Anu P.Finland
Just amazing! Great way of seeing all the giant building projects! Wilbert was very kind and informative, and gave a great picture of the waterworks but also Dutch way of living and thinking.
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Private tour in Amsterdam Wilbert B
Dutch Waterworks Private tour (From Amsterdam- The Netherlands North)
5.0
(7) reviews
-
9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size
1
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
Wilbert B.
5.0
Guide rating
82
Reviews
Tours delivered
10 hrs
Avg. response time
Good day! Just contact me and we built your tour together! My name is Wilbert B. Born Dutch and I love showing you my country and make good memories together! My interest for nature and cultural- and national Dutch history, combined with the pleasure I get from giving people a good time are the main reasons for being a guide. Of course I love to take you around in Amsterdam and to the windmills as described in my standard tours and tell you about it all, but just as well I built you your own customized tour and take you to the less busy places, take you for a nature hike or a canoeing trip, chase your ancestors, have good local food at beautiful places and so on and so forth. Just contact me and we make it work together, because this is your holidays, so it must be your tour as well! I hope to meet you soon to make it all happen! Official Guide Drivers License; Up to 9 persons First Aid: yearly renewal Overall experience; +30 years in different settings Courses: Travel guide, Art History, weather forecast, Maps, GPS and Compass. Delivering tours all over The Netherlands: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Gouda, Deventer, Giethoorn, Hoorn, Enkhuizen, Volendam, Edam, Marken, Giethoorn, Deventer, Nijmegen, Arnhem, Breda, Zwolle, Franeker, Naarden, Muiderslot, Zaanse Schans, Kinderdijk, Delta works, Zeeland, (Tours by Local travellers comments) We booked Wilbert for 2 days.He was prompt & easy to communicate with both prior to our arrival and during our tours.He had a good sense of humor, was thoroughly engaging & enjoyable to spend time with. His vast knowledge of nature makes him stand apart from other guides. Wilbert was one of the best tour guides that we have experienced. He created our tour to our expectations and took care of all our needs besides the tour itself. We certainly recommend him as your next tour guide if you are planning on visiting Amsterdam When transportation is involved I only guide groups of up to 8 guests. I only guide groups of more than 8 people if they themselves arrange or have arranged transportation for it.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Wilbert B.
on the 1953 floods and the Dutch way to deal with water hazard with private guide
Overview of your Amsterdam tour
The Dutch are famous for their waterworks. The fight against the water goes way back into medieval times where protection from the water was in everybody's interest to secure house as well as land and cattle. Building dykes and creating polders were the first activities to gain land and protect it from the forces of water. On February 1st 1953 a severe North-Western storm was hitting the shores of The Netherlands. Combined with springtide the force of the water grew to immense strength, stronger then a lot of dykes that therefor broke. Millions of liters of salty water rushed through the lowlands, destroying villages and flooding the land. 1835 people drowned, 70. 000 were evacuated and 46. 300 buildings were damaged or destroyed. The Dutch Government then decided to put an end to this hazard once and for all and the immense program of the Delta Works took a start.
Recent Reviews
Stephanie P.
Wilbert gave us a great tour of Zeeland, the Flood Museum (which was fascinating) and several pieces of the Delta Works. Plus a lovely side trip to the medieval village of Veere. He was accommodating when we asked him to rent an SUV to give the four adults in the group room to spread out. He was a wonderful guide and travel companion, we would highly recommend him and hope to do another tour with him when next we are in the Netherlands.
Marion M.United States
Will gave us an outstanding 'Waterworks' tour. What a terrific day we had! He was so pleasant to be with, answered every question in depth, provided the three of us with very factual information (that we really enjoyed) and showed us so much over a wide area. For those who like to learn about Holland's water control efforts while exploring a large part of southern Holland, Will is THE guide for you.
David M.Canada
Wilbert mad special arrangement to make the tour suit my desires and was very knowledgeable and personable. He handled translation at the Maeslantkering barrier and the Flood Museum. He is a very pleasant travel guide. Thank you Wilbert for a great day!
Smet M.United States
Wilbert is great!! He is really quick at working up times and moving things around to accommodate traffic and such. Everyone loved the town he brought us to. Certainly, will be booking him the next time we are in the Netherlands!
Carol M.United States
Wilbert was an excellent tour guide and we very much enjoyed our day with him. On-time friendly pick up at the hotel, well-planned itinerary so that we could see as many places as possible, excellent English so that we had no problem understanding each other, great choice of a restaurant for lunch in the charming village of Veere. We were so pleased that Wilbert researched my Dutch ancestors and drove us to two of the villages from which they emigrated. What a thrill for me!
Your Amsterdam tour itinerary
Pick-up to be agreed. From place of Pick-up we make a tour containing > 1953 Flood Museum Ouwekerk > Zeelandbrug > Old city of Veere with its monuments > Oosterscheldekering (Oosterschelde River movable closure) > Maeslandtkering Rotterdam (from distance) if time permits Order depending on place of Pick-up and local circumstances. Please contact me for a customized tour.
Want to customize this tour?
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.
Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Suv
We will use a Renault Scenic SUV for up to 3 people. For 4 up to 8 people an appropriate car will be rented (please, contact me for a quote).
What's included
Other: Fee includes pick-up at a location (to be agreed for as far within reasonable distance from excursion route, otherwise re-calculation might be needed), transportation from pick-up plus excursion, entrance Floodmuseum, transport to end location.
Pick-up place or different end location might result in a custom made calculation.
Travel in Renault Scenic SUV
Groups over 3 persons unto 8 persons are possible on a custom made offer.
Private Guide
Private Transportation
Tickets: entrance flood museum
What's not included
Other: Lunch is not included; personal expenses are not included;
Private Transportation With Driver
Public Transportation
Accommodation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tastings
Equipment
Classes Workshop
Services
Meeting location
Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
byGuide: When in or around Amsterdam I am flexible
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
History
Nature Wildlife And Safaris
Tour reference number
133675
Languages
Dutch
English
German
FrenchActivity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly
Wheelchair Accessible
Traveller reviews
5.0
FAQs
Who is this private tour in Amsterdam best suited for?
This private tour is ideal for travellers interested in learning about the Dutch water management system and the historical events surrounding the 1953 floods. It's perfect for those who want to explore the engineering marvels of the Delta Works and gain insights into how the Netherlands has dealt with water hazards over the centuries. The tour is also suitable for families, as it is kid-friendly and wheelchair accessible.
What should I bring or wear?
Can this private tour in Amsterdam be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?
How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?
Where does the tour start and end?
Is transportation included?
How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?
Is this private tour in Amsterdam suitable for cruise ship passengers as a shore excursion?
What languages is this tour offered in?
What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?
Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?
AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide
-
9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
9 hours
Private transportation
Private tour for 1-3 people
Your party size
1
Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
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Book with a deposit
If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
How it works
- Your credit card will be authorized only for the deposit amount.
- Funds will not be withdrawn until your tour booking is fully processed.
- 30 days before your tour date, the remaining balance is automatically charged.