Frequently Asked Questions [FAQ]
Everything you need to know about our tours
General
Our food tours can accommodate various dietary requirements, such as vegetarian, pescatarian, or no red meat diets. We can also cater for food allergies such as celiac disease, nut allergies, or shellfish allergies. Keep in mind that taking part always remains entirely at your own risk.
When booking your tour, you will be asked to specify your dietary requirements. You are also welcome to ask us any questions about this.
Unfortunately, our tours are not, by default, suitable for a vegan lifestyle or for people with a lactose intolerance. However, these dietary requirements can be accommodated for an additional fee. Please contact us to arrange this.
The Grand Dutch Food & History Tour is in English. All private tours are always available in either English or Dutch, and for these tours we also offer the options of French, Spanish, or German, subject to availability.
Yes, our tours are suitable for all ages, and we regularly host families. Dutch food is accessible and loved by most children. Due to the small groups and mostly quiet neighbourhoods we visit, our tours offer a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere for both parents and children. It is also possible to book a private family tour that is tailored to your needs.
Yes, absolutely! All our guides are incredibly knowledgeable and experienced, and we offer numerous other unique private tours of Amsterdam. These include museum tours, history tours, architecture tours, and canal cruises. You can even combine these with your food tour or ask us to create a multi-day program. To find out more about this, go to our Tours page or send us an email.
Among the things we are best known for are our highly experienced and knowledgeable guides who know the city and its history like the back of their hand. On our food tours, you learn almost as much about Amsterdam as you would on a history tour. But you also get to know everything about Dutch food culture and the history of food and drink itself.
Bookings and Cancellations
Yes. For logistical purposes, the online bookings for private tours close two weeks before the tour date. However, there is an excellent chance that we can still arrange a private tour for you at short notice. Please email us so we can discuss the possibilities.
We accept most payment methods, such as credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay, iDeal, and more.
The Grand Dutch Food & History Tour can be cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours before the start of the tour.
Private and customized tours can be cancelled free of charge up to 7 days (168 hours) before the start of the tour, with the exception of non-refundable costs incurred with third parties (such as boat companies and restaurants). For private tours the cancellation conditions can be changed unilaterally by us. You can find all our terms and conditions here.
If you want to reschedule your tour, this is free of charge if you reschedule more than 7 days before the tour. If you reschedule less than 7 days before the date of the tour, a minimum fee of 15% of the ticket price per person applies, plus possible reservation costs of a third party supplier (e.g. boat rental company).
To reschedule or cancel your booking, you can contact us and we will process your request.
Practical Information
The tours will go ahead in any weather, unless a 'code orange' warning has been issued by the Dutch weather institute KNMI. In case of a cancellation due to such circumstances, we will try to offer an alternative date, and if that is not possible in your case, you will receive a full refund.
During bad weather, the food stops will all be indoors. We do, however, always recommend coming prepared for the day's weather conditions. This could mean bringing an umbrella and waterproof jacket on a rainy day, or a hat and sunscreen on warmer days.
No, that’s not necessary, as we have a list of guests attending each tour and will be expecting you.
Yes, that's no problem. Please note that we may not be able to change any dietary requirements at short notice, so please inform us as soon as possible.
Most of the tours are around 2 kilometers on easy terrain. The majority of the tastings are seated, and between tastings you will walk and stand still for up to 20 minutes. As some of the tasting locations are in centuries-old buildings, you may encounter small steps and steep, narrow staircases. Restrooms may also be located upstairs or downstairs.
For boat tours: Boarding a boat may also involve some steep stairs and you may have to climb between the boat and the dock.
If we notice that you are not there at the designated time, we will try to call you on the phone number you provided when booking to find out whether you need assistance. Of course, we will also provide you with a phone number on which to contact us. The food tours always start with a tasting at the meeting point, which gives you about half an hour of flexibility to join later.
The Grand Dutch Food & History Tour requires the ability to maintain a normal walking pace. At some food stops, you will need to go up and down a short flight of stairs. Restrooms are often also located either upstairs or downstairs. If in doubt, you're welcome to contact us.
We are always happy to look into organizing private, customized tours for guests who are less mobile. Please contact us to discuss your specific requirements and the available options.
The starting and ending point of your tour depends on which tour you book, and on whether you are doing a private tour. For private tours, the starting and ending points may be customizable, or you may be able to make use of our pick-up and drop-off services.
When you book your tour, you will receive an email confirming the starting point of your tour.
The start and end locations of most tours are also listed on the individual tour pages on our website.
This depends on the type of tour that you book. With a food tour, a number of standard drinks (regular beers, soft drinks, tea, coffee, etc.) are usually included. For some of the private tours, you may also have the choice to upgrade your drinks options to include cocktails, liqueurs, and champagne. Feel free to contact us for more information.
Yes! Pick-up and drop-off services are free if within a 10-minute walk of the start or end point of the tour. If you are situated further away and require these services, the costs are €35 per half hour (this is also the minimum charge) per guide excluding transportation costs. Note: our pick-up and drop-off services are only available within the city of Amsterdam.
There’s nothing specific that you need to bring along. We do, however, recommend wearing comfortable shoes and clothing suitable for the day’s weather conditions. In summer, you may need a hat and sunscreen, or even a light rain jacket. In winter, a warm coat and a scarf are recommended.