Private tour in Amsterdam Ralph d
5.0
(1) review
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Ralph d.
5.0
Guide rating
14
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3 hrs
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Hi! I'm Ralph, your bilingual guide (born and raised in the UK, Dutch parents). Welcome to Amsterdam - it's a fantastic place to visit! I've lived here in Amsterdam for almost forty years, so I've seen a lot of changes - but the city is just as astonishing, beautiful, wonderful and unique as it was when I arrived in 1986. I'm an environmental scientist by training and a translator and musician by trade. I've always had a very wide range of interests including art, architecture, medicine, history, trade, language, technology, and industrial archaeology. Amsterdam has played a central role in all of these fields for many centuries, especially during its Golden Age, so the city and the surrounding areas offer an enormous wealth of fascinating insights, locations, stories and experiences. Over the last forty years I've always enjoyed showing family, friends, and visitors around this amazing city - on foot, by bicycle, by car, and especially by boat (I also have a skipper's licence). Now I look forward to sharing my extensive knowledge and enthusiasm with you, as your private guide! I have my own car (with a large sun roof), so I can meet you anywhere and take you anywhere. I can skipper a boat for you. I love meeting people. I'm a good communicator and an attentive listener. I'm flexible, so you can alter any itinerary to your liking or specific requirements. And I'm keen to hear about your own special interests. I would enjoy doing the research to ensure you get the tour YOU want! - BSc Environmental Sciences (UEA, UK) - Sworn translator (Dutch - English) - KVB1 (skipper's licence)
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Ralph d.
From about 1550 to 1700 the Netherlands dominated global trade, and its huge navy was feared, admired, and respected all over the world. How did a small city like Amsterdam, in a tiny country like the Netherlands, achieve this? By equipping trading ships to engage in full-scale wars; by building better ships, more quickly; by pursuing profit above political or religious conquest; by enthusiastically engaging in slavery; by devoting capital, resources, and recruits to the VOC enterprise; by inventing the stock exchange; by aggressively monopolizing the most profitable markets; and by ruthlessly quelling any local opposition. This tour will visit three locations that are still redolent today of the power, ambition, innovation and extraordinary riches that marked Holland's Golden Age and funded the magnificence of today's Amsterdam. I give commentary throughout. Naturally, I can customize this tour according to your request.
- Collect by car from pickup point. Drive to the National Maritime Museum, housed in the original 1643 Naval Armoury. Visit the museum and the full-size replica VOC ship moored alongside. (1. 5 hrs) - Walk to the 'pakhuizen' on Entrepotdok, the largest 17th-century warehouse complex in Amsterdam. (30 mins) - Drive to Zaandam, home of the Netherlands' own 16th-century 'industrial revolution', to visit the Zaanse Schans, a remarkable open-air museum that has several working windmills including a sawmill. (2 hrs) - Drive back to pickup point.
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
By car and on foot. My car is a gold-coloured Renault Twingo 1, a classic compact 2-door car that has a surprisingly roomy interior and excellent all-round visibility. It has no A/C, but it does sport a very large sunroof! I keep it clean, I do not smoke, and I have no pets.
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Airport: ,Cruise: ,ByGuide: The cruise ship terminal is an excellent place for me to pick you up.
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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