful end to your family's journey! Head to the Amsterdam airport or train station to make your way to your next destination. Safe travels!

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