Handpicked Holland Tour Packages for Every Traveler in 2025
Traveling through the Netherlands is a bit like flipping through the pages of a storybook. Every city, every village, and even every waterway has its own tale to tell. The country may be small, but it offers a wide variety of experiences — from cruising under Amsterdam’s iconic bridges to learning the secrets of making syrup waffles, from stepping inside a fairy-tale castle to tasting world-famous Dutch cheese.
We’ve hand-picked a selection of recommended tour packages in Holland that capture the essence of Dutch culture, history, and everyday joys. To make it easier, I’ve grouped them into categories based on the type of experience: canal cruises, unique city tours, cultural experiences, and heritage explorations.
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Canal Cruises: The Dutch Way of Seeing the World
Holland was built on water, and there’s no better way to explore its cities and landscapes than by boat. Each canal cruise offers a different perspective, from the bustling capital to quiet villages where life still moves slowly.
1. Amsterdam Open Boat Cruise with Unlimited Drinks & Bite
Sailing through Amsterdam’s canals is already magical, but imagine doing it with a glass of wine or cold beer in hand — unlimited refills included. This eco-friendly open boat glides past some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, from the Skinny Bridge to the grand Amstel Hotel, while the skipper shares insider stories. It feels less like a tour and more like hanging out with friends, floating through history.
2. Utrecht City Canal Cruise
2. Utrecht City Canal Cruise
Utrecht’s canals are unlike any others in the Netherlands. Instead of just houses and bridges, the waterways here are lined with wharf cellars, where cafés and small shops sit right at water level. A canal cruise in Utrecht reveals this unique architecture and gives you a sense of the city’s youthful, university vibe mixed with centuries-old charm.
3. Giethoorn Canal Cruise through Village and National Park
If Amsterdam feels lively and Utrecht feels quirky, Giethoorn feels like stepping into a dream. Known as the “Venice of the North,” this village has no cars — only canals, footpaths, and little bridges. A canal cruise here takes you past thatched-roof cottages, lush gardens, and the peaceful expanse of Weerribben-Wieden National Park. It’s one of the most tranquil experiences you can have in Holland.
Unique City Tours: Seeing Urban Life with a Twist
Dutch cities are known for their innovation and creativity, and sometimes the tours themselves reflect that spirit. If you want something beyond the classic walking or bus tours, these options give a fun, unusual perspective.
4. Rotterdam Harbor Tour
Rotterdam is Europe’s busiest port, and the best way to understand this city is to see it from the water. The Rotterdam Harbor Tour shows you not just the modern skyline but also the massive ships and working docks that make this city tick. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the beating heart of global trade.
5. Rotterdam Splash Tour
This isn’t your typical sightseeing bus. The Splash Tour is a bright yellow amphibious vehicle that drives through the city streets and then — with a dramatic splash — enters the Maas River. It’s a little kitschy, very fun, and a great way to see Rotterdam from both land and water without switching tours. Kids especially love it, but adults can’t help but laugh too.
Cultural Experiences: Taste, Touch, and Create
Travel is not only about what you see, but also about what you taste and make with your own hands. These tours are perfect if you want to dive deeper into Dutch traditions.
6. Amsterdam Stroopwafel-Making Workshop
If you’ve ever bitten into a warm stroopwafel — two thin waffles with caramel-like syrup inside — you know why it’s one of the Netherlands’ most beloved treats. In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn to make your own stroopwafels from scratch. It’s fun, interactive, and yes, you get to eat your creation fresh off the iron.
7. Gouda Cheese Experience
Say cheese — literally. Gouda is famous worldwide, and in this interactive experience you’ll discover its history, production, and of course, taste plenty of samples. It’s not just about cheese; it’s about understanding how this golden wheel became a symbol of Dutch identity.
Heritage Explorations: Castles and History
The Netherlands isn’t just windmills and tulips — it also has grand castles, each with its own story.
8. De Haar Castle Park Entry in Utrecht
De Haar Castle looks like something straight out of a fairy tale, with towers, drawbridges, and lush gardens. A visit to the castle grounds lets you wander through the manicured park, admire its romantic design, and imagine the aristocratic life of centuries past. It’s especially beautiful in spring and summer, when the roses are in full bloom.
Before You Set Sail…
Whether you’re sipping unlimited wine on an Amsterdam boat, giggling on a splash bus in Rotterdam, or tasting cheese in Gouda, these hand-picked tours capture the diversity of Holland. They combine the country’s waterways, innovative cities, deep-rooted traditions, and fairy-tale landscapes into experiences you’ll remember long after your trip.
If you’re planning your journey, consider mixing and matching: one day for a city canal, another for a cultural workshop, and yet another for a castle or a cheese adventure. That way, you don’t just see Holland — you taste it, hear it, and feel it too.
If you’d like to dive even deeper into planning your trip, don’t miss our other guides — The Best of the Netherlands Travel Guide 2025: Canals, Windmills, Cheese & More, and Holland Cultural Tours: A Deep Dive into Dutch Art, History, and Heritage.