Amsterdam, Haarlem & The Hague

We depart from London St Pancras International on the morning Eurostar service to Amsterdam, checking in to our hotel in the afternoon.

Meals: Dinner

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam

After breakfast, we make our way to The Hague, where we visit the outstanding art museum of Mauritshuis. This magnificent example of Dutch classicist architecture was built in the 17th century and houses a world-famous collection of Dutch works by the likes of Rembrandt, Vermeer and Steen, with iconic paintings such as Girl with a Pearl Earring and The Anatomy Lesson of Dr Nicolaes Tulp on display.

Following lunch here, we visit Mesdag Panorama, the largest circular canvas in Europe and located in a purpose-built museum. Created by Hendrik Willem Mesdag and his team in 1881, the panorama offers a 360-degree vista of the sea, dunes and the village of Scheveningen as they appeared in the late 19th century. It’s a fascinating immersive experience that transports us straight back to that time, giving the sensation of standing in the middle of the landscape itself.

Our final stop is Museum Voorlinden, located in Wassenaar. Founded by Joop van Caldenburgh, this contemporary building is home to the largest private art collection in the Netherlands, featuring an engaging blend of paintings, sculptures and installations by both Dutch and international artists such as Yayoi Kusama, Antony Gormley and Anish Kapoor.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam

Today is spent exploring Amsterdam, starting with Rembrandt’s House. Nestled in the heart of Amsterdam, this was where Rembrandt lived from 1639 to 1656 and it has now been meticulously restored to its 17th-century state. The studio where he created many of his masterpieces and vast collection of his etchings, personal items and period furniture offer a unique glimpse into the artist’s life and work, while the temporary exhibitions here focus on Rembrandt’s contemporaries and his influence on later artists.

Next, we head to the historic Jewish quarter to visit the Jewish Museum, set in four interconnecting monumental synagogues. The wide range of exhibits include religious artefacts, significant documents and contemporary art, providing an examination of Jewish life, history and culture in Amsterdam throughout the centuries. We learn more at the Portuguese Synagogue, founded in 1639 by refugees from Spain and Portugal.

After lunch, we take a walking tour of historic Amsterdam, including a visit to the beautiful Oude Church.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam

Some of the most iconic masterpieces await today, beginning at the Rijksmuseum, which was relocated to its current location in 1885. The museum is renowned for its extensive collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings, including works by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Hals. Among its most famous pieces are Rembrandt’s The Night Watch and Vermeer’s The Milkmaid. The museum also features an impressive collection of Asian art, sculptures and historical artefacts while outside, the beautiful landscaped gardens are scattered with various outdoor sculptures and installations.

After lunch at the Rijksmuseum, we visit another world-famous art gallery, the Van Gogh Museum, which houses the largest collection of Van Gogh’s paintings and drawings in the world. We explore the artist’s life and work through a comprehensive display of his masterpieces, including the iconic Sunflowers, The Bedroom and Irises. The museum also features works by Van Gogh’s contemporaries, offering a broader context of the art scene during his time.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam

In the morning, we make our way to the charming city of Haarlem, where we visit the Frans Hals Museum, dedicated to the works of the famous Dutch Golden Age painter Frans Hals. Housed in a beautiful 17th-century building that was originally an almshouse, expect to see Hals’ renowned group portraits and lively genre scenes that capture the spirit and character of his subjects with remarkable realism and energy, along with other works by other notable Haarlem artists of the Golden Age.

Our next stop here is the Cathedral of Saint Bavo. This Gothic gem is renowned for its impressive architecture, including its soaring nave, intricate stained-glass windows and a towering spire that dominates the Haarlem skyline, as well as the magnificent Müller organ, which was once played by a young Mozart.

In the afternoon, we return to Amsterdam to visit the Houses on the Gratchen, the canal belt famous for its iconic houses with their distinct gables. Then our final visit of the day is the Museum Van Loon, located in a canalside house. Built in 1672, it was once the home of artist Ferdinand Bol and later the Van Loon family. Offering a unique glimpse into the lifestyle of Amsterdam’s patrician class, highlights include beautiful period furniture, precious silver and porcelain, along with family portraits and other artworks in the grand rooms plus a formal 17th-century-style garden.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Accommodation: Grand Hotel Amrath Amsterdam

After checking out of the hotel, we visit the waterfront National Maritime Museum, one of the largest and most significant museums of its kind. Housed in a former naval storehouse dating back to 1656, its extensive collection includes ship models, maritime paintings, navigational instruments and world maps, all of which tell stories of naval battles and the life of sailors. A real highlight is the full-scale replica of the Dutch East India Company ship, the Amsterdam, since the original was wrecked on the way to the Far East in 1749.

Later, we return to Amsterdam Central for our Eurostar train back to London, where we expect to arrive in the evening.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch