You may think you know the Netherlands, but there’s more to this country than windmills and clogs. Our Spring Fling has been lovingly crafted to show you the things you expect, but also a local side of Dutch culture. Sarah has been spending a lot of time in the Netherlands in recent years, and would like to share everything she’s learned from her Dutch family. In this fun Staycation, we will dazzle you with tulips, treat you to gorgeous villages, and perplex you with greasy food dispensed from a wall.
If you’ve always dreamed of seeing Holland at its finest, join us for our first Dutch treat.
Day One
Overnight: Utrecht
Welkom in Nederland!
This afternoon we will meet at our boutique hotel in the charming city of Utrecht. After introductions, we will stroll the city center and learn a bit about Dutch culture. As we would do if we were visiting our Dutch family, we will share an Indonesian rijstafel dinner, where you’ll get to try the flavors of their famous former colony.
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Day Two
Overnight: Utrecht
Amsterdam
This morning, we will try out the Dutch train system and head into Amsterdam. Our focus for the morning is the art of the Golden Age, when Dutch traders were patrons of famous artists. We will visit Rembrandt’s home and studio, where we will get our hands dirty with a workshop. A local guide will join us for a stroll across the city, combining history and street food for a moveable feast. Will you eat from the wall or try the herring with me? Or the nuclear war frites? Our walk will end at the Rijksmuseum, where we will tour its historic art collection. You’ll have free time for shopping, or visiting more museums at the Museumsplein. In the evening, we’ll meet for a sunset canal cruise where we will try the local gin, genever.
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Day Three
Overnight: Utrecht
Apeldoorn and Arnhem
Today we will hop on our coach to visit the beautiful cities of Apeldoorn and Arnhem. Apeldoorn is known for its spacious green parks and its 17th century Palace “Het Loo”. The Dutch still have a beloved royal family, who we will learn about, and we will tour the royal palace and gardens. A short drive away, we will visit the outdoor folk park at Arnhem. Historic buildings from all over Holland have been collected and placed at Arnhem, and guides in traditional costume will explain how life was in the past. You’ll have time to find lunch in Arnhem, where you’ll get to try Dutch specialties like poffertjes, yummy little puffy pancakes. We will be back in Utrecht for a free evening.
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Day Four
Overnight: Utrecht
Tiptoe Through the Tulips
Today we will daytrip through the tulips, to see the spring highlight of our tour, the Keukenhof gardens. Located in South Holland, the park features 7 million bulbs, and a huge variety of colorful blooms. After enjoying the flowers, we will head to a tulip farm to learn more about the cultivation of tulips, which were more valuable than gold to the Dutch centuries ago. We will finish our day in Delft, known for their famous Delft Blauw pottery, painted in cobalt blue.
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Day Five
Overnight: Utrecht
Cheesy Holland
Our day will kick off with the unusual Alkmaar Cheese Market, held weekly from Spring through Summer. It is one of the most iconic markets of the Netherlands, where cheesemongers dress in traditional costume and roll huge cheese wheels to sell in the market square. After, we will go to the windmill park of Zaanse Schans, which features historic timber houses and demonstrations of historical crafts. If you’ve been dreaming of real Dutch wooden clogs, you’ll have a chance to see how they are made and get fitted for your own pair. Later, we’ll visit to the fishing town of Volendam where the locals dress in traditional costume, and Edam where you can be your cheesiest and sample the local cheese.
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Day Six
Overnight: Utrecht
Explore Utrecht
You’ve been staying in this city all week, but have you had much time to explore it? Chosen for its central location and picturesque canal streets, we will get to know it better on a walking tour this morning. If the weather cooperates, join Sarah for a coffee and a hands-on watercolor painting lesson along a canal. This afternoon you’ll have some free time to explore more on your own, souvenir shop, or rest up. This evening, we will have a cocktail hour followed by our final dinner, where you can try any of the remaining Dutch dishes you may have missed, like stamppot, a sausage and mashed potato dish that is truly gezellig, warm, cozy, and inviting, just like our week in Holland.
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Day Seven
Tour Ends
Our sweet farewell is after breakfast. Your guide can assist you in your departure to the airport or wherever your travels take you.
Our founder Sarah is a professional tour guide, travel writer, and artist with over 20 years of experience leading travelers around the globe. After earning a degree in architecture, she traded the drafting board for a life of adventure, guiding tours and sharing her travel expertise through writing, speaking engagements and media appearances.
A former Rick Steves guidebook researcher and co-author of Rick Steves Sicily, Sarah is also known for her popular packing-focused insights and content helping travelers around the world streamline their journeys. Based in Seattle but often found exploring the world, Sarah brings passion, insight, and a love for culture to every tour she leads.
Price: $5175 (Air not included) per person for a double room. Single occupancy room is $6003. We welcome singles and if you do not have a travel partner, please sign up for a single spot. In the event that a roommate is found, your booking can be changed to a double before final payment is due.
What’s included: all breakfasts, 2 dinners, 2 lunches, and 6 nights lodging in a clean, comfortable, and centrally located hotel. All admissions and fees for group activities. Transport within the tour and private guides, tips included.
Deposit Policy: A non-refundable deposit of $600 per person is due upon booking.
Holland Spring Fling begins and ends in Utrecht (AMS).
If you have additional questions please email us at info@adventureswithsarah.net
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