Dutch Heritage

Immerse yourself in the history, culture, and heritage of the Netherlands. On this tailor-made Dutch Heritage tour, your English-speaking private guide tells you the country’s (his)story by showing you unique destinations. Visit the fortresses, fortifications and castles of the New Dutch Waterline, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Relive Roman and Medieval times in the cities of Nijmegen, Den Bosch and Maastricht. Find out what went wrong with Operation Market Garden in Arnhem during World War II. Discover the harbour towns and fortified cities of Zeeland. Marvel at the Delta Works and its largest flood protection system in the world. And add any destination of your interest, especially when related to your own Dutch heritage.

This itinerary serves as an example. All our tours are tailor-made after an extensive inventory of your travel and personal wishes. We offer the highest level of service and a travel experience flooded with attention to your Dutch roots. Find out how we work.

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I T I N E R A R Y

Amsterdam, explore the rich history, heritage, and culture

Your tailor-made journey in the Netherlands starts in the bustling capital of Amsterdam. Discover the historic center with its beautiful Canal Ring, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Marvel at 17th-century canal houses. Immerse yourself in arts and culture in top-notch museums such as the Anne Frank House, Van Gogh Museum, Rijksmuseum, and the National Maritime Museum. Wander around the Nine Streets, a quaint neighborhood full of small cafés, boutiques, and artisanal food shops. Get away from the crowd in wealthy parks and green spaces. And at the end of your day, mingle with the locals and explore the thriving restaurant and bar scene.

The New Dutch Waterline, fortresses, castles, and fortifications

The New Dutch Waterline is made up of 45 fortresses, 6 fortifications, hundreds of bunkers and military waterworks, two castles and many dikes and sluices. Between 1815 and 1940, this defense line protected the western part of the Netherlands against intruders. Part of the land could be flooded so enemies could not get close. Fortresses were built along the line to provide further protection. The ‘Nieuwe Hollandse Waterlinie’ was added to UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites in 2021. It’s an expansion of the Defence Line (or ‘Stelling’) of Amsterdam, the remarkable defensive ring that encircles the capital city.
A large portion of the New Dutch Waterline is open to the public. With the fortress island of Pampus as the most popular attraction. Besides Pampus we’ll visit Naarden, one of the best-preserved fortified towns in Europe and famous for its special star shape. And we’ll delve into the history of the Muiderslot, a fascinating medieval castle with a drawbridge, five towers, battlements, and arrow slits.

Nijmegen and Den Bosch, relive Roman and Medieval times

We’ll visit the Netherlands’ oldest city, the fortified city of Nijmegen. In the Roman period, Nijmegen was a busy trading center and carried the name ‘Noviomagus’ (meaning ‘new market’). You can still find 2,000-year-old remains of Roman walls and foundations in the city. As well as countless historic buildings and centuries-old plazas dating back to the medieval period. Another great place to immerse yourself in the Middle Ages is the city of Den Bosch. It’s well-known for its medieval city center, with the beautiful Gothic St. John’s Cathedral, its unique tunnel canals, and many picturesque old streets. The city is also the birthplace of Hieronymus Bosch, a famous painter from the Renaissance.

Arnhem, a bridge too far for Operation Market Garden

Arnhem is the city that spearheaded Operation Market Garden in the Battle of Arnhem during the Second World War. The capture of the Rhine Bridge in the center of Arnhem in 1944 turned out to be an act of overreaching, or ‘a bridge too far’ (which is also the name of an epic book and war movie about the battle). Because of this, the west of the Netherlands could not be liberated and the war lasted another 7 months. Many Allied forces from – among others – the UK, USA and Canada fought in this part of the Netherlands in World War II. We can visit the battlefields, the Airborne Museum, and the historic city center.
Arnhem is also home to the interesting Dutch Open Air Museum which features dozens of historic houses, farms, and windmills. The museum gives you a realistic impression of daily life for the average Dutch person over the past few centuries.

Maastricht, stunning churches, basilicas, and merchant houses

Limburg is the Netherlands’ most southern province, known for its rolling hills and Burgundian hospitality. One of the most distinctive places to enjoy this hospitality is the provincial capital Maastricht. It’s home to a historic city center, filled with breathtaking churches, two basilicas and monumental merchant houses. As well as a fort, casemate tunnels and the St. Peter’s Caves, used as a refuge in wars and when Maastricht was under siege. One of the city’s unique highlights is the Romanesque Basilica of St. Servatius, which is located on the famous Vrijthof Square. Pilgrims have traveled to Maastricht to visit the tomb of Saint Servatius, crypts, and treasures for centuries.

Vlissingen, Middelburg, and the Delta Works, the gems of Zeeland

Discover the Netherlands’ maritime history in the province of Zeeland. The city of Vlissingen is one of the country’s most distinctive harbour and fishing towns. It’s situated on the Westerschelde estuary and has the longest seafront promenade in the Netherlands, where you can watch enormous ships pass.
The same peninsula is home to the fortified city of Middelburg. The name refers to being the ‘middle borough’ on Zeeland’s Walcheren Island in the 9th century. This was the time of the Viking invasions in Europe, therefor defensive ramparts were built around the island. The central settlement acquired the name Middelburg. Later, the town developed as a thriving trading hub. Middelburg became the second most important city in the Netherlands, right behind Amsterdam, during the days of the Dutch East India Company (‘VOC’) as hundreds of ships were built in the town’s shipyards. Nowadays the city center is still characterized by historic buildings that bring the Golden Age back to life.
We can’t leave Zeeland without visiting the largest flood protection system in the world: the Oosterschelde barrier, part of the Delta Works. At Deltapark Neeltje Jans you’ll get a chance to get extremely close to the impressive barrier.

The Hague, political heart of the kingdom

The Hague is the political heart of the Netherlands. The sea-bound city is home to the seat of the government at the Binnenhof and the King’s office palace on the Noordeinde. As well as the impressive Peace Palace, which is still used by e.g., the International Court of Justice. The historic city center with its squares, churches and high-end shopping streets is worth a visit. Other interesting sites are Panorama Mesdag, Europe’s biggest ‘circular’ painting showing the late 19th century Scheveningen. Madurodam, which shows Holland as a miniature city.  Museum Mauritshuis, hosting the works of the most important Dutch and Flemish masters in The Hague. And of course, Scheveningen, Hollands most popular seaside resort at just 5 kilometers (3 miles) from The Hague.

The Hague is only a short drive away from the interesting cities of Leiden, Delft and Rotterdam with its futuristic architecture and the largest port of Europe.