Amsterdam Optional Excursions
APRIL 2026
Optional Excursions
ABOUT THESE OPTIONS
Throughout the trip, you'll have the opportunity to enjoy optional activities that many travelers have loved. These suggestions, listed by city, are just a sample of what may be available and are intended to serve as a guide. Activity prices listed are estimates, and in the case of some, cover entrance fees only, and do not include transportation or local guides (unless noted). Availability may vary, and some activities may be on a join-in basis. Since it may not be possible to fit everything into the time available at each destination, we recommend planning ahead and prioritizing what interests you most. Pre-booking is recommended, as these beloved activities are in high demand. Some activities can often be arranged on the day or with assistance from your group leader during the trip.
For activities considered medium or high-risk, we partner with operators whose safety standards and credentials have been reviewed. While you might find cheaper alternatives through other providers locally, we cannot guarantee their safety or quality. Participation in any optional activities is entirely at your own discretion and risk.
CUSTOMIZING YOUR TRIP WITH EXCURSIONS
We have purposely structured this tour to allow time for you to customize your sightseeing outside of our group activities. You can be as busy or as relaxed as you choose. If you want to maximize your time and do as much as possible, here are your schedule gaps:
-
Mon, Apr 20: You will have all day to explore until around 7 pm
-
Tue, Apr 21: You will have night time after we return from all day at Keukenhof Gardens
-
Wed, Apr 22: You will have all afternoon & evening to explore after around noon
-
Thu, Apr 23: You will have night time after we return from all day touring clogs, cheese, and windmills
-
Fri, Apr 24: You will have all day to explore, except for a late morning visit to the Anne Frank House
-
Sat, Apr 25: You will have all day to explore anything you've missed during the week
Let us know if you'd like to plan something that is not listed here. There are so many options, and we are happy to pre-screen them for you!
Art, Architecture, and History
120-hr "I amsterdam" Card: $185 per person OVERVIEW The I amsterdam City Card offers a unique way to explore Amsterdam. You get access to all major highlights and more than 70 museums, city-wide public transport, a canal cruise and bicycle rent. INCLUDES: - Museums and attractions: Get access to over 70 museums and top attractions in Amsterdam. - Public transport: Enjoy city-wide public transport by metro, tram, bus and ferry. - Canal Cruise: Discover Amsterdam from the water with a unique canal cruise. - Bike rental: Rent a bike for a full day and explore like the locals ________________________
Hop On Hop Off Amsterdam 48-Hour Bus & Boat Combo: $70 per person OVERVIEW See Amsterdam at your own pace with a hop-on hop-off bus or boat tour, including the option to combine both onto one ticket. This is a 48-hour ticket with several stops around town, enhanced by sightseeing around Amsterdam’s postcard-perfect network of waterways on the canal cruise. Pass by the Anne Frank House, National Maritime Museum, Heineken Experience, and eclectic neighborhoods like Jordaan and the historical Red Light District, where you can disembark to explore. - Create your personalized sightseeing itinerary and explore Amsterdam at leisure - Pack loads of sightseeing into one experience - Great for travelers short on time and new to the city - Enjoy informative audio commentary in different languages Duration: 48-hour access ________________________
Semi-Private (8 ppl max) Guided Tour of the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh Museum: $290 per person OVERVIEW Bypass the main entrance lines for privately guided tours at Amsterdam’s top two museums—the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum—during this half-day excursion. With your own art historian guide, head straight inside the glorious Rijksmuseum. Chart the history of Dutch art as you explore the highlights, and view treasures such as Rembrandt’s ‘Night Watch.’ Following time for lunch, enjoy fast-track admission to the Van Gogh Museum. Follow your guide around the must-see pieces, including ‘Tree Roots and Trunks,’ van Gogh’s last work, and other sublime masterpieces. - Skip-the-line private tour combo of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum - Enjoy priority access to the Rijksmuseum and explore the art highlights - Trace the story of Dutch art from the Middle Ages and see Rembrandt’s 'Night Watch' and Vermeer’s 'The Milkmaid' - Avoid the main lines at the Van Gogh Museum and explore the must-sees on show - See van Gogh’s last painting, 'Tree Roots and Trunks,' and other luminous works - Learn the techniques and secrets behind the artworks from an expert guide - Enjoy undivided attention from a small group guide, with personalized commentary INCLUDES all entrance fees DOES NOT include transportation Duration: 5.5 hours ________________________
Anne Frank's Story - Guided Walking Tour through Amsterdam: $48 per person OVERVIEW Discover Amsterdam’s WWII history and follow in the footsteps of Anne Frank on this walking tour of the Jewish Quarter. See the Jewish Historical Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, and the Auschwitz Monument; learn about events such as the February Strike and Winter of Hunger, and end the tour outside the Anne Frank House (entrance not included). - See landmarks such as the Jewish Historical Museum, the Portuguese Synagogue, and the Auschwitz Monument - Learn about Amsterdam during WWII and the Nazi occupation - Discover the story of Anne Frank - Small-group tour limited to 15 people ensures a personalized experience WHY TRAVELERS CHOOSE THIS TOUR - This cost-effective tour covers Amsterdam’s Jewish sites while including a guide to provide context. Duration: 2 hours ________________________
Food & Culture
Amsterdam Traditional Dutch Syrup Waffle Making Workshop: $35 per person OVERVIEW Traditional Dutch “stroopwafels” are one of Amsterdam’s most ubiquitous sweet treats—a delicious cookie made from layered wafers with a syrup filling. With this fun, hands-on workshop, you will not only get to taste the popular snack, but you’ll get to make them for yourself. Find out how classic stroopwafel is made, learn the secrets behind the perfect waffle, and enjoy your homemade creations during a well-deserved tea/coffee break. - Learn the traditional recipe for Dutch stroopwafels - Make your very own stroopwafels during a hands-on cooking class - Receive two delicious waffles to eat or take away - Intimate small-group tour with a maximum of 12 people Duration: Approx 45 min ________________________
Amsterdam: Jordaan District Local Food Walking Tour: $140 per person OVERVIEW Relish the bites and cultural highlights of Amsterdam’s sophisticated Jordaan district on a food and walking tour. With an expert epicurean guide, visit local foodie hotspots to sample Dutch delicacies such as Gouda cheese, traditional Dutch apple pie, and herring" Enjoy a calmer experience with 12 authentic Dutch tastings as you discover places off the conventional tourist trail. - Explore the best of Dutch food on this tasting tour through Jordaan - Visit local eateries to enjoy several authentic Dutch food tastings plus drinks - Traditional brown cafés to family-run eateries - Small groups till 12 persons - Complete drinks package with jenever, beer, wine, and coffee Duration: Approx 3 hours ________________________
Amsterdam Red Light District and Coffee Shop Walking Tour: $60 per person OVERVIEW Feel the pulse of Amsterdam’s Red Light District (De Wallen) and coffee shops on a private walking tour with a local guide. Explore the cobbled lanes of the famous area, plus Zeedijk Street and Chinatown, and see red-lit windows, sex shops, and erotic theaters. Your guide separates facts from fiction about the area’s past and the legalization of prostitution in 2000. - Hear the facts and fiction behind Amsterdam’s tolerant attitudes and laws - Learn about the Red Light District's colorful past - Find out more about Amsterdam's coffee shop culture and upgrade to visit a coffeeshop with your guide. - Upgrade to visit the famous Erotic Museum and discover a huge collection of erotic objects and learn about the oldest profession in the world. Duration: Approx 2 hours ________________________
Smallest House in Amsterdam Tea Tasting Masterclass: $40-$80 per person, depending on group size OVERVIEW Het Kleinste Huis Tea House is an experience you won't forget. While you enjoy a cup of tea, with of course a slice of our freshly baked apple pie, we will tell you more about tea varieties, the origin of tea, tea ceremonies, how to brew really good tea. What the difference is between supermarket tea and loose leaf tea? This and much more! Naturally, you will taste, see and smell different tea varieties. An extra element in this tea tasting experience is the history of the house and the role Amsterdam played in the birth of Western tea culture. All in all, an incredibly fun and sociable way to be with each other and increase your knowledge of tea. INCLUDES Many different types of tea, a slice of freshly baked apple pie and friandises. Duration: Approx 2 hours ________________________
For Explorers
Amsterdam Countryside Bike and Kayak Tour: $98 per person OVERVIEW You don’t need to go far from Amsterdam to experience nature, windmills, and waterways. Skip the hassle of route planning and arranging bike and kayak hire and enjoy a curated countryside adventure on this intimate tour, with a maximum of nine travelers. You’ll also see the beautiful Watergang village and the d’Admiraal Windmill (Krijtmolen d’Admiraal). - Explore the Amsterdam countryside in a small group by kayak and bike - Kayak through the wetlands around the scenic village of Watergang - All bike equipment is included for your convenience - A small group means more attention from your guide Duration: 5 hours ________________________
Small Group Tour to Castle De Haar: $175 per person OVERVIEW Learn the secrets of Castle de Haar on this small-group tour from Amsterdam. Perfect for visitors looking to get out of the canal city and explore a different side of the Netherlands without the stress of renting a car or organizing everything, this small-group tour includes all your transportation and a guided tour of the fairytale-esque Medieval castle as well as the chance to explore the grounds. - Visit one of the Netherlands’ most interesting—and picturesque—castles - Explore the castle and its landscaped gardens and lush parkland - Guaranteed small tour with no more than 16 travelers - Includes transportation, entry tickets, snacks, and coffee/tea Duration: 4.5 hours ________________________
Rotterdam, Delft and The Hague Small Group Tour from Amsterdam: $180 per person OVERVIEW Explore the Netherlands beyond Amsterdam with a small-group tour. Meet your guide at a departure point and climb aboard a minivan for a full-day tour to Rotterdam, Delft, and the Hague. Skip the hassle of rental cars or public transportation and admire views during the drive. See the experimental architecture of Rotterdam, check out important government buildings in the Hague, and discover the old town of Delft, home to blue-and-white Delft pottery. - Discover Holland outside of Amsterdam - Visit Rotterdam, the Hague, and Delft - Learn about history, architecture, and local pottery - Free time for exploring at your leisure included Duration: Approx 8.5 hours ________________________
Giethoorn Small-Group Tour from Amsterdam (Max. 10 People): $165 per person OVERVIEW Known as the Venice of the Netherlands, the picture-perfect canal village of Giethoorn is a must for photographers. But, with the nearest train station around 5 miles (8 kilometers) away, it’s time-consuming to reach independently. This small-group trip (limited to only nine other travelers) gets you there in style, by comfortable Mercedes minivan, direct from your door. Your guide will arrange a boat ride and show you the highlights but leave you free time too. - See Giethoorn in depth—by land and on water, with a guide and independently - Numbers are capped at just ten travelers, ensuring ample guide interaction - Opt to finish your tour in Amsterdam or on the beach at Zandvoort aan Zee - Round-trip transfers from Amsterdam addresses in a Mercedes minivan INCLUDES transportation, tour guide, and boat ride DOES NOT include lunch Duration: Approx 8 hours ________________________
Charms of Brussels and Bruges Day Trip from Amsterdam: $280 per person OVERVIEW Cover the highlights of both Brussels and Bruges on this full-day guided tour from Amsterdam, which includes air-conditioned transfers. Marvel at scenic landscapes from the comfort of your seat, tick off sights like UNESCO World Heritage Site Grand-Place, and get a taste of delicious Belgian chocolate during your free time. - Travel comfortably between cities by air-conditioned coach - Full-day tour with plenty to see - Taste local food (own expense) - Learn about local culture and history from your guide Duration: Approx 15 hours ________________________
Questions
Need Help?
For questions or help registering, contact:
Christie Costello, Owner & Travel Consultant
Toastable Travel + Events
ccostello@toastabletravel.com | 909.257.7747
Or schedule a personal appointment by clicking here.
About
About This Group Trip
Who is organizing this trip?
Will there be a group leader traveling with the group? Yes, your travel advisor (group leader) will be traveling with you! There are so many benefits to having your planner on the trip. We will keep the group coordinated and in touch with one another, make sure everyone is updated on any changes, communicate group perks, and clear up uncertainty when it arises. We are your liaison with tour operators, which will free you up to enjoy yourself more rather than dealing with logistics. ___________________
