Rail Tours
In The Footsteps Of The Dutch Masters Featuring The Rijksmuseum
We follow the Dutch Masters through the Netherlands, with the Rijksmuseum as the central art focus and visits that extend the story beyond Amsterdam to Delft, Leiden and Gouda. The tour suits travellers who want familiar names in Dutch art placed within the towns and cultural settings that shaped them.
We begin in Delft, where canals, cobbled lanes, Vermeer associations and blue-and-white ceramics help set the scene, before visiting the Prinsenhof and continuing to The Hague for the Mauritshuis and Panorama Mesdag.
Leiden adds Rembrandt’s birthplace and elegant canal-lined streets, while Gouda brings its Markt square and the stained glass of St Janskerk. In Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum provides the central collection of Dutch masterpieces.
what’s included
At A Glance
itinerary & excursions
September 2026 Itinerary
Please note this is the itinerary for the 2026 departure of this holiday. Please scroll down for the updated 2027 itinerary.
Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.
Day 1: Travel by Eurostar from St Pancras direct to Rotterdam
On arrival transfer by coach (approx. 20 minutes) to Delft and check-in to your hotel. This evening there will be a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Morning Walking Tour Of Delft
It isn’t hard to see why Delft is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to the Netherlands: firstly there’s Vermeer, then the town’s famous blue and white ceramics and last but certainly not least the gorgeous centre, a jumble of old tiled houses, tree-lined canals, and lovely little bridges, though it’s the feeling of the place that holds most of the appeal. Wandering the narrow streets is a must, and the Prinsenhof, one of a few fascinating old buildings, has a collection of Golden Age paintings.
Day 3: Full Day Tour To The Hague & The Mauritshuis Collection & Panorama Mesdag
The Hague is the home of the Dutch government and Parliament and is a pleasant, spacious seaside town. With its multitude of parks, squares and gardens interspersed with elegant boulevards lined with mansions, it is a stately place with an air of being well kept and well moneyed. The Hague has plenty of excellent museums and entrance is included to the Mauritshuis collection which has a new exhibition space and reception area. The museum retains its intimate atmosphere and has an outstanding collection of art on display. Entrance is also included to the incredible Panorama Mesdag, the largest painting in the Netherlands at 120 metres long and 14 metres high.
Please note: The Mauritshuis is to loan Johannes Vermeer’s painting Girl with a Pearl Earring to the Nakanoshima Museum of Art in Osaka, Japan. A number of other paintings will be part of a swap with the Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum in Madrid, including View of Delft by Vermeer. Therefore these paintings will not be on display in September 2026.
Day 4: Full Day Tour To Leiden & Gouda
Home to one of Europe’s most prestigious universities and the birthplace of Rembrandt, Leiden is a vibrant and appealing city. Its beautiful and historic old town, crisscrossed by ancient canals and full of lovely antique buildings, is best explored on foot. The Stedelijk Museum de Lakenhal houses some 17th century Dutch paintings. A typical Dutch country town, Gouda is charming, its old buildings surrounded by quiet canals, known for its cheese. Although it is a fairly small town, Gouda’s Markt square is the largest in the Netherlands, an echo of its days at the centre of the medieval cloth trade and you’ll also find some of the world’s best stained glass in St Janskerk.
Day 5: Full Day Tour To Amsterdam, The Rijksmuseum & Rembrandt’s House
The largest city and capital of The Netherlands, Amsterdam started life as a small fishing village and became one of the world’s most important ports during the Dutch Golden Age. Wander the narrow atmospheric lanes and canals lined with 17th-century merchants’ houses and visit some of the many cultural and historic sights – two of which are included. Reopened after renovation in early 2013, the Rijksmuseum is one of the world’s greatest art galleries with a large collection of Dutch works, particularly Rembrandts, several excellent Vermeers and a huge cache of sculptures and applied arts. The Rembrandt House Museum is based in the house where the artist lived and painted for 20 years before his eviction by creditors and displays a number of his etchings. (For the 2026 departure, we have a private guided tour in the evening, including a painting demonstration in Rembrandt’s studio.)
Day 6: Delft & Return To The UK
This morning we will have a free morning in Delft for personal exploration before transferring to Rotterdam station for the return Eurostar to St Pancras.
itinerary & excursions
2027 Itinerary
Please note this is the itinerary for the September 2027 departure. Please scroll up for the itinerary for September 2026.
Day 1: Travel by Eurostar from St Pancras direct to Rotterdam
On arrival transfer by coach (approx. 20 minutes) to Delft and check-in to your hotel. This evening there will be a welcome drink and dinner at the hotel.
Day 2: Morning walking tour of Delft
It isn’t hard to see why Delft is one of the most popular attractions for visitors to the Netherlands: firstly there’s Vermeer, then the town’s famous blue and white ceramics and last but certainly not least the gorgeous centre, a jumble of old tiled houses, tree-lined canals, and lovely little bridges, though it’s the feeling of the place that holds most of the appeal. Wandering the narrow streets is a must, and the Prinsenhof, one of a few fascinating old buildings, has a collection of Golden Age paintings.
Day 3: Full day tour to the Hague & The Mauritshuis Collection & Panorama Mesdag
The Hague is the home of the Dutch government and Parliament and is a pleasant, spacious seaside town. With its multitude of parks, squares and gardens interspersed with elegant boulevards lined with mansions, it is a stately place with an air of being well kept and well moneyed. The Hague has plenty of excellent museums and entrance is included to the Mauritshuis.
The museum retains its intimate atmosphere and has an outstanding collection of art on display, including Johannes Vermeer’s painting Girl with a Pearl Earring. Entrance is also included to the incredible Panorama Mesdag, the largest painting in the Netherlands at 120 metres long and 14 metres high.
Day 4: Full day tour to Leiden & Gouda
Home to one of Europe’s most prestigious universities and the birthplace of Rembrandt, Leiden is a vibrant and appealing city. Its beautiful and historic old town, crisscrossed by ancient canals and full of lovely antique buildings, is best explored on foot. The Stedelijk Museum de Lakenhal houses some 17th century Dutch paintings.
A typical Dutch country town, Gouda is charming, its old buildings surrounded by quiet canals, known for its cheese. Although it is a fairly small town, Gouda’s Markt square is the largest in the Netherlands, an echo of its days at the centre of the medieval cloth trade and you’ll also find some of the world’s best stained glass in St Janskerk.
Day 5: Full day tour to Amsterdam, The Rijksmuseum & Rembrandt’s House
The largest city and capital of The Netherlands, Amsterdam started life as a small fishing village and became one of the world’s most important ports during the Dutch Golden Age. Wander the narrow atmospheric lanes and canals lined with 17th-century merchants’ houses and visit some of the many cultural and historic sights – two of which are included.
Reopened after renovation in early 2013, the Rijksmuseum is one of the world’s greatest art galleries with a large collection of Dutch works, particularly Rembrandts, several excellent Vermeers and a huge cache of sculptures and applied arts. The Rembrandt House Museum is based in the house where the artist lived and painted for 20 years before his eviction by creditors and displays a number of his etchings.
Day 6: Delft & Return to the UK
This morning we will have a free morning in Delft for personal exploration before transferring to Rotterdam station for the return Eurostar to St Pancras.
our guests say
Recent reviews
“One of the real highlights for us was the excellent tour guide, Gill, who made the trip smooth and enjoyable. The hotel was good, and Delft itself was beautiful. The trips were very well organised, which made the whole experience memorable.”
Mr N, October 2025
“The variety of the tour and visiting the delightful Dutch towns was great. Everything was well organised, and we had a thoroughly enjoyable holiday. There were no negative aspects to report!”
Mrs B, October 2025
“Gill’s professionalism and efficiency throughout the trip was fantastic. She was always serious and responsible, and I would love to travel with her again. The Hampshire Hotel provided a superb meal on our first evening, though I wished more dinners had been included at the hotel.”
Mr D, October 2025
“The guide provided lots of useful information, and we particularly enjoyed having the freedom to explore destinations independently. The hotel was also great, it had friendly, competent staff, crisp cotton sheets, good WiFi, and a restaurant that meant we didn’t need to venture into dark streets for an evening meal.”
Mrs H, October 2025
“The beautiful paintings and the guide’s extensive knowledge about the Netherlands and the places we visited was one of the highlights for me. The pace was busy, but we would have happily paid for an extra day to rest between visits.”
Mrs R, October 2025
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HOTELS
Tour Accommodation
Hampshire Delft Centre Hotel, Delft
The family-owned three-star Delft Centre Hotel is located – as its name suggests – in the heart of Delft just behind the New Church, so within a few minutes’ walk of the main square and all the main sights. Facilities here include bar, restaurant, waterfront terrace, wi-fi and comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, air-conditioning, TV, telephone and tea/coffee making facilities.
Hampshire Delft Centre Hotel Website
Our View On The Hotel
The Hampshire Delft Centre Hotel has been welcoming Travel Editions’ guests for over a decade now and continue to look after us very well.
our regular tours
Mobility Information
This tour has a moderate fitness rating, reflecting a fuller itinerary with a good balance of visits, walking and time spent exploring on foot.
Some visits may involve cobbled streets, uneven paving, slopes, steps, stairs, limited seating, or walking from the coach drop-off point to the entrance of a site or attraction. The exact demands will vary from day to day, and we highlight specific practical details within the itinerary wherever possible.
You should feel comfortable walking at a steady group pace, standing during visits and enjoying a full day of sightseeing. If you are unsure whether this tour is right for you, please contact us before booking.
Your questions answered
Tour FAQ
If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.
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