7:45 am Arrival at Amsterdam Schiphol airport, welcome by your local English speaking driver/guide at the central meeting point in the public arrival hall of the airport.
The meeting point is located opposite the train station ticket counter and is marked by a red and white cubical.
8:30 am We start with a colorful visit to the flower auction of Aalsmeer, which is located next to Schiphol airport. Holland is famous for its flower culture and trade. This is the most important flower auction in Holland where you see how millions of flowers are sold to all corners of the world. You will be amazed by the carts full of flowers and the logistics and process of the auction halls. Trade is most hectic in the early morning and visits are only possible on weekdays / closed on public holidays and in the weekends.
10:00 am Continue to the city centre of Amsterdam for an orientation tour. Transfer time to the city centre will take approx 30-40 minutes.
Enjoy a mostly panoramic drive through the historic center of Amsterdam, passing along the Amstel River with the wooden skinny bridge, the Munt tower and floating flower market, Dam Square with the Royal Palace and the New Church, central station and the museum and antique quarters. Pass through the oldest part of Amsterdam called ?the Jordaen? with quaint little streets where we will see the house in which Anne Frank hid during the Second World War. A stop can be made at the Rembrandt windmill or you may want to visit one of the Diamond polishing factories, as Amsterdam is still renowned for this sparkling industry.
Possible museum visits :
? The Rijksmuseum - Showing the finest works from its 17th century collection under the title ?The Masterpieces?. These paintings are one of Holland?s most famous heritages of the Golden Age. Genre paintings, landscapes, still-lives and portraits.
? Van Gogh museum - The museum hosts the world?s largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh. The museum provides the opportunity to keep track of the artist's developments and compare his paintings with works by other artists from the 19th century in collection.
? Anne Frank house - Visit the hiding place where Anne Frank wrote her famous diary during World War 2. The original of the diary is on display as part of the Anne Frank House's permanent exhibition. We can make appointment to allow direct access into the museum (exact timing is subject to availability).
? The Hermitage museum. The first satellite museum of the state Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg has opened its doors on June 20th 2009. The museum will be housed in a former nursing home along the famous Amstel River. Regular changing exhibitions will be on display with treasures on loan of the Parent museum in St. Petersburg
Or enjoy Amsterdam from the waterside:
Probably the most interesting and relaxing way to see and ?feel? the city of Amsterdam is from the waterside. We can offer special boats known as 'salon boats', which were built in the Dutch provinces around 1910. These salon boats feature a number of special characteristics, including an extremely shallow draught, a slender hull, and a beautiful teak and mahogany construction.
We can arrange for a private boat tour of 1 hour cruise, while your captain will show you the highlights. a bar is available on board and drinks will be served on request and charged on consumption basis.
A more economic alternative would be a regular 1 hour canalcruise with glass covered boats and an multilingual taped audio system. These cruise depart from the piers in front of central station every 20 minutes.
12:00 pm Leave Amsterdam for a short drive to the ?Zaanse Schans? windmill village, a well-preserved traditional village with its typical Dutch wooden houses, canals, cheese farms, windmills and a wooden shoemaker.
12:30 pm Enjoy Lunch at the restaurant ?hope on the Black whale? (www.dewalvis.eu). This beautiful historic mansion is located on the banks of the river Zaan. A high culinary level in an ambiance that reflect the days of the past whale hunting days. The dishes are creative and refined and the wine cellar offers both classic and modern versions.
2:00 pm Time at leisure to discover the windmill village, stroll along the dyke and visit a windmill or one of the small authentic shops or visit the cheese farm
2:45 pm Drive back to Amsterdam Schiphol airport where the tour will end at 3:30pm.
Costing : net rates in EURO
? Private car at disposal with a driver/guide. Max. 7 hours / 3 pax ? 660,00 total
? Mercedes S class with driver/guide. Max 7 hours / 3 pax ? 866,00 total
? Private minivan at disposal with driver/guide Max 7 hours / 7 pax ? 805,00 total
? Local specialized English speaking guide. Max. 8 hours ? 295,00 total
? Entrance fees Aalsmeer Flowerauction ? 6,50 per person
? entrance fees to Rijksmuseum or Anne Frank house ? 12,50 per person
? entrance fees to Van Gogh museum or Hermitage museum ? 16,00 per person
? regular 1 hour canal cruise ? 12,50 per person
? private canal cruise for 1 hour at ? 245,00 total
