Catharina has been a tour guide with Amsterdam Food Tours since 2023. She’s a local Amsterdammer, loves the Jordaan area, and enjoys walking.
She’s also an actress, which means that working with groups, entertaining others, and fostering a sense of connection with people is a natural part of what she does.
Here are her answers to our questions:
Q: How did you become a tour guide?
A: I became a tour guide via my neighbor Rudolph, who has already been a tour guide for many years. We both live in the Jordaan, and for the past 10 years or so, I’ve been seeing him give tours in our area. I always thought that it was something I would also like to do, but I was too busy. So when I quit my job in 2023, I approached Rudolph about becoming a tour guide, and he introduced me to Thijs. From there, it all went very fast, and soon I was giving tours as well.
Q: Why would you recommend doing a food tour?
A: A food tour is a complete experience. You get to really know Amsterdam – you have enough time to get grounded in the city. You hear stories about the food, you get to taste the food yourself, and you get to make friends with the other people on the tour. This makes it different from most other tours, and it adds a unique dimension to the experience.
Q: What would be your number 1 tip for someone who has only a few days to spend in Amsterdam (besides a food tour)?
A: Go for a walk along the canal belt at twilight. You’ll be able to see into most of the houses, because they often have no curtains. I still do this myself sometimes, and I enjoy seeing the art on the walls and the beautiful lamps and decorations inside the houses.
Something else I would recommend is to find a bench, sit down, and watch the people walking past. This way, you stand still and let the city go by. It’s a great way to absorb the atmosphere of the city.
Q: What is your favorite food, and where in Amsterdam do you most like to eat it?
A: Fried potatoes. I’m a huge potato lover and enjoy eating them in all their forms. For the best fried potatoes in Amsterdam, I like to go to Heertje Friet on the Herengracht.
Q: What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned during your time as a (food) tour guide?
A: That at the beginning of a tour, you give a hand, and at the end of a tour, you give a hug. You really get to know one another on a food tour. And I was also surprised by how much I like getting to know people who live on the other side of the world.
Q: What other tours do you provide, besides the food tours?
A: I also do walking tours in the Jordaan and in the Old City Center, as well as a hofjes (courtyard) tour in the Jordaan. In addition to that, I’m studying to do comedy tours.
Catharina loves the way people live in the busy city of Amsterdam, with all its diverse cultures. And she’s enthusiastic about sharing her love of the city with our guests, while making sure that you have a good time.
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