We will have a few days in Amsterdam after departing a cruise. Looking for recommendations for day tours and canal tours in and around Amsterdam. We have used Rick Steve’s guides in other cities. We would appreciate any information and advice you would share with us!
Posted by
Snohomish, WA
3129 posts
For a canal cruise, you cannot beat this one with Jack. http://amsterdamprivateboattour.com
Our hotel recommended him about a year ago and we had the absolute best time! We also did a regular one with Flagship Amsterdam, but it was just "meh". I wouldn't do one of those big boat ones again after going on the other.
We did two day trips on our last visit . One was to Gouda and the other to Delft. Both were wonderful in their own ways. In Delft, we went to the Royal Delft Factory and Museum which was very impressive! Much more so than I anticipated. BTW, they do ship:)
Those two trips we did on our own, but we did a group tour one day as well. It went Zaanse Schans, Volendam and Marken. I would not do that again. The places were fine, but the time at each was so limited and the tour we went with was just plain not good. I booked with Get Your Guide. The guide himself was good, but the overall trip was just a bust. So do it on your own if you go. The reason I booked this was that my mom had just passed away and her services were the week before we went, so I was not in the frame of mind to book on my own like we normally do.
This trip ws February 2024. I do have reviews posted in the review area, so maybe read up on those.
Posted by
OP
Kalamazoo, Michigan, USA
174 posts
Thank you so much for replying and sharing your thoughts. It is greatly appreciated. I love using Rick Steves Travel Forum for this reason.
Posted by
Columbus, OH, USA
2171 posts
The Waterland Bus Pass is a convenient and well priced option for trips out of Amsterdam. We used it a few years ago. You might check the towns included and make plans from there. We passed through Monnickendam, visited Marken and Volendam and maybe Gouda but don’t really recall for certain. It was a fun day and the schedules were convenient.