We just got back from a week in Amsterdam and did two tours which we hope you will add to your itinerary in Amsterdam.
Canal tour: thosedamboatguys.com. This was a great tour in a small, open boat with 8 of us along with the guide. I've gone on other canal tours in Amsterdam and much preferred this. It was personal and fun. We carried on a conversation with our tour guide, asking questions and having great discussions during the tour. One had to do with the Dutch view of pot. We were able to share how we in Washington are changing the way we deal with it. Our boat had a family from the Ukraine, a family from Canada, and us. I do think that the people who are Rick Steves travelers would really like this tour. It wasn't the canned tour that you get on the big boats.
Amsterdam Street Food Tour: HUNGRYBIRDS.nl Estherhanna, our tour guide, had met Rick a few years ago when she and her partner were just starting this business. This tour was truly a highlight of our stay. We were a group of 8. Again, not all Americans, but from varied places-South Africa, Phoenix AZ, Israel and we two from Seattle. We visited 13 different food stalls or small eateries, all family owned for multiple generations. At each place, we met and chatted with the owners and were made to feel so welcome. We learned about the histories of the establishments and the foods we were eating. Besides the wonderful things we ate and drank, the camaraderie of the tour guide, the food vendors, and the tour group made for a very special day. Experiences like this really are the best parts of travel. Estherhanna really has a passion for what she is doing. This tour is just a must for Rick Steves travelers.
We stayed at the Wiechmann Hotel. Other than getting our suitcases up the stairs, this is a great place. The staff could not be more friendly and helpful. Fortunately we travel light, and so the suitcases weren't all that bad. We did have one of the guys bring them down for us when we left.