Amsterdam for Christmas
Experience Overview
Canals lit by fairy-lights and a sparkly town square are sure to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. This is just the start of Christmas in Amsterdam. Make tracks out of London and enjoy the festivities and winter wonderland that is a traditional European Christmas.
Highlights
Dining Summary
- 1 Dinner (D)
- 3 Breakfast (B)
- 1 Lunch (L)
FAQs
- London: Travelling to (and through) the UK & Northern Ireland? You’ll need Essential Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)From January 8, 2025, UK law means that if you’re entering/transiting through border control in the United Kingdom (UK) and Northern Ireland you’ll need an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before you travel. Confused? Don’t be – just read on here.
Included Experience
- Dover: See the iconic chalk-white coastline. So special that it’s had songs dedicated to it.
- Amsterdam: Time to eat like it’s Christmas in the Netherlands! (Spoiler alert: after this, you won't want to spend Christmas any other way.)
- Edam: Love cheese? Love clogs? Love learning too? Today is your lucky day. We'll visit a local farm where both cheese and clogs are made, and we'll get a demonstration of both. You'll also get to sample lots of cheese (and an aperitif too if you like).
Trip Details
Product Code: 18954
Tour Type: Group Tour
Accommodation: Deluxe
Transport: Private
Guide Language: English
Travel Styles:
Family, 55+, Luxury
Tour Operator:
Contiki (CA)
Supplier Code: 27.78A
Starts: London, United Kingdom
Finishes: London, United Kingdom
Duration: 4 days
Departures: Guaranteed
Physical Rating:
Easy
Includes
Price
Price per person: (Double Occupancy) CAD $908 ($227 /day)
Itinerary
Our family joins forces today in London filled with an invigorating mix of Christmas cheer and eagerness to explore Amsterdam. A festive ride across countries and into Amsterdam - that's not the most usual Christmas time experience, but by Santa it's a good one! Shortly before we find our ferry for France, we'll be taking in the English coastline beauty of the White Cliffs of Dover. They owe their gorgeousness to their composition of chalk - you're in awe and we haven't even left the UK! Off the ferry we arrive in the port town of Calais - French soil! We travel north via Belgium before reaching ... Amsterdam! Cross off another country off your list as you cruise through Belgium on your way to Amsterdam. Fun fact: the city has 1539 bridges, 165 canals, and 2500 house boats. Yes, you read that right, and it's all here for you to explore. On arrival it's dinner on us, then get out and make the most of the spirited streets all lit up and Christmas-y with a walking tour around pretty canals.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)
Meals: Dinner
Wakey wakey…time to wish your wolf pack a very Gelukkig Kerstfeest (that’s Merry Christmas in Dutch!) Off to the countryside for a taste of tradition (and cheese.) We’ll visit a local clog and cheesemaker's house to learn how two of the country's most famous symbols are made. This Christmas, you'll enjoy a delicious Christmas feast with a uniquely Dutch twist in Edam! Afterwards, we'll head back to Amsterdam where you’re free to take a walk and let your food digest. One to remember? You bet.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today is yours to explore...visit some iconic museums (think: the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and even the STRAAT museum if you're an art-lover!), stroll the gorgeous waterways & admire the Neo-gothic architecture.
Accommodation: Holiday Inn Express Amsterdam North Riverside (or similar)
Meals: Breakfast
That's a wrap on Christmas in Amsterdam folks! Time to head back to the big smoke & get prepared for a new year of travel ventures. There's something pretty special about sharing the festive season together. Take your last group hug and promise to reunite in the not too distant future.
Meals: Breakfast
Similar Tours
Tour Operator
Contiki (CA)
Contiki is a New Zealand-based tour company that caters to 18 to 35-year-olds, offering over 350 different tours in over 75 countries in Europe, Australia, New Zealand, North America, South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.[1] It is a subsidiary of The Travel Corporation. Its tours historically had a reputation for partying;[2][3] however, it also operates wellness trips culturally immersive experiences that focus less on alcohol, which are more popular with Generation Z.[4] The company owns lodging facilities in Europe, including the Chateau De Cruix, a 16th century castle in the Beaujolais wine region, and the Gasthof Schoneck in the Austrian Tyrol. The name "Contiki" comes from the portmanteau 'Con' from the word 'Continent' and 'Tiki'; from the Māori referring to the first man, often symbolised as a pendant known as hei-tiki. It can also be attributed to the New Zealand slang 'Tiki-tour' describing taking a longer route to a destination in order to explore.[5]
In Business Since 1931
Reviews
Serena - Traveled, January 2024
Trip Manager & our driver we’re amazing! So helpful & has a great attitude at all times. Amazing job planning out the trip. Trip managers were great & super helpful! Love, love, love! If you’re considering Contiki- DO IT. It is so worth it.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 01/08/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, February 2024
Wicked Cool no complaints everything that was planned was amazing and were an unbelievable match up to run it. A wicked cool learning experience as well a lot of fun for the Christmas holidays!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 02/09/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, March 2024
The weather wasn’t the best. Rainy and overcast most days. Wa#nt the biggest fan of my roommates as it was a fairly small group of us. First time traveling internationally since Covid and glad I spent the trip with Contiki. The travel, lodging, meals, activities everything was planned effortlessly. Going to Greece in may with contiki. Highly recommend.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 03/10/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, April 2024
I put it in my review before, come on guys, fix up. Last minute request to book trip, I book all pre travel accommodation and and post travel waited a few days no sign of confirmation of trip. Worried that I won't be on the trip, messaged and was told confirmed promptly but had I not messaged probably won't have messaged. Booked transport to London which arrived at 10pm to have tour guide message to say there is welcome meeting at 4pm to meet all the group so ultimately reltaionsps were stronger with half the group as most of us arrived later. Transport was long but driver was cool however did feel that we were told info that was deceiving as a person who's travelled with better solo group tours ie gadventures Trip was OK, itinerary was exaggerated slightly and was told a traditional Xmas dinner go Chinese. Spent 60 euros on add on trips and told there would nothing opened of Christmas day but there was everywhere. There was little je nais se quois on the evening, getting drunk, make own way home, cost 25 euros in a uber or an hour on public transport to a 4star hotel which was uneccessary as we barely stayed there and didn't ultise the facilities, could have had a hostel in the city. Won't recommended, guide was good bus I always sensed an ulterior motive. ALSO THEY BOMBARD YOU EITH SPAM EMAIL EVEN THOUGH YOU UNSUBSCRIBE ARGGGHHHH.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 04/11/2024
Thomas - Traveled, May 2024
Okay so what's included on the trip for the price you pay is great. Amsterdam is picturesque too. The coach is good and the trip manager and driver were excellent on our trip. But here is what Contiki won't tell you: You stay in a 2 star hotel about 15 minutes from central Amsterdam. After a quick Google search this hotel is known for bedbugs. We also had a rat in our room that was pretty grim. We told reception and they found it hilarious, so after fighting to get moved rooms we're put in a room with a broken door that will lock you in. So back to reception. Third time they move us into a hostel style room with bunk beds (not ideal for a Christmas trip with your girlfriend I have to say.) The food is basic as best. Amsterdam is cool but you will find yourself wondering around the same streets over and over again on the 3rd or 4th day because you've done everything you can... Over all I wasn't impressed with the accommodation and a lot of other aspects of the trip. I would also like to take this opportunity to say that the trip manager and driver were brilliant. Brilliant. Staff we fab and trip manager and driver were excellent.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 05/12/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, June 2024
Excellent and easy experience. Excellent!
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 06/29/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, September 2024
Everything was closed because it was Christmas, the walking tour was canceled in favour of a sex show without prior warning, and you had to pay for the show whereas the walking tour was meant to be included. I did not want to see a sex show or get wasted which turned out to be one of the main focuses of this trip. Christmas lunch was meant to be a traditional European/Netherlands Xmas meal — in the end we got Chinese food buffet style in a small restaurant. Our tour manager got smashed and had to be put in a cab home, and he was terrible at giving directions - they never got you where you were trying to go. Mostly we had free time and not very much planned or organized for us. Don’t go if your aim isn’t to party hardy. Saving grace of this trip was the clog and cheese factory - that was really cool.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 09/28/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, October 2024
I received the information with enough time in advance and everything was very well organized. If needed, my queries would be answered fast. The guide (Carl) was brilliant from start to finish. Everybody was friendly and as a solo traveler this was very important. In the short tour we had it was possible to have group activities but also to have free time, so it was a very nice balance.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 10/23/2024
Anonymous - Traveled, November 2024
Had a great time, but.. bedbugs.
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 11/25/2024
Abigail - Traveled, December 2018
Brilliant time on tour, everything organised...
Source: Tour operator Submitted: 12/27/2018
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