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Private tour in Amsterdam Ivar L
Escape the Crowds: Enjoy a relaxed, picturesque trip to Holland's Old Fishing Villages just beyond the city
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4 hours
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Tour date
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4 hours
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Ivar L.
5.0
Guide rating
4
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11 hrs
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Hello hello, my name is Ivar. I'm rather new on this site, but not new to tour guiding. I’m a Dutchman with an unusual connection to Amsterdam—I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, spent summers here in Amsterdam, and eventually moved back to the Netherlands for university. In the decade since I've moved home, I’ve made it my mission to discover my roots here and uncover the layers of history, culture, and contradictions that make this city so unique. By trade, I’m a writer, researcher, and creative strategist. I write anything: articles, copy, scripts, lyrics. My work as a researcher for a crime drama series (WIP) has taken me deep into Amsterdam’s past, from its countercultural heyday in the ‘60s and ‘70s to the rise of its underworld up until the ‘90s. I’ve spent time interviewing old hippies, former police officers, some legendary criminals and longtime locals to piece together a perspective on Amsterdam that most visitors never hear. But I don’t just study history. As you'll find out, I'm not so shy. I love meeting people, exchanging stories, and sharing insights that shift perspectives. Having traveled to many obscure places like Georgia, Ghana , São Tomé and Príncipe, and Colombia (amongst others), I know that the best experiences happen away from the usual tourist spots. The most rewarding moments come from seeing a place through the eyes of someone who truly knows it and doesn't sugarcoat it. That’s the kind of tour I aim to offer. Not just facts, but the full story: the good, the bad, and the unexpected. If you’re looking for a local who can give you a real sense of what life is like in the Netherlands, I’d love to show you around and bring you to the spots you would probably find so quickly. I'm a photographer too, so I'll bring my camera along the tour and snap some pics for you, which I'll be happy to share. My style of tours is flexible. Want to stop to shop? Be my guest. Fancy a drink? I'll toast to that. Feel like taking a break and enjoying some music? The pleasure is all mine. Along the way, I'm sure I can give you a whole lot of fascinating information that'll change the way you see Amsterdam.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Ivar L.
Amsterdam city center can be overwhelming. Let's get away and enjoy the beautiful farming & fishing villages that inspired the greatest painters
Overview of your Amsterdam tour
In this tour, I whisk you away from the hectic city center of Amsterdam for a few hours of enjoyment in the beautiful, calm, and picturesque villages that lie beyond the city limits. Everything changes when you leave Amsterdam's northern city limits. In the blink of an eye we go from cosmopolitan city life to provincial Dutch life -- and there is so much to see. With me as your private chauffeur and guide, we'll drive through historic Amsterdam Noord and head to the iconic fishing village of Monnickedam -- a local favorite with great cuisine, taverns, and photo opportunities. On the way we'll drive through the farmlands and coastal villages with wide-open views that inspired the greatest painters of the Netherlands. Expect beautiful gardens, old cafés, local markets, nature reserves, old provinicial architecture, and curious historical tales told by me along the way...
Your Amsterdam tour itinerary
1. Pickup 2. We’ll start with historic Nieuwendam neighbourhood of Noord to visit the most picturesque, local neighbourhood in Noord. It used to be its own village, but now is part of the city. Here we can enjoy the old architecture, the harbor with its shipbuilding past, local gardens, and more (as featured in NY Times) 3. Drive through the farmlands of Amsterdam Noord to pass through tiny fishing and farming villages such as Durgerdam, Ransdorp, and the famous Monnickedam. Here you say the REAL Dutch landscape and lifestyle. 4. In Monnickedam we’ll park the car and take a stroll through its historic centre. If hungry, this is a good place to grab a bite — especially fish! Very picturesque. 5. On the way back we’ll stop by a farm to taste the best local ice cream around, served in the most peculiar ways. Additional options include: a. Visiting the clog-making factory of the town Marken. b. Stopping in the famous Volendam (additional fee included as this is further away). c. Amsterdam Noord Musuem.
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Transport details
Type: Private Transportation / Category: Sedan
Nissan Note Sedan 5-seater 2014 or Volkswagen Polo 5-seater 2003 (old but gold, a beauty!)
What's included
What's not included
Meeting location
DoubleTree by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station, Oosterdoksstraat, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Meeting point is flexible based on your needs. The DoubleTree by Amsterdam Centraal is convenient but I am flexible.
- You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
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English
Dutch
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4 hours
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4 hours
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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 20% 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.
- The remaining balance will automatically be charged to your credit card 30 days before your tour date.