Dutch Treat

Treat yourself to extra time in one of Europe’s most captivating cities on our ‘Dutch Treat’ Amsterdam add-on. Designed to showcase the city’s heritage, this three-day extension immerses you in Amsterdam’s mercantile roots. Enhance your senses at the world’s largest flower auction. Say ‘cheese’ at Alkmaar’s traditional cheese market.

Embrace 17th-century Amsterdam when you meet Rembrandt, the master of realism, at his historic home and step into Amsterdam’s Golden Age at the Rijksmuseum, to meet thousands of the city’s past residents—one portrait at a time. Packed with Amsterdam’s most beloved experiences, this 3-day hosted extension is a true Dutch Treat. 

 

Itinerary Overview 

Day 1 Amsterdam 

Day 2 Amsterdam 

Day 3 Depart Amsterdam 

HIGHLIGHTS 

• Experience the world’s largest flower auction at Aalsmeer 

• Explore the life of the Dutch Masters from a personal point of view at the Rembrandt House 

• Delve into Amsterdam’s artistic treasures, with a locally guided tour of the Rijksmuseum 

• View a uniquely Dutch tradition at the weekly cheese market at Alkmaar 

 

DETAILED ITINERARY 

Day 1 Rembrandt House and the Rijksmuseum – Amsterdam 

Today, we will explore Amsterdam alongside our local guide, navigating the city by tram. Few images capture the essence of Holland as vividly as the countless portraits created by Rembrandt and his contemporaries. Whether through meticulous planning or sheer good fortune, their careers flourished throughout Amsterdam’s Golden Age—a time when having your portrait painted was the ultimate symbol of success. Any merchant worth his weight in diamonds had his portrait, his family’s portrait, his dog’s portrait and even a portrait of his favorite fruit, painted and proudly displayed. 

With a collection spanning 800 years of Dutch art, the Rijksmuseum boasts an impressive array of masterpieces, including numerous Rembrandts, several Van Goghs, and a few elusive Vermeers. Ranked among the top 20 most-visited galleries in Europe, this iconic museum offers a profound glimpse into the Dutch psyche across centuries by introducing us to hundreds of the people who founded and formed the nation. More than a gallery, the Rijksmuseum is a storybook of everything Dutch. 

Our exploration of Amsterdam’s Golden Age continues at Rembrandt’s House. In an era when artistic talent often ran in families, Rembrandt stood out, rising from the son of a miller to become a renowned artist so famous that he was known simply by his first name. Though a great artist, Rembrandt struggled with his finances and led a tumultuous life. This museum vividly brings 17th-century Holland to life, allowing you to follow Rembrandt’s journey from an ambitious celebrity artist to his eventual, debt-ridden departure. In the very studio where he created his masterpieces, you’ll gain insights into his painting techniques and etching methods, almost as if you’re observing him at work. 

Returning to our hotel, the late afternoon and evening are free to enjoy Amsterdam independently, before our early start tomorrow. 

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast 

 

Day 2 Aalsmeer flower auction and Alkmaar cheese market – Amsterdam 

For over 120 years, the flower merchants of Amsterdam have convened at Aalsmeer for an extraordinary weekday event that must be seen to be believed. Spanning a staggering 77,000 square meters (over 200 football fields), Royal FloraHolland is the workplace to more than 2,500 employees who trade in over 30,000 species of flowers and plants. With Dutch auction houses handling over 60% of the world’s weekly flower sales, an astonishing 43 million flowers and 5 million plants change hands on any given workday. Purchases are swiftly transported via an 18-kilometer (11-mile) network, allowing them to be moved from their point of sale to a departure point in just 10 minutes. 

Our early morning start affords us front seats at the world’s largest flower auction, which kicks off at 7:00am, while our guide regales us with jaw-dropping statistics and millions of flowers provide a sweet, scented backdrop to this floral extravaganza. 

Departing Aalsmeer we head north to experience an auction of a different scale but equal significance. Renowned for its exceptional dairy products, the Netherlands ranks consistently among the top 10 cheese producers and consumers globally. Despite European Union pressures to ban certain Dutch farming, traditional cheeses like Gouda and Edam remain integral to the nation’s identity. In the charming town of Alkmaar, we will immerse ourselves in the centuries-old Cheese Carriers Guild auction at the lively Friday morning cheese market, a celebration of color and heritage, and a quintessential Dutch experience. Our Alkmaar experience ends in true Dutch fashion – with a spot of cheese tasting. 

On returning to Amsterdam, this afternoon is free to enjoy some retail therapy or explore the city independently before we meet to farewell Amsterdam over a traditional Dutch meal, and perhaps a Heineken or two. 

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam (or similar)
Meals: Boxed breakfast, farewell dinner 

 

Day 3 Amsterdam – depart 

After breakfast, check-out of your hotel and transfer to the airport for your onward flight. (Note: This transfer is a group transfer departing at 09:00am. Private transfers can be booked for alternative times upon request (own expense). 

Meals: Breakfast 

 

 TOUR INCLUSIONS 

• Services of an English-speaking Vantage Explorations Tour Manager throughout your stay 

• Services of English-speaking local guides at sites / on excursions 

• 2 nights’ accommodation Amsterdam Hotel 

• Breakfast daily  

• Farewell dinner 

• Guided visit to Royal FloraHolland’s flower auction 

• Guided tour to Alkmaar’s Friday cheese market and auction 

• Guided tour of Rijksmuseum 

• Self-guided tour of Rembrandt House 

• Transport where applicable on private coach 

• 24-hour public transport ticket on day 1 

• Group transfers on Day 3 hotel to Schiphol Airport 

• All coach parking fees and coach permits 

• VAT and city taxes  

• Porterage for one piece of luggage upon departure 

• Gratuities for city guides and drivers  

 

TOUR EXCLUSIONS  

• Gratuity – Tour Manager 

• International or domestic flights  

• Transfers not mentioned in the itinerary  

• Airport arrival or departure taxes  

• Passport, visa, reciprocity fees and vaccination charges,  

• Hotels and meals not listed  

• Optional excursions not included in the itinerary  

• Optional activity surcharges  

• All items of a personal nature including but not limited to alcoholic beverages and soft drinks, laundry services, personal clothing, medical expenses, additional gratuities, Wi-Fi if not included at hotel, email or phone charges  

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