Holland Summer Journey

An Extraordinary Summer Journey in the Northern Netherlands 👌🏻 🌞 ⛵️ 🍻

A week spent in the delightful summer warmth of Holland, where you can fully engage with and appreciate its rich water culture, will create cherished memories that last a lifetime. This carefully crafted itinerary leads you through the stunning landscapes of North Holland & Friesland and around the historical former Zuiderzee, while showcasing one of the Netherlands’ most remarkable engineering feats, the impressive Afsluitdijk. Who else can proudly say they’ve explored ancient Dutch dolmens, savored delicious Fries Suikerbrood, and gained valuable insights into Operation Market Garden—all within just one incredible week?

We kick off our tour with a delightful and immersive experience: an Indonesian cooking class! You might be wondering why we’ve chosen this unique culinary adventure. Well, it turns out that Indonesian cuisine is immensely popular among the Dutch, often enjoyed once or even twice a week by many families. The aromatic ingredients—such as ginger, chili peppers, garlic, turmeric, lemongrass, and a variety of spices—will truly awaken your palate and excite your senses. Throughout the trip, we’ll also have plenty of opportunities to savor traditional Dutch dishes that reflect the rich culinary heritage of this beautiful country.

Start the day with an exciting visit to the Netherlands’ most famous—and perhaps the most unpronounceable—site for windmills: Zaanse Schans! Here, you can immerse yourself in the fascinating story of Gouda cheese and even visit one of the iconic windmills situated within this picturesque area before taking some time to explore the charming tiny village on your own at a leisurely pace.

In the afternoon, hop aboard a ferry that will take you across the breathtaking Waddenzee, a UNESCO World Heritage site that spans the northern coasts of not only the Netherlands but also Germany and Denmark. This journey offers stunning views and a unique perspective on this remarkable natural landscape.

Texel was voted one of Europe’s top ten destinations by Lonely Planet in 2016, and for good reason. The island offers a wealth of experiences, from spotting seals and porpoises to exploring the charming harbor and its traditional fishing town, as well as savoring the famous Texels lamb and locally brewed beer. Additionally, Texel is known for being home to one of the most significant closing chapters of the Second World War within the Netherlands.

We make our way back to mainland Holland to continue our journey over one of the most impressive features of Dutch water engineering, which showcases the ingenuity and skill of the country’s engineers, the Afsluitdijk, which closed of the Zuiderzee completely, saving Amsterdam and many other cities from flooding.

In the afternoon, we spend time in Franeker, one of the renowned eleven cities that are part of the famous elfstedentocht. Franeker is home to a truly special UNESCO World Heritage-listed planetarium—the Eise Eisinga Planetarium—which draws visitors from far and wide.

Next, we visit Leeuwarden, a vibrant city known for its literary heritage and as the proud capital of Friesland. It serves as an ideal starting point for exploring all that this beautiful region has to offer.

Friesland or Fryslan, in the northern Netherlands, is a province defined by water, open skies, and strong cultural identity. It’s home to the famous Eleven Cities (Elfstedentocht) ice-skating route and countless lakes ideal for sailing. The Frisian people have their own recognized language, Frisian, which is still spoken alongside Dutch. Historic towns like Leeuwarden, Sneek, and Hindeloopen showcase centuries of maritime heritage and charming canals. With its windmills, grazing sheep, and Wadden Sea views, Friesland offers a peaceful, authentic slice of Dutch life away from the crowds.

Set off early to fully experience the stunning typical Frisian lakes from the comfort of a sailboat. After your adventure on the water, return in the afternoon and take your time exploring Leeuwarden at your leisure.

Leeuwarden
– Climb the Oldehove Tower, the city’s leaning tower, for great views and a bit of humor (it tilts more than Pisa’s!).
– Stroll the historic center, filled with canals, bridges, and cozy cafés — it feels like a small, less touristy Amsterdam.
– Visit the Fries Museum, which tells the story of Friesland’s culture, art, and resistance during WWII.
– Explore the Birthplace of Mata Hari, now a small museum dedicated to the world-famous dancer and spy.
– Take a canal cruise or rent a boat to see the city from the water, and end your day with dinner in the trendy Blokhuispoort, a former prison turned cultural hotspot with restaurants and boutiques.

Depart Leeuwarden in the morning and drive southeast toward Assen, the cultural heart of Drenthe. Visit the Drents Museum, known for its impressive collection of prehistoric artifacts, regional art, and the famous bog bodies that reveal life thousands of years ago. After lunch in Assen’s charming town center, continue your journey through the rolling Drenthe countryside to explore several Hunebedden — ancient megalithic tombs that date back over 5,000 years, scattered near Borger and Havelte. In the afternoon, visit the Kamp Westerbork Memorial and Museum, a poignant site that tells the story of the former transit camp and honors the victims of the Holocaust. Conclude your day with a scenic drive to Giethoorn, the “Venice of the North,” where you can enjoy a peaceful evening surrounded by canals, thatched cottages, and quiet waterside restaurants.

Spend the day exploring Giethoorn, one of the most picturesque villages in the Netherlands. Begin with a guided boat tour through its peaceful canals, gliding past charming thatched farmhouses, wooden bridges, and flower-filled gardens. Spend the rest of the day as you please. You can choose to go Zwolle, or stay in Giethoorn and visit the Museum Giethoorn ‘t Olde Maat Uus to learn about the village’s history of peat digging and life on the water. Enjoy lunch at a waterside restaurant or café, then rent a whisper boat or bicycle to explore the surrounding Weerribben–Wieden National Park, a stunning wetland full of birds and reeds. End your day back in the village, relaxing with a drink by the water.

Get ready for another action-packed day as we hit the road, focusing today on the significant Allied advance during Operation Market Garden. Our first stop will be the informative Airborne Museum, followed by a visit to a nearby historic battle site that played a crucial role in the operation. Afterward, we’ll head to the enchanting Muiderslot Castle, which was built specifically to defend Amsterdam from potential invaders. This stunning castle, encircled by a picturesque moat and featuring an impressive drawbridge alongside classic medieval towers, truly sparks your imagination. The evening is yours to enjoy in the charming city of Amsterdam, often referred to as the gem of the Netherlands with its beautiful canals and vibrant atmosphere.

Begin your morning in the city’s oldest neighborhood, where we’ll uncover one of its best-kept secrets: The Museum of Our Lord in the Attic. After that, we’ll embark on an engaging Amsterdam by Mouth tour, allowing you to savor all the delightful flavors this vibrant city has to offer as you taste your way through its diverse culinary scene. Enjoy sampling local delicacies and discovering hidden gems along the way!

We close our Journey with a beautiful canal cruise including drinks & bites in the late afternoon.

The Evening is yours to prepare for your ongoing journey the next day.

• Nine days Amsterdam to Amsterdam
• Maximum of fifteen people
• 2800 euro
• Short journey times
• Guaranteed fun
• Fully guided
• All transportation during the program included
• VIP vehicle transporation
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Arrive early or stay longer in Amsterdam to explore all the corners of this magnificent city.

Reading – Amsterdam & New Amsterdam by Russell Shorto
– Arrive in Amsterdam ahead of time to discover the city at your leisure.
– We recommend to book your Anne Frank tickets in advance befor or after the Dutch Summer Journey (tickets go live every tuesday at 10AM local time, six weeks prior to date).
– Consider extending your stay in Amsterdam, exploring more of the Netherlands, or traveling onward to Brussels, Berlin, Paris, or London via Eurostar.

The following is included

• Nine hotel nights including breakfast.
• All Transportation during the program
• All entrance fees during the program
• Fully guided
• One meal + one late lunch
• Fun!

The following is not included in the Journey price

• FLIGHTS: start in Brussels and finish in Amsterdam
• Travel insurance – required
• Extra expenditures like non included meals, souvenirs and entrances fees outside of the Benelux journey – the Tulip Edition

We do our very best to keep your journey exactly as planned. Sometimes, due to weather, local events, or availability, small changes may occur. If a hotel or activity needs to be adjusted, we’ll always ensure you receive the same level of quality and comfort.

All accommodations used by Dutch Cultural Journeys are carefully selected for their comfort, location, and local charm. While we make every effort to confirm the hotels listed in your itinerary, circumstances beyond our control may occasionally require us to substitute accommodations of a similar or higher standard.

Rooming arrangements are based on the room type requested at the time of booking (for example, twin, double, or single). Specific room requests (such as bed type, adjoining rooms, views, or accessibility features) will be communicated to the hotels but cannot be guaranteed.

In some historic or boutique properties, room sizes, layouts, and amenities may vary even within the same category. Any hotel taxes, resort fees, or incidental charges (such as minibar, laundry, or room service) are the responsibility of the guest unless otherwise stated in your booking confirmation.
Hermitage Hotel Amsterdam or similar

We aim to secure the most centrally situated hotels in each city, taking into account the level of comfort you desire.

Payment can be made through our secure payment partner Wise, which offers the lowest fees and excellent exchange rates. You can simply use a regular ACH bank transfer to send payment directly to our Dutch Journeys Wise account. Just send us a message, and we’ll provide you with the details and step-by-step instructions.

Dutch Cultural Journeys understands that travel plans may change. All cancellations must be submitted in writing (by email) and are subject to the following terms unless otherwise stated in your booking confirmation.

Cancellation fees are calculated based on the time of notice before the start of the tour:

• More than 60 days prior: Full refund minus any non-refundable deposits or supplier costs (such as prepaid hotels or entrance tickets).
• 30–59 days prior: 50% refund of the total tour price.
• Less than 30 days prior: No refund can be guaranteed.

Unused portions of a tour, including missed meals, accommodations, or activities, are non-refundable. Refunds can only be issued to the original form of payment.

If Dutch Cultural Journeys must cancel a tour due to unforeseen circumstances (e.g., safety concerns, extreme weather, or supplier closures), travelers will be offered either a full refund or the option to reschedule for a future date.

info@dutchculturaljourneys.com
+31625543750 (please use Whatsapp)