Amsterdam & Beyond: Discover The Netherlands
As you start to make travel plans for 2022, an in-depth exploration of The Netherlands looks fine indeed. Poe Travel has partnered with our trusted friends at Fine Fleur to bring you an exclusive itinerary.
Photo courtesy of Fine Fleur
The idea of getting back to Europe appeals to keen travelers who have missed being across the Atlantic for the last couple of years. The Netherlands is a country that doesn’t get explored enough. Too often, travelers simply stop into Amsterdam for a couple of days and then jet off to another destination. However, we sat down with our friends at Fine Fleur to craft a week-long itinerary to help you get to know the Netherlands in-depth.
In The Netherlands, old and new come together seamlessly as modern architecture and centuries-old windmills co-exist within the same area. It’s home to Dutch masters such as Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Vermeer, and more. Cafés in The Netherlands are what pubs are to the UK and are perfect for socializing and enjoying varied views, from ancient, cobbled lanes to pretty flower-dotted canals. The country is also made for cyclists with 32,000 kilometers of cycling paths.
As always, itineraries at Poe Travel are bespoke and tailored just to you, so this sample itinerary is only a jumping-off point. Our knowledgeable team is ready to put together a customized version for you based on your interests, energy levels, and vision for your trip.
Day 1
Arrival Day
Upon arrival in Amsterdam, a private driver will transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Poe Travel will determine the best hotel for you depending on your preferences. There are multiple hotels in Amsterdam that are part of our exclusive Virtuoso network, meaning we will be able to provide you with some fabulous Poe Perks to enhance your stay.
Photo courtesy of Fine Fleur
This afternoon, why not get acquainted with the city by touring a microbrewery? Located under the tallest windmill in Amsterdam, this microbrewery gives you the chance to sample delicious craft beers (perfect to alleviate jet lag!) while admiring one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
We can assist with dining recommendations and reservations throughout your journey to ensure you sample the best your destination has to offer.
Day 2
Amsterdam Explorations
This morning, the conservator of the Van Loon Museum will give you a privately guided tour, giving you the chance to view house of the Amsterdam regent family Van Loon in its original glory. We particularly love the exceptional gardens and carriage house.
Delight your inner foodie this afternoon during a privately guided food tasting walking tour in the Jordaan area, which is full of local boutiques and hidden gems. Today’s tour will take you to inner courtyards and gardens to taste local delicacies. This area is beloved by locals, so it is less crowded while still lively. Sample a selection of cheeses, Surinamese street food, stroopwafels, fries, fish, and more.
End the day with an important visit for anyone visiting Amsterdam: the Anne Frank House. Anne Frank was a German-Dutch teenager of Jewish heritage. She and her family were forced into hiding during World War II, and Anne’s diary is one of the most important accounts of this time period. Visiting the museum allows you the chance to visit the Secret Annex where the Frank and Van Pels families hid for more than two years.
Photo courtesy of Fine Fleur
Day 3
Culture & Canals
This morning is for art lovers! Your private guide will take you first to the Rijksmuseum, which celebrates the Dutch masters, and then next door to the Van Gogh Museum. This tour can be a quick one for casual art appreciators or a more in-depth one for the real art aficionados.
Next, take to the waters as you board an historical saloon boat for your private lunch cruise. Onboard, you’ll be introduced to Amsterdam by your guide, and you’ll enjoy a lovely lunch along the way.
To round-off the day, enjoy a 1.5-hour walking tour. Depending on your interests, you might want to focus on World War II and Jewish heritage in Amsterdam. Alternatively, learn about Dutch colonial times by finding hidden treasures in the city.
Day 4
Van Gogh in the Countryside
Today will take you out of the city. Your private driver and guide will first show you the Museum Kröller-Müller, about an hour outside of the city. The museum plays host to the world’s second largest Van Gogh collection, featuring almost ninety paintings and more than 180 drawings. You can also admire one of the largest sculpture gardens in Europe with more than 160 sculptures by a variety of artists.
After lunch, discover the beauty of the Hoge Veluwe National Park. Depending on your energy levels, you can choose to cycle, walk, or drive through it. The park itself covers 5,500 hectares of forests, heaths, grassy plains, and sand drifts and is home to wildlife such as deer, mouflon, and wild boar. You’ll be returned to Amsterdam this evening in time for dinner.
Day 5
Cycle Amsterdam
One of the best ways to explore Amsterdam is on a bicycle. In fact, there are more bicycles than people in the Dutch capital! A cycling tour with a private guide will show you the city center highlights along with some more tucked-away sites.
Choose from a variety of activities this afternoon. Indulge in a guided shopping spree in the Nine Streets, where a local host and Amsterdam fashionista can point out all the hippest boutiques—and maybe even the best Dutch cookies in town! Alternatively, try out a flower-arranging masterclass, in which you will design the perfect bouquet and learn about Dutch flower culture. If you’re looking for something that’s ultra-Instagrammable, try out a chocolate-making class to become a true chocolatier.
Day 6
The Hague & Delft
Your private driver will transfer you to The Hague, about an hour away. Vsit the Mauritshuis Museum, where you can view the famous Girl with the Pearl Earring amongst other treasures. You can also see the Prime Minister’s office next door as you explore this majestic town on foot.
Photo courtesy of Fine Fleur
After lunch, your driver will take you half an hour to Delft. Choose your afternoon’s activities based on your interests. A general overview tour will see you visit the famous Royal Blue Delftware Pottery Factory and museum, climb the tower of the New Church (where the Dutch royal family’s graves can be found), explore the lovely city center, and visit the Prinsenhof Museum.
For something a little different, you could choose a private baking workshop instead. This is a fun culinary experience in a small bakery along one of Delft’s many canals. The owner of the bakery has worked around the world, including in a Michelin-starred restaurant, and can help you create traditional Dutch sweets like stroop cookies, coconut macaroons, and shortbread. Late in the afternoon, you’ll be returned to Amsterdam to enjoy the evening at leisure.
Day 7
Windmills & More
Your private guide and driver will take you to Zaanse Schans Windmills this morning for a private boat tour which provides an exclusive view of the windmills, affording you the best vantage point for photographs. Your skipper and guide will share stories about the mills and the region. You’ll also visit a mill and learn about the milling process.
Afterwards, head to Volendam. Enjoy lunch at the Hotel Spaander, famous for its art collection. Back in the day, painters paid for their meals with pieces of art, so the hotel has amassed an impressive selection of artwork. Afterwards, enjoy a walking tour of Volendam’s streets, the famous “Dijk,” and the old harbor.
Round out your day with a visit to Marken, a monumental peninsula village. Learn about the architecture of the fishermen’s houses along with the village’s folklore and traditions. Walk along a trail for views of the picturesque “Horse of Marken” lighthouse. You’ll be returned to Amsterdam this evening.
Photo courtesy of Fine Fleur
Day 8
Farewell with Flowers
It’s your last day in The Netherlands, and this special day is the best way to bid farewell. Your private driver will take you to the famous Keukenhof area, where you will arrive at a charming family-owned flower farm. Meet the owners, who will share their story and show you around their farm. The flower fields are the perfect spot for a photo op.
Spend the afternoon on a private bicycle tour in Lisse. Cycle along extensive fields of tulips, passing a 14th-century monument along with several museums and windmills. Stop for a half-hour break at another flower farm, where you can enjoy magnificent views and reflect on your time exploring this glorious country.
The Netherlands might be a small country, but it packs a punch. This itinerary has us ready to tiptoe through the tulips, sample some Dutch baked goods, and cycle our hearts out.
If you would like to Go Away to The Netherlands (or anywhere else in the world), simply contact us. We will create a customized itinerary based off of your personal interests and preferences to set you on your way.