Tour to the Netherlands: Rembrandt, Tulips and Music

Arrival at Schiphol airport near Amsterdam. On the way to the hotel, a sightseeing tour of the first acquaintance with the Dutch capital. You will be impressed by the numerous canals and bridges, making this city so unique and beautiful, enjoy its exceptional architecture, houses of only 2-3 windows width, see the famous churches, enter some internal courtyards, surprisingly green. You will see thousands of cyclists, and you will find out a particular cosmopolitan atmosphere of Amsterdam. After the arrangements and the rest, a welcome dinner at the hotel.

After breakfast, visit Rijksmuseum, a Dutch national museum dedicated to arts and history, one of the most famous galleries in the world. The museum house was built in 1885 in a combined style of gothic and baroque. The rich collection of the museum contains first of all the masterpieces of the 17th c. Dutch Golden age.  Jan Bruegel, Jacob van Ruisdael, Frans Hals, Anthony Van Duyk, Pieter de Hooch, Jan Steen, and, of course, great Rembrandt and Vermeer.

We will pay particular attention to the analysis of the great masterpieces of Rembrandt such as “Night Watch, “Jewish bride, “Conspiracy of the Batavians,” his self-portraits, and also to the “Milkmaid” and “Woman reading a letter” of Johannes Vermeer. Rijksmuseum also has a vast collection of etchings and prints of Rembrandt and other artists. After the coffee break, visit the 19-20 c. the art section of the museum and admire the paintings of Van Gogh, Breitner, Vaisenbroch, Mauve, and others. We’ll finish our visit to Rijksmuseum at the exhibition of Meissen porcelain and Art Nouveau glass pieces. Back to the hotel for rest before the evening performance at the Dutch opera.

This morning we continue exploring Rembrandt’s life in Amsterdam by the visit to his house where he spent his best years. We’ll see the authentic furniture of the 17th c., get an idea about his exceptionally diverse collection of sculptures, clothes, stuffed animals, etc., climb to the upper floor to see his studio and get a lesson in the art and technique of etching. Afterward, visit the famous Portuguese Synagogue and learn about the Sephardic Jewish community in Amsterdam. In the afternoon drive to Keukenhof, also known as the “Garden of Europe,” one of the world’s most extensive flower gardens. Over 7 million flower bulbs are planted annually in the park, which covers an area of 32 hectares (79 acres). In the evening, a classical music concert in the famous Concertgebouw.

Today we visit the Van Gogh Museum, having the biggest in the world collection of the works of the genius artist. We’ll follow all the periods of his short and tragic life, learn about the artists that influenced Van Gogh, and admire his great works, such as “The Potato Eaters,” “Bedroom in Arles,” “Sunflowers,” “Wheatfield with Crows” and many others. Back to the hotel for rest before the evening concert in the Concertgebouw.

Morning drive to the village Zaanse Schans. It has a collection of well-preserved historic windmills, the landmark of Holland. Walking in the town to see the functioning windmills and visit workshops of different crafts. Continue to the city of Haarlem. Walking in the Old town, founded in the 12th c., see the Market square, the Old City hall, visit Grote Kerk, St.Bavo church constructed in the typical Gothic style. In the church, we’ll see and maybe even listen to the music of the famous organ which G.F.Handel and ten years old Mozart played. In the afternoon, visit Frans Hals museum to enjoy the great portraits of the renowned native of Haarlem. Finish our visit by walking along the picturesque canals and in the tiny cozy courtyards, some of them going back to the 16th c. Later on, walking by night, Amsterdam, including the world-renowned Red Lights district.

After breakfast, visit the Anne Frank House, one of the most visited sites in the world. We’ll learn about life in the hiding place of a 13-year-old girl, which wrote a fantastic diary, a witness of the tragic fate of the Jewish people during WWII. Visit the neighboring Westerkerk (Western Church), where great Rembrandt was buried in 1669. Walking along the colorful canals Prinsengracht, Keizersgracht, and Herengracht with their authentic 16-17 cc houses, see the former Begijnhof convent. From there continue to the heart of the city, Dam square. Visit the old City hall, today the Royal Palace of Amsterdam. In the evening music event of the day.

Amsterdam

In the morning, we are walking in the flower market in Amsterdam. Then visit the Stedelijk Museum of modern art, contemporary art, and design. You will admire the works of Corot, Courbet, Cézanne, Van Gogh, Breitner, and Jongkind, a remarkable collection of paintings by the Russian artist Kazimir Malevich, as well as Dutch Piet Mondrian and Gerrit Rietveld and works of the artistic movement De Stijl. We will finish our tour in Amsterdam by exploring the city from the water level. A 1.5-hour cruise along Amstel river and the numerous canals of the capital of the Netherlands. Back to the hotel for rest and the farewell dinner.

“Tour to the Netherlands: Rembrandt, Tulips, and Music” is coming to an end, so we suggest a free morning for independent activities. Depart from Amsterdam at Rembrandt Square, a principal square in the center of Amsterdam. You will view a bronze-cast representation of Rembrandt’s most famous painting, “The Night Watch, “designed by Russian artists Mikhail Dronov and Alexander Taratynov. Drive to the airport for the flight back home.