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active 23 mins ago

Mieke Arendsen

Born and raised in the province of Gelderland in the east-central part of the Netherlands, I have traveled to most corners of the world, especially to Asia. But deep down, I will always remain a true Dutchy. I love cycling, I even own a pair of wooden shoes and you can wake me up any time to have some cheese.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"The Netherlands are excellent for cycling since it is extremely flat and has the most brilliant cycling lanes in the world. As distances between sights are relatively short, I would suggest the bicycle as a means of transportation. For those that like to take it easy, an e-bike can be a good choice.
I especially love the landscape on the northern islands and the vast forests in the central part of the country. But it’s not all nature that charms me; I also enjoy a stroll through the small cobbled streets of the lesser known characteristic cities of the Netherlands, such as Deventer and Groningen."

How did you get involved in travel?

"I have been in the travel business for over twenty years, both in outbound as well as in inbound tourism. Distant places have always fascinated me, but closer to my home there’s also a lot to explore….it’s a never-ending process of finding new places and routes. What also keeps my work interesting is that every guest has his/her own wishes and interests; every request is different and thus treated as such. I take joy from trying to make an itinerary that fits their specific wishes best. "

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Cycling the island of Texel with one of my kids in the bicycle front seat, the sea breeze cooling us down. With the sound of the cycle wheels on the lane consisting of shells and sometimes a screeching seagull flying over, I secretly stuffed my nose in my kids hair to sniff that baby smell. Heaven!"

Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Mieke

Adult Family trip to the Netherlands & Belgium
Belgium | May 2 - May 10, 2025

D
Dana F.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on May 21, 2025
My husband , 29 year old daughter and I just returned from a wonderful 9 day trip to The Netherlands & Belgium. Mieke did a fantastic job tailoring the trip to our needs. She picked perfect hotels that provided room for 3 adults. Once she understood our family dynamics she was able to tailor our daily itineraries . Highlights for us were: Visiting the Kuekenhof Gardens, Touring Kinderdijk windmills & exploring The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb using the 3 D tour! Mieke also... Read more

My husband , 29 year old daughter and I just returned from a wonderful 9 day trip to The Netherlands & Belgium. Mieke did a fantastic job tailoring the trip to our needs. She picked perfect hotels that provided room for 3 adults. Once she understood our family dynamics she was able to tailor our daily itineraries . Highlights for us were: Visiting the Kuekenhof Gardens, Touring Kinderdijk windmills & exploring The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb using the 3 D tour! Mieke also gave us restaurant recommendations and tips for navigating each city. When we arrived she had a well organized package for us with all of our travel documents. And prior to the trip, Mieke was accessible for phone conversations to discuss our trip. This aspect of the service was invaluable and helped solidify our plans. This is our 2nd time traveling with KimKim and I could not be more pleased.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel des Arts
Amsterdam-Centrum

We had a room for 3 adults. Loved the decor and the view of the canal. The room & bathroom were on the small side but, doable. The breakfast was very nice. Great location. Perfect for our trip.

Authenticity & Character
Decor was pretty
Location
View of the canal. Across from the metro. Walking distance to everything.
Staff
Very nice. Helpful.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room was clean. Just a little small. Hard to find a place for 3 bags.
Ghent River Hotel
Ghent

Room was comfortable and provided a very good amount of space for 3 adults. Shower room was a nice size.

Authenticity & Character
Room was a very nice size. Breakfast room was on the rooftop and light and airy with a patio.
Location
Walking distance to everything.
Staff
We were not greeted well by the hotel. When we checked in there was no welcoming manner. The man seemed put out.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable. There is a bathrobe. Loved the exposed brick wall and the high ceilings. Bedspreads and towels were not special. No color or uniqueness to decor.
Activity Reviews
Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)
Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)
The Netherlands
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Loved having our card and being able to navigate the trains and trolleys when we needed them.

Haarlem - self-guided cycling route to Keukenhof & through tulip fields
Haarlem - self-guided cycling route to Keukenhof & through tulip fields
Belgium

Unfortunately the tulip fields were no longer in bloom when we got there. Apparently we missed it by 1 day. Also, we needed better biking directions. We had trouble following the path. That said, people were very happy to help. Also, enjoyed having E- bikes!!! LOVED the Keukenhof Gardens!!! So beautiful!

Day trip to Haarlem
Day trip to Haarlem
The Netherlands

We didn't spend very much time in Haarlem. We were there just to head out to the gardens. Biking to Kuekenhof gardens was fun but, the directions from the bikeshop were a little challenging. People are very happy to help you out.

Amsterdam - Private guided walking tour on Jewish History
Amsterdam - Private guided walking tour on Jewish History
Amsterdam

Inbal , our guide, was very knowledgeable.

Amsterdam - Jewish Museum & Portuguese Synagogue
Amsterdam - Jewish Museum & Portuguese Synagogue
Amsterdam

Synagogue is so beautiful. History of the area very interesting. Did not see the museum.

Ghent - Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
Ghent - Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
Belgium

AMAZING!!! Did the 3 D tour and it was such a fun and informative experience!!

Ghent - Gravensteen - Castle of the Counts
Ghent - Gravensteen - Castle of the Counts
Belgium

The outside of the castle is way more interesting than the inside.

Amsterdam - Anne Frank House
Amsterdam - Anne Frank House
Belgium

Very well organized and informative. Powerful experience.

Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum
Belgium

Wonderful!

Ghent - Day trip to Bruges
Ghent - Day trip to Bruges
Ghent

Pretty city. Think it would have been better if we had a tour guide when we arrived. We did do the bus tour on our own. It was expensive and just okay. But, it did give us a chance to see all around the city. Climbed the Belfry and that was wonderful.

Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum
Belgium

Beautiful museum!

Explore Ghent with a CityCard
Explore Ghent with a CityCard
Belgium

Easy to show card and take buses and canal tour.

Rotterdam - Kinderdijk windmills by public boat (waterbus)
Rotterdam - Kinderdijk windmills by public boat (waterbus)
Belgium

Loved this experience. Very interesting!!

8Ghent - Private guided walking tour
8Ghent - Private guided walking tour
Ghent

Wonderful tour guide!!!

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 22, 2025

Hi Dana,
Great to hear from you and reading your feedback and comments. Glad you have enjoyed your trip so much. It has been a pleasure planning this trip with and for you!
Thank you for your kind words, and wishing you all the best for the future
Best regards,
Mieke

Amsterdam was amazing . And the itinerary Kim...
The Netherlands | May 8 - May 12, 2025

J
Jill T.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on May 20, 2025
Amsterdam was amazing . And the itinerary Kim Kim put together was perfect . Enables us to go and show up with minimal to no prior research . Hotel was prime location , central and close to all transport , walking distance to millions restaurants . The canal ride is a must , and we would not have known to do the evening sunset one , which was a real treat . The city food tour was a wonderful way to spend the day . We learned a lot , and saw the best of Amsterdam . Well laid out and paced .... Read more

Amsterdam was amazing . And the itinerary Kim Kim put together was perfect . Enables us to go and show up with minimal to no prior research . Hotel was prime location , central and close to all transport , walking distance to millions restaurants . The canal ride is a must , and we would not have known to do the evening sunset one , which was a real treat . The city food tour was a wonderful way to spend the day . We learned a lot , and saw the best of Amsterdam . Well laid out and paced . Just delightful . We had incredible weather , which made the days and flowers perfection . Ann Frank house is not to be missed . And very grateful Kim Kim facilitated as well as got us to get our act together , to be able to get the tickets . Museums , walking , shopping , markets . All great . The public transportation is amazing , and makes it so easy to get around ..

This was my third trip with Kim Kim , so I’m a big fan .
The only thing I would say , although the price of the trip seemed reasonable , as we were there and knew what things cost , it did seem like Kim Kim overcharged. All for them making money , but the distribution didn’t feel good . Which was a little disappointing .

Hotel Review
Die Port van Cleve Amsterdam
Amsterdam

Hotel is charming with great service and really great location .

Authenticity & Character
Location
Central
Staff
Friendly
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room and bathroom could have been cleaner
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 21, 2025

Hi Jill,
Glad to hear you have enjoyed your trip so much. The weather has been amazing, indeed! Perfect circumstances for seeing the blooming flower fields and the Keukenhof park. Good to know you have managed the public transport system well - it is indeed a very practical way to get around.
Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback, and wishing you all the best,
Mieke

The entire trip was truly spectacular.
The Netherlands | May 7 - May 14, 2025

Nancy
Nancy M.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on May 15, 2025
The entire trip was truly spectacular. There was one major, glitch, but Mieke responded very quickly. And they even refunded us for the mistake. I thought that was the right thing to do and they responded immediately. That to me is very important My tip is always check the train schedule, apparently they change it without any notice. We missed our first Eurostar train, but the conductor of the second time slot was nice enough to let us on and even gave us free drinks because we were so... Read more

The entire trip was truly spectacular. There was one major, glitch, but Mieke responded very quickly. And they even refunded us for the mistake. I thought that was the right thing to do and they responded immediately. That to me is very important My tip is always check the train schedule, apparently they change it without any notice. We missed our first Eurostar train, but the conductor of the second time slot was nice enough to let us on and even gave us free drinks because we were so frazzled.
Other than that , everything went well. We love staying in Haarlem. Such a wonderful little town and everyone is so friendly and accommodating.. The Canal tour was great and the Anne Frank house was extremely interesting, very somber, but something you had to see.
We loved loved loved our grand Dutch Food Tour with Mark, he was amazing. It was so nice that it was private, just the three of us. Actually, all the tours were private, which made it really a lot better than being in a group.We tasted foods I would’ve never tried, and they were quite good,. What we love the most is he took us to places that tourists do not frequent. It was such a treat. I thought four hours would be so long, but he made it go by so quickly. That was truly a highlight of the trip.
Going to Keukenhof was also a highlight, it was so beautiful, you couldn’t help but smile.. love love love those gardens. Even though they were closing in two days, it didn’t matter we saw some absolutely stunning tulips as well as other flowers in bloom.
When we got to Bruges we had a 2 PM walking tour, but we were late because of all the mishaps along the way and the tour guide. Roland was very accommodating and pushed it back an hour for us. For us, the tour guide was a little boring as was the tour. The content was nothing we were interested in. He spoke a lot about the construction of the old buildings and the bricks and stones that they used. It just wasn’t for us. Perhaps someone else would’ve found it interesting. After we were done with that tour, we roamed around the city and had such a good time. We took a horse and buggy ride, we had a canal tour, we loved the Canal tours. We did a beer tasting and got very silly.
Sunday we went to the Choco factory museum, we found that very boring. I wouldn’t suggest going there. We skipped our day trip to Damme so that we could walk around Bruges but little did we know most of the stores are closed on Sunday, but we made the best of it.
Monday we went to Ghent, our tour guide Veerle was wonderful, she was so informative and had a lovely personality. We really liked her.
After that, we went to the Galvesteen Castle.
Part of it was interesting, but we went through it quickly, it was a little boring for us.
We really really loved the Canal boat tours, we actually took four of them during the entire trip.
I’m sure I left some things out but all in all we had an excellent time and beat the Dutch travel and Mieke we’re great. I would definitely use them again.

Activity Review
Amsterdam - Private Grand Dutch Food Tour
Amsterdam - Private Grand Dutch Food Tour
The Netherlands

This is a definite must do, a private tour is the way to go. Mark, our tour guide was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 18, 2025

Dear Nancy and Nicole,
How lovely to read about the good times you had, and to see these lovely pictures of all your adventures, and especially enjoying good food with Mark.
Again, apologies for the change in train timings - gladly you have managed the stress and made your way to Bruges. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and feedback with us - that is very helpful!

It had been a pleasure hosting you here! Wishing you all the best,
Mieke

Lowlands Travel Asessment
The Netherlands | Apr 9 - Apr 17, 2025

V
victor a.
Los Angeles, CA | Reviewed on May 01, 2025
Overall, the trip was good. We found Mieke very responsive during the planning stage and when on the trip there was 1 hotel issue on a Sunday Kim Kim's 24 hour hotline worked well. I think the error was more on the hotel's side and was resolved reasonable quickly. We found Amsterdam extremely crowded due to its overall destination desirability, Tulip season and travel right before Easter. In hindsight would have spent 1 less day in Amsterdam and another in Belgium. Read more

Overall, the trip was good. We found Mieke very responsive during the planning stage and when on the trip there was 1 hotel issue on a Sunday Kim Kim's 24 hour hotline worked well. I think the error was more on the hotel's side and was resolved reasonable quickly. We found Amsterdam extremely crowded due to its overall destination desirability, Tulip season and travel right before Easter. In hindsight would have spent 1 less day in Amsterdam and another in Belgium.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel des Arts
Amsterdam-Centrum

Overall good. Location is nice being on a canal, however that comes with a lot more noise. Staff at the hotel were very accommodating, breakfast was good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel FranQ
Antwerp

Had an issue checking in which I believe was the hotel's system issue as reservations were booked around 9 months prior. Along with responsive communication with Kim Kim's team we were able to resolve the issue without wasting too much time. Nice location, lovely hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Pand Hotel
Bruges

Excellent location, friendly staff, nice breakfast,

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel des Galeries
Brussels

Only stayed for 1 night but was very nice. Excellent location but very poor signage meant it was difficult to find the hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Right next to the Galeries, hence the name and just a couple blocks from the main square.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Ghent - Gravensteen - Castle of the Counts
Ghent - Gravensteen - Castle of the Counts
The Netherlands
Bruges - Hans Memling Collection at Sint-Janshospitaal
Bruges - Hans Memling Collection at Sint-Janshospitaal
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Very convenient, worked as expected.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)
Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
About a 25 minute walk from the hotel.
Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum
Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum
The Netherlands
Ghent - Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
Ghent - Adoration of the Mystic Lamb
The Netherlands

This was perhaps the best experience of our trip. We had the high tech experience which was simply mind blowing, it was like having a personal art expert with you.

Quality of Experience
Amsterdam - Day trip to Haarlem
Amsterdam - Day trip to Haarlem
Amsterdam

Enjoyed the city much less crowded than Amsterdam. The flower garden was massively crowded, made Disneyland feel empty by comparison. Go early!

Quality of Experience
Transport
Better signage for the bike route.
Bruges - Halve Maan brewery visit
Bruges - Halve Maan brewery visit
The Netherlands

Excellent quality beer.

Quality of Experience
Haarlem - self-guided cycling route to Keukenhof & through tulip fields
Haarlem - self-guided cycling route to Keukenhof & through tulip fields
The Netherlands

Signage was poor.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Better signage.
Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam - Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Transport
Close to the tram line.
Amsterdam - Walking Dinner private guided tour
Amsterdam - Walking Dinner private guided tour
The Netherlands

Excellent experience.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was great we enjoyed this experience a lot.
Amsterdam - Daytrip to Marken, Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans
Amsterdam - Daytrip to Marken, Volendam, Edam and Zaanse Schans
Amsterdam

Enjoyed the drive and ferry crossing. Zaanse Schans was extremely crowded and felt like a tourist trap. Did enjoy the museum however.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bruges - Private guided walking tour
Bruges - Private guided walking tour
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was overly focused on architecture, did not show us some of the churches.
Antwerp - Chocolate Nation
Antwerp - Chocolate Nation
The Netherlands

Pretty much as expected, nice chocolate samples. Good experience.

Quality of Experience
Antwerp - Private guided walking tour
Antwerp - Private guided walking tour
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was 15 minutes late.
Brussels card 48h
The Netherlands

Did not fully utilize. Actually converting the voucher to a card was somewhat difficult.

Quality of Experience
Brussels - Private guided walking tour:  food
Brussels - Private guided walking tour: food
Belgium

Expected to hit more places for beer.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 05, 2025

Hi Victor
Thanks for taking the time to provide us with feedback and thoughts on the itinerary and program. It has been a pleasure organizing the trip for you and it's very valuable. Glad to hear you have enjoyed your experience at the Mystic Lamb so much!
All the best to you,
Mieke

Thank you for the opportunity to safely trave...
The Netherlands | Apr 10 - Apr 17, 2025

J
james g.
Middleburg, PA | Reviewed on Apr 27, 2025
Thank you for the opportunity to safely travel, with your guidance and expertise leading our way! Overall we had a very positive experience. With that said, we would like to provide some step by step feedback, which may benefit other travelers.
Day 1:Our arrival at Schiphol Airport was well timed, and our driver was very kind, patient and helpful. Our stop for groceries was important and very much appreciated. The Bollenschuur Hillegom was everything we hoped for and more; in a beautiful...
Read more

Thank you for the opportunity to safely travel, with your guidance and expertise leading our way! Overall we had a very positive experience. With that said, we would like to provide some step by step feedback, which may benefit other travelers.
Day 1:Our arrival at Schiphol Airport was well timed, and our driver was very kind, patient and helpful. Our stop for groceries was important and very much appreciated. The Bollenschuur Hillegom was everything we hoped for and more; in a beautiful location and perfectly equipped. Our bikes arrived as planned at our accommodations and Jamil went out of his way to ensure our comfort and fit. The rides past fields of lovely blooms was the fulfillment of our dream. That said, the app for bike routes proved very frustrating as it did not accurately advise us; frequently did not keep up to where we were and then told us to reroute. We had to find our own way. We enjoyed the tulip barn. The Twizy we would probably not recommend. The bikes were more enjoyable and the "Twizy" (actually called a Renzy) was very difficult to get in and out of, especially as a back seat passenger.

Day 2: It was totally unrealistic for us to ride 30+ miles to the flower auction. We called an Uber. It was an amazing experience that we would not want to have missed. It is ,however, no longer an auction and there is nothing to arrive at 7AM to see. The auction no longer happens there.
The Tulperji flower Farm and Noordwijkerhout experiences were wonderful.
We would advise you to tell people staying in this area to plan ahead more for meals. There is very little near where we stayed. We liked being in the countryside but, in retrospect, we would probable have brought in more groceries for dinner.

Day 3 : Keukenhof- Great plan to have 9AM tickets purchased in advance. Gardens were amazing!
We were happy to have purchased grand stand tickets to enjoy the parade.

Day 4:Private transport to Haarlem was great and definitely needed.
Boutiquehotel Staats was a perfect pick for us- unique, clean, beautifully decorated, wonderful coffee/food, staff. It was close to everything we needed, especially the bus/train station.
We enjoyed our free time in Haarlem. The Jopenkerk Brewery had good food and beer, but was honestly not a "don't miss" destination.

Day 5: Your transportation advice and passes were a great help. We enjoyed the Van Gogh Museum. The Anne Frank House was an emotion evoking experience that is life changing and unforgettable. The Walking dinner was fun, informative and delicious!

Day 6: The Corrie ten Boom House, like the Anne Frank experience, was very moving and well done. We would not have wanted to miss it. Cycling to the beach was a great idea. The bike shop was great and the owners very helpful. Again the bike GPS app directions were less than adequate, but we managed with staff directions, signs and honestly guessing. The ride through the national park and the beach were lovely and we were very glad for this experience. The Rijstaffel dinner was a very different experience for us and we enjoyed it very much.

Day7: Our last day was good timing for the Zaanse Schans trip. By then, we were tired, and happy to let the bus take us to the 3 destinations. And, we enjoyed each one.

Day 8: We returned to Schiphol airport by bus instead of train so that we could be nonstop.

Through the entire planning and trip we had good communication with your team.
Miecke was very helpful and responsive to our questions and requests.
We enjoyed a trip of a lifetime and thank you very much!
Connie Glunz and fellow travelers

Hotel Reviews
Bollenschuur Hillegom
Hillegom

Great location in the countryside , in the middle of flower fields (in season). Very clean and well equipped.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Boutiquehotel Staats
Haarlem

Renovated old school building with beautiful decor and well equipped. Very Clean. Wonderful coffee and breakfast. Staff is very professional, helpful and friendly. Four flights of stairs to our room, but manageable. Very close to transportation by bus and train. Walking distance to many great restaurants and attractions.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 02, 2025

Hi Connie and travel buddies,
Thank you so much for taking the time to review the trip and provide us with feedback, that is very helpful! And thank you for your kind words☺️
You have indeed very throughly explored the flower bulb area - to the max! I am glad the parade was a success for you. It was a pleasure organizing your trip for you

Best regards,
Mieke

Two fun weeks in the Netherlands and Belgium
The Netherlands | Mar 31 - Apr 11, 2025

J
John V.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Apr 13, 2025
Mieke did a great job. She was thorough and responsive to our questions and needs and very easy to work with. The package she provided was excellent. We had a couple of issues (train schedules) that came up over the 2 weeks and they were quickly resolved. The work she did enabled us to enjoy our trip without a hitch. Hotels, guides, and activities were very well planned Read more

Mieke did a great job. She was thorough and responsive to our questions and needs and very easy to work with. The package she provided was excellent. We had a couple of issues (train schedules) that came up over the 2 weeks and they were quickly resolved. The work she did enabled us to enjoy our trip without a hitch. Hotels, guides, and activities were very well planned

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Mai Amsterdam
Amsterdam

Exceptional Hotel with a very good-sized room and location

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Boat accommodation for cycling tours: Fluvius
Amsterdam

The bike and boat Tulip tour was a lot of fun. The boat was very clean, the crew very accommodating, the food good, and the room while small (as expected) was nice and worked out very well.

Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The room was small as expected but big enough to be comfortable.
The Dominican
Bruxelles

Really nice hotel in a good location with a very helpful staff and a well appointed room

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Bike & Boat: Zaandam and Haarlem
Bike & Boat: Zaandam and Haarlem
The Netherlands

Our stop on the bike route at Zaanse Schans, was a very busy tourist location but was very interesing and worth the visit

Quality of Experience
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

The card was helpful and easy to use

Amsterdam - Anne Frank House
Amsterdam - Anne Frank House
The Netherlands

To see the actual place where Ann Frank hid was very moving.

Quality of Experience
Bike & Boat: practical information
Bike & Boat: practical information
The Netherlands

Going into the bike and boat trip we were a little leery, but the boat wound up exceeding our expectations. The room was small as expected but worked out very well. The crew was really nice.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Keukenhof Gardens
Keukenhof Gardens
The Netherlands

Amazingly beautiful gardens.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Bike & Boat: from Oude Wetering back to Amsterdam
Bike & Boat: from Oude Wetering back to Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)
Amsterdam - Canal cruise (join in)
The Netherlands

Fun time very informative guide

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Bike & Boat: Amsterdam
Bike & Boat: Amsterdam
Amsterdam

The bikes were very functional, and the guides made for a safe and enjoyable experience The activities along the routes were excellent.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Brussels - Waffle making workshop
Brussels - Waffle making workshop
The Netherlands

This was a lot of fun. It was a little difficult finding the location but once we arrived it was all good from there. The instructor was fun, and the instructions clear, thus the end result was a delicious batch of waffles made with our own hands.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Brussels - Day trip to Ghent by train
Brussels - Day trip to Ghent by train
Brussels

We really enjoyed Ghent. A nice city with many interesting shops and sights

Quality of Experience
Transport
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on Apr 14, 2025

Hi John & Michele...thank you so much for your review and feedback. Glad to read you have enjoyed your trip and to read your comments.

You wont believe it, but today it started raining after it stayed completely dry during all of your trip (which is quite exceptional in springtime).

I am glad you have enjoyed your trip, and I am honored to have been able to be a part of arranging it for you!
Wishing you all the best,
Mieke

Belgium
Belgium | Sep 29 - Oct 4, 2024

J
JEAN B.
Flagami, FL | Reviewed on Oct 05, 2024

Great guides esp in Ypres
Great hotels esp in Antwerp and Bruges
Would include the alter of Ghent in tour and the Madonna sculpture in tour
Thanks

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on Oct 05, 2024

Dear Jean,

Hope you had a pleasant and safe journey home!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts about the hotels, guides and excursions, and I am glad you have enjoyed the trip. Weather has not been the best last week, but I am glad you have made the most of it.

Wishing you all the best,

Mieke.

Entire trip was excellent!
The Netherlands | May 25 - Jun 8, 2024

DWANE & KAREN
DWANE & KAREN S.
Ashburn, VA | Reviewed on Jul 01, 2024
Mieke was excellent. We had great things planned and plenty of time to explore on our own. It took us a few days to figure out the amazing train system, trams, etc., but then it was a great way to see the rest of the countries we visited. We did a combo with kim kim (Netherlands and Germany) and a cruise with MSC to Denmark and Norway. We loved staying right across (Premier Suites) from the Rotterdam Central Train Station and then visiting different cities from there. Gouda was our... Read more

Mieke was excellent. We had great things planned and plenty of time to explore on our own. It took us a few days to figure out the amazing train system, trams, etc., but then it was a great way to see the rest of the countries we visited. We did a combo with kim kim (Netherlands and Germany) and a cruise with MSC to Denmark and Norway. We loved staying right across (Premier Suites) from the Rotterdam Central Train Station and then visiting different cities from there. Gouda was our favorite. We did the Cheese Experience (Excellent and so fun) and made our own stroopwafels at Berg's Bakery. Soooo fun. In Amsterdam, we did some things on our own. The Lookout Restaurant was well worth it. The Anne Frank House is so interesting. Very very worthwhile. We did a lot of just walking and visiting shops and restaurants and little cafes, etc. We opted not to do a planned Kinderdijk windmill tour (from Rotterdam) - it was cold that day and we decided to just do other things. We came back to Amsterdam after some time in Norway and Germany (also thru Kim kim) and did a tour to the Zaanse Schans Windmills. They were great! A clog shop and cheese place right there. The only suggestion I have for kim kim is to figure out some way for people to have a phone. Our carrier did not provide coverage there. We contacted Mieke one day from our hotel and she gave us very detailed directions to the Anne Frank house. This was great. However, if we would have had phones with mapquest that worked, it would have avoided alot of looking on our own. We had wifi on germany trains but not in the netherlands. We checked train schedules, platforms, etc. in the morning at our hotel before walking to the Rotterdam train station, and we were fine that way, but it would have been very very helpful to have a phone with wifi. The chip cards are a must (provided by kim kim). They loaded it with sufficient dollars for what we scheduled and then we added to it for some extra places we wanted to go. Then they provided an envelope and on our last day, we mailed them back to them at the train station. You can use them on any form of transportation which is very very convenient. We will never forget this trip - it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us. The two words that best describe it all are - Beautiful and interesting. Thank you all!

Hotel Review
Premier Suites Plus Rotterdam
Rotterdam

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.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Gouda - Stroopwafel workshop
Gouda - Stroopwafel workshop
The Netherlands

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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on Jul 03, 2024
Hi Dwane and Karen,
Thank you so much for taking the time to review your trip and send us valuable feedback - especially about having a smartphone and wifi coverage - that is very helpful indeed and a very good suggestion.
I am glad to hear you have enjoyed the trip so much and have found your way with the planned activities and the free time as well. I am not surprised you love the stroopwafel bakery in Gouda, it's a gem of a place. I
Cherish your happy memories of this very special trip -...
Read more

Hi Dwane and Karen,
Thank you so much for taking the time to review your trip and send us valuable feedback - especially about having a smartphone and wifi coverage - that is very helpful indeed and a very good suggestion.
I am glad to hear you have enjoyed the trip so much and have found your way with the planned activities and the free time as well. I am not surprised you love the stroopwafel bakery in Gouda, it's a gem of a place. I
Cherish your happy memories of this very special trip - and I am honored to have been a small part of making it happen.

Best regards,
Mieke
PS: I totally forgot to ask you how you experience the Dutch language! Were you able to follow some of it given your knowledge of Pennsylvania Dutch?? Or a different lingo after all?

Transforming Dreams into Reality: A Glowing Review for Mieke's Dutch Adventure Planning Expertise
The Netherlands | Jun 2 - Jun 11, 2024

Kristie
Kristie B.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2024
Mieke's exceptional expertise and meticulous planning truly transformed our 9-night adventure in the Netherlands into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Her guidance led us to extraordinary accommodations and facilitated our exploration of three distinct locations—Rotterdam, Texel Island, and Amsterdam—allowing us to immerse ourselves fully in the Dutch culture. Thanks to Mieke's thoughtful recommendations and bookings tailored to our family's (2 adults and a 11 and 12 year old) preferences,... Read more

Mieke's exceptional expertise and meticulous planning truly transformed our 9-night adventure in the Netherlands into a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Her guidance led us to extraordinary accommodations and facilitated our exploration of three distinct locations—Rotterdam, Texel Island, and Amsterdam—allowing us to immerse ourselves fully in the Dutch culture.

Thanks to Mieke's thoughtful recommendations and bookings tailored to our family's (2 adults and a 11 and 12 year old) preferences, every activity she arranged seamlessly aligned with our interests, creating unforgettable moments throughout our journey. Her availability for questions and assistance was invaluable, reassuring us about using public transportation, which indeed proved to be the most convenient way to navigate the country. With her guidance, we quickly adapted to the Dutch transport system, becoming adept travelers in no time.

During our trip, Mieke remained accessible and supportive, ensuring that our travel experience was smooth and enjoyable. Her dedication to curating a personalized and enriching itinerary reflected her passion for creating memorable experiences for her clients. Without her expertise and attention to detail, we would have missed out on the charm and diversity that each location offered.

In summary, Mieke's exceptional planning skills, hands-on support, and commitment to delivering a tailored Dutch experience made our journey unforgettable. We are grateful for her dedication and expertise, which made our trip truly remarkable. Thank you, Mieke, for orchestrating a dream vacation that exceeded all expectations!

Hotel Reviews
Huize Welgelegen **zomer 2025 NIET MEER BOEKBAAR**
Amsterdam

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.

Authenticity & Character
This is truly a once in a lifetime place to stay
Location
Close to public transportation
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Wikkelboats Wijnhaven
Rotterdam

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.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to everything in downtown Rotterdam.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Daalder
Oost

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.

Authenticity & Character
Location
We felt it was a little far from amenities of the island with kids. If you have a car, this would be of no issue at all.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Rotterdam food tour by bicycle
Rotterdam food tour by bicycle
Rotterdam

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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Astrid was wonderful to spend our afternoon with!
Transport
It was fun to bike around in Rotterdam.
Amsterdam - Private Grand Dutch Food Tour
Amsterdam - Private Grand Dutch Food Tour
The Netherlands

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.

Quality of Experience
The food was exquisite, and our guide was exceptional, seamlessly fitting in with our family.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
5 stars for Jelte!
Transport
n/a
Amsterdam - Private canal cruise
Amsterdam - Private canal cruise
The Netherlands

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.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on Jun 15, 2024

hi Kristie and family,
I am so glad you have had such an amazing family time. The places you have stayed at were indeed very bespoke and one-of-a-kind. I loved seeing your pictures of family fun. Lots of happy memories and quality time with the 4 of you. It has been a great pleasure organizing the trip for you and I am thrilled that it was such a success! Kudos for trying all the local specialities and cycling too!
Till next time! :)
Wishing you all the best,
Mieke

Our wonderful trip to the Netherlands!
The Netherlands | May 13 - May 22, 2024

Jan
Jan P.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on May 30, 2024
Mieke did an outstanding job of listening to our wants and needs as she assembled and refined our Netherlands trip plan to address both our preferences, as well as those of our daughter and son-in-law who travelled with us. The finalized trip plan we received was extremely detailed and thorough, including turn-by-turn directions to orient us upon arrival in each city. Our hotels were clean, comfortable and centrally located. We were pleased to discover that they had period charm and/or... Read more

Mieke did an outstanding job of listening to our wants and needs as she assembled and refined our Netherlands trip plan to address both our preferences, as well as those of our daughter and son-in-law who travelled with us. The finalized trip plan we received was extremely detailed and thorough, including turn-by-turn directions to orient us upon arrival in each city.

Our hotels were clean, comfortable and centrally located. We were pleased to discover that they had period charm and/or amenities that made them much more special. As they had requested, our daughter and son-in-law even had balcony rooms in two cities!

Traveling in and between cities was simple because Mieke provided us with OV-chip cards for public transportation which made hopping on trains, buses, subways and water taxis quick and convenient.

Additionally, Mieke scheduled some activities for us with private guides. One of the highlights of our trip was our driver, Maarten who took us to the flower auction at Aalsmeer and then drove us into the country to see tulips in the fields. He was absolutely delightful and provided us with many helpful observations and suggestions. Another trip highlight was our guide, Tamara who led us on a 3-hour private cycling tour in Rotterdam. Not only was she informative, but she had a wonderful sense of humor!

In Amsterdam, Mieke arranged tickets for us to visit the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum. In Rotterdam, Mieke not only included the Cube Houses but also the Markthal. We marveled at the architecture of both. Our boat cruise of the Rotterdam harbor enabled us to have a unique view of the one of the world's busiest ports.

No visit to the Netherlands would be complete with a visit to windmills - Mieke arranged for us to see both the mills in Schiedam and those in Kinderdijk.

Besides our scheduled activities, Mieke provided us with numerous tips and suggestions of places to eat and explore in each city.

We cannot than Mieke enough for a wonderful trip to the Netherlands! Her thoroughness and attention to even the smallest detail was simply amazing!

Hotel Reviews
Singel hotel
Amsterdam

This hotel is conveniently located near the central train station. The staff was helpful and our room was clean and comfortable. The only drawback was that our stay coincided with a very warm spring day and the window in our room opened to another building only 6-7 feet away. As such, airflow was greatly reduced and our room was quite warm. Other than that, we would defintely recommend the Singel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Corps de Garde
Groningen

The Hotel Corps de Garde is a charming, characterful small hotel conveniently located just on the edge of the city center just opposite a canal. The staff were extremely friendly and helpful and provided exceptional service. Our room had beams and a window overlooking the canal. Air conditioning as a welcome bonus. Best of all was the breakfast each morning served in the pleasant dining room overlooking the canal. Breakfast included eggs prepared to order, sliced meats and cheeses, a variety of breads and croissants, as well as cereals, fruit, juice and coffee or tea.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Leonardo Hotel Utrecht City Center
Utrecht

This is a large hotel located in the city center. Our room was on the ground floor with a door to a courtyard seating area. Unfortunately, this proved to be quite noisy in the evening. Additionally, the men in the room next to us were easily heard through the wall which kept us awake until 2 a.m. While the bathroom was spacious and clean, the rest of the room looked "tired" and in need of updating. The carpet was not clean. The redeeming aspect of this hotel was the breakfast buffet that provided a wide variety in a top-floor dining room with a commanding view of the city.

Authenticity & Character
Please see above.
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Please see above.
The James Hotel Rotterdam
Rotterdam

We had asked to have a room no higher than the third floor since we do not use elevators. Upon our arrival we were informed that our room was on the sixth floor. Although the hotel was fully booked, they were able to accommodate us on the fourth floor and even upgraded us to a comfort room. We were amazed at the size of the room - large by American standards, but positively palatial for Europe! Our room had a king-sized bed, a seating area with tv, a refrigerator, and a spacious bathroom. Breakfast was included for which we were provided 10 euro vouchers per person with which we could select a variety of breakfast pastries, juice, smoothies, cereal, coffee, tea, yogurt, and miscellaneous. The hotel staff were friendly and accommodating. We greatly enjoyed our time at The James.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
CitizenM Schiphol
Amsterdam

Although this appears to be a somewhat non-descript hotel from the exterior, the interior is a highly polished with a modern, clean design. Many of the ground floor furnishings appear to be Herman Miller Eames design. Our hotel room was "pocket-size" but well-appointed with an i-Pad to operate the window shades and even the color of the lighting! Fun and funky decor and our room was spotlessly clean. Breakfast the next morning was buffet-style and included a wide variety of both hot and convenient grab & go options.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Within walking distance of the terminal.
Staff
Helpful and efficient.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Spotlessly clean!
Activity Reviews
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

It allowed us to hop on and off busses, trains, subways and even a water taxi.

Aalsmeer Flower Auction
Aalsmeer Flower Auction
Amsterdam

The sheer volume of flowers that are moved through this huge facility in a highly orchestrated fashion is nothing short of amazing. And the flowers were varied and beautiful!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our private driver to this attraction was a highlight of our trip!
Transport
Rotterdam - Private Guided Cycle Tour
Rotterdam - Private Guided Cycle Tour
The Netherlands

Tamara, our guide, was informative and had a lively sense of humor. We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Rotterdam - harbor boat tour
Rotterdam - harbor boat tour
The Netherlands

The tour gave us the opportunity to see one of the world's busiest ports in action from a vantage point that we would not otherwise have had.

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 31, 2024

Dear Jan & family, Thank you for taking the time to review your trip. Glad you have enjoyed and have survived climbing the Martini tower in Groningen and spending time with your family here.
Your feedback about the different hotels is also very valuable for us, thank you so much!
Wishing you all the best,
Mieke