LEIDEN plus

The Netherlands is a popular destination, and historically, most tours have been based in Amsterdam. This has changed downtown Amsterdam, and not for the better. Ironically, people familiar with the Netherlands know there are several smaller cities that are equally picturesque, but without the crush of tourists and inflated prices. This list includes Utrecht, Haarlem, Delft and Leiden. (Rotterdam & The Hague warrant visits, but most tourists prefer to stay in more typical Dutch cities.)

While my heart in in Delft (having lived there as a teenager), I have chosen Leiden as the home-base for TravelMaven groups for a couple of reasons. First, it’s a wonderful example of traditional Dutch architecture and culture, and as a university town, it’s also full of life and affordable cafes. Second, it’s a rail hub with easy connections to almost everything, including being 15 minutes from  Schiphol Airport (it’s actually closer than downtown Amsterdam).

So, if you’ve ever wanted to see the tulips and windmills that made the Netherlands famous, here's your chance to give yourself a real Dutch treat! During my year as a Rotary Exchange Student, I got to visit almost every corner of this small country and I’d like to share what I found with you, starting with Holland’s most famous city.

Amsterdam has been attracting visitors for hundreds of years. In fact, it has been featured in so many books and movies that many first-time visitors feel they've been there before. One reason for its popularity is the city remains  largely intact from the 17th and 18th centuries. It was not seriously damaged during the 20th century, and heritage designations have preserved almost all of the heirloom architecture.

For art lovers, the city is also home to three world class museums: the Rijksmuseum; the Van Gogh Museum; and the Amsterdam City Museum. For history buffs, there's the Ann Frank House and Holocaust Museum. For architecture fans, the city is basically one huge outdoor exhibit.  And for those curious about the “night life”, lets just say it isn’t hard to find...

Beyond Amsterdam, the tour highlight for many will be our visit to the Keukenhof - the most famous tulip park in the world. This beautiful facility is only open six weeks a year, and has become Holland’s most popular tourist attraction. In my opinion, a visit to the Keukenhof in April is truly an unforgettable experience.

Leiden, our home away from home for a week, is a vibrant university town laced with canals and a great farmers’ market on Wednesday and Saturday. In terms of convenience, our hotel is right across the street from Leiden Station, just a five minute walk from the city centre.

Beyond Amsterdam, Leiden and the Keukenhof, we'll also visit Delft, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Haarlem. For those who want to get some fresh air, we’ll walk through the dunes and along the beach of the North Sea. For early risers, we will also visit the Aalsmeer Flower Auction. One great thing about Holland is everything is close-by, and the train and bus networks make intercity travel a breeze.

This is a small group tour, limited to 12 guests and geared to active adults. Our goal at TravelMaven is to make your vacation amazing by combining the best of independent travel and group tours. In other words, we lay out a plan and make all the arrangements, but guests retain the flexibility to manage their own time and add in the things they like. For me, that’s a win/win for everyone.

For those who decide to join us, I promise that Holland is a magical place.