Exploring Amsterdam with Family Twist: A March Adventure

I had the privilege of traveling to Amsterdam in March with our preferred partners, Family Twist. This trip was nothing short of amazing, thanks to Family Twist’s exceptional service and dedication to creating memorable experiences for families.

Family Twist specializes in private, family-friendly activities that are both fun and educational. Their tours are designed to keep the kiddos engaged and learning, making travel an enriching experience for everyone. The guides and local experts they work with are passionate about their city and love sharing its secrets with families, ensuring that each tour is filled with beautiful memories.

One of the standout features of traveling with Family Twist is their partnership with lovely 4 and 5-star hotels that cater to families of all sizes. Finding suitable accommodations can be a challenge (families or 5+, you know this challenge, right?!), but Family Twist makes it easy with options like connecting rooms and family suites. This thoughtful approach ensures that your family enjoys the best possible experience.

I have to say, traveling to Amsterdam in March was wonderful! The city wasn’t overly busy, and we were blessed with unusually warm weather. On our first day, I met up with our Family Twist group, and we began exploring the city. From the charming canals to the extraordinary architecture, every moment was a delight. Amsterdam’s rich history and culture definitely came alive through the engaging activities and tours organized by Family Twist.

Day 1: I have arrived in beautiful Amsterdam!

We checked into our beautiful hotel; the Conservatorium, located in the Museum district. Stunning! The Conservatorium is an architectural masterpiece combining a landmark heritage building with contemporary design. This city’s crown jewels – the Concertgebouw, Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Vondelpark and Amsterdam’s most indulgent shopping – are literally on your doorstep. AND- you must try their amazing restaurant, Taiko! The award-wining restaurant of the Conservatorium Hotel, was created by Executive Chef, Schilo van Coevorden to honor beautiful flavors and textures from across the Far East. The dishes are modern-Asian inspired, the appearance is international and the atmosphere is Amsterdam-casual.

Canals Of Amsterdam

Our first family-friendly tour to try was Family Twist’s “Canals Of Amsterdam” tour. This was one of my favorites! Afterall, you can’t go to Amsterdam and not do a canal tour! Starting with a 40-minute visit to the Canal Museum (which is highly interactive!) and then on a private luxurious boat along the canals of the city. Enjoying your cruise as you discover some of the highlights of Amsterdam with a game booklet in hand for the kids/teens to keep their interest peeked!

Day 2: Discovering the Magnificence of Amsterdam

We began our second day with another fantastic Family Twist tour, this time a guided walk through the city. Amsterdam, often referred to as the “Venice of the North,” revealed its magnificence as we strolled through its picturesque streets.

Our private, experienced guide led us to some of the most iconic places in Amsterdam, including Ons’ Lieve Heer Op Solder, a church hidden in the attic of a traditional house. This unique site offered a glimpse into how people lived in the 17th century in Holland. Other highlights included the impressive Royal Palace and the beautiful inner courtyard of Begijnhof.

To keep the children engaged, each receive a fun-filled game booklet that will make the discovery even more enjoyable. There were plenty of shops along the way where we could grab a drink or snack if needed.

Rijksmuseum

After a delightful lunch, we continued our adventure with another Family Twist tour, this time at the renowned Rijksmuseum. The Rijksmuseum is one of the most beautiful and popular museums in Amsterdam, housing a priceless collection of works of art. We marveled at paintings by Holland’s most talented classic artists, including Rembrandt, Vermeer, Frans Hals, and more.

To make this experience unforgettable for the children, each receive a fun-filled game booklet (and yes, us adults tried this activity too!). This engaging booklet keeps them entertained during the 2-hour tour and they solve a riddle by the end!

Our hotel for the evening was the Hotel Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam. Located in the heart of Amsterdam, between the two oldest and most picturesque canals, this hotel is steeped in history. As the former headquarters of the Dutch Admiralty during the “Golden Age” and the previous City Hall of Amsterdam, the hotel offers a rich historical experience. The grandeur and elegance of the hotel provided a perfect end to our day, allowing us to relax and reflect on our adventures.

Day 3: Make Your Own Dutch Cheese

This day brought one of my most favorite and unique tours with Family Twist: making our own Dutch cheese! The big round cheeses are an iconic and delicious part of Dutch culture and creating our own was an experience I thoroughly enjoyed and know my kids would too!

We met our private, experienced cheese maker at a charming farm in the Dutch countryside near Amsterdam. This was a wonderful opportunity to discover the beautiful, flat countryside of the Netherlands. The family-run farm had cows, and with their milk, they produced their own cheese.

In a modern room (for sanitary reasons), we handled all the natural ingredients used to make the cheese: milk, salt, and everything that derives from the mix. During the pauses between each step of the process, we were offered a traditional Stroopwafel and a hot beverage. If you’re lucky and depending on the time, you might even get to feed the cows and calves like we did!

Day 4: Painting Like Van Gogh

On our final day, Family Twist arranged something a little different for us! We had the pleasure of participating in a workshop that allowed us to paint like the famous Post-Impressionist painter, Vincent Van Gogh.

We met our private, experienced art teacher who guided us through the process of using colors and brush strokes to express feelings and emotions, just like Van Gogh. The studio was beautifully set up with several still lifes for decoration and inspiration, including sunflowers, gladiolus, irises, old shoes, clogs, chairs, decanters with lemons, vases, and more – all things that inspired Van Gogh himself.

Around the still lifes, we found easels and work tables with painting tools. Our art teacher introduced the assignment by explaining the technique, the use of color, and giving a short demonstration – and all the while being very entertaining! We then painted our own flowers on a canvas! A great activity for kids and parents to learn about art while having fun!

Last Evening at De L’Europe Amsterdam

Our last evening was spent at the magnificent De L’Europe Amsterdam with its roots intertwined with the city’s foundation. Known as the first luxurious, family-owned hotel in the heart of Amsterdam, De L’Europe is perfectly situated with all famous cultural landmarks just a stone’s throw away.

After a full day of exploration, it was the perfect homecoming. The hotel boasts a state-of-the-art wellness center, gym, five elegant and unique event spaces, three restaurants, and a bar, making it the ultimate five-star destination. They even had mini toiletries and a child-size robe in the room for the littles – it was adorable!

Traveling with Family Twist to Amsterdam was an unforgettable adventure. Their commitment to providing family-friendly, educational activities, coupled with their excellent hotel partnerships, made this trip truly special. If you’re planning a family trip to Amsterdam, I highly recommend traveling with Family Twist for an experience that will be sure to create lasting memories.