Famous for its tulips, windmills, and wooden clogs, The Netherlands is a delightful country with scenic landscapes, historic monuments, and vibrant cities. You’ll get to know the country on this affordable tour starting and ending in Amsterdam. The capital of Holland is a pleasant, 700-year-old city whose elegant and classic architecture, cafés and restaurants, renowned museums, and picturesque canals—not to mention the bike paths throughout the city—make for a pleasurable atmosphere. Hop on a boat cruise—the best way to see Amsterdam—through the elegant canals lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” Stay in Rotterdam, South Holland’s capital, a young city with the world’s busiest port and known for its modern architecture and design, as well as in some of the minor but interesting towns where you’ll discover the rural atmosphere of this country. The Netherlands is known for legendary flower production, on selected departures visit the spectacular 70-acre Keukenhof garden to see the incredible display of a kaleidoscope of seven million flower bulbs. You’ll also enjoy a visit to the Royal Delft Pottery Factory to see how this precious pottery is made. Visit Gouda, known for its namesake cheese and seasonal cheese market, regularly held on the medieval Markt square. Take a stroll in Volendam, known for its old fishing boats, characteristic small houses, drawbridges, and canals. Additionally, drive over the 19-mile Barrier Dam, constructed to protect the part of Holland that is below sea level. For the value-minded travel lover wanting to have an in-depth experience of the Netherlands, this is the perfect adventure!
The world is within reach with everything you need for perfectly affordable touring. Cosmos includes hand-selected accommodations, guided sightseeing, and seamless transportation between destinations—with value-minded travel lovers in mind. Explore with expert Cosmos Tour Directors and Local Guides, complimentary headsets, and private, first-class, air-conditioned motorcoach with free Wi-Fi. And that's not all! Your tour includes a canal boat ride in Amsterdam. Enhance your free time to explore like a local with your CosmosGO mobile app! Your Tour Includes:• Canal cruise in Amsterdam with Local Guide• Visit to Keukenhof Gardens or Orientation drive in The Hague, featuring key landmarks • Visit to Royal Pottery in Delft• Guided sightseeing in Rotterdam• Gouda cheese workshop • Stop at WWII battle site at John Frost bridge in Arnhem• Orientation tour of Giethoorn• Orientation tour of Groningen• Orientation tour of Volendam
Notes: On departures April 4 to May 2, The Hague orientation drive will be replaced by the visit of Keukenhof.
Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free to explore Amsterdam on your own with the help of the CosmosGO app. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and travel companions. (D) Dinner
Day 2 AMSTERDAM
For centuries, this tiny nation of seafaring traders played a leading role in world history. It reclaimed 40% of its territory from the sea and produces a healthy agricultural surplus amid Europe’s most densely populated area—yet Holland manages to remain quaint and scenic. Your day begins with a canal cruise to see Amsterdam from water level, and the visit of a diamond center, watching skilled craftsmen cut and polish precious stones. Enjoy the afternoon exploring on your own, perhaps by browsing one of the many marvelous museums or looking both ways in the city where bicycles outnumber cars by four times! (B) Breakfast
Day 3 AMSTERDAM–THE HAGUE/KEUKENHOF–DELFT–ROTTERDAM
Begin your day with an orientation drive of The Hague to see the Dutch Parliament and the International Court of Justice, or, during the tulip blooming season, see some of the 7 million flowers planted annually at the world-famous Keukenhof—one of the world’s largest flower gardens (departures April 4 to May 2 and weather permitting). Continue to historic Delft to visit the famous Royal Delft pottery factory. See how this exquisite pottery is made, and marvel at the magnificent collection of hand-painted earthenware. Continue to Rotterdam, the world’s busiest port, to marvel at the city’s futuristic architecture during your sightseeing with a Local Guide.
Today’s Distance: 103 mi/ 165 km (B) Breakfast
Day 4 ROTTERDAM–GOUDA–ARNHEM
Arrive in Gouda, renowned for its cheese! Stroll around the picturesque narrow streets to the medieval Market Square, see the Gothic-style Town Hall with its red and white shutters and the Goudse Waag used for cheese weighing in the 17th-century. Then, enjoy your interactive cheese experience. Next, is Arnhem, site of the WWII Battle of Arnhem, where you will see John Frost Bridge, named after the commander of the British forces that held the bridge for four days. Enjoy time on your own to do some independent exploring.
Today’s Distance: 75 mi/ 120 km (B) Breakfast
Day 5 ARNHEM–GIETHOORN–GRONINGEN
This morning, head for the village of Giethoorn, built on canals for a more quaint version of Venice or Amsterdam. Discover the idyllic storybook scenes while floating on an optional canal cruise, then flip for delicious Dutch pancakes as a light lunch. Continue to Groningen and spend some time exploring this important trade hub of the 13th century but hailed today as the “World Cycling City.” In fact, its center is entirely pedestrianized and boasts a dense network of cycle paths that make the city one of the most bike-friendly in the Netherlands.
Today’s Distance: 140 mi/ 225 km (B) Breakfast
Day 6 GRONINGEN–VOLENDAM–AMSTERDAM
Cross over the 19-mile Barrier Dam, which is part of an incredible system of 1,200 miles of dikes, dams, and dunes built over the last 900 years to protect the part of the Netherlands that is below sea level. Visit a wooden clog workshop, then continue to the fishing village of Volendam. Return to Amsterdam and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.
Today’s Distance: 140 mi/ 225 km (B,D) BreakfastDinner
Day 7 AMSTERDAM
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)
Accommodations
Amsterdam Area
Rotterdam
Arnhem Area
Groningen
NH Schiphol First-Class
Hotel as shown or similar
Holiday Inn Express Central Station Superior Tourist-Class
Destination & Sightseeing
Destination & Sightseeing
ITINERARY
Dinner
Breakfast
Accommodations
