Kimkim Trip Reviews for The Netherlands

5.0
Based on 22 ratings
Read 22 verified reviews by travelers who booked their trip on kimkim. You can also read reviews about kimkim on 3rd party sites including Google, TrustPilot and Yelp.

Mother/Daughter art Tour of the Netherlands
The Netherlands | May 20 - May 27, 2023

Patti
Patti S.
Rock Hill, SC | Reviewed on May 29, 2023

My daughter and I did an art tour of the Netherlands. Bas from Beat The Dutch did such a great job matching expectations to our budget. I didn't know what to expect, having never used KimKim before, but overall, it was really great - we were comfortable, safe, and were able to move between cities and sites with ease on public transport, thanks to pre-loaded OV chip cards Beat The Dutch provided. Everybody involved did a wonderful job. read more

My daughter and I did an art tour of the Netherlands. Bas from Beat The Dutch did such a great job matching expectations to our budget. I didn't know what to expect, having never used KimKim before, but overall, it was really great - we were comfortable, safe, and were able to move between cities and sites with ease on public transport, thanks to pre-loaded OV chip cards Beat The Dutch provided. Everybody involved did a wonderful job.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Light
Rotterdam

Super Budget Hotel Friendly and helpful staff, good a/c, good breakfast, very basic amenities, easy access to public transport Make sure you have all your toiletries on hand, as none are provided except for hand soap.

Authenticity & Character
very basic accommodations with no other amenities except hand soap
Location
Staff
Very helpful, ordered an early morning taxi the previous night to bring us to the train station
Cleanliness & Comfort
Room and bathroom were clean
Steenhof Suites
Leiden

Beautiful hotel and rooms/ very helpful staff

Authenticity & Character
beautifully appointed, great old restored building
Location
right in the center of Leiden, public transport, walking distance to town center
Staff
very kind and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
beds were super comfortable, spacious room and bathroom nicely appointed, had all the amenities and toiletries . Great overall stay
Hotel ML
Haarlem

Beautiful room and hotel, terrific breakfast

Authenticity & Character
in a beautifully restored old building
Location
Right in the heart of the center of old Haarlem across the street from the GroteKerk; within walking distance of everything.
Staff
Very accommodating and friendly/helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
no real heat or a/c due to the age of the building. Open the windows, ask for a floor fan, fall asleep listening to the bells of the Grote Kerk
Hotel des Arts
Amsterdam-Centrum

Restored old building, lots of flights of narrow stairs, rooms clean and comfortable

Authenticity & Character
beautifully restored building-
Location
close to all public transport
Staff
very accommodating and helpful with any questions you may have. Lisa was so kind and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Rooms were clean, modern and comfy. Make sure you have all your toiletries as only hand soap and shampoo are provided
Local specialist: Bas Naus
Bas
Bas Naus
Local specialist in Nijmegen, Netherlands | Replied on May 30, 2023

Dear Patti,
It was a great pleasure for us to host your trip, and we are delighted to hear that you had an enjoyable holiday! Glad to hear our services made your trip comfortable and safe. Thanks for choosing kimkim and Beat the Dutch Travel!
Kind regards,
Bas.

everything was amazing and worked out so perf...
The Netherlands | Apr 30 - May 6, 2023

Brad
Brad R.
Springfield, MA | Reviewed on May 13, 2023

everything was amazing and worked out so perfectly. the timing of all activities, tours, adventures worked great with plenty of free time to explore. all recommendations could not have been better! can not thank you guys enough! min need to worry to get anywhere as the drivers and guides are so professional yet social and friendly! i can’t wait to use kimkim again for my next adventure!!!! read more

everything was amazing and worked out so perfectly. the timing of all activities, tours, adventures worked great with plenty of free time to explore. all recommendations could not have been better! can not thank you guys enough! min need to worry to get anywhere as the drivers and guides are so professional yet social and friendly! i can’t wait to use kimkim again for my next adventure!!!!

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 26, 2023

Hi Brad
Thank you for your kind words. I am delighted to hear you and your parents have enjoyed this special visit to the lowlands! It was a pleasure organizing it for you and custom it to fit your travel wishes further.
Wishing you all the best,
Mieke

Trip planner/co-ordinator, Mieke, has been ve...
The Netherlands | Apr 24 - May 3, 2023

Jasmine
Jasmine O.
Singapore | Reviewed on May 12, 2023

Trip planner/co-ordinator, Mieke, has been very professional and patience in putting the trip plan together over more than 2 years, due to multiple disruptions such as COVID-19 locked down. She is always responsive, obliging and accommodating to our requests and made changes swiftly.

We are also very happy and grateful for having Mr Maarten Ablij as our private diver to Zaanse Schans, Edam and Keukenhof. He is very gentle, polite and punctual in picking us from accommodation in the... read more

Trip planner/co-ordinator, Mieke, has been very professional and patience in putting the trip plan together over more than 2 years, due to multiple disruptions such as COVID-19 locked down. She is always responsive, obliging and accommodating to our requests and made changes swiftly.

We are also very happy and grateful for having Mr Maarten Ablij as our private diver to Zaanse Schans, Edam and Keukenhof. He is very gentle, polite and punctual in picking us from accommodation in the morning.

In summary, we had an enjoyable and wonderful time in The Netherlands, especially the visits to Anne Frank House, Naturalis, Boerhaave, Windmill de Valk, Madurodam and Keukenhof. We also loved the Dutch food such as bitterballen and stroopwafel.

Thank you Beat the Dutch Travel and Mieke for the good job well done.

Hotel Reviews
Dutch Golden / Velvet Lodge
The Hague

Hotel staffs are friendly and checking in/out was easy and fast. Room is of a good size, clean and comfortable.

Authenticity & Character
Refurnished old building with a nice welcoming vibe
Location
Within 10mins walk from The Hague Central railway station.
Staff
Both Oscar and his staff are super friendly.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Was not told test the clean would not be cleaned and no towels changed on Koningsdag!
Inntel Zaandam
Zaandam

Disappointed with the check in experience and scare we had. We arrived at 11.30am but was too early as room was not ready. Returned to check in at 7.30pm and being assigned a room on 5th level. However, when we opened the door, we were astonished to see coats hanging on the coats hooks and a big luggage on the luggage rack. Went back to front desk and was told that staff from previous shift had failed to update hotel records when the customer made a room change. Although a new room was cleaned and assigned to us with a complimentary buffet breakfast for the next morning, but we were still very shaken that security and privacy are breached.

Authenticity & Character
Pretty architecture and colors like lego blocks stacked together
Location
3mins walk from Zaadam railway station
Staff
Not competent and did not honor promise.
Cleanliness & Comfort
House keeping did not empty out garbage and replaced clean disposal cups. However, room is big like a small studio with kitchenette.
Activity Reviews
Museum Card Netherlands
The Netherlands

Very convenient and budget friendly to have museum card if planning to visit many museums.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

OV card is handy and can be used on almost all kinds of transportation.

Quality of Experience
Transport
Daytrip to Cheese Farm, Edam and Zaanse Schans
The Netherlands

Not worth going to the cheese farm. A very short brief about the history of the farm and various cheeses, then being led to shop. Too commercialise! There is nothing much to do and see at Edam. Zaanse Schans is too crowded within tourists. Walking paths are narrow and hard to pass through when people were standing around to snap pictures of the windmills. Too commercialise and need to pay entrance fee to almost every sights inside the windmills.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private driver Mr Maarten Ablij is very nice and patience
Keukenhof & tulips fields by private transport
The Netherlands

The botanical garden is very well organised with many different types of tulips, other floral, trees and water features.

Quality of Experience
Need more than 2hours to enjoy the garden
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 24, 2023

Thank you for your wonderful review, Jasmine, and your feedback. This is very valuable to us.
It was a pleasure hosting you here, and thank you again so much for the lovely gift and note you left me. That is so sweet!
Wishing you and your family all the best in the future,
Mieke

Mieke organized a wonderful trip through the Netherlands & Belgium!
The Netherlands | Apr 30 - May 10, 2023

A
Anne marie M.
Danbury, CT | Reviewed on May 12, 2023

Mieke organized a wonderful trip through the Netherlands & Belgium. The itinerary was perfect, well laid out & all our tickets / passes worked fine. She was extremely responsive to any questions we had both prior to and during the trip. Cannot say enough good things about her.
This is the second time we have used Kim Kim for our international trip needs and both have been great experiences.
Thanks for everything!

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 27, 2023

Dear Anne Marie,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It makes me blush!
It was a pleasure planning and organizing your trip and you have been wonderful guests. Glad to head it all worked out well and you have enjoyed your adventure here.
Who knows, till next time?
Wishing you all the best,
Mieke

Mieke was very responsive and helpful
The Netherlands | Apr 14 - Apr 23, 2023

David
David S.
Wolf Trap, VA | Reviewed on May 08, 2023

Mieke was very responsive and helpful with both planning our trip and with respect to a situation that arose during our trip. Overall the itinerary was very good and we enjoyed our time in the Netherlands.

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 11, 2023

Dear David, Thank you for sending in a lovely review. I am very happy to know that you have enjoyed your trip to the Netherlands, and the pictures look great! It was a pleasure hosting you here. Best regards, Mieke

Amazing trip to the Netherlands
The Netherlands | Apr 30 - May 6, 2023

Stacey
Stacey R.
Fair Lawn, NJ | Reviewed on May 07, 2023

Our son did 100% of the planning for this amazing trip to the Netherlands with Miecke. Absolutely everything from the hotels, to the itinerary, to the restaurant recommendations , to the guides, was perfect. All of our ticket purchases for admissions to museums events, etc. as well as train tickets, transportation passes were all purchased in advance. Everything went smoothly in everything that we did. We had one guided tour in Amsterdam with Caroline. She really customized it to what we... read more

Our son did 100% of the planning for this amazing trip to the Netherlands with Miecke. Absolutely everything from the hotels, to the itinerary, to the restaurant recommendations , to the guides, was perfect. All of our ticket purchases for admissions to museums events, etc. as well as train tickets, transportation passes were all purchased in advance. Everything went smoothly in everything that we did. We had one guided tour in Amsterdam with Caroline. She really customized it to what we were interested in and we learned so much from her. We used a driver Maartin who was so nice, pleasant.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel des Arts
Amsterdam-Centrum
Authenticity & Character
Location
Walkable to almost everything
Staff
So helpful and accommodating
Cleanliness & Comfort
No elevator. Tough when on top floor!!
Villa Augustus
Dordrecht

Omg this was the most amazing hotel. Coolest place we stayed in. Delicious dinner in the restaurant. Love how they grow everything they make right out on the property

Authenticity & Character
It was such a cool place. So different from anything we have ever stayed in.
Location
Not sure about the location. It was accessible for us to get to the water bus so that we could get to the windmills. That was all we did. It may have been a little far from the center of town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Am amazing shower!!!!
Hotel de Wereld
Wageningen
Authenticity & Character
Location
Cleanliness & Comfort
Huys van Leiden
Leiden

Stairs to the loft were a little treacherous. But we took it slowly, and were safe.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Walkable to center of town
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Easy to use the past, but very often it was quicker to walk than to take the tram

Amsterdam - Private canal cruise to Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands

This was the first thing we did the morning we arrived in Amsterdam. We had an hour and a half private canal tour, which was wonderful. The guide was very informative, and because it was so early in the morning he was able to take us further in the canals, and he would’ve been later in the day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Historic Amsterdam guided walk with private guide
The Netherlands

Carolyn was very informative regarding Jewish history in Amsterdam. She showed us many interesting sites and give us a good historical tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Keukenhof Gardens by private taxi
The Netherlands

Spectacular! Words and pictures do not begin to describe what these gardens look like. They are so beautiful. Some thing I have wanted to see for many many years and so glad to be able to check it off my bucket list!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 19, 2023

Thank you for your feedback and kind words Stacey! It was an honor for me to form a small part of this special trip and make it happen. Wishing you all the best,
Mieke

And the tulips!
The Netherlands | Apr 11 - Apr 24, 2023

Tracy
Tracy U.
Morganton, GA | Reviewed on May 05, 2023

Last August, I Googled "14 days Netherlands and Belgium" and I found Kim-Kim. It proved to be the best search result ever! Throughout the planning process and when we were on the trip, Mieke was very professional and full of great ideas. She steered us away from the ordinary and suggested terrific alternatives. For example, as opposed to staying in Amsterdam (which we have visited before), she suggested Haarlam and as an alternative to Bruges, we directed us toward Ghent. Moreover, she was... read more

Last August, I Googled "14 days Netherlands and Belgium" and I found Kim-Kim. It proved to be the best search result ever! Throughout the planning process and when we were on the trip, Mieke was very professional and full of great ideas. She steered us away from the ordinary and suggested terrific alternatives. For example, as opposed to staying in Amsterdam (which we have visited before), she suggested Haarlam and as an alternative to Bruges, we directed us toward Ghent. Moreover, she was available to help during our trip. When our flight to Europe was delayed, she was quick to help us adjust our schedule. And we even had the opportunity to share a glass of wine with her during our trip. We were particularly grateful that In the weeks before we began our trip, she offered to get us tickets to the Vermeer exhibit in Amsterdam. We didn't even know this much sought-after exhibit was an option.

We loved Harrlam and the Frans Hal Museum. We had a really fun boat ride in Giethoorn. The Freedom Museum and the Flanders Field Museum were informative and impactful. Ghent was excellent; a beautiful city and some great restaurants. And the tulips!

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 05, 2023

Thank you so much for your kind words! You make me blush! It was a pleasure organizing this trip for you, especially since you had a good number of days to spend and thus had the time for some nice off-beat places as well, besides the highlights. It was an honor hosting you here. I very much enjoyed meeting you and hearing your experiences and stories. Wishing you all the best,
Mieke

Better Than We Could Have Ever Imagined!
The Netherlands | Apr 18 - Apr 25, 2023

Karla
Karla V.
Sunnyvale, CA | Reviewed on May 04, 2023

My husband and I had an amazing 8 days in the Netherlands! I initially tried to book our trip with US agents, but because we wanted to visit the Vermeer Collection and attend other specific events, they were unable to provide what we were looking for. Bas and his team, however, provided exactly what we were hoping for and more! We enjoyed walking tours with very knowledgeable guides like Jelte in Amsterdam and biking through tulip fields and the sand dunes on our own near The Hague. Our... read more

My husband and I had an amazing 8 days in the Netherlands! I initially tried to book our trip with US agents, but because we wanted to visit the Vermeer Collection and attend other specific events, they were unable to provide what we were looking for. Bas and his team, however, provided exactly what we were hoping for and more! We enjoyed walking tours with very knowledgeable guides like Jelte in Amsterdam and biking through tulip fields and the sand dunes on our own near The Hague. Our schedule was a perfect balance of scheduled events and free time for our own interests. It was especially helpful to have Bas and his team available while we were in country to help with any questions we had. From the beginning to the end of this process, Bas has been easy to contact and quick to respond. This was our first time traveling in Europe and, although we were certain it would be wonderful, Bas created what we consider a perfect experience for us!

Activity Reviews
Zaanse Schans visit
The Netherlands

Having a background in farming and engineering, my husband particularly enjoyed our visit to the windmills because he was able to discuss specifics about the inner workings of the mechanics and processes. This is not to be missed!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

Having the OV-Chip card made our travel much easier.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Museum Card Netherlands
The Netherlands

This was great to have included in our trip documents! We went to many museums, even the Panorama in The Hague, which our hotel receptionist recommended. It was unbelievable— and free! because we had this pass!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Bas Naus
Bas
Bas Naus
Local specialist in Nijmegen, Netherlands | Replied on May 09, 2023

Dear Karla,
Thank you very much for your kind words. It was a pleasure to host your trip to the lowlands for you and your husband. Very glad you had a great trip, and that you enjoyed our personalized services. All the best to you and see you again!
Bas.

A Once in a Lifetime Trip to Holland!
The Netherlands | Apr 11 - Apr 15, 2023

K
Kyle & Carrie W.
Norway, ME | Reviewed on May 02, 2023

My husband and I had a fantastic time on our trip. We were greeted by our taxi driver Robert and driven to our first hotel. We continued to see and use Robert’s services throughout our trip and we enjoyed his company and tips so much! Our favorite part of the trip was riding our e-bikes around the flower bulb region and seeing all the farms in bloom. It was well organized and throughout and we appreciate Mieke’s tips/advice/and services so much! read more

My husband and I had a fantastic time on our trip. We were greeted by our taxi driver Robert and driven to our first hotel. We continued to see and use Robert’s services throughout our trip and we enjoyed his company and tips so much! Our favorite part of the trip was riding our e-bikes around the flower bulb region and seeing all the farms in bloom. It was well organized and throughout and we appreciate Mieke’s tips/advice/and services so much!

Hotel Reviews
Het Spoorhuis
Uithoorn
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Dikker & Thijs Hotel
Amsterdam
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Fletcher Hotel de Witte Raaf
Noordwijk
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Amsterdam - Private canal cruise
The Netherlands
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 03, 2023

Hi Kyle and Carrie, Thank you for your lovely words. It was wonderful meeting you in Noordwijk and seeing you enjoy the cycling, and a pleasure putting the trip together for you. Are you planting tulips in your nursery now?
Wishing you all the best!
Mieke

Excellent two week trip to Benelux
The Netherlands | Apr 8 - Apr 23, 2023

L
Libby B.
Avon, CO | Reviewed on May 01, 2023

My husband and I had an excellent two week trip to the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg. Mieke was very responsive and quickly answered all our questions. She helped us plan the perfect vacation that allowed us to go at our own pace and explore the cities of our choosing while helping to identify some off the beaten path locations for us. All of the hotels we stayed at were in great central locations and the few guided tours that we did were really enjoyable with very knowledgeable guides.... read more

My husband and I had an excellent two week trip to the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxemburg. Mieke was very responsive and quickly answered all our questions. She helped us plan the perfect vacation that allowed us to go at our own pace and explore the cities of our choosing while helping to identify some off the beaten path locations for us. All of the hotels we stayed at were in great central locations and the few guided tours that we did were really enjoyable with very knowledgeable guides. Both my husband I have very busy jobs and the use of Kim Kim and Mieke helped us quickly plan a vacation that took all the fuss of planning for travel off our plates. Would highly recommend.

Hotel Reviews
Hotel Parc Beaux Arts
Luxembourg

Very cute small boutique hotel with excellent staff and service. The morning breakfast is delightful and the room was quite spacious and cozy. It's central nature in the old city is perfect for wandering around and exploring but it is located in a popular spot and therefore can be a bit noisy on weekend evenings (this is only a problem if you leave the windows open while sleeping at night). Would highly recommend a stay here and would definitely stay again.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Amrâth Grand Hotel Frans Hals
Haarlem

A great hotel in a perfect location in Harlem. Lovely breakfast in the morning that is quite extensive. The rooms were a bit small, but as we didn't spend much time in them it wasn't an issue. We had a balcony room that faced the main street and therefore things were a bit loud late in the evenings on the weekend, but we otherwise enjoyed our stay. The front desk staff was quite helpful and made delicious dinner recommendations and helped us with reservations.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pillows Grand Boutique Hotel Reylof
Ghent

A beautiful grand hotel. A little bit outside of the main bustling aspect of Ghent which we appreciated. The morning breakfast was the best we had on our trip. Lovely room, quite spacious with comfortable bed. Our bathroom shower had trouble draining one day and the hotel fixed it quickly once we called them. Only complaint was that renting bikes was extra but other than that would highly recommend a stay here. They also have a spa which had we known we might have tried and booked ahead of time, but they were all full when we were there.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Merveilleuse
Dinant

A fun place to stay for a couple of nights. However, the front desk staff is hard to get ahold of and often not at the desk. The room was spacious and comfortable. They are doing renovations on their spa so this was closed when we were there. The hotel is located at the top of a very large hill so make sure to have good walking shoes if you plan on walking to and from town.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Royal Bridges
Delft

Lovely small hotel in a great location in Delft. Easy access from the train station and to most of Delft's main attractions. The room was quite large and comfortable. The breakfast was decent but nothing fantastic. It suited our needs and we were very comfortable during our 3 night stay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Historic Amsterdam guided walk with private guide
The Netherlands

Very knowledgeable guide who shared some secret insights into the beautiful and historic city of Amsterdam. We learned some fascinating tid bits and really enjoyed our time in the city.

Haarlem - day trip to Marken, Volendam and Hoorn
Haarlem

We loved Hoorn! Marken was mostly closed when we were there but we enjoyed wandering around the little sleepy town. Volendam is very touristy and I think we could have skipped it. Would have easily spent more time in Hoorn if possible. We loved our boat tour around Hoorn. This city is incredibly charming and full of great history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Private boat tour Hoorn historic harbor
The Netherlands

Such a fun hour excursion!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands

This made all our transport needs quite easy. We didn't have to think about taking any particular train, tram or bus.

Amsterdam walking lunch tour
The Netherlands

We were taken to a place with the most amazing Apple pie! All the food we had was delicious. We got a little rushed on our last cheese stop as we had tickets for the Anne Frank House. Otherwise it was greatly enjoyable and we loved all the food.

Ghent - Scenic Boat Tour
Belgium

We love a good boat tour and while we had already walked around most of the city it was fun to see it from the water.

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 01, 2023

Hi Libby
Thank you so much for your kind feedback and for taking the time to review the hotels and services. It was a pleasure hosting you here! Wishing you all the best, also to Jake,
Mieke

This was a fantastic trip to the flower and museum highlights of the Netherlands
The Netherlands | Apr 18 - Apr 24, 2023

S
Shannon F.
Framingham Center, MA | Reviewed on Apr 25, 2023

This was a fantastic trip planned and organized with Mieke. Mieke was so easy to work with. She adjusted our itinerary at least five times to make sure we saw what we were interested in the most. We started in Amsterdam the day before our tour officially began with a trip to the Rijksmusuem for the Vermeer exhibit. What a stunning show! We then walked around Amsterdam and came upon the delightful Albert Cuyp Market. We ended our exhausting travel day with a gourmet meal at De Kaas. This is... read more

This was a fantastic trip planned and organized with Mieke. Mieke was so easy to work with. She adjusted our itinerary at least five times to make sure we saw what we were interested in the most. We started in Amsterdam the day before our tour officially began with a trip to the Rijksmusuem for the Vermeer exhibit. What a stunning show! We then walked around Amsterdam and came upon the delightful Albert Cuyp Market. We ended our exhausting travel day with a gourmet meal at De Kaas. This is a gorgeous restaurant set in its own gardens. There even was a stork next with parents outside the window!. We were able to follow Mieke's instructions to get back to Haarlem by public transportation.

The Boutique Staats was a lovely, old, boutique hotel with a delicious breakfast. Our rooms on the top floor were very small; I believe the rooms on the lower floors had very high ceilings and were better. The beds were super comfortable and the location was very good.

Highlights of the rest of the tour included the private canal ride to Amsterdam. We loved our captain. Caroline met us for a private tour of the Van Gogh museum - she was great, navigating us to the most important parts of the museum and educating us on Van Gogh's fascinating life. We were especially delighted with the trip to the Poldertuin gardens in Anna Paolowna. This is smaller and more accessible than Keukenhof and almost as gorgeous. The flower mosaics throughout the town were less impressive than I had imagined, but were fun to see. The auction house was fascinating. We didn't see an actual auction but did see the hundreds if not thousands of carts of flower being driven around for delivery to buyers.
Keukenhof was stupendous. Fully in bloom and almost too beautiful to describe. Our driver, Marten, also took us to a private flower bulb farm with rows and rows of tulips in bloom.
Haarlem was an excellent base for day trips and for dining at night. The restaurants were quite good. Plan well ahead, though, for many of them as they fill quickly during the high season.
Our driver Marten was excellent. Always on time and cheerful.

Hotel Review
Boutiquehotel Staats
Haarlem

Good location in Haarlem, good breakfasts , cozy "living room" for guests to have free coffee, cappuccinos, and an honor bar. Our rooms on the third floor were smaller, I believe, than on the other floors. No elevator, but that is common. A quaint hotel with friendly staff.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 03, 2023

Hi Shannon, Thank you for your kind words! I will also pass your compliments to Martin/Maarten, he will be happy to hear that! It was a pleasure to be a small part of your exploration of the Netherlands, and good to know that you have enjoyed the trip.
Thank you for the note on the chip cards; we will be more thorough there in the future.
Wishing you all the best, Mieke

Biking was the best!
The Netherlands | Apr 8 - Apr 12, 2023

Monique
Monique L.
Germany | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2023

We, a family of 5 with three teenagers, really enjoyed our time in North Holland.
. First, Haarlem was a beautiful town to stay in— much nicer than staying in Amsterdam! Which was only 15 minutes by train!

Our absolute favorite activity was renting bikes and riding to the North Sea! My husband and I don’t normally ride bikes, but with the e-bike rental, it was a breeze! We felt like kids again! And since the Netherlands really was made for biking, there is no better place to revive... read more

We, a family of 5 with three teenagers, really enjoyed our time in North Holland.
. First, Haarlem was a beautiful town to stay in— much nicer than staying in Amsterdam! Which was only 15 minutes by train!

Our absolute favorite activity was renting bikes and riding to the North Sea! My husband and I don’t normally ride bikes, but with the e-bike rental, it was a breeze! We felt like kids again! And since the Netherlands really was made for biking, there is no better place to revive that!
We also went in a good tour of Amsterdam- Marc was an interesting character and showed us some
Non typical areas of Amsterdam with some traditional Dutch food. Glad to have heard about Dutch history in regards to food influences—makes sense- and got to try Genever— the original gin! Our wonderful tour planner, Mieke, had the forethought of getting us tickets to the Vermeer exhibit at the Rijksmuseum. What a treat to see this! Sadly, Easter Sunday and good weather made crowds, and took away from some of the joy. We’ll be back to the museum when it’s less full. The Anne Frank house was good for our children to see, and is well put together.
We also went to the flower auction just south of Amsterdam. Unfortunately not much to see since the auctioning is now done online. Mostly your busses of elderly folks to fight through.
And we also went to Keukenhof to see the spring plantings. The garden is open for only 8 weeks, I believe, and the gardeners make sure it’s all eye candy for this eight weeks with their brilliant planting methods. Very full, but that’s expected if you’re only open for a brief time.
Mieke was super responsive to our wishes, as well as answering any last minute questions. We could not have asked for a better organizer! Thanks for
Making this trip a memorable one for our family! Again, the biking was the best— do it, and you won’t regret it!

Hotel Review
Ambassador City Centre Hotel
Haarlem

Right in the middle of town! Heard the 9pm bells perfectly. All quite good- only surprising thing was that cappuccino cost extra at breakfast. Only drop coffee offered. Staff was super friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on Apr 22, 2023

Hi Monique & family,
How wonderful to read your kind words and that you have enjoyed the Netherlands and the family quality time so much. And some lovely pictures you have added!
We are delighted to have been a part of shaping your family adventure.
Kindest regards, Mieke

Wonderful 7 days in The Netherlands
The Netherlands | Apr 9 - Apr 15, 2023

Elissa
Elissa F.
Manhattan, NY | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2023

Mieke was fantastic to work with! She pulled together a varied and interesting itinerary for 7 days in the Netherlands, arranged a great team of guides and offered so many helpful tips to make the most of our time there. Mieke was also readily available for questions and assistance along the way.
We highly recommend!

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on Apr 18, 2023

Thank you for your wonderful review, Elissa, and I am glad you have enjoyed your stay here in the lowlands. It was a pleasure having you here, come back any time!

Netherlands magic in 6 days
The Netherlands | Mar 27 - Apr 2, 2023

Dr. Steven
Dr. Steven W.
New Orleans, LA | Reviewed on Apr 03, 2023

We are very active travelers- meaning we get off the overnight flight and go straight into tours…seeing as much as we can see in the time we are in wherever we are visiting.

All I had to do is tell Mieke that’s what we wanted, and that we didn’t want to think about anything but seeing as much possible, and boom— she delivered just this.

Every tour guide and every driver was always where they were supposed to be on time. Not one misstep or someone not showing up. They had all... read more

We are very active travelers- meaning we get off the overnight flight and go straight into tours…seeing as much as we can see in the time we are in wherever we are visiting.

All I had to do is tell Mieke that’s what we wanted, and that we didn’t want to think about anything but seeing as much possible, and boom— she delivered just this.

Every tour guide and every driver was always where they were supposed to be on time. Not one misstep or someone not showing up. They had all communicated with one another and literally the logistics of the entire thing were perfect.

The Netherlands were amazing!!!! Every single guide and driver were subperb.

Plan your trip with Mieke- she’s seriously the best!!! I

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on Apr 03, 2023

Wow Steven, that are some kind words! It was a pleasure hosting you here and arranging your trip, and even better to read how much you have enjoyed it. Thank you very much, also on behalf of your driver and local guides. Wishing you all the best - and come back any time :)
Mieke

My incredible trip to The Netherlands and Belgium
The Netherlands | Dec 26 - Jan 9, 2023

R
Roudha L.
the United Arab Emirates | Reviewed on Mar 22, 2023

Our trip advisor was bas and he was incredible to work with and easy to communicate our needs and wants for the trip my mother and I took for the first time in the Netherlands and Belgium. Kimkim is such a great trip advisor website that makes everything super easy and efficient. I would definitely 100000% use Kimkim again for another trip hopefully.

Local specialist: Bas Naus
Bas
Bas Naus
Local specialist in Nijmegen, Netherlands | Replied on Mar 22, 2023

Dear Roudha, Thank you very much for your kind words! We are delighted to hear you enjoyed your stay in the Netherlands and Belgium and that you appreciated our services. All the best to you and see you again!
Kind regards,
Bas.

Charming Towns and World-Class Art
The Netherlands | Aug 3 - Aug 7, 2022

Barbara
Barbara H.
McLean, VA | Reviewed on Aug 08, 2022

We only had 4 nights in the Netherlands, but Mieke put together a great itinerary that made the most of our limited time. From the bustling pace of Amsterdam to the charming canal towns of Leiden, Haarlem, and Delft, we enjoyed every minute of each location. It was magical - a trip we will remember forever.

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on Aug 08, 2022

Thank you so much for your kind words, Barbara. It was wonderful meeting you in Leiden. Glad you have enjoyed it so much!

Mieke is awesome
The Netherlands | May 21 - May 29, 2022

S
Sarah L.
Wilkinsburg, PA | Reviewed on Jun 13, 2022

Working with Mieke was great. She offered cool and interesting suggestions such as the Upside Down which turned out to be a really fun activity for our family. She also put together an itinerary that gave us flexibility to do some exploring on our own as well as getting us tickets to the must see Van Gogh museum. The transportation in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands also worked out smoothly with tickets that gave us flexibility in travel times. Our favorite tourist destination... read more

Working with Mieke was great. She offered cool and interesting suggestions such as the Upside Down which turned out to be a really fun activity for our family. She also put together an itinerary that gave us flexibility to do some exploring on our own as well as getting us tickets to the must see Van Gogh museum. The transportation in Amsterdam and the rest of the Netherlands also worked out smoothly with tickets that gave us flexibility in travel times. Our favorite tourist destination was the Gravensteen castle tour- it had everything you want to see in a castle plus a very funny audio guide. Loved it and missing the Netherlands and Belgium already.

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on Jun 13, 2022

How wonderful to read all this, Sarah! I am glad you have had such a wonderful family time and enjoyed the reunion with your Dutch relatives. It is an honor to have been able to play a role in facilitating your family adventure! You have been wonderful guests and we loved hosting you here. Wishing you and the girls all the best,
Mieke

The Netherlands and Belgium
The Netherlands | May 29 - Jun 9, 2022

Cindy
Cindy w.
Canada | Reviewed on Jun 10, 2022

We had an absolutely amazing time traveling to The Netherlands and Belgium thanks to Bas from Beat the Dutch Travel who we met through kimkim.

Throughout the planning process, Bas was exceptionally helpful; he asked us good questions to get a sense of our interests, needs, budget etc. and always responded to our messages in a timely manner. Early in the process he provided a potential itinerary which was sufficiently detailed to give us a sense of what our trip might look like and then... read more

We had an absolutely amazing time traveling to The Netherlands and Belgium thanks to Bas from Beat the Dutch Travel who we met through kimkim.

Throughout the planning process, Bas was exceptionally helpful; he asked us good questions to get a sense of our interests, needs, budget etc. and always responded to our messages in a timely manner. Early in the process he provided a potential itinerary which was sufficiently detailed to give us a sense of what our trip might look like and then refined it after our review. In addition to activities that were booked for us, Bas, and his colleague Mieke, also provided us with a curated list of restaurants and sights we might like to consider during unplanned times. All tickets for transit and for sights were purchased for us, which took the stress out of our travel planning. Having a local specialist make suggestions with regard to sights to see meant that we were able to take in the "must-sees" as well as some that were less likely to be visited by tourists. The accommodations that we selected, based on Bas' recommendations were all unique and interesting and suited our needs well.

During our trip we had private tours booked in Amsterdam, Nijmegen and Antwerp which helped us to get an appreciation for each of these cities from the perspective of and with the expertise of a local guide. One particular highlight of our trip, one for which we are particularly grateful was the opportunity to meet Bas when he acted as our driver so that we could visit 'The Crossing Bridge', the Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery, and Vrijheidsmuseum (Freedom Museum), which would have been difficult for us to visit via public transport. In addition to meeting a very practical need in terms of transport, we deeply appreciated the opportunity to learn about life in The Netherlands through is eyes.

Both Bas and Mieke were very responsive to our questions and concerns both before we traveled and then while we were on the trip. We are very grateful to them for making our trip to The Netherlands and Belgium stress free and highly memorable. Thanks to them we can't wait to plan our next trip!

Hotel Reviews
Amstelzicht
Amsterdam

We loved staying at the Amstelzicht Hotel. It is small (with only 14 rooms) and quaint with a great location. The staff were friendly and helpful. We had a lovely view of the canal and the hotel is a very short walk from Rembrandt Square. Transit from the hotel is very easy. The rooms are comfortable and clean.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Opoe Sientje B&B
Nijmegen

This was a very unique place to stay. We stayed in the the Deckhouse apartment. Our "room" on the boat was cozy with an outer room (including a kitchenette, dining table, and sofas) and a small bedroom. It has a great view of harbour and the bridge over the river Waal. We took a very peaceful walk around the premises in the early morning. Since we only stayed one night we didn't get to enjoy all of what Opoe Sientje has to offer. Breakfast, served in the Hold, was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel New York
Rotterdam

The hotel is very interesting and historic with a wonderful location. The rooms are bright with lots of windows and high ceilings. The staff were friendly and helpful.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
De Keyser Hotel
Antwerp

This hotel is located about a 5 minute walk from the train station and in the heart of the city. The room was small but met our needs.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Atlas B&B
Ghent

We loved this B&B. Our room was very spacious and had a lot of character. The staff were very friendly and helpful. Our only complaint was that our washroom (although private - just ours) was outside of our room and down 12 stairs. Otherwise, we had a lovely stay. Breakfast, served in a small dining room was delicious.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Our room was very comfortable and clean. We give only 4 stars since our washroom was outside of our room.
Activity Reviews
Public Transport Pass Amsterdam
The Netherlands
Amsterdam - Private canal cruise to Rijksmuseum
The Netherlands

This canal cruise was one of the highlights of our trip. The captain of the boat was very knowledgeable and shared with us interesting information and stories about Amsterdam. Our cruise was scheduled in the morning. It was very peaceful and quiet. Seeing the city from the canal is a must!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
World War II excursion Westerbork & Veluwe
Amsterdam

We were really grateful to be able to visit Het Verscholen Dorp (the Secret Village). Although it has such a troubling history as a hideout for Dutch Jews, it was fascinating to see.

Amsterdam - Westerbork - Veluwe - Arnhem/Nijmegen
The Netherlands

We will be talking about this experience for years to come! It was so sobering to come to this place where Dutch Jews, Roma, and other prisoners were brought during WWII but helped us to visualize history.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Bas Naus
Bas
Bas Naus
Local specialist in Nijmegen, Netherlands | Replied on Jun 15, 2022

Dear Cindy and Clyve,
Thank you so much for this wonderful review! I am delighted to hear you had a pleasant trip in the Netherlands & Belgium, and that you appreciated our help here! Personally, I can also say the 2 full days we spent together when I was your driver/guide, were very nice. I really enjoyed your company, getting to know you and learning about your life in Canada, and talking about life here in the Netherlands. Thanks for the good times we had together!
All the best to you and see you again sometime in Nijmegen ;-)
Warm regards,
Bas.

Four friends bike tour of the Netherlands
The Netherlands | Apr 17 - Apr 22, 2022

Maureen
Maureen M.
Portsmouth, RI | Reviewed on May 31, 2022

Mieke provided us with a fabulous itinerary (Haarlem, Noordwijk, Leiden, Gouda, and Uithoorn) and carefully chosen hotels along the way. She accommodated us with many requests and some changes in the early days of planning this trip. Sebastian was very responsive to our needs regarding the bikes and GPS. The e- bikes provided were in excellent condition and fun to ride. Mieke arranged for transport of one rider on a day she did not wish to ride secondary to some physical concerns. We were very pleased with KimKim and I have told many friends about the company.

Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 31, 2022

Hi Maureen, thank you for your kind words! You indeed had a very adventurous and active trip, and I am very pleased that you liked it so much. We have enjoyed hosting you here and showing you a bit of the lowlands. Some of your friends have indeed already contacted us for a trip of their own, so thank you very much for the recommendation, this is very much appreciated.
All the best to all you ladies!

Had a great trip that Mieke had only a short ...
The Netherlands | Apr 25 - May 3, 2022

Anthony
Anthony K.
Bushnell, FL | Reviewed on May 13, 2022

Had a great trip that Mieke had only a short time to prepare for us due to our cruise cancelling at last minute. Very easy to work with and great communication. read more

Had a great trip that Mieke had only a short time to prepare for us due to our cruise cancelling at last minute. Very easy to work with and great communication.

Hotel Review
Suitehotel Posthoorn
Monnickendam

Very nice staff and beautiful old hotel. If you enjoy 4 or 6 course meals you will love this place.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Review
Flower bulb & Keukenhof excursion
Scheveningen

Very beautiful exhibition and our guide was amazing.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Thank you Maarten!
Local specialist: Mieke Arendsen
Mieke
Mieke Arendsen
Local specialist in The Netherlands | Replied on May 13, 2022

Thank you for your wonderful review! We have loved hosting you here.
Wishing you all the best, and maybe till next time :)