Amsterdam Explorer

Welcome to the picture-perfect city of Amsterdam, buzzing with bicycles and boats. Every alley leads to another cosy bruin café and the canals are more plentiful than in Venice. Delve into the gezelligheid of Amsterdam during a city orientation – to see its beautifully preserved medieval buildings and tree-lined canals. Then, enjoy a Welcome Reception and laid-back city cruise along the winding canals, soaking up the alluring setting as you enjoy a light meal. (WR) Stay: NH Amsterdam Centre

This morning, we Dive Into Culture and enjoy a Small Group Sightseeing tour of the Rijksmuseum, home to masterpieces of Rembrandt, Hals and Vermeer. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city your way. Visit the floating flower market or stroll along the gabled façades that line Amsterdam's ring of canals. End your day with delicious local flavours at one of the city's many cosy restaurants. However you choose to spend your day, you're in for a gezellig time in one of Europe's cutest capitals. (B)

Take a trip back in time to discover the centuries-old traditions of Holland stopping in the pretty town of Haarlem. We join a Local Specialist this morning for a visit to the Corrie ten Boom House and Museum. Learn how this watchmaker helped countless Jews escape Nazi persecution during World War II, which ultimately led to her arrest. Dive Into Culture on a visit to historic Zaanse Schans where you'll step back in time to discover the art of carving traditional wooden clogs.

Learn about the Zuiderzee and the incredible story of the Dutch battle against the encroaching sea to reclaim the land as we travel on to the fishing village of Volendam on the shores of the IJsselmeer. Here we will meet Tom, miller of Katwoude, to investigate the inner-workings of one of the country's many iconic windmills before paying a visit to a nearby farm for a taste of delicious Dutch cheeses. This evening, we Connect With Locals to enjoy a home-cooked dinner with the Pauw family during an exclusive Be My Guest experience. (B/BMG)

You'll get to explore Amsterdam your way today. Don your most comfortable shoes, this is a city for walking. Spend the day tracing Amsterdam's elaborate canal system and admire the centuries-old gabled homes that jostle for their spot overlooking the water. Sit back in a leafy plein and enjoy a crisp pils as you watch the busy Amsterdammers go about their day. You could choose to brave the city streets like the locals by bike. Pedal along the tree-lined canals and over bridges bound for some of the city's great highlights like the Westerkerk, tranquil Jordaan and Vondelpark. (B)

The powerful aroma of delicious Dutch cheese will infuse our senses today. Seemingly frozen in time with its beautiful 15th-century town hall and medieval cheese weighing station, Gouda's status as a cheese trading town dates back to the Middle Ages. Dive Into Culture and witness this proud tradition first-hand in the town's beautiful market square, before spending the rest of the day at leisure (Please note, during the opening of Keukenhof, an excursion to see the tulip fields will be included instead of the visit to Gouda).

Returning to Amsterdam this evening, you'll be treated to a superb Farewell Dinner in the heart of the city. (B/FD)

The time has come to bid tot ziens to the magnificent city and your fellow travellers after an enjoyable encounter with Amsterdam and the surrounding Dutch countryside. (B)