Destination: The Netherlands

The Netherlands tours for seniors

Odyssey offers easy, convenient, and relaxed escorted small group tours across Western Europe and beyond. We explore the Netherland’s incredible natural beauty, its vibrant renaissance and imperial heritage, World Heritage Sites, and world famous cities, all with some truly spectacular scenery along the way. This and more is all waiting to be explored on one of Odyssey’s small group tours of the Netherlands, designed for the senior traveller, and led by experienced, and enthusiastic like minded people. Continues below

The Netherlands Tours

Tours for Mature Aged and Senior World Travellers.

art tours for mature travellers

21 days

Sep

Belgium, Netherlands, France, Germany Art Tour | Western Europe Art Tour

Visiting Belgium, France

Most of us have already experienced the grandeur of classic galleries such as the Louvre and the National Gallery. Travel with like-minded people in a small group tour and be surprised by the lesser-known but equally wonderful smaller art galleries across Northwest Europe.

From A$15,895 AUD

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Classical Music Small group tours

22 days

Dec

Opera Tour Europe | Theatre-Opera-Ballet and Classical Music Small Group Tour for Seniors

Visiting England

This 22-day small group program visits the major arts centres of Hamburg, Amsterdam, Paris, and London. We travel in winter avoiding crowds and enjoy a different perspective of the places visited. At Odyssey Traveller we have sought to assemble entry and show tickets to what many will consider the best arts experiences available in those cities during each program.

From A$22,000 AUD

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Dutch tuilp tour Netherlands

7 days

Apr

Dutch Tulips | Netherlands Small Group Tours

Visiting The Netherlands

Our small group guided tour in the Netherlands provides us with a delicious taste of its delights. We view the main sights of old Amsterdam, a World Heritage Site, first on foot and then from the comfort of a cruise along its 17th century canals. Our exploration of Dutch gardens includes the Hortus Botanicus, an impressive university garden. Timed to enjoy what is perhaps the highlight of the program - a visit to Keukenhof’s bulb gardens. They contain more than 7 million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths which fill over 32 hectares.

From A$6,215 AUD

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Houses in Amsterdam The Netherlands

75 days

May, Aug, Apr

Grand tour of Europe

Visiting Austria, Belgium, Croatia

For the senior couple or mature solo traveler seeking a small group educational tour focussed on exploring and learning with like minded people in Europe.

From A$47,275 AUD

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Western Europe Treasures and gardens small group tour Kinderdijk

26 days

Apr

Western Europe Chateaux and Gardens | Small Group Tour for Seniors

Visiting Belgium, France

This small group escorted educational tour combines visits to France, Belgium, Luxemborg, the Netherlands, and Germany. During the 26 days, we will discover a selection of the finest gardens and chateaux in Europe. Our destinations also include several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, for example the royal palaces built by the Prince-Bishop of Cologne in Brühl, Germany.

From A$14,995 AUD

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Tulips, canals, and historic windmills are among the images that come to mind when The Netherlands is mentioned. Take a walking tour through the charming streets of Amsterdam, or visit the dazzling artworks of Dutch artists Van Gogh, Rubens, and Rembrandt (to name just a few) found on display in the country’s many museums and galleries. Visitors in town during tulip time should head to the Keukenhof Flower Park and the Aaalsmeer Flower Auction, while the Netherlands of picture postcards can be found at the Zaanse Schans Windmills. But today’s modern progressive country has more to offer than canals, antique windmills and wooden clogs. Thanks to Dutch innovation and open-mindedness the country leads the way towards environmental sustainability. Most locals prefer to travel by bike than car, making it a breeze to tour Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or whatever city you choose. Whether its old-school charm or modern ingenuity you’re after, Odyssey Traveller’s tours in the Netherlands are the ideal way to explore this fascinating country.

Articles about The Netherlands

Challenges of Art Restoration

Challenges of Art Restoration

Articles examines some of the challenges of art restoration to be considered as a senior couple or mature solo traveler you join a small group tour of Giverny, Brunelleschi's dome in Florence, the map room in Rome or Spinalonga Crete, the challenges remain.

4 Aug 21 · 11 mins read
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Dutch girl in tulip field Netherlands

Questions about the Netherlands for seniors

Escorted small group tours for mature and senior travellers to the Netherlands. Designed for couples and solo travellers who like to explore and enjoy learning about the history of Dutch Tulips or art restoration as they travel to Amsterdam and beyond.

1 Nov 19 · 2 mins read
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art restoration

The Delicate Art of Art Restoration

The Delicate Art of Art Restoration The Netherland’s Rijkmuseum recently announced that it will be restoring Rembrandt’s The Night Watch, its most famous and most treasured painting by the Dutch master. Rembrandt’s group portrait masterpiece,…

30 Oct 18 · 9 mins read
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The History of Dutch Tulip bulbs

The Origins of Tulips While it’s often assumed that tulips have their origins in The Netherlands, they actually originated in Turkey and Central Asia. In the sixteenth century, traders brought Tulip bulbs to Holland from…

1 Nov 17 · 10 mins read
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Touring The Netherlands

The need to know

Getting around

Odyssey travels by coach and occasionally uses local transport, including trains and ferries. Specifics are always outlined in your tour itinerary. Holland is serviced by an excellent train network, offering extensive transportation coverage across the country. The bus network is also very efficient, with services linking all the major towns and cities, as well servicing routes to rural areas and villages.

Accommodation

In major cities, Odyssey stays in centrally located 3-4 star hotels, with easy access to public transport. In smaller towns or rural areas, we usually stay in family-run hotels or guesthouses. On our longstay tours, during which you spend the length of the tour in a single location, we use serviced apartments.

Tour guides

Odyssey always engages local guides with regional knowledge to ensure an authentic experience during which you can learn as much as possible about the history and culture of places you visit.

Geography, Environment, & Weather

Holland covers a total area of 41,543 square kilometres. Much of the country’s land has been reclaimed from the sea, with nearly a quarter of Holland below sea level. The country is almost entirely flat, with only the extreme south of the country having any significant elevation.

Holland has a temperate maritime climate, with mild summers and cool winters. Depending on when you intend to travel, check the weather reports and dress accordingly.

World heritage sites

There are 10 sites in Holland listed on the World Heritage List. You can view the listed properties here: (https://whc.unesco.org/en/statesparties/nl). Holland’s listed properties include:

Defence Line of Amsterdam, the only fortification complex in the world dedicated to protecting a city from the sea
Rietveld Schröderhuis (Rietveld Schröder House), an outstanding example of the Modern Movement in architecture
Wadden Sea, the largest unbroken system of intertidal sand and mud flats in the world.

Festivals & Events

The vibrant culture of Holland is put on display through its many colourful festivals and events. One of the biggest events of the year is the King’s Day (Koningsdag). Held in honour of King Willem-Alexander, towns and cities across the country are decked out in orange with the occasion marked by parades, live music and festive revelry. Given that Holland is famous for its beautiful tulips and flowers, it should come as no surprise that the country holds an entire festival dedicated to them, namely the Keukenhof. The Keukenhof Holland largest garden festival, with thousands flocking to Middenmeer to see elaborate arrangements of countless flower varieties. The architecture of Holland towns and cities is not only commemorated but celebrated through events such as Open Monumentendag (Heritage Day) during which thousands of historical buildings and homes throughout Holland are made open to the public.

Reading list

Amsterdam: A History of the World’s Most Liberal City, by Russell Shorto
A Concise History of Holland (Cambridge Concise Histories), by by James C. Kennedy
Tulipomania: The Story of the World’s Most Coveted Flower & the Extraordinary Passions It Aroused, by Mike Dash
The Embarrassment of Riches: An Interpretation of Dutch Culture in the Golden Age, by Simon Schama

Eating & Drinking

Dairy products, in particular cheese, are a central part of the national diet, with the Dutch often consuming cheese as part of breakfast and lunch, or a snack throughout the day. The most popular varieties are Gouda and Edam, although many other types of cheese are produced and consumed throughout Holland. The former Dutch presence within Indonesia has left its mark on Dutch cuisine, with Indonesian dishes such as bami goreng (stir-fried egg noodles with garlic, onion, meat, egg and chilli) and satay (skewered meat served with peanut sauce) making their way onto Dutch menus in recent years. The Dutch are known for their sweet tooth, with sweeter offerings inclduing poffertjes (pancakes made from yeast and buckwheat flower), stroopwafel (layers of thin waffles sandwiching caramel syrup) and drop (licorice).

Traditional beverages in Holland include advocaat (a cocktail made from eggs, sugar and brandy) and jenever (Dutch gin).

Health & Safety

Generally speaking, Holland is safe to travel in, though always exercise common sense while travelling.

Electrical Supply

Whenever you travel overseas, it’s always wise to take an appropriate travel adaptor. The electricity supply in Holland runs at 230V and 50Hz. In Holland the Type C and Type F electric plug types are used, so make sure you have the right travel adaptor with you.

Tour Reviews

Robert was an excellent leader who made things run smoothly. He had great knowledge about all aspects of the content of this expedition. He interacted with all members of the group. I would be very happy to go on another tour with Robert as leader.

Participant -17

Opera Tour Europe | Theatre-Opera-Ballet and Classical Music Small Group Tour for Seniors

This trip could have been planned for me as all my interests were included - ballet, theatre, concerts, opera and visits to magnificent museums and galleries.

Participant -17

Opera Tour Europe | Theatre-Opera-Ballet and Classical Music Small Group Tour for Seniors

The tour was compact, well planned and intense of course, having to include so much in a short space of time, compared with what we would do and see normally at home. A bit overwhelming, but wonderful for looking back, and a challenge to see how much one can remember.

Participant -17

Opera Tour Europe | Theatre-Opera-Ballet and Classical Music Small Group Tour for Seniors

Robert's knowledge and expertise was greatly appreciated especially as I was the least culturally aware of the group. I enjoyed every minute of the tour, and his cheerfulness even in times of trial ( the weather) and the usual small things that go wrong were met with enthusiasm and help.

Participant -17

Opera Tour Europe | Theatre-Opera-Ballet and Classical Music Small Group Tour for Seniors

FAQs

What is the time zone?

Holland has a single time zone, Central European Standard Time (UTC+1). Daylight savings commence on the last Sunday of March, and conclude on the last Sunday of October.

Is tipping customary in The Netherlands?

If you’re on an Odyssey tour, we take care of tipping so you don’t need to give it a second thought. However, in your free time, or if travelling independently, it’s essential that you tip an appropriate amount for services. Tipping isn’t particularly common in The Netherlands, with a service charge often included with the bill. However, if service is not included, it is polite to round up the bill.

What is the internet access like in The Netherlands?

Wifi is widely available in The Netherlands and should be freely accessible in most hotels, cafes and restaurants.

Can I use my mobile/cell phone while in The Netherlands?

Check with your cell phone provider to see whether you’re able to make calls and use data while in The Netherlands. Many providers will allow you to pay a daily fee that allows you to make calls and check the internet while only being charged your regular rates. However, be certain to inform your provider that you’re heading overseas, because just like a bank they can turn off your service as a result of unusual activity.

Articles about The Netherlands published by Odyssey Traveller:

For all the articles Odyssey Traveller has published for mature aged and senior travellers, click through on this link.

External articles to assist you on your visit to The Netherlands:

Responsible travel tips for The Netherlands

  • Learn at least the local greetings to break the ice. Although many locals speak English, the more you know of the native language, the greater your experience of the country will be.
  • Carry a business card in your wallet or purse from your local hotel, to assist you with the return journey if you do become lost.
  • Always ensure that you are covered by travel insurance. If you need advice on this feel free to contact Odyssey and we’ll be able to help.
  • Before departing, make sure you have a number of lekë in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.
  • When travelling independently, make sure you check the opening hours of shops and museums so that you don’t miss out! Also be certain to check whether your trip coincides with any public holidays, so you can plan accordingly.
  • Before departing, make sure you have a number of euros in a range of denominations. You don’t want to be carrying around enormous amounts of cash, but take enough to make it easy to pay in locations that might not accept credit card. It will also help you avoid card transaction fees, and it makes tipping a breeze.

About Odyssey Traveller

We specialise in educational small group tours for seniors, typically groups between six to 12 people from Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Britain. Our maximum number of people on a tour is 18 mature aged travellers. We have some 150 tours and offer 300 scheduled departures on offer each year. Odyssey has been offering this style of adventure and educational programs since 1983.

Odyssey Traveller is committed to charitable activities that support the environment and cultural development of Australian and New Zealand communities.

Odyssey Traveller scholarship for Australia & New Zealand University students.

We are also pleased to announce that since 2012, Odyssey has been awarding $10,000 Equity & Merit Cash Scholarships each year. We award scholarships on the basis of academic performance and demonstrated financial need. We award at least one scholarship per year. We’re supported through our educational travel programs, and your participation helps Odyssey achieve its goals. Students can apply for the scholarship by clicking on this link to find out more details.

Join our loyalty program when you join an international small group tour.

Every International small group tour taken typically contributes to your membership level in our Loyalty Program for regular travellers. Membership of the alumni starts when you choose to take your first international small group tour with Odyssey Traveller, discounts in tour pricing for direct bookings accrue from your third tour with Odyssey Traveller. To see the discounts and benefits of being a Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Diamond alumni member with us, please see this page.

For more information on Odyssey Traveller and our educational small group tours, visit and explore our website., remember to visit these pages in particular

Alternatively, please call or send an email.

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