Tour Suggestion
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam & First Impressions
Upon arrival at Amsterdam Airport, you will be welcomed by a local professional guide. After meeting the guide at the airport, you will board a private coach and transfer to the hotel. As hotel rooms will not yet be available, luggage will be stored securely at the hotel.
Afterwards, the coach will continue to the city center of Amsterdam, where you will experience one of the city’s highlights: a scenic canal cruise of approximately one hour. This relaxing cruise along Amsterdam’s famous canals offers a wonderful introduction to the city, passing historic canal houses, charming bridges, and iconic landmarks while learning about Amsterdam’s history and daily life.
Following the canal cruise, return by coach to the hotel. Check-in will be available in the afternoon, allowing time to freshen up and rest after the transatlantic journey.
In the evening, the day concludes with a welcome dinner at the hotel, providing a comfortable and social setting for the group to relax, enjoy Dutch hospitality, and officially begin their stay in the Netherlands.
Day 2: Excursion to Zaanse Schans & Volendam
After breakfast, the group will depart for a full-day excursion accompanied by a local guide and private coach. The journey leads to the picturesque Dutch countryside north of Amsterdam.
The first stop is Zaanse Schans, an open-air heritage area famous for its traditional windmills and historic wooden houses. The visit includes entrance to the Zaanse Schans Museum, where guests gain insight into Dutch industrial history and traditional craftsmanship.
Afterwards you will visit a cheese dairy factory, where traditional Dutch cheese production is explained, often with tastings included. Furthermore at a wooden clog (shoemaking) manufacturing you will learn during a live demonstration how the iconic Dutch clogs are made.
Afterwards, the tour continues to the charming fishing village of Volendam, located on the former Zuiderzee. Here, you will enjoy free time to explore at your own pace, strolling along the harbor, shopping for souvenirs, taking photos in traditional costume studios, or enjoying lunch or refreshments at one of the seaside cafés.
In the late afternoon, return to Amsterdam by coach. The evening is free, allowing to dine independently, explore the city, or relax at the hotel.
Day 3: Amsterdam City Tour & Cruise Embarkation
After breakfast and check-out, luggage will be loaded onto the coach. You will transfer from the hotel to the city center of Amsterdam, where you will join a guided walking city tour lasting approximately two hours.
Accompanied by a local guide, the walking tour introduces to Amsterdam’s most notable sights and neighborhoods, such as historic squares, canals, and architectural landmarks, while learning about the city’s history, culture, and modern lifestyle.
Following the walking tour, you will be transferred by coach to the Amsterdam Cruise Port for embarkation. This marks the end of the Amsterdam land program and the beginning of the cruise experience.
Optional Excursion Ideas
Excursion to Kinderdijk Windmills & Stroopwafel Experience
This full-day excursion takes the group into the heart of the Dutch landscape and culinary tradition.
Accompanied by a local guide and traveling by private coach, the group departs Amsterdam for Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most iconic windmill areas in the Netherlands. Upon arrival, guests will enjoy a guided visit of the windmill area, learning about the historic water management system and the vital role windmills played in protecting the Netherlands from flooding. Time is provided to explore the surroundings, take photos, and enter selected windmills (subject to availability).
The excursion continues with a visit to a traditional stroopwafel manufacturing facility. Here, guests are introduced to the production process of the famous Dutch caramel waffle, from dough preparation to baking and filling. The visit concludes with a fresh stroopwafel tasting, offering an authentic and delicious local experience.
In the late afternoon, the group returns to Amsterdam by coach.
Visit of the Heineken Experience (Amsterdam)
This half-day excursion offers an interactive insight into one of the Netherlands’ most famous brands.
The group travels by coach or on foot (depending on hotel location) to the former Heineken Brewery in Amsterdam, now home to the Heineken Experience. During the guided or self-guided visit, guests learn about the history of the Heineken family, the brewing process, and the global success of the brand through multimedia displays and interactive exhibits.
The visit includes beer tastings at the end of the tour. Non-alcoholic alternatives are available. After the visit, free time is provided in the surrounding area, which offers cafés, museums, and shopping opportunities, before returning independently or by coach.
Excursion to Rotterdam
This full-day excursion introduces the group to the modern and innovative side of the Netherlands.
With a local guide and private coach, the group departs Amsterdam for Rotterdam, the country’s second-largest city and home to Europe’s largest port. Upon arrival, the group enjoys a guided city tour, highlighting Rotterdam’s striking modern architecture, such as the Erasmus Bridge, Cube Houses, and the Markthal.
Time is available to explore the city center, enjoy lunch at the Markthal, or visit museums and shops independently. Depending on timing, the program may include a harbor cruise offering insight into the world’s most important ports.
In the afternoon, the group returns to Amsterdam by coach.
Copyright program and pictures: © APPINA TRAVEL GmbH
