The Netherlands
Luxury travel to
the Netherlands
You lean back on the side of the lovely traditional canal boat, looking up at the tall, thin houses that rise above the canal, high façades topped with gables, brickwork highlighted with white accents. Each of these houses is distinctive; each one, unique.
Your boat passes under a picturesque bridge, an excuse for your local guide to tell a story about one of the buildings. A local, he loves his town and sharing his culture with visitors like you. She’s a wealth of information, knowledgeable and amusing.
Tailor my trip5 things you don’t know
about the Netherlands
When you think about the Netherlands, you likely get a picture of tulips, windmills, and canals. Lovely, but incomplete, as there is so much more in this surprising country. The Dutch have a strong history with art: Rembrandt, van Gogh, and Mondriaan. And music– the beautiful Concertgebouw with its superb acoustics is one of the finest concert halls in the world. A few other things you likely don’t know about this surprising country:
01
‘Holland’ and ‘The Netherlands’ are not synonymous. ‘Holland’ actually refers to only two of the country’s provinces.
02
There are more bicycles in the Netherlands than people. 23.9 million bicycles for 17,8 million people, according to Statista.
03
Amsterdam is built on wooden poles 12 meters deep, due to the swampy nature of the land. In all, nearly one million piles support the city.
04
King Willem-Alexander worked as a co-pilot for KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, alongside his royal duties. Even now, he often flies the Dutch royal aircraft during his trips.
05
The Netherlands ranks as the sixth happiest country in the world, according to the 2020 World Happiness Report. A very good reason to visit this lovely country.
The Netherlands travel guide
Where to stay in the Netherlands?
To make your vacation unique and– can we say it? — luxuriously memorable, AAV has selected the very finest hotels for you.
The Dylan Amsterdam is an AAV favorite. A five-star boutique hotel located in a unique historic building located on the prestigious Keizersgracht canal. The Dylan features the Restaurant Vinkeles, with not one but two Michelin stars, and the até, limited to six seats, where the chef accompanies you throughout the evening’s culinary experience.
You might have seen photos of the Hotel de l’Europe in Amsterdam, with its amazing brick and white stone façade on the corner where the Rokin and Amstel canals meet. Classical architecture combined with contemporary designs, the rooms and suites are spacious and exceptionally comfortable. The Royal Penthouse, 220 sqm, has spectacular views of the Amstel River and all of Amsterdam from its private terrace.
Twenty-five 17th and 18th century canal houses have been meticulously restored and elevated to five-star comfort and elegance to form the Pulitzer Hotel. The result is exquisite accommodations, intimate
guest rooms, peaceful private gardens—and a memorable vacation for you. The restaurant Jansz, by the way, is the perfect place to taste modern Dutch cuisine.
Pillows Maurits at the Park is located at the edge of Amsterdam, right next to Oosterpark, with just the right combination of bustling city and calm nature. Fully equipped gym, extraordinarily inventive cuisine in the VanOost restaurant, signature cocktails at the roaring 20s Fitz’s Bar– and the rooms! Plush carpets, Egyptian cottons, soft tones and warm elements all work together to create an exquisitely serene atmosphere.
Steps away from the Van Gogh Museum, the Royal Concert Hall, the Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam’s most indulgent shopping, the Conservatorium hotel is a mix of contemporary design and discreet luxury. You will enjoy the beautifully decorated rooms, duplex rooms, suites, and the rooftop suite, with its unusual design embracing the shape of the Conservatorium’s rooftop.
Tailor my tripBest luxury experiences in the Netherlands
Kinderdijk Windmills
You will love seeing the 19 monumental windmills, built in 1738 and 1740, to keep the water out of the polder. Some of the windmills are still in use today. Others are museums which AAV will take you to visit, after a boat tour of the area.
Gouda cheese
Young gouda, gouda aged 50 months or more, gouda with cumin, gouda made in May when the tender spring grasses change the flavor of the cows’ milk and the cheese made from it… AAV’s local guide will take you on a cheese tasting, showcasing one of Holland’s most emblematic cheeses.
Keukenhof gardens
Keukenhof is the world’s largest tulip garden, with over seven million bulbs and almost 800 different varieties of tulips. It is world-renowned, and rightly so. For eight short weeks, the blooms are spectacular. AAV can arrange a visit by private car or by bicycle, for a true Dutch experience.
Canal tour in Amsterdam
60 miles in length, 165 different canals with 1500 bridges… a visit to Amsterdam would not be complete without a canal tour. AAV will take you by private traditional boat to see the most beautiful homes, the most picturesque bridges, exceptional views, and canals known only by locals.
Giethoorn
The “Venice of the Netherlands”, this is where the Dutch go for a holiday. In the old part of the village, there were no roads, and even today, parts of the village can still be reached only by boat. AAV will show you the traditional charm and authenticity of Giethoorn.
Texel Island
A surprising gem in Holland’s north, Texel Island has over 30 km of coastline to enjoy. AAV will accompany you to the Eierland lighthouse on the northern tip of the island, and the dunes of Texel National Park, before tasting the white wine at De Kroon van Texel winery.
When is the best time to visit The Netherlands?
In terms of weather, the best time to visit the Netherlands is anytime from mid-April to mid-October- half a year! — which gives you a big window.
The Netherlands in winter:
All of December, you will see lovely Christmas markets. It’s worthwhile coming early; 5 and 6 December, the Dutch celebrate Sinterklaas, the festival of St Nicholas. Later, when the weather gets really cold, the canals freeze—and the Dutch go ice skating. It’s an amazing way to see the beautiful landscape and diverse nature. After skating, try traditional Dutch meals– stamppot and hutspot.
The Netherlands in spring:
Spring, means flowers, which of course means tulips in the Netherlands. More varieties of tulips than you can imagine, with certain types blooming early in spring, other types later on, so that you get several months of gorgeous. Another fun Dutch tradition is Rokjesdag, or skirt day. To celebrate the warmer women, Dutch women show off their bare legs by wearing short skirts.
The Netherlands in summer:
Warm sunshine, longer days… and markets and open-air festivals pop up throughout the country. The Holland Festival in June, The Summer Carnaval in Rotterdam and North Sea Jazz Festival in July, the Amsterdam Canal Festival and the Fireworks Festival on the beach in August—everywhere there is something special to do.
The Netherlands in autumn:
Nature lovers will love the Netherlands in the fall, with its calmer, cooler atmosphere. Hike through a vibrantly colored forest in the Veluwe. Go for a scenic walk on the beach. Or enjoy one of the many Bock Beer Festivals organized around the country. Autumn is also the season for many art expositions, making return visits to major art museums a ‘must’.
Travel tips about the Netherlands
What conditions create the world’s 6th happiest nation? For the Dutch, it’s surely their open nature, friendliness, and tolerance. Also—which is great for tourists—they honestly want you to be happy, too, and to have a great time during your visit.
Our Dutch local guides will show you the famous monuments, and also take you to see the insiders’ Netherlands, the place where they and their families go on holiday or just hang out for an afternoon or evening.
A few ideas off the beaten track:
01
Cycle, don’t tiptoe
Want to see the tulips in the most-Dutch way? Take one of the six different cycling routes and see the magnificent tulip fields in bloom, or see the tulips, beach, dunes and cozy outdoor cafés.
02
Monkeys for trade
The tavern In ‘t Aepjen gets its name from the sailors returning from the far east who often brought monkeys to trade. You’ll still see them in the décor. This quirky tavern has been doing business since 1519.
03
Theme Parks
Your kids will love De Efteling, one of the oldest theme parks in the world, where they can explore four different realms: fairy, adventure, travel and alternative. Or visit Madurodam, where most of the Dutch monuments and landmarks have been lovingly recreated at 1:25 scale.
04
For Van Gogh lovers
The Kröller-Müller Museum houses the 2nd largest collection of Van Van Gogh’s work in the world. Once you’ve seen the art inside, go outside and stroll among sculptures by Jean Dubuffet, Mark di Suvero and Fritz Wotruba in the 75-acre garden.
05
Anne Frank
No visit to the Netherlands is complete without a visit to the house where this courageous young girl and her family hid for more than two years. A sobering, moving trip back in time.
Plan
your trip
If you wish to schedule a time to speak about the trip you have in mind, please click on the “Tailor my trip” button and fill in our form. We will get back to you very shortly after reception of your request.