Amsterdam: City of Art and Culture

Delve into Dutch culture on this exciting break to vibrant Amsterdam, famous for its centuries-old architecture, atmospheric cobbled streets and UNESCO protected waterways. We enjoy a guided tour of the city plus a canal cruise to admire the iconic landmarks from different perspectives, take a unique glimpse into what life was like during the Nazi occupation at the Dutch Resistance Museum and marvel at masterpieces at the Rijksmusuem, where the stunning Dutch art offers a fascinating window to the Golden Age and beyond.What’s Included?
Includes- Return coach travel & ferry crossings- 4 nights at the ibis, Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (JG3+ rating) with breakfast- Guided city tour of Amsterdam- Amsterdam canal cruise- Admission to the Rijksmusuem & the Dutch Resistance Museum- Services of a tour managerPlease note: the hotel offers a shuttle bus service to the city centre at an extra charge.

Itinerary
ItineraryDay 1Ferry to Calais and on to our hotel in the Netherlands, where we stay on a bed and breakfast basis.Day 2 - Guided city tour of AmsterdamWe visit lively Amsterdam, the city of canals, bicycles and cafés. Included in our day here is a wonderful guided city tour, where we learn about the fascinating history of this unique city amongst its atmospheric lanes and quarters. We see imposing sites such as the Royal Palace, Centraal Station and more before enjoying some free time. Later on, we find somewhere for dinner (not included) and then return to the hotel.Day 3 - Canal cruise & RijksmuseumWe take a canal cruise; the best way to see this unique city and its UNESCO World Heritage network of waterways. Sit back and relax as we drift by ancient merchant houses and under countless bridges, listening to the informative commentary and looking out for famous landmarks such as the Anne Frank Huis and the crooked Dancing Houses at Damrak.Our day of Amsterdam's must-dos continues with a trip to the world-famous Rijksmusuem, where stunning Dutch masterpieces are on display by true greats. The national museum of the Netherlands charts 800 years of history and boasts 8,000 objects, with just a few highlights being Vermeer's The Milkmaid, Van Gogh's Self-portrait, Rembrandt's The Night Watch and Steen's The Merry Family.Day 4 - Dutch Resistance MuseumAfter breakfast, we head to the brilliant Verzetsmuseum, which tells the tale of the Dutch people during the Second World War though six different areas, ranging from Adapt or Resist to Joy and Frustration. Permanent exhibitions aim to recreate the atmosphere of the city while it was under Nazi occupation, through posters, large photos, objects, sounds and films from that time. Combined with the poignant, personal stories and experiences of 100 resisting locals taking part in strikes, escape routes, document forgery, helping individuals to hide, espionage, secret publications and more, the museum provides a unique insight into the choices people had to make during those dark days.Day 5Travel back to Calais for our return ferry home.

Amsterdam
Often referred to as the “Venice of the North” because of its beautiful canals that criss-cross the city, Amsterdam offers visitors an attractive mix of charming architecture, history, culture, and pavement cafés. Why not take a trip to Amsterdam and enjoy the laid back atmosphere?
Amsterdam's delightful architecture can be seen across the city but particularly in the canal district which dates from the 17th century, with a number of different boat tours available to take you around the many pretty tree-lined canals.
Hotel
Ibis, Amsterdam Schiphol AirportJG3+ ratingLocated next to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, this ibis hotel offers a burger bar, restaurant, drinks bar, fitness centre and well-appointed bedrooms with flat-screen TV and free Wi-Fi. Kettles can be borrowed from reception free of charge.Please note: the hotel offers a shuttle bus service to the city centre at an extra charge.Hotel RatingJG3+ ratingJG3+ hotels typically enjoy higher levels of satisfaction on both online hotel rating sites and our own customer satisfaction surveys and may enjoy superior locations close to resort attractions or surrounded by spectacular scenery.