Van Gogh’s Holland (via short sea ferry)
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Het Noordbrabants Museum in S’Hertogenbosch ©VisitBrabant, Photographer Willeke Machiels
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Saint John's Cathedral in S’Hertogenbosch ©VisitBrabant, Photographer Willeke Machiels
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Amersfoort ©PT Wilding
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Interior of Van Gogh Village Museum ©VisitBrabant, Photographer Willeke Machiels
Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In just over a decade he created approximately 2,100 artworks, most of them in the last two years of his life. This tour takes on a journey around the Dutch countryside that he loved and to places dedicated to his work including his birth house in Zundert, his family church in Etten-Leur and the famous Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam.
Based in the city of ’s Hertogenbosch (also known as Den Bosch) which has a rich history exemplified by its extraordinary museums and the authentic shops, bars and restaurants. The Market square, on which our hotel in city centre of Den Bosch is situated, hosts a bustling market three times a week on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays. If you get time to explore it is also worth visiting Saint John’s Cathedral.
Dates
On request
Day 1
Depart the UK
Travel to Dover and take the short sea ferry crossing to France. Continue through France, Belgium and Holland to the town of Den Bosch for the next 4 nights. Dinner is included at the hotel this evening.
Day 2
Den Bosch – Van Gogh’s homeland
After breakfast, meet up with a local guide for a walking tour of Den Bosch before driving to Zundert to visit Van Gogh’s birth house, a house of memory and experience. It is a living art centre on the birthplace of one of the most famous artists in history. Not a classic museum, but an active world of experience.
Continue to Etten-Leur to visit the Van Gogh family church, where his father was the vicar and where Vincent made the final decision to become an artist. This was a turning point in his life in 1881 and where he started his artistic career. During the seven years that his family lived here, he regularly visited the Reformed Church. In a permanent exhibition in the Van Gogh Church, you can see and hear the story of the importance of Vincent’s time in Etten-Leur. This captivating story is told with a timeline, informative wall panels, showcases, statues, colourful windows and a beautiful animation. And what makes it all even more worthwhile: there is always a guide present in the church who can answer your questions.
Return to the hotel for dinner and evening at leisure
(If time allows there may be the option to take a canal cruise in Den Bosch – payable locally)
Day 3
Van Gogh Village, Watermill lunch and Art Gallery
Drive to the Van Gogh Village in Neunen where Vincent resided and worked for a short period of his life. Visit the museum and enjoy a guided village walk. Vincent van Gogh’s period in Nuenen was of significant importance and greatly influenced what he painted in France. The fascinating stories about his life in Nuenen and his quest for light, colour and perspective resulted in his first masterpiece, and these are a central theme of the museum. Nuenen is an ‘outdoor museum’ with many buildings and landscapes which have a direct relationship with the artist. He produced a quarter of his total works here, including his first masterpiece The Potato Eaters!
Lunch will taken at the Opwetten Watermill which is located on the banks of the Kleine Dommel between Nuenen and Eindhoven. During his wanderings around Nuenen, Van Gogh regularly passed the Opwetten watermill and it recurs in his works.
After lunch, return to Den Bosch and a visit of the Het Noordbrabant Museum which is dedicated to artists from across the North Brabant region including a collection of Van Gogh works, old masters and many other treasures.
Enjoy dinner at the hotel and an evening at leisure.
Day 4
Kröller-Müller Museum & Park and Amersfoort
See the world’s finest Vincent Van Gogh collection and other masterpieces by modern masters such as Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. The museum, located in the heart of De Hoge Veluwe Park, is a treasure trove of De Stijl and futurism with presentations of contemporary artists. In the sculpture garden, stroll past works by Barbara Hepworth and others. For architecture enthusiasts there are the museum buildings by Henry van de Velde and Wim Quist, the Gerrit Rietveld pavillion and Aldo van Eyck pavillion in the sculpture garden.
After the visit, drive to nearby Amersfoort, an historic medieval city which is easy to explore on foot with many museums, galleries, shops, bars and restaurants.
Return to the hotel for a final dinner and evening at leisure.
Day 5
Return to the UK
Depart after breakfast and make the return journey through Belgium and into France and take the short sea ferry crossing to the UK.
Suggested hotel
4* Golden Tulip Central Hotel Den Bosch
The hotel is located in the most beautiful place of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in the historic market square, the ancient heart of the city. All bedrooms offer private facilities. The picturesque “Brasserie Cé” restaurant overlooks the market square. It also features 2 bars, as well as a fitness centre which offers a unique view of St. John’s Cathedral from the top floor. Guests can start their day with a wholesome breakfast in the unique 14th-century vaulted cellar. Part of the Brasserie restaurant, Tony’s Bar offers live jazz music every 1st Friday of the month. The Moriaen Bar provides a warm atmosphere for a drink and a chat.
| Departure date | 5 days / 4 nights | Single supplement |
| On request | Price on request | Price on request |
