Small Group Tour Royals and Nobility

This small group tour Royals and Nobility takes you through centuries of history and the splendor of Europe’s most famous Royals and nobility!

Itinerary
We will leave Amsterdam at 8.30AM and drive to Apeldoorn for our first stop: the stunning Royal Palace Het Loo. You will have plenty of time to visit the Palace and explore the beautiful gardens. After lunch, we will continue this magical day with a visit to the fairytale castle De Haar.

Royal Palace Het Loo
Welcome to the summer palace of Willem and Mary! Built in the late 17th century the Royal Palace is situated in the middle of the Veluwe moorland, an extensive hunting ground. Beautifully decorated with both stunning and unique baroque palace gardens and fountains, this tour brings you back to the core of Europe’s royal history!

After Willem and Mary, the Dutch royal family kept Het Loo as their summer palace. In 1795 the French army invaded The Netherlands and the palace was plundered. But by 1806 Het Loo was occupied once more, by Louis Napoleon, who had been appointed King of Holland by his brother Napoleon Bonaparte.

Both King Willem I and Willem III loved to spend time at Palace Het Loo, far from their busy lives in The Hague. Het Loo was very special to Queen Wilhelmina, and there was no place she would rather be! The last residents of the palace were Princess Margriet and her family who resided in the palace until 1977.

After a visit to the Palace, you will also have time to wander around in the beautiful baroque gardens and have lunch.

Castle de Haar
In the afternoon it is time for a magical fairy tale experience. We will take you to the most impressive medieval castle in the Netherlands! Castle de Haar is characterized by its rich and extravagant history and the many special stories hidden behind the castle walls. First built in the 13th century it came in the van Zuylen family in the 15th century. The castle found itself in ruins after centuries of wars, and several bad storms, until Baron Etienne van Zuylen, who married Baroness Hélène de Rothschild, took it upon himself to rebuild the castle at the end of the 19th century. He enlisted architect Pierre Cuypers for this project, the same architect who designed the Rijksmuseum and central station in Amsterdam!

In the 1950’s the castle becomes a sought-after hotspot for the international jet set with guests such as Roger Moore, Brigitte Bardot, but also Maria Callas visiting Etienne’s grandson: baron Thierry. Nowadays, the baron’s daughters and grandchildren still come to the castle for their holidays!

Included in the tour:

Transfers from Amsterdam
Entrance fee to Castle, Palace and Gardens
Audio tour in the Palace
Guided tour in the Castle
Cold drinks and snacks during transit

Excluded in the tour:

Meals
Personal expenses

If you are traveling by yourself we welcome you to join our tours! Please call or email for availability! info@dutch-tours.com

Book our Royals and Nobility tour

Testimonials

   Fascinating facts. 
 I learnt so much more than I expected. Comfortable van ride and a great sized group, felt very personal.
Sandi B
5 januari 2024 
   Best Tour, Best Guide, Funny and Best Driver! - Had an amazing time with Josie today and her amazing colleague who drove us. Not only did we get a fantastic tour of Zaanse and Giethorn but we laughed a... read more lot. They made the tour fun and interesting. It felt like a day with friends! Loved it!
travellove111
1 januari 2024 
   Castle de Haar is a tour worth taking and our guide Sarah was great. We had time to explore both inside and out and enjoyed learning the story of the... read more castle.
Jeff L
14 november 2023 