There are only around 35 paintings attributed to the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer, but his works are some of the most recognisable paintings in the world. They include View of Delft and Girl with a Pearl Earring. You will see both of these revered works on this exclusive six-day tour with the company of top art critic Andrew Graham-Dixon, who is an expert on Vermeer.
Andrew will share his vast knowledge of the Dutch Golden Age during an exclusive talk and Q&A session. A real highlight of the trip will be a private, out-of-hours viewing of the Vermeer Room at the Mauritshuis in The Hague, where Andrew will join you, before you explore the rest of the museum with a local expert guide.
A visit to Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum will give you the chance to explore its 8,000-strong collection of artworks, including some of Rembrandt's most famous works and Vermeer's The Milkmaid and Woman Reading a Letter.
There's also time on this trip to stroll through the leafy parks and squares and along the elegant boulevards of The Hague, discover Gouda's vast market square and taste its famous cheese, explore Leiden, the birthplace of Rembrandt, and go on a walking tour of beautiful Delft, where you'll be based for five nights.
You'll be staying in the conveniently-located Best Western Museumhotels Delft, right in the historical heart of the city and close to the excellent Prinsenhof Museum, which you'll visit to see artefacts from Dutch history and a collection of Golden Age paintings.
Andrew Graham-Dixon is a leading art critic, writer, journalist, and broadcaster. Andrew has a long history of public service in the field of the visual arts, having judged the Turner Prize, the BP National Portrait Prize, and the Annual British Animation Awards, among others.
This morning you'll board the Eurostar at London St Pancras and travel towards Rotterdam, where you'll be met by your tour guide.
From Rotterdam, you'll transfer to Best Western Museumhotels Delft, your base for the trip.
You'll have a free evening to settle into the hotel, enjoy some time to relax with a drink, or explore your new surroundings.
After a filling breakfast at the hotel, you'll head out for a half day walking tour with your expert tour guide, to explore the attractions of Delft.
As part of this tour, you'll visit the Museum Prinsenhof, a historical institution housed in a former monastery. You'll see a selection of artefacts telling the story of the region's history, including a collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings.
You'll then have the rest of the afternoon and evening at leisure, perhaps wandering along its pretty canals or having a drink in one of the cafes lining the market square.
After breakfast at the hotel, head out for another day of lively walking tours.
First stop is the prestigious university city of Leiden, Rembrandt's birthplace, where you'll find a beautiful old town, crisscrossed by ancient canals and full of historic buildings. While here, you'll visit the Stedelijk Museum de Lakenhal, which houses several 17th-century Dutch paintings.
Next you'll visit Gouda, famous for its cheese. You'll head to De Goudse Waag, a historic 17th century building which was originally used to weigh goods like cheese, butter, and other agricultural products. Today, the building houses a museum where visitors can learn about Gouda's rich cultural heritage and cheese-making traditions as well as enjoy a tasting of this famous Dutch cheese.
This evening, back at the hotel, there'll be a gala dinner with Andrew Graham Dixonwhere he'll give a talk preparing you for tomorrow's visits.
Following an early breakfast, you'll be transferred to The Hague. You'll enjoy a 90-minute private visit to the world-renowned Mauritshuis, home to the best Dutch paintings from the 17th century, before it opens to the general public.
You'll enjoy a private viewing with Andrew Graham-Dixon in the Vermeer Room, where you can admire, among others, Vermeer's Girl with a Pearl Earring and View of Delft, Carel Fabritius's The Goldfinch and some of Rembrandt's works. The remaining 45 minutes of your out-of-hours viewing will be spent on a guided tour of the other rooms with one of the gallery's expert guides. Witness masterpieces by Peter Paul Rubens and Anthony van Dyck.
Your next stop will be the nearby Panorama Mesdag. The incredible 360-degree cylindrical painting, which is more than 14m high and 120m in circumference, will transport you back to the fishing village of Scheveningen in 1881 as captured by Hendrik Willem Mesdag, one of the most important painters of The Hague School.
You'll then head to the lovely seaside resort town of Scheveningen, where you can enjoy a leisurely stroll along its long esplanade, soaking in views of the sandy beach and the North Sea beyond.
Today, you will head to Amsterdam to wander the atmospheric lanes and canals of the Dutch capital and visit one of the world's greatest art galleries, the Rijksmuseum.
Here you will enjoy works such as The Night Watch and Isaac and Rebecca by Rembrandt and Vermeer's The Milkmaid and Woman Reading a Letter.
You will then pay a fascinating visit to the Rembrandt House Museum, based in the house where the artist lived for 20 years.
Checking out of your hotel this morning and leaving Delft, you'll travel to Rotterdam by coach before boarding a train to Brussels ready to catch the Eurostar to return to London.
The Best Western Museumhotels Delft is in a fantastic location right in the historical heart of Delft and within walking distance of its major attractions. The Prinsenhof Museum is just a few moments away from the hotel. The comfortable and tastefully-decorated guest rooms feature televisions, private bathrooms with baths and showers, a desk area, hair dryer, and an iron and ironing board. You’ll have breakfast included each day in the elegant dining room, featuring fresh, locally sourced products.
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* From price per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, subject to availability, includes savings. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Days 4 and 5 are switched for 18 October 2024 departure. Single supplement £299. Deposit 30%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).
* From price per person, based on two people sharing a twin room, subject to availability, includes savings. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £299. Deposit 30%. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Offers are not valid in conjunction with any other offers or promotions. In the case of unforeseen circumstances, expert(s) may be substituted, and any expert-led events may be subject to change. Expert(s) will not join you for your full trip duration unless otherwise stated. Travel insurance is not included and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).