Tours from Amsterdam

Mimi, while you're waiting for responses you might take a look at this thread from last year? There are a couple of tours posters took that they'd given high marks to, specifically That Dam Guide (walking) and Those Dam Boat Guys (canals). Both of these are seeing excellent reviews on TripAdvisor as well. Also Peter Schaapman with historywalks.eu.

I'll just mention that Amsterdam is very much a walking-and-waterway city and I wouldn't think you could see or experience it nearly as well from a tour van, if that's what you had in mind.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/netherlands/tours-in-amsterdam-walking-and-or-canal-boat-tours

Thinking to use the same company for transportation from Utrecht to
Amsterdam and then Amsterdam to airport at the end of our trip.

Just thinking that you don't need (or want) a tour company just for transfer services. They usually aren't one and the same. :O)

I agree with Kathy that Amsterdam is not a city that you can see well by coach or car. The central/oldest area where most of the sights are has very narrow roads and is congested with pedestrian and bicycle traffic. You're better off spending money on a canal cruise, walking or riding the trams.

We took a viator tour in Ireland last summer that was fine and have one booked for Budapest next month. The later will be a private tour with just 6 of us. Pricier but we get picked up at our hotel and returned. The only thing to remember is that viator is a tour consolidator i.e. they rep multiple tour operators who can have different policies/procedures. Cancellation policy in particular needs to be checked. Just read the details and check reviews. If it sounds like what you're looking for go for it.

Alternatively, if you are staying in a high end hotel with a concierge, they can help you arrange tours and transport. You can usually contact them via email. Just check the hotels website.

hey mimi
couple years ago we did a private tour of countryside with marius (dagtoertaxi.nl).
we had a great time and enjoyed the scenery with stops along the way. he has since retired and his company is owned by arthur weegeman.
you can look at the site and see if something there you like. email him what you want and he will reply with options with the costs. how long will you be in amsterdam and what other things are you planning on doing? if interested i'll send you a few things we did while there. hope this helps
aloha

Better tour Amsterdam by canal boat; certainly cheaper. There are plenty of companies and about the only concern is to find a route that includes the open harbour. Be prepared for corny jokes, maybe funnier in a Dutch accent. Also little likelihood of being run down by a bicycle, always a risk on Amsterdam streets.

PS: Viator is an agency, not an operator. Not a knock on their operations, but worth knowing, especially if complications arise.

Canal tours are fine but should be combined with walking itineraries as the boats don't go everywhere or at your own pace. We used one that came with our Eyewitness guidebook, and Rick offers some podcast walks that can be downloaded for free:

https://www.ricksteves.com/watch-read-listen/audio/audio-tours/amsterdam

You also haven't mentioned any interest in Amsterdam's museums or other indoor attractions which very possibly won't be included in a day tour?