Top Netherlands Day Trips - page 17

Fantastic day tour! Our driver and guide, Andy, made the experience unforgettable. He was personable and impressively knowledgeable - sharing rich insights about Rotterdam, Delft, and The Hague as well as the Netherlands overall. The tour was well organized from start to finish, and thanks to Andy’s expertise and warm approach, it became a truly memorable highlight of our trip to Netherlands. Highly recommended!

We really enjoyed our trip to Bruges! The host/bus were very prompt and efficiently got us there and back. We definitely wish we had more time in Bruges, Id prefer that they adjust the timing of the day (for example start a little earlier and stay a little later) to provide another hour but I understand its tricky with the time required to travel there and back in a day. Also note that they dont allow eating or drinking on the bus so plan accordingly so you arent hungry/thirsty on the drive. For our trip it was mostly spanish speakers and we were separated off to a different guide at Bruges. Our guide Max was very knowledgeable and gave us a great tour of the city. He showed us the highlights and efficiently took us through the city. We appreciated that the efficient tour because we are our own exploring that we wanted to do. We really enjoy the tour of the tower (recommend you book ahead of time), the hospital museum and you have to try a waffle and chocolates while you're there.

All of the 3 stops were interesting. I learned the Dutch have imagination for architecture but prohibit pictures in a public building (city hall). I learned children do not wear bicycle helmets and parents handle bikes like Formula one drivers. I learned about the history of Windmills but had to use most of my free time to walk to one. I learned about cheese making and wooden shoe making. I learned that sights to see are a long drive. I learned about a canal community where access is by boat and found it turned into a bumper boat sport with so many people renting boats.

I took this tour solo and there were 19 people on board the van. It was comfortable though the pass through lane between rows of seating was quite narrow. There are single seats (5 or 6 maybe?) on one side of the van, air con vents above and (importantly!) USB ports above also to charge devices. We had time to stop at the “fruit stand” which is really a large, locally owned fruit, cheese, and gourmet foods market (it’s called Vink Fruitboerderij) which is really fantastic! I bought a couple of bins of strawberries, some candied fruit, a couple hunks of cheese and their dipping sauces, fresh fruit juices, etc. They take cards and restrooms are available, too. It’s quite impressive (apparently they have “pick your own fruit” train dates in summer and fall, too). Jay did a nice job of providing some interesting facts and could “read the room” and adjust his narration accordingly. I think the driver is Davide? Both did a great job. Anyway, once we got to Gierthoorn the boat tour was excellent (be sure to bring some euros to tip the boat captain if you enjoyed it!). The boat captain is local and grew up in Gierthoorn. I love that the boat gives you the option to raise your own plate glass window (next to your seat) which is much better for picture taking along the scenic canal route! I would suggest sitting on the right side of the boat if you can. We were lucky to have cool, cloudy weather…the sun came out a bit more towards the end of our visit also. The cruise disembarked at the Grand Canal, giving a couple of hours to wander about the narrow footpaths, filled with other tourists and locals. Two hours seems like just the right amount of time to see the area and grab lunch or a snack. There is an ATM pretty close to where the boat let’s you out, if needed. I suggest avoiding the Euronet one (due to high fees) if you can walk a little further. Most restaurants take cards but I needed an ATM for tipping on the tour. I chose to get a late lunch alongside the Grand Canal at Grand Cafe Henri Willig (mustard soup, Bitterballen, and a brownie). There were two ladies who weren’t on the bus at departure time. We waited over 15 minutes and Jay was trying to reach them. After about 20 minutes we reluctantly pulled away but both Jay and I saw them flagging down the van so we stopped so they could both board the return journey to Amsterdam (otherwise it would have been a very expensive trip for those ladies to have gotten back!). Most drivers & guides wouldn’t have waited that long for them so I think it says a lot about this duo. Don’t hesitate to book this day trip!

If you want a one-day trip to the three major city centers in the Netherlands outside of Amsterdam, this is your trip. If you like Amsterdam, you’ll love Delft; f history, then The Hague, and for architecture, Rotterdam is you place. Leidse was was great tour guide for dirt-time visitors. He provided a great balance of information and humor at a perfect pace.

Eric was our guide for this experience. He knew a lot about the Netherlands and its history, his personality is refreshing. I would encourage anyone thinking about booking a full day experience to request Eric as your guide, you will be entertained as well as informed.

Excellent set up, brilliant driver, really well structured, easy to find, the farm experience was really well done and gardens fantastic, really busy on a Saturday but easy in and exit organised by the company. All ran really well to time and the driver gave lots of useful info. Definitely a must do.

Definitely book it. It was a wonderful tour, very well organised. Peter our coach driver was adorable, very kind, friendly and an amazing tour guide, very interesting with a great sense of humour, very clean and comfortable coach. The guide on the boat was also very kind and funny and the village was beautiful. The food at De Rietstulp Restaurant was lovely, friendly staff and clean rest rooms, 10% off with your bus ticket. Sampled lots of delicious cheese at the Henri Willig cheese shop and bought some to take back to England with a 10% discount given to you when collecting your tickets. A lovely finish on our last day of our stay in Amsterdam.