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Amsterdam Tours, Trips & Vacations

  • UNESCO World Heritage Canals - you can't miss them while on your Amsterdam vacation.
  • Take in a bit of Dutch culture while visiting the art of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
  • Stroll through the grounds of the Royal Palace on Dam Square, one of three residencies for use by the Dutch monarchy
  • Head into the heart of the city to the Old Centre for shopping, history, and a taste of culture
  • Venture to Centraal Station to take day trips outside of the city via train ride

Amsterdam is the capital of the Netherlands. With more than one million inhabitants in its urban area, it is the country's largest city and its financial and cultural centre. It is sometimes known as the “Venice of the North” because of its many beautiful canals that criss-cross the city, its impressive architecture and its more than 1,500 bridges, all to be experienced on Netherlands vacations. It is also a city of tolerance and diversity. It has all the advantages of a big city: rich culture, lively nightlife, international-class restaurants and a good transportation system it is relatively quiet, largely thanks to its extensive canals and little road traffic. Just watch out for the hundreds of bicycles which transport many Amsterdamers around the city!

Amsterdam has one of the largest historical city centres in Europe, with about 7,000 registered historic buildings. The streets have been largely unchanged since the 19th century. The centre consists of 90 islands linked by 400 bridges, some of them beautifully lit at night.

It is a city for exploring and strolling as the centre is fairly compact. A start to getting a real feel for Amsterdam would be to walk along the central canals such as the very attractive Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht, Herengracht and Singel. Take note of Amsterdam's vacation of the charming canal houses lined along the banks of the canals. Another way to familiarize oneself with the city is to take a leisurely canal cruise. For approximately one hour or so, one can experience a totally different perspective of Amsterdam.    

For the culturally inclined on Netherlands vacations, Amsterdam has a number of excellent art galleries. The principal gallery is the Rijksmuseum. Recently modernized, it possesses many masterpiece paintings of Dutch and World art including Rembrandt’s “Night watch”. The Van Gogh Museum contains the World’s largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh with more than 200 paintings and 500 drawings. The nearby Stedelijk Museum has one of the richest modern art collections in the World. 

Two other major museums of importance on an Amsterdam vacation are the Anne Frank House and the Rembrandt House. The former is where Anne Frank and her family lived in the annex of the building for two years hiding from the Nazis. Nowadays, the rooms at the Anne Frank House, though empty, still breathe the atmosphere of that period of time. The Rembrandt House is not an art gallery but is where the artist lived between 1639 and 1658. The house is a reconstruction of the painter’s life at that time.

Something totally different is the Heineken Experience. The museum part of the brewery shows authentic interiors, old photographs and state decorations the Heineken family received.  Another unusual site (and sight) is the Red Light District. Perhaps not on everyone’s visitation list, but it is still a colourful and safe area to walk around. The Begijnhof is entered via a narrow, vaulted passageway which leads to a charming garden surrounded by old houses. It was once occupied by devout celibate Begijn nuns but is now home to needy single women.

Dam Square is the very centre and heart of the city. The Royal Palace, which dominates the square, was originally used as the town hall and its classical facade and fine sculptures were intended to glorify the city of Amsterdam and its government. The vibrant and colourful Leidseplein is Amsterdam's most popular centre for nightlife attractions in Amsterdam with many restaurants, clubs, coffee shops, cinemas and theatres in the area. Another interesting district is Jordaan. Once a working-class area, it is now a sought-after place to live. Jordaan oozes the atmosphere with its narrow streets, picturesque canals, brown cafes, art galleries and unique shops. You can easily lose yourself in a pleasant stroll through the enchanting streets that connect the three main canals on an Amsterdam vacation.

For a respite from the city, a stroll in the major green space of Amsterdam, Vondelpark, will be very rewarding and enjoyable. Vondelpark is loved by Amsterdamers as well as visitors. It is full of people enjoying a sunny day, dog-walking, jogging, roller-skating, listening to music, people-watching, or just lazing about on the grass. Free concerts are given at the open-air theatre or in the summer, at the park's bandstand.

Extend your Stay

Consider an additional stopover to your Netherlands vacations on one of Goway's other European tours. You can also choose from a  Paris vacation, a Belgium vacation or a London vacation. This can be done stopping over en route to or from the Netherlands.

 

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Amsterdam, Netherlands

  • Classic European Sampler: London, Paris & Amsterdam

    MODERATE | TAILOR-MADE: Get to know three of Europe's finest capital cities on this quintessential vacation. With a range self-guided and group tours included, you'll discover pomp and glamor in London, sophistication in Paris and unique, Dutch charm in Amsterdam. Along the way, the many contrasts and cultures will introduce you to the joys of exploring Europe.
    Duration:
    13 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 3,279
    Trip Type:
    Classics (Bestsellers), Multi Country Vacation Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    England See Trip Details

  • Amsterdam & the Countryside

    FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Discover the canals and architecture of Europe’s northwest on this Dutch vacation. In Amsterdam, see masterworks by Rembrandt and Van Gogh and learn about the brewing process behind the world-famous Heineken beer before taking a day trip to nearby Belgium to explore the medieval wonders of Bruges.
    Duration:
    7 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,042
    Trip Type:
    Classics (Bestsellers), Tailor-made Travel Ideas
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  • Amsterdam Signature

    DELUXE | PRIVATE-GUIDED: Discover Amsterdam and its surroundings on this 5-day getaway. Cruise and cycle through the city’s elaborate canal system and see its artistic highlights. Then leave the city behind to tour some of the Netherlands’ loveliest towns and enjoy the sight of windmills and flowers along the water.
    Duration:
    5 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,186
    Trip Type:
    Private Experiences, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Netherlands See Trip Details

  • Classic European Discovery: Prague, Berlin & Amsterdam

    FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Enjoy stays in three distinctly different but exciting European cities. First discover the beautiful medieval architecture of Prague, then take in the vibrancy and dynamics of Berlin, capping it all off with the old-meets-new charm of Amsterdam.
    Duration:
    10 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 2,562
    Trip Type:
    Classics (Bestsellers), Multi Country Vacation Ideas, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
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  • Highlights of Amsterdam

    FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Get to know not only colourful Amsterdam and later visit Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague on an escorted bus tour. An excellent way to get acquainted with a fantastic corner of Europe, this quick getaway is an excellent addition to wider European trips.
    Duration:
    4 Days
    Prices From:
    US$ 1,009
    Trip Type:
    Stopovers/City Breaks, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Netherlands See Trip Details

  • Highlights of Brussels & Amsterdam

    FIRST-CLASS | TAILOR-MADE: Discover the highlights of Belgium and the Netherlands on this 8-day whirlwind adventure. Starting in Brussels and ending in Amsterdam, you’ll explore charming cityscapes, visit the medieval towns of Ghent and Bruges, stroll alongside windmills in the Dutch countryside, and marvel at artistic masterpieces by Rubens, Van Gogh, and Rembrandt.
    Duration:
    8 Days
    Prices:
    On request
    Trip Type:
    Small Group Touring, Tailor-made Travel Ideas
    Belgium See Trip Details
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