Discover Amsterdams fascinating Golden Age: Private tour with a Certified Guide

Hoi. My name is Esther, and I am a professional, certified (!) and licensed native Dutch (!) guide who loves travel, culture and art. I was born and raised in the Netherlands, and have been living in Amsterdam for over 27 years, so I can offer you a truely local experience! I thoroughly enjoy guiding in one of the most delightful cities in the world. Strolling along Amsterdams picturesque canals and streets is an amazing and surprising relaxing experience, and one of my favourite things to do. As a writer of many articles and books on history and culture, I have mastered the art of storytelling. After I finished my European Studies at the University of Amsterdam, I travelled the world as a tourleader. This vast international experience has given me refreshing insights into the Dutch culture and its astounding history and heritage. The pride that the Dutch take in their country is expressed by the famous saying: If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much :) As a certified guide, I always try to bring Amsterdams unique history, its famous inhabitants and breathtakingly beautiful works of art to life by telling engaging stories. By doing so, I offer my guests a profound and enjoyable experience. Besides, I love to show them how to look at paintings and architecture by pointing out details, by giving context and by explaining techniques and macro developments. There is so much beauty to behold, and so much to see and experience in the city, that it might be overwhelming if you don't know where to look and where to go. The Rijksmuseum tour is one of my favourites as well, since I am a great art lover with an academic background in Art History. Besides in Amsterdam, I am also guiding tours in the lovely Zaanse Schans windmill village just north of the city. Here you can get a sense of the countryside, with Dutch skies competing with green Zaan houses, quaint shops, museums and iconic windmills for your attention. Another place where I offer guided tours, is Haarlem. This gorgeous medieval town is only 15 minutes by train from Amsterdam, and has a lot to offer. It has not yet been discovered by mass tourism. If you enjoy elegant, picturesque small villages and towns surrounded by the bucolic Waterland countryside I can really recommend joining me on a tour to Edam and Broek in Waterland, just north of Amsterdam. The nice thing about my job, is that every tour is different, due to the interaction with my guests and the questions they ask me. I work professionally as a guide, am a certified member of the European Guide Association (FEG), am ANVR, IVOR and GUIDOR certified, and have executed tours for many local tourcompanies and for renown international (rivercruise)companies. I would love to show you the best Amsterdam and its surroundings have to offer. It is my mission to deliver an unforgettable experience with a smile! Of course, your tour can be customized to your preferences. Please contact me in case you have questions or special requests. I am looking forward to meeting you one day in my beautiful city! - Master of Arts in European Studies at the University of Amsterdam - GUIDOR, ANVR, IVOR certified after passing thorough exams - Member of FEG, European Guides Association - Purchased license to guide in the historic centre of Amsterdam I am not a driver. Please note, very often my afternoon tours can start earlier than 2 pm, it depends on the end time of my morning tour and this varies per day. Please send me a message if you wish an earlier start of your afternoon tour.