About this experience
Prepare to meet Amsterdam as Peter the Great saw it: discover the narrowest and oldest house in the city, visit bars that have been operating for almost five hundred years under the same family name, explore quirky shops with colonial goods and delicious foods. Taste several types of genever and handmade chocolates, take a canal cruise, and of course, listen to the stories of the legendary districts of the Dutch capital.
What to Expect
Legends of a Medieval City
The tour starts at the most beautiful cathedral in Amsterdam, steeped in legends. Historical and cultural insights will help you imagine what life was like in a medieval city – from daily life and trade to the sewer system. Near the oldest Amsterdam house, you will learn how monkeys were 'employed' in marketing. At a bar with one of the most venerable ages, you'll enjoy beer or coffee.
Chinatown
This area has had respectable and disreputable pasts and is now one of the liveliest and most cheerful districts in Amsterdam. You will discover why the idea that drugs are legal in the Netherlands is a misconception, why you can't always trust your eyes in this city, how to decipher wall reliefs, and where Europe's largest Buddhist temple is located. If desired, you can step into one of the several Chinese, Thai, Argentinean, Vietnamese, Javanese, or other restaurants that fill this area.
Lastage District
You will visit one of the most picturesque districts in Amsterdam with its old docks, warehouses, and lookout towers. We will talk about the prosperous times of the Dutch East India Company, the city's port life, and its secrets. Together we will unravel local mysteries, the history of facade medallions, and city spies.
Genever, Graffiti, and 'All for Jugglers'
You can taste several types of traditional genever and learn why it requires excellent physical fitness. You will also peek into an ancient pharmacy and uncover the secret of the narrowest house. In the university district, you will see graffiti, second-hand book stalls, and charming courtyards. On a bustling shopping street, you will encounter various shops – from 'all for jugglers,' 'crazy rubber things,' colonial goods, and a second-hand store with vintage dresses and accessories from the belle epoque era to one of the best galleries of Dutch design.
Jewish Quarter
You will see the ancient gatekeeper's house, find out what hides within Amsterdam's districts, and visit Rembrandt's house. Passing through a bustling flea market with vinyl, old books, antiques, ethnic clothing, various trinkets, and stolen bicycles, we will reach synagogues – Sephardic and Ashkenazi, where we will discuss the history of this people in the Netherlands.
We will end the tour at the historic Gassan Diamonds factory, where you will be given a tour of the manufacturing process. After the visit, all guests receive a 50% discount on canal cruise tickets, allowing you to ride the boat after the tour or on the following day.
Organizational Details
- The tour is conducted by a team of guides.
- Please note: the guide has the right to terminate the tour if they believe a traveler's words/actions offend them, the country being visited, or violate the laws/traditions of the host country.
What's Included and What's Not
- Included: visit to Gassan Diamonds (optional), tickets for a canal cruise on a boat (optional), and tourist tax - €1.5/person
- Additional expenses: tastings and culinary delights along the way
