A Stay in Holland: An Art History Journey from Vermeer to Van Gogh

9 days from $5,240

Includes $250 Special savings / Special air rates available Apr. 16–24, Apr. 23–May 1, Apr. 30–May 8, Sept. 10–18, Oct. 1–9, 2024

Across the Netherlands, centuries-old art remains a palpable part of contemporary culture. World-class museums from the Mauritshuis to the Rijksmuseum house spectacular collections of the Dutch Masters, and painters like Frans Hals and Johannes Vermeer are integral to the identity of their hometowns. From your base in picturesque Haarlem, immerse yourself in the world of Dutch fine arts, viewing iconic works such as Rembrandt’s Night Watch, Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring, and van Gogh’s Sunflowers—along with a host of lesser-known gems. Explore the museums of the Hague and Delft, the architecture of Rotterdam, and the cheesemakers of Gouda; and discover an enormous van Gogh collection inside a national park.

Highlights Include

Haarlem: Settle into the rhythms of everyday life in Haarlem, a picturesque Dutch town of gabled houses, windmills, and cobbled streets that is just 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam. Enjoy a guided tour of the Frans Hals Museum, dedicated to Haarlem’s native son, and experience another side of Dutch culture during an Indonesian “rice table” dinner.

Amsterdam: Surround yourself with phenomenal art at the Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum; and the Rembrandt House Museum. Experience Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom on spring departures, or trace the city’s colorful history at the Amsterdam Museum in the fall. Take advantage of free time to explore this delightful city as you wish.

The Hague and Delft: Admire the work of Rembrandt, Bruegel, and Rubens on a guided tour of the Mauritshuis, home to one of the largest collections of Dutch and Flemish Masters. In Delft, hometown of Vermeer, see its namesake pottery and trace the town’s history at the Museum Prinsenhof Delft.

Hoge Veluwe National Park: Traverse grasslands, heath, and woods to the Kröller-Müller Museum, where a stunning array of 19th- and 20th-century European art includes paintings by Monet and Picasso and the second-largest van Gogh collection. Stroll through lovely sculpture gardens.

Gouda and Rotterdam: On a tour of Gouda, examine the famous stained-glass windows of Sint Jan Church and enjoy a tasting and history lesson about the city’s namesake cheese. In Rotterdam, encounter the innovative architecture and set sail on a harbor cruise.

Limited to 24 Smithsonian Journeys guests.