Day 1
Arrival
Ferry 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 Amsterdam
We 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 & Rijksmuseum
We 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 Museum
After 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 5
Return Home
Travel back to Calais for our return ferry home.