Things to do in

South Holland

Explore one of the world's most innovative ports on this 75-minute tour. See the busy traffic of sea-going and inland ships, and admire Rotterdam's impressive skyline as its imposing buildings glide by. Get a unique perspective of the harbor's shipyards, docks and the hypermodern transshipping of thousands of containers. Last but not least, the tour will end with views of the steamship 'Rotterdam', the former cruise flagship of shipping company Holland America Line.

Visit Rotterdam Zoo and see fascinating animals that feel perfectly at home in specially-imitated natural landscapes. Avoid the long lines and explore one of Europe’s most beautiful zoos. Rotterdam Zoo supports a number of conservation projects in the wild and actively participates in many breeding programmes for endangered species and is one of the international top ten of zoos in this field. Dive into Oceanium and take a magical voyage over the bottom of the sea and along coastal regions, meeting many marine and coastal inhabitants such as fish (from herring to sharks), puffins, snakes and a large group of king penguins. Discover beautiful butterfly paradise Amazonica where you'll experience tropical temperatures, fragrant flowers, thousands of colorful South American butterflies, the awesome anaconda and greedy piranhas.  In Africa, an exciting path takes you safely past a group of large crocodiles! Once you’re at the top of the path, stand eye to eye with the giraffes. At a safe altitude, admire the other inhabitants of the new savanna such as hyenas, kudus, ostriches and zebras. On the African Gorilla Island, you will be delighted by Bokito’s playful gorilla family. ...and much more! On top of these experiences, see a rare species of forest giraffe, take a voyage through Asian marshes, and discover the Ice Cave for a magnificent view of polar bears.

Enjoy hassle-free and efficient transportation from central Amsterdam to Keukenhof Gardens, and journey by comfortable bus at a time to suit you. Arrive at the world's largest spring garden in just 55 minutes, benefit from fast track entry on arrival, and stay for as long as you please. Buses to Keukenhof Gardens depart daily from the 'This is Holland' experience, opposite Central Station. Simply take the free ferry from Amsterdam Central Station to the opposite side of the IJ, where 'This is Holland' is a mere 2-minute walk away.   Board the bus, and then admire the Dutch landscape en route to Keukenhof Gardens. Watch a video presentation about Dutch history, the colorful landscape and interesting information on why Holland is so famous for its flowers. Upon arrival at Keukenhof Gardens, skip the long lines and explore the floral displays of the spring garden at your own pace. Marvel at up to 7 million bulbs in bloom, and see vibrant flower beds and fragrant floral displays. Enjoy the Keukenhof Gardens at your leisure, and benefit from frequent departures with guaranteed seating on a luxury coach back to Amsterdam between 1 PM and 6:30 PM. Get a free copy of the Amsterdam city map to help you find your way around the city as a bonus.

Discover the highlights and heritage of Holland at Madurodam, world famous for its model village, the Netherlands in miniature. The park consists of 338 miniatures as well as flowers in bloom from April until October. Enjoy interactive activities and two playgrounds. Visit Little Amsterdam, have a look at the Parliament Building in The Hague, or see what a real Dutch cheese market looks like. Everything is built to a scale of 1:25 including miniature trains, boats, and cars that move around. Visit the indoor attractions to find out more about Holland’s rich history. Hear about the Dutch’s ability to transform water into land. Experience the waters threatening the Netherlands in the Waterwolf and help the steam engine keep Holland dry.

Board this canal cruise for a relaxing and informative tour through the canals of The Hague. Your guide will show you all sides of the city from the posh to the modest, both the working-class and upper-class parts of The Hague. The boat is very comfortable and your knowledgeable guide will tell you all that you could ever want to know about the city. During this cruise, you'll be able to learn about the history of The Hague and see its sights from a different perspective. While cruising the canals, you can take in many sights of this international city of Peace and Justice. Please note that not all of the canal cruises are conducted in English. Due to the many nationalities of passengers handouts are provided in Dutch, English, German, French, and Spanish.

Get to know Delft in the best way possible by exploring its centuries-old system of canals. Find about one of the most important cities in Dutch 17th-century history, and admire its picturesque buildings and canal houses. During your cruise, see many of the city's highlights and hear about their history from an experienced team of captains and guides. Learn about the city's patriotic history, the old town center, Delft Blue, Johannes Vermeer, the East-Indian Trading Company, and much more.

Explore the Spaarne river on a sightseeing cruise. Stay comfortable aboard ships that are semi-open in the summer and fully-heated and covered in the winter. Get carried away on the Spaarne river and see the city center and the Unicorn and Adriaan windmills from the water. Check in at the activity provider's office and board the river boat. Settle into your chair and have the option to purchase snacks and drinks as you sail along. Capture pictures of the 18th-century Adriaan windmill. Glide past the historic Waag weigh house. Take in views of the Teylers Museum of art, natural history, and science. Make your way past colorful houseboats and verdant parks as you go towards Heemstede. Go by the 17th-century Unicorn windmill before heading back to the starting point of your cruise.

Indulge the art-lover in you at the Mauritshuis, home to the best of Dutch painting from the Golden Age. Explore one of the most iconic buildings in the Hague, located next to the Parliament. Look out of its windows for a view of the pond.  Discover the art museum's compact, yet world-renowned collection. See more than 200 masterpieces such as Vermeer's "Girl with a Pearl Earring", "The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp" by Rembrandt, "The Goldfinch" by Fabritius, and "The Bull" by Potter on permanent display. Appreciate the collection's rich variety, with genre paintings by Jan Steen, landscapes by Jacob van Ruisdael, still lifes by Adriaen Coorte, and portraits by Rubens. Admire the 17th-century monument's historic yet intimate interior, with its silken wall coverings, sparkling chandeliers, and monumental painted ceilings. Stay as long as you wish and visit the museum at your own pace. Allow around 1.5 hours, which is the average visit duration. Visit the restaurant and coffee shop, purchase some souvenirs, or visit the temporary exhibition. The current Facelifts & Make-overs exhibition tells the story of paintings that have been treated in the Mauritshuis over the past 25 years. What do you do if a painting is damaged by woodworm? Why was something added to a painting by Frans Hals for no apparent reason? And what dilemma does a conservator face if an extra figure suddenly reappears in a picture? Learn all about making the lower layers of paintings visible (sometimes revealing a completely different composition underneath) and the development of ‘craquelure’ (those fine cracks in the paint of old paintings). Find out how ‘dendrochronology’ (a technique for dating wood by studying the annual growth rings in tree trunks).

SkyView de Pier is the first Ferris wheel constructed over the sea in Europe. It was built at the Pier in Scheveningen and is a great possibility to get to see the city of The Hague from above.  Fly to a height of 50 meters and enjoy the amazing views over the North Sea, the beach and if you're lucky, you might even be able to see Rotterdam. Take advantage of a closed climate-controlled gondola and enjoy the ride with your friends and family.  Savor some freshly baked apple pie or muffin with tea or coffee that you can take with you on the ride.

After meeting with your guide at the pier, board your boat for an approximately 1-hour cruise on the Nieuwe Meuse river. This experience will see you pass along all of the highlights of Rotterdam. Enjoy beautiful views over the impressive skyline and the various ports, as your enthusiastic guide tells you about all the ins and outs of the sailing route throughout your journey. Sail past the famous SS Rotterdam, Kop van Zuid, the Hotel New York, the White House, the Willems Bridge, and the Euromast, as well as other more special places that you should not miss. You can find a cozy inside place inside the salon as you travel, or instead, opt to sit outside on the sun deck. Onboard is a bar where drinks and snacks are available. You also have the option to include a cup of coffee and sweet cake when booking. At the conclusion of your sightseeing experience, you'll return to your tour starting point.