Ever since its golden age in the 17th century when it was the richest metropolis in the world through to the heady counter-cultural days of the 1960s when a freewheeling attitude became the city’s standard modus operandi, the capital of The Netherlands has always been and is still undeniably a good-time destination for all eager comers. Boasting world-famous museums with the headlining acts of Rembrandt and Van Gogh, and an elaborate canal scape with gabled houses standing erect elbows to elbows, it is easy and perfectly justifiable to see why, but beyond the obvious beauty is where Amsterdam further shines. Peer further and discover the city’s unique appeal – cosmopolitan, historic, cosy and buzzy (and all at the same time) – with a customised Amsterdam tour package from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours and find out what truly makes one of Europe’s liveliest capitals tick.
Museum musings
Amsterdam has the highest museum density in the world providing hours and hours of insight and enjoyment for all sorts of cultural interests. There are over 60 world-class and varied venues but these are the three quintessential highlights for a great introduction. Recall the Dutch Golden Age at iconic Rijksmuseum, get close to the personal strokes of Van Gogh, one of the world’s most beloved European artists, at the Van Gogh Museum, and walk down memory’s lane at Anne Frank House where the true story of a Jewish girl living through the Nazi occupation unfolds movingly right before your eyes.
Get brewing with Heineken
Amsterdam is the birthplace of one of the world’s most recognisable international beers and for any lovers of the refreshing beverage, a 90-minute VIP tour through the old brewery where the first bottle of Heineken was brewed is definitely a worthy experience. Go behind the scenes and have an exclusive look at the massive copper vats and beer-wagon shire horses, go on a virtual reality ride to know how it feels like to be brewed and bottled and then get round to taste the goods with a private tasting of five selected premium beers with matching Dutch cheeses to cap off the experience.
Spring bloom
Keukenhof is certainly one of the world’s most beautiful spring gardens and a top day trip for anyone visiting Amsterdam. Popularly known as the “Garden of Europe”, the famous flower gardens burst into full bloom from mid-March to mid-May with rows of daffodils, hyacinths, and of course, tulips filling over 32 hectares of parkland with vivid colours and gorgeous smelling springtime fragrances. If you want to see the tulip, Holland’s most brilliant bud, in full bloom, set aside the whole month of April, monitor the seasonal forecast and mark out your calendar thereafter.
For more of The Netherlands, see:
Fall head over heels in love with one of Europe’s most open-minded cities with a customised Amsterdam tour package from Chan Brothers Travel Private Tours today. Call 6212 9935 or email privatetours@chanbrothers.com.sg for more information.
Highlights
Every itinerary can be fully customised according to needs, special interests, personal preferences and defining style of just about anyone who wants to travel privately and exclusively.
Assemble at Singapore Changi Airport for your flight to Amsterdam. Upon arrival, meet your driver and enjoy a private airport transfer to your hotel.
This morning, visit Zaanse Schans, the iconic Dutch village most famous for its picturesque windmills, once used to power production of paint, paper and many others. In this region, you will also see authentic houses, a tinware factory, a cheese and dairy factory and traditional Dutch crafts.
Windmill
Today, visit Keukenhof to explore 32 hectares of flower gardens and feel inspired by the abundance and perfume of more than 7 million bulbs in bloom at Keukenhof. Also, enjoy a canal cruise through the famous canals of Amsterdam and explore the stunning sea of flowers as you stroll through the most beautiful spring garden in the world. Then, transfer to Alkmaar. Start with a walking tour and pay a visit to a cheese museum to about the process of cheese making. Stroll along lively shopping streets and relax on one of the many terraces in Alkmaar.
Keukenhof Garden
After breakfast, get ready for a full-day tour of the Dutch countryside. Start at the picturesque streets of Marken and enjoy stunning views over the Markermeer lake. Visit a local museum to discover how the people of Marken used to live. Enjoy some free time before you catch the boat to Volendam. Upon arrival, embark on a short walking tour of the famous fisherman village and take in the streetscape of small buildings and charming houses with locals in their traditional Dutch clothing. Next, set off for the medieval village of Edam, also commonly referred to as Pearl of the Zuiderzee. Edam’s ancient streets and tranquil canals are lined by beautiful 17th-century buildings such as the leaning Carillon tower, Great Church and Town Hall.
Markermeer Lake
After breakfast, proceed to Giethoorn, a mostly car-free village in the northeastern Dutch province of Overijssel. It is known for its boat-filled waterways, footpaths, bicycle trails and historical thatched-roof houses. Visit Museum Giethoorn't Olde Maat Uus and experience how a typical farmhouse in Giethoorn looked like in olden days.
Giethoorn Water Boating
Enjoy a private airport transfer from your hotel to the airport for your flight home.