Rotterdam & Delft: Private Tour with Cube House and Transfer

Discover two completely different sides of the Netherlands on this half-day private tour: historic Delft and modern Rotterdam. This activity includes 2 private walking tours of about 2 hours each, and a transfer from one city to the other. In Delft, your guide takes you through the Dutch Golden Age: canals, churches, and the stories of Vermeer, William of Orange, and Antony van Leeuwenhoek. In Rotterdam, you explore a city bombed flat in 1940 and rebuilt as a showcase of bold architecture, including a visit inside one of the iconic Cube Houses. You can do the tour in either direction, starting in Delft or Rotterdam. Pickup and drop-off from other locations, including Amsterdam, can also be arranged. This is a private tour. You set the pace, and if you have a special requests or an interest in a certain topic, just let us know.

Itinerary

1. As we make our way into the city, we walk through the Prinsenhof. This place has played a deciding role in Dutch history. Let's find out more about it. (10 min)
2. We are now in the old beer brewing quarter of Delft. Where did the brewers go? We will also see the Old Church, perhaps the most recognizable building of the city. How old is it exactly and why is it so skewed? Who knows!? Well, I happen to know! (10 min)
3. Close to the Oude Kerk, we will see a heavily decorated facade, that of the Gemeenlandshuis. What is this building and why was it so important? (10 min)
4. The old town hall of Delft is (partly) one of the oldest historical buildings of the city, dating to the 13th century. We will walk by it as we enter the Grote Markt square on our way to the New Church. What is so interesting about the town hall? I'll tell you! (15 min)
5. This is the second-highest church in the Netherlands and the royal family is buried here. Why in Delft actually? If desired, I can buy you tickets to go up the church tower as well. Be warned, it is quite a climb! (10 min)
6. We will walk along the oldest canal of Delft, away from the Grote Markt square. In the south of the city centre, we will pass by a large former weapons Armory of the V.O.C. Let's find out more about Delft's role in the golden days of the Dutch Republic. Also around here, we can take a look at the exact spot where Vermeer was standing when he made his famous painting 'View of Delft'. (30 min)
7. Going back north, we are passing by the first catholic church that was built in the centre of Delft. There is something funny about the two towers... It is also standing on the spot where Vermeer used to live and make his paintings. (25 min)
8. Finally, we pass by the Beestenmarkt in Delft. This is the coziest square of the city, ideal for a lunch or a beer. In the past, this square had a different function. (10 min)
9. We will walk towards the station to take the train to Rotterdam Blaak. This is only 18 minutes away and costs €4.10, which is included in the price of this activity. On the way there, we pass by some farmlands and the city of Schiedam. Enjoy the best public transport system of Europe (and third worldwide, after Singapore and Hong Kong)! (18 min) Admission included
10. When we get off the train in Rotterdam, we will immediately see a peculiar set of apartments. The Cubic Houses (by Piet Blom) are a product of the 70's and represent a typical way of building a 'village inside a city'. We will view one of the apartments from the inside! The price is included in the tour price. (15 min) Admission included
11. After we made our way through the Cubic Houses, we enter the Oude Haven (Old Harbour). This is now a lively recreational area with multiple terraces. See some more Piet Blom architecture and enjoy the old ships that are anchored here for restauration. (15 min)
12. The most prominent building next to the Old Harbour is definitely the White House (Het Witte Huis). This is the oldest skyscraper of Europe, dating from 1898, and one of the few buildings to have survived the bombing of Rotterdam (15 min)
13. After walking back towards Blaak, we will enter the impressive Market Hall (Markthal). The two sides of the building contain many apartments and inside you can enjoy different foods from around the world. And don't forget to look up and look at one of the biggest pieces of art on the planet! (20 min)
14. Just next to the modern Market Hall stands a 14th century church. Its tower miraculously survived the bombing of Rotterdam. Today, it is mostly used as an event location. (15 min)
15. We will end the tour around Blaak again, the place where the original dam over the Rotte was built (yes, Rotterdam). On Tuesdays and Saturdays there is a big outside market here. If you want, you can explore Rotterdam further from here, or take a train home. (10 min)

Meeting & end point