The Netherlands: Exploring Dutch Culture NEW

The Netherlands: Exploring Dutch Culture

10 days from $5,610 Immerse yourself in Dutch culture of the past and present as you explore world-famous art, handicraft traditions, and local delicacies from the historic canals of Amsterdam to avant-garde Rotterdam.

WHERE TO STAY

Ambassade Hotel – A canal-side hotel spread across ten of Amsterdam’s distinctive canal houses featuring individually designed rooms, the owner’s personal library, and a collection of original art. Hotel Indigo – A 19th-century bank building in the heart of The Hague with a riveting wartime history, evocative original features, and a chic, retro atmosphere. Suite Hotel Pincoffs – An intimate boutique hotel on Rotterdam’s trendy Left Bank, housed in a former customs building with a range of elegant rooms and a sustainable ethos.

HIGHLIGHTS

� Take a sunset canal cruise in Amsterdam, and gaze at the works of the

Old Masters in the stunning Mauritshuis Museum in The Hague. � Delve into Dutch traditions on visits to timeless villages, and encounter the historic windmills of Zaanse Schans. � Tour the Royal Delft Factory and create your own piece of Delftware pottery. � Sample traditional Dutch snacks on a private bike tour of innovative

Rotterdam.

The itinerary below is a sample of what’s possible. Your Smithsonian Tailor-Made Journey will be handcrafted just for you. Days 1 & 2 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Arrive in Amsterdam and settle into your hotel in the city center. Take an introductory walking tour with your private guide and join a sunset cruise along the city’s canals. Then enjoy a full day to experience Amsterdam as you wish. Delve into a world of art at the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum, or the Rembrandt House Museum. Trace World War II history at the Anne Frank Museum or the Dutch Resistance Museum, or explore the city by bike, as the locals do.

Day 3 – Edam, Marken, and Volendam

Set out on a full-day excursion to towns on the shores of the Markermeer reservoir. Take a guided walk in Edam and learn about the town’s history of cheese making. Ride the ferry to Marken to discover stilted houses and rural customs, then explore the labyrinthine fishery district and thriving port of Volendam.

Day 4 – Zaanse Schans and Amsterdam

On an outing with your private guide, meander among the centuries-old wooden houses of the Zaanse Schans, a recreated typical Dutch village. Stop at workshops where cheese and clogs are made and visit a working windmill. Return to Amsterdam for a free afternoon.

Days 5 & 6 – The Hague

Travel to The Hague, the seaside seat of government. Your private walking tour ends at the Mauritshuis Museum, a 17th-century mansion that houses a fabulous collection of works by the Dutch Masters, including little-known paintings by Rembrandt and Vermeer’s iconic Girl With a Pearl Earring. Take advantage of a day at leisure to explore the city and its environs.

Day 7 – Delft and The Hague

Explore the medieval gem of Delft on foot with your private guide. After free time over lunch, tour Royal Delft, the factory where renowned Delftware pottery has been produced since the 17th century. Then try your hand at creating your own piece during a tile-painting workshop.

Days 8–10 – The Hague and Rotterdam

After a free day to explore nearby towns of Utrecht or Leiden or visit the Keukenhof Gardens, depart for Rotterdam. The next morning, discover the city’s Cube Houses and historic harbor on a lively bicycle tour, stopping along the way to sample culinary delights. Enjoy an afternoon at leisure to visit one of the city’s museums. Depart the following day.