Let’s immerse ourselves in the art and culture of the Netherlands.

April 16-23, 2023

Seven days of making good friends, eating wonderful meals, and visiting museums and sites, all while headquartered in Amsterdam. Pure bliss.

Next spring, I invite you to join in on a 7-day art and culture extravaganza, where up to 18 participants and I will be exploring the art and culture of the Netherlands.

 

Included in the price of the retreat will be lodging, most meals (breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners), all local transportation from the airport to the hotel and then to all museums and cultural sites (airfare not included), and all entrance fees!

Partners and friends are encouraged to join in the experience, as you will bring home memories and inspirations that will last long after you return.

Here’s the itinerary:  

Day One: Arrive and Explore Amsterdam!

Set out on an easy orientation walking tour and gain an understanding of the importance of the canal system to Amsterdam commerce during the Golden Age. Visit the private canal house, Museum Van Loon. 

Enjoy a welcome dinner featuring Dutch cuisine.

Museum Van Loon, a historic canal house in Amsterdam

 

Day Two: Rijksmuseum and the Vermeer Exhibition 

Spend the day at the Rijksmuseum.  In the morning we will have a guided tour of the museum’s highlights, including the Rijksmuseum gallery of honor.  We will have some free time in the middle of the day for an independent lunch and then we regroup for a guided tour of the Vermeer exhibition.  

Enjoy a Rijstaffel dinner, an Indonesian feast consisting of multiple small dishes.

The highlight of
the tour is the special
Vermeer exhibition at the
Rijksmuseum!

It’s a rare opportunity to see Vermeer paintings together in the Netherlands, and then follow our day at the museum with a day spent in Delft. Home to Johannes Vermeer in the 17th century.

Imagine several rooms filled with all the best Vermeer paintings.

In contrast to Rembrandt, Vermeer left a remarkably small number of paintings, about 35 total. As his paintings are generally considered the most prized treasures of every museum collection, Vermeer paintings are rarely lent out.

We will get to see most of them all together and we will be there with an expert guide taking us through the show.

This is going to be a once in a life time experience. I get shivers just imagining this experience.

 
 
 

Day Three: Delft

Home to Johannes Vermeer, we will travel by bus to explore this canal city and home to the famous Delftware blue and white pottery.  Visit the Prinsenhof Museum, to learn the history of Delft and the Netherlands.  Lunch provided at the museum, afterwards set out on a short walking tour of Delft.  Followed by free time in Delft to shop and sketch.

Return to Amsterdam for an evening of leisure and dinner on your own.

Views of Delft

 

Day Four: The Hague

After breakfast we set out for the Hague, to first visit the Kunstmuseum. The home of Mondrian, where we will be lead on a guided tour to see the musuem’s outstanding collection that includes some fantastic Van Goghs, Monet’s and historic Dutch art and Delftware and fashion. 

Kunstmuseum architecture, Mondrian, and delftware gallery

We will then enjoy a short walk through the Bennenhof, a historic architectural area of interest.  Lunch together at Brassiere Mauritshuis followed by a guided tour to admire the Royal Cabinet of Paintings at the Mauritshuis, including works by Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and several of the best Golden Age flower paintings by van Aelst, de Heem, Bosscheart, and many more!

Mauritshuis and Willem van Aelst painting

Return to Amsterdam for an evening of leisure.

 

Day Five: Haarlem & Keukenhof Gardens  

This day will be all about steeping in the culture of the Netherlands.  In Haarlem we will explore Cathedral of St. Bavo and the picturesque Market Square on a walking tour and then we head off to the Teyler’s Musuem.  A unique museum that has been in operation since 1784, and displays are mostly unchanged since then.  We will be led on a special tour and then have lunch together.

Art by Maria Sibylla Merian and Teyler’s Museum

After lunch we will continue onto the Keukenhof Gardens!  I am so looking forward to experiencing the magnificent blooming bulbs.  Some 7 million bulbs are planted each fall for an outpouring of color and floral delight each spring.

 Return to Amsterdam for an evening of leisure.

Different views of the Keukenhof Gardens

  

Day Six: Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum

Spend the morning at the Van Gogh Museum, and explore his earliest works, and learn how his approach to art changed after moving to Paris and then to the south of France. 

Enjoy an independent lunch and leisurely afternoon sketching and exploring Amsterdam.

Gather in the evening for a farewell dinner together.

 

Day Seven: Breakfast and Goodbye.

Canal view of Amsterdam

I’m sure you’re thinking that this all sounds AMAZING, but what’s the investment?

 

Here’s a price breakdown:

Shared room: $4,295

Single room: $5,090

 We will be staying in the 4-star NH Amsterdam Museum Quarter Hotel. Amsterdam will be our home base and we will be staying in the Museum Quarter.

This Tour is full, we are taking a waiting list

 

Questions? Feel free to let me know, and I’ll get back to you. I would absolutely love for you to join us!

 

Liz

 

PS. Curious to know what inspired this art tour?  Read my blog post here.

This trip is perfect for artists and art enthusiasts, spouses and partners alike.

  • Limited to 18 guests

  • Small group, amazing itinerary and experts lead all museum tours.

  • Please review the trip brochure with details on accommodations, prices, and the program.

  • Dates: April 16-23, 2023