May 28- June 4, 2023

SOLD OUT!!!

Windmills, wooden shoes, tulips…the Dutch are known for so many things, but fine art just might be top of the list! Join Jennifer Dasal, host of ArtCurious podcast, for a week-long, in-depth look at the Dutch masters- including the largest Vermeer exhibition in history! Vermeer is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Dutch art. We will delight in plenty of works by Rembrandt, Hals, Steen and everybody’s favorite Dutchman–Van Gogh— all while gaining an appreciation of Dutch culture. Admire the architecture from our private boat on the canal, sample cheese right from the source, see the inner workings of a windmill– the Netherlands has so much to offer! 

Don’t miss your chance to see the Vermeer exhibit with ArtCurious and a fantastic group of like-minded people! Register today!

DAY ONE- Welcome to Amsterdam! This vibrant city of canals is our home base for the week. Check into the hotel and relax before meeting Jennifer and your fellow travelers. Let’s get to know Amsterdam and its open minded people with a walking tour around town accompanied by a local guide. Our guide will show us the main landmarks all while divulging  the rich history of the city. This is your chance to get all your cultural and practical questions answered.

After our quick orientation to the city, we gather at the hotel for a welcome cocktail party where you can get better acquainted with the fabulous folks that will be a part of your Dutch journey. The rest of the night is yours to rest up before we really get started!

DAY TWO- Bold thick brushstrokes and vibrant color makes Vincent van Gogh stand out among artists. Let’s begin the art portion of this tour at the Van Gogh Museum where we will view the permanent collection and the special exhibition “Van Gogh in Auvers sur Oise.” This museum houses the largest collection of Van Gogh paintings in the world, and seeing the works up close and personal reminds you of the passion this artist put into his work. Enjoy the museum at your leisure before meeting back up with the group in the early evening. We will gather at the hotel for an art history happy hour led by Jennifer. Over wine and a few snacks she will fill us in on the story of the many Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings that have been downgraded from original works to those done by assistants and the implications for museums worldwide.

Let’s meet another great Dutch master–Rembrandt van Rijn. Tonight we are welcomed into the Rembrandt House for an exclusive private tour, after they have closed to the public. You are greeted with a glass of champagne before touring the home and studio with just our small group. Our experience concludes with a painting demonstration by Eric Hermitage, an expert on Rembrandt’s time and work. His demonstration will guide us through Rembrandt’s technique, as well as what colors he used and where those colors came from. This demonstration will be given in the world-famous painter’s studio. Experience for yourself what it is like to sit in the very spot where Rembrandt brought his canvases to life- a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!

DAY THREE- Not only is Delft known for being Vermeer’s hometown, it is also world famous for the blue and white hand-painted pottery known as Delft Blue ceramics. Today we will explore both! We begin at the 40- year-old factory of Royal Delft, where we will take a tour to learn more about the pottery-making process before trying our hand at painting a porcelain tile under the guidance of a certified Delft painter. We finish our time at Royal Delft in the restaurant to enjoy Delft Blue High Tea complete with sweet and savory bites–enough to fill you up before continuing our time in Vermeer’s hometown.  

Our next stop in Vermeer’s hometown is a visit the the Prisenhof Museum to enjoy the special Vermeer-themed exhibition, “Vermeer’s Delft,” where you can learn more about life in the 17th century– especially the events and ideas that shaped Vermeer and his work. 

After our time in Delft, we briefly visit The Hague and its world-class Mauritshuis Museum. The crown jewel of the museum (and perhaps Vermeer’s career) is The Girl with a Pearl Earring. Such a prized possession can only be on loan for so long, and after briefly being part of the Rijksmuseum exhibition, she makes her way back to the Mauritshuis just in time for our visit. We return to Amsterdam in the early evening and the remainder of the night is yours to explore! 

DAY FOUR- It is time for the Rijksmuseum and our main event the Vermeer exhibition! The Rijksmuseum is dedicated to Dutch history and–of course–art! Our visit will start with the largest-ever exhibition of Vermeer’s works–this unique opportunity to view so many of his works in one room will allow you to study the paintings of this legend up-close-and-personal, deepening your understanding of why he embodies the Dutch Golden Age. After your time in the exhibition you can explore the rest of the Rijksmuseum at your own pace.

Let’s get together this evening to share our Vermeer highlights while experiencing an iconic Amsterdam tradition: a canal cruise! With more canals than Venice, you absolutely must see the city from the water.  We climb aboard a private canal boat and watch the city go by with plenty of wine, cheese, and excellent conversations with our new best friends!

DAY FIVE- Amsterdam is bursting with wonderful sites both cultural and historical. We all have those “can’t be missed” activities we want to do while visiting. Today is your day to explore on your own! Honor Holocaust victims at the Anne Frank House, get a glimpse at the infamous Red Light District by taking a walking tour, or venture further out on the easy and extensive Dutch train system- the possibilities abound. We will reconvene tomorrow and share our solo adventures!

DAY SIX- You can’t visit The Netherlands without sampling its cheese! Today we leave Amsterdam for the cheese-filled town of Alkmaar. It is market day here and we will be given a tour of Alkmaar’s renowned cheese market, in operation since the 14th century!  Our guide will teach us the ins and outs of cheese weighing, selling, and–of course– tasting! We then have a walking tour of the scenic medieval town center before continuing to our next stop.

Next up we visit the Dutch Golden Age! Step into the recreated 17th-century Dutch village of Zaanse Schans and be immersed in all things Dutch: windmills, culinary specialties like stroop wafels and–yes!–  more cheese! Don’t forget to pick out your new pair of wooden shoes! This delightful village, akin to an open-air museum, is our last stop for the day. The evening is once again yours to enjoy!

DAY SEVEN- Today we visit the Kröller-Müller Museum where you will discover the largest collection of Van Gogh’s works outside of the Van Gogh Museum. This hidden gem has plenty of other artists to enjoy as well, including Monet, Picasso, Seurat, Mondrian, and other top 19th- and 20th-century artists. They also have a beautiful sculpture garden to boot. We will enjoy lunch as a group before returning to Amsterdam to relax before our farewell dinner. 

It is time to say tot ziens to Amsterdam and your new friends! We reminisce about all the good times we have shared, the incredible things we’ve seen, and the friendships forged. Let’s make plans to join each other on another adventure soon.

DAY EIGHT- After enjoying one last breakfast, we check out of our hotel. Safe travels home!

This is truly a one-of-a-kind tour designed to deepen your appreciation of art while dishing up a delightful slice of Dutch culture. What could be better than experiencing this tour with Jennifer Dasal and a wonderful group of like-minded people!

Package Inclusions:

• 7 nights in a 4- star hotel near Museum Square
• Ticket to the largest ever Vermeer Exhibition at the Rijksmuseum
• Private tour of Rembrandt House with champagne and a painting demonstration in Rembrandt’s actual studio
• Audio-guide tour of the Van Gogh Museum including the current exhibition “Van Gogh in Auvers sur Oise”
• City walking tour with local guide
• Entrance to the Rijksmuseum
• Prisenhof Museum including current exhibition “Vermeer’s Delft”
• Royal Delft Factory tour
• Royal Delft tile painting workshop
• The Mauritshuis Museum
• Audio guide tour of the Kröller-Müller Museum
• Zaanse Schans open air museum
• Alkmaar cheese market and city walking tour
• Canal cruise with drinks and charcuterie
• Welcome cocktail party
• Royal Delft Afternoon Tea
• Lunch at the Kröller-Müller Museum
• Authentic Dutch farewell dinner
• Breakfast each day
• Amsterdam tram pass
• private motor coach for day trips
• All tour guide and driver gratuities
• Suggested reading and viewing list carefully crafted by Jennifer Dasal
• In person art history happy hour led by Jennifer Dasal
• Awesome ArtCurious swag

Package Pricing:

The price for a single room is $4,150 per person. The price for a double room (2 people in one room) is $3,350 per person. A $500 deposit paid at the time of registration is required to hold your spot and is refundable until January 5, 2023. The remaining balance will be due March 28, 2023 and is non- refundable. Final payment will be paid by invoice sent by Like Minds Travel. All prices quoted in USD.

Airfare and airport transfers are not included. We recommend flying into Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport (AMS). Taxi and ride share are available and are the recommended method for getting to the host hotel. Public transportation is available as well.

Many travelers prefer to arrive a day or two early to sleep off the jet lag before the tour starts. If you would like extra nights at the hotel, please contact Laura Hart to arrange, laurahart@likemindstravel.com.

Please read terms and conditions

This tour is for travelers 18 and up. Maximum group size is 20 people.

We will be relying on public transportation for the city portions of the tour and therefore you can expect to walk several miles a day. Any travelers may take a break as necessary, but will not be refunded for missed portions of the tour.

Did you know that Jennifer Dasal of ArtCurious podcast has hosted a Like Minds Travel tour before? Check out our amazing tour in the South of France HERE!!!