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For Immediate Release

Top 10 Picks for Amsterdam – All New Private Tours

Artisans of Leisure’s new luxury Holland tours feature the best of Amsterdam and beyond

New York, NY, August 7, 2013 – New York-based luxury tour operator Artisans of Leisure has just launched an exclusive new series of private tours in Holland with an emphasis on Amsterdam.

The tours feature the very best of Amsterdam’s art, gardens, canals, food, neighborhoods and Jewish history, as well as private excursions to the most interesting destinations in the region, such as Delft. The tours include daily touring with expert private guides and drivers, accommodation at the finest luxury hotels, and activities customized to the interests of the travelers.

“Right now is an incredibly exciting time to visit Amsterdam. In many ways, the city is experiencing a new cultural Golden Age while also enthusiastically celebrating its past,” says Ashley Isaacs Ganz, founder and CEO of Artisans of Leisure. “Seeing the newly renovated Rijksmuseum is reason enough to visit Amsterdam now, whether for the first time or as a repeat visit. The museum’s renowned art collection and stunning, updated interiors epitomize how the city combines the best of the old and new, tradition and innovation.”

What else does Ashley recommend? Here are her top 10 experiences in Amsterdam and the surrounding region, all of which can be incorporated into Artisans of Leisure’s new private Holland tours:

  1. A private boat ride through Amsterdam’s most picturesque canals.
  2. Enjoying an Indonesian rijsttafel (rice table) dinner of many different small dishes. Artisans of Leisure makes advance dining reservations at Amsterdam’s top restaurants.
  3. Art, art and more art. Amsterdam is one of the best art destinations in the world, with renowned collections of work by Old Masters, Vincent van Gogh and leading contemporary artists. Artisans of Leisure arranges tours of the city’s best museums, Golden Age architecture and other art sites with deeply knowledgeable experts.
  4. Touring focused on Jewish history. In addition to the renowned Anne Frank House, Amsterdam has many other important sites related to Jewish history—such as the Dutch Resistance Museum and still-in-use Portuguese Synagogue—making the city a fascinating destination for Jewish touring.
  5. A private excursion to the early morning flower market in Aalsmeer. It’s fascinating to watch the movement on the market floor, where flowers of every color and variety are prepared for shipping all over the world.
  6. Strolling through the riverside Zaanse Schans district. In addition to the open-air museum, which features traditional Dutch architecture and culture, Artisans of Leisure’s tours include off-the-beaten-path touring in nearby residential districts filled with charming historic buildings and landmarked homes.
  7. An excursion to Delft for a private appointment and behind-the-scenes tour of Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles (Royal Delft), the city’s only remaining porcelain factory from the 17th century. Artisans of Leisure arranges private tours and painting workshops at the factory, which is also a great place to shop for exquisite blue-and-white pottery. Lunch or afternoon tea at the factory is another highlight of the visit.
  8. A guided walking tour focusing on Amsterdam’s private manor homes, hidden gardens and squares.
  9. A private tasting of jenever (the grandfather of gin and the Dutch national drink) at one of the city’s oldest distilleries. Or, a private tasting of Dutch cheese with a local food expert.
  10. A private tour of world-class contemporary architecture in and around Amsterdam. The Dutch are renowned for design, and even the most industrial areas and buildings are surprisingly attractive.

Artisans of Leisure arranges private, customized luxury tours in more than 50 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.artisansofleisure.com or call (800) 214-8144.

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