Amsterdam is a city, but it is also a country by itself, a small nation inside a larger one”, wrote Geert Mak in ‘Amsterdam: a brief life of the city’. You’ll probably not only find the city different from the rest of Holland, but also different to anywhere else you have been. Take any city of comparable size in any country and you’ll conclude that Amsterdam is exceptional. With its 175 nationalities it is the most multicultural city in the world. It has the appeal of a metropolis yet at the same time it doesn’t seem bigger than a huge village full of little wonders to explore. Who doesn’t get enchanted by the small inner court ‘Begijnhofje’ (Beguinage), an oasis of peace in the middle of the bustling centre, the charming ‘Milkmaid’ of Vermeer or the romantically lighted canals by night
Day 1 Arrival and Day at Leisure
Arrival at Amsterdam airport, where you are met and transferred to the 4 star NH Collection Amsterdam Barbizon Palace (or similar 4 star hotel) with accommodation in superior room including breakfast daily.
Time at leisure to explore the city center.
Day 2 Amsterdam Jordaan District Food Walking Tour
Taste Amsterdam’s culinary specialties on this 4-hour walking tour of the historical Jordaan district. Following a passionate foodie guide, visit some favorite local food shops and eateries to eat like the Dutch do, from smoked sausage to gouda to herring. Learn about Jordaan’s history and culture along the way. Numbers are limited to 12 on this small-group tour, ensuring a more personalized experience
Meet your guide in Amsterdam’s Jordaan district, right outside of Café de Prins. Come hungry, as the tastings you’ll enjoy today add up to a satisfying meal.
Once a working-class neighborhood, Jordaan is now a sought-after area full of specialty shops, inviting cafes and world-class restaurants. Walk along canals and past historical buildings and off-the-beaten-path cultural attractions on your way to some favorite local haunts, where you’ll meet the people keeping Dutch food traditions alive. Visit eight authentic food shops and eateries, and enjoy 12 tastings of Dutch specialties such as licorice, smoked sausage, herring, gouda cheese and bitterballen (fried meat balls), and try some unique Dutch food with an Indonesian flare.
In between stops, your guide — a passionate foodie and expert local — will entertain you with stories and insights into Amsterdam’s history and culture. Pause in front of Anne Frank House, find some hidden churches and discover what used to be in the Jordaan area hundreds of years ago.