Amsterdam

Meet at the airport and fly to Amsterdam, the wonderful capital of the Netherlands. Arrival in the city and transfer to the hotel to settle into our rooms. On the way we will receive our first essential orientation information about the city. Our tour leader will then be available to accompany you to the historic centre and the central Dam Square, walking through a city where enchanting canals and iconic narrow mansions
make up the picture of a vast open-air museum. The international restaurants and shops scattered all around will give us plenty of ideas, while the distinctive houses along the canals and the illuminated bridges will make for beautiful photographs! Afterwards you can carry on enjoying yourselves in typical Dutch pubs or in the restaurants of the area. (Travel by tram or metro at personal expense, with guidance on how to use it.) Overnight.

After enjoying breakfast at our hotel, we set off to get to know the city of Amsterdam. Our panoramic tour of the Dutch capital will reveal a remarkable capital, timelessly romantic and modern at the same time, whose wealth of canals and multicultural population make it one of the best-known metropolises in Europe. Touring Amsterdam's wonderful green belt, we will enjoy the perfect harmony of the surroundings along the famous Amstel river. Beside its tranquil banks we come across pretty riverside homes, characteristic boats and one of the most beautiful windmills in the area. Crossing the river, we see the impressive Stadium Arena, home of the local team Ajax. We finish in the city centre at Museum Square, at one of the city's oldest diamond-cutting workshops, the well-known house of Coster Diamonds. Besides the tulips, cheese and other products it is known for, Amsterdam is equally famous for diamond cutting, being one of the ‘world capitals’ of diamond processing and home to the largest diamond houses in the world. We will learn about the whole production process from the initial to the final stage, and then see historic jewellery as well as a wealth of diamonds from the house's huge collection. Free time to enjoy this beautiful city.

Breakfast at our hotel. For today we suggest a wonderful excursion. We set off for the well-known fishing village of Volendam. On the way we cross the classic landscape of the Dutch countryside, through endless meadows and drained polders (land reclaimed from the sea). We will enjoy a stroll through its narrow lanes and picturesque little harbour, walking past colourful folk-art shops and traditional bistros/cafés serving local delicacies. Our walk along the waterfront will reveal all the spots where, in the old days, local products such as fish, milk and cheese were loaded, beginning their journey to the markets of Amsterdam. The experience of life in the Dutch countryside is completed with a visit to a local cheese farm, where a young Dutch girl dressed in traditional costume will show us how the world-famous cheeses are made. Then comes the excellent and delicious part of our visit, as we will have the chance to taste their countless combinations of flavours. Afterwards, anyone who wishes can also visit one of the famous museums: the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum (National Gallery) or the Stedelijk Museum (Modern Art). Afternoon free. (Cost of the optional excursion: €70 for adults, €60 for children up to 12 years.)

Breakfast at our hotel. Free time at your disposal to enjoy your shopping and the ‘Amsterdam Shopping Experience’ in the city's famous shopping streets. Start from Kalverstraat (Europe's first pedestrian shopping street after the Second World War) or P.C. Hooftstraat, home to the world's great fashion houses. A walk through the Jordaan district and the famous Nine Streets (9 Straatjes) with their small shops will reveal the beauty of the canals in one of the most picturesque parts of the city. In the large department stores on Dam Square, such as De Bijenkorf and Magna Plaza (housed in the former central post office building, built in 1895), you can also admire their architecture and find a wealth of products while enjoying a coffee or a meal. Further options include a visit to the zoo or the botanical garden in the metropolitan park, the colourful shops, the flower market and the open-air markets. In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for our return flight. Arrival in our city with the very best impressions.