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A Perfect Guided Tour Just For You and Your Family at the Baltic Sea

Certainly, it’s not easy to please everyone, any parent with multiple children knows that from a simple example of the most mundane everyday task. But how do you have a perfect family holiday making memories in a country you have never been to and let´s be honest, know little more than the second page of google dropped on your search attempts.

Well, listen here, we have a magic word, and that is a wonderful local friend, called a personal tour guide. A local friend, who will be there to greet you at the cruise port or your hotel, take care of any transportation and logistics issues while you kick back and enjoy a good laugh over a medieval legend and your mind is satisfied knowing your children are learning more here over a course of a day, then they would in any other academic institution at the same time. And you know what, it is a that more fun if you have a passionate and super tour guide to lead the way.

More importantly, because there aren´t any other guests in your group, your family can “go with the flow” at your own pace.

Such private tours are growing more popular, whether a family wants to celebrate an anniversary sailing on a Baltic Sea cruise, go canal boating in Copenhagen, explore the devilishly delicious marzipan in Tallinn, try on a real kings helmet in Stockholm or sit at the top of the world at Holmenkollen ski jump tower in Oslo, we got this!

We have hand-picked the most unique and original activities to be enjoyed with your children during your Baltic Sea cruise stops. The tour itineraries are built to entertain both the young with fantastic stories and legends, but also educate and offer a broader understanding of local culture and traditions to more experienced in life.

Come and experience these amazing family itineraries timed to perfection with years of experience, passion and simply the joy of hosting you at Nordic Experience Private Tours & Shore Excursions.

Find your prefect private family sightseeing tour here:

With family in Copenhagen, see tours here:

Copenhagen Private Panoramic Tour & Tivoli Amusement Park Adventure

Ideal tour highlighting family friendly and entertaining atmosphere of Copenhagen in a perfect balance of city sightseeing and Tivoli adventures. Do not let the splendid historic appearance of this Nordic pearl trick you, as behind the delightfully medieval and charming facade lies a city with a soft spot for some simple pleasures in life – fun rides, lush parks and delicious local tastes waiting to be discovered. Just like the good old days, a day at your own pace to please both the lively and spirited to an adventurer seeker looking to sit back, relax and enjoy the day!

Tivoli Gardens is a famous amusement park and pleasure garden in Copenhagen, Denmark. The park opened on August 15, 1843 and it is the oldest amusement park which has survived intact to the present day.

Copenhagen Private Highlights Tour & National Aquarium Adventure

Tour the best of Copenhagen and visit the National Aquarium of Denmark with a private pick-up from your hotel, airport or cruise dock.

This short sightseeing tour and aquarium visit is an ideal way to discover Copenhagen with family in tow. The flexible order of visits in the itinerary allows this tour to be your pre- or post-cruise vacation discovery of Copenhagen. We will enjoy the wonderful must-see sights of the Danish capital on a panoramic drive with photo stops at Amalienborg Castle, Little Mermaid and Christiansborg Palace. The undeniable charm of Copenhagen is most visible when we see the colorful architecture and harbor front at Nyhavn. Classic sites, such as Tivoli gates and Town Hall square are also part of the program.

With family in Tallinn, see tours here:

Tallinn Private Family Shore Excursion & Marzipan Workshop

For a fun filled day to remember in a land of mystical medieval courtyards, castle walls and towers.

This tour is tailored for families with children to get the most out of their visit to both our medieval Old Town and the beautiful city outskirts.

This tour is designed to entertain and educate your young explorers with fun filled facts and fascinating stories and legends about Old Tallinn and the surrounding area. Tour activity options and a flexible schedule to suit your preferences make for an experience that both kids and parents will enjoy.

Tallinn Private Old Town Walking Tour & Viking Village Adventure

Join an exciting day of visits in the stunning Old Town Tallinn and gain a first-hand experience of fierce Viking village lifestyle in an authentic fortress. The Nordic cross has for long been known by the Estonians. The strong ties and not so amicable battles between the Estonian Vikings and Scandinavian tribes date back to the 13th century. After all, the Estonian sailing vessels were called pirate ships by the Nordic clans for a reason.

With family in Helsinki, see tours here:

Helsinki Private City Tour, Winter Wonderland Experience & Ice Bar

Perfect combination of Helsinki highlights on a city tour and a unique experience of the Nordic atmosphere in Winter Wonderland & Ice Bar. Experience the thrill of a fairy tale winter wonderland with fun skis and wondering around ice labyrinth finding your inner child or on a sliding hill in the cool atmosphere wrapped in protective thermal clothing and enjoy a drink at the Ice Bar from a frozen glass.

Helsinki Private Highlights Tour & Reindeer Park Visit

Experience the northern magic on a tour complete with Helsinki sightseeing and Finland’s southernmost Reindeer Park visit. Located at a short panoramic drive from Helsinki at Nuuksio National Park, the Reindeer Park offers a fantastic opportunity to enjoy traditional Lappish culture by meeting and feeding this fabled animal in a ‘up close and personal’ way.

With family in Oslo, see tours here:

Oslo Private City Tour with Viking Ship & Open-Air Museum Experience

A perfect day tour for discovering the Norwegian capitals best sights both on foot and by bus including Viking Ship and Open-Air Museum.

Traditional log house in the Norwegian Folk Museum in Oslo, Norway.

We will start our day with an enjoyable panoramic drive to the charming Bygdøy peninsula. One of Norway’s oldest cultural landscapes is rich in history and stunning nature. The area also boasts beautiful parks and forests and some of Oslo’s most delightful natural seaside. Our tour at the Museum of Cultural History presents an exquisite collection of artifacts in a village of more than 150 real-life buildings relocated to tell the story of Norwegian inhabitants over the last 500 years.

With family in Stockholm, see tours here:

Scenic Stockholm Private Tour, Vasa Museum & Skansen Adventure

Get an excellent overview of Stockholm with Vasa Museum and delight in open-air museum adventures complete with a children’s zoo.

Skansen: The world’s oldest open-air museum, and possibly, the most fun as well

In addition to the Old Town we will visit the fascinating Vasa Ship Museum and see historic Sweden in miniature at the Skansen Outdoor Museum. We start with a panoramic drive through the city center, passing the neighboring island of Djurgården, known as Stockholm’s outdoor recreation center, and such historic sites as the National Museum and the Royal Dramatic Theater.

Stockholm Private Walking Tour & The Royal Armoury Visit

Experience the spectacular city of Stockholm and its history on a walking tour through the old town and The Armoury in the cellar of the Royal Palace. We will tour the The Royal Armoury housed in the spectacular cellar vaults and filled by not only great stories but priceless treasures of Swedish royal family. Display includes weapons, period fashion, carriages, coaches and event the blood soaked clothes worn by King Gustav III when he was assassinated by nobles at a masquerade ball in 1792.

With family in Amsterdam, see tours here:

Private Day Trip to Zaanse Schans Windmill Village & Dutch Countryside

Enjoy a countryside tour to one of the most beautiful Dutch villages- experience traditional windmills, cheese tasting and a clog workshop. We will take joy in a relaxing panoramic drive out of Amsterdam towards the wholesome setting of rich cultural heritage on the fine green fields of polder de Beemster. One of the most famous examples of how reclaiming land from water is done.

With family in Riga, see tours here:

Riga Private Family Tour with Old Town & Chocolate Factory Visit

Sugar-coat your experience of Riga with a city sightseeing and old town tour followed by a visit to the Laima chocolate factory.

The capital of Latvia has such a culturally rich and diverse center to explore.

This tour is a perfect balance of charming tales of medieval old town, stunning Art Nouveau architecture and a bit of indulgence with a visit to the Laima Chocolate Factory. A sweet visit to a chocolate lovers paradise complete with a cup of molten cocoa drink. Although chocolate is often meant to be eaten when down and gloomy, it can also make a good day even better.

Do, Eat and See The Best of Amsterdam Like a Local

Amsterdam is just so cool- with world-class museums, quirky festivals, theater, live music, laid-back bars and delightful restaurants, there’s never a shortage of things to do in Amsterdam! (more…)

10 Dutch Winter Foods Must Try in Amsterdam

Snert

It`s green. It`s more delicious than it looks. It`s snert. Often you`ll see it called “erwtensoep” or “Hollandse erwtensoep” but it all means the same. Snert is emblematic of Dutch winter cuisine, and it`s the ultimate winter warmer: a thick pea soup packed with onions, celery, leeks, carrots and sliced smoked sausage (rookwurst), traditionally served with rye bread and smoked bacon.

Fondue

It may not have its origins in Holland, but fondue has a very special place in the hearts of all Dutchies. What could be cosier than huddling around a cauldron of hot melty cheese with a bottle of red on a winter’s night? NOTHING that’s what. There are plenty of places to get your fondue fix in Amsterdam – some favourites include ‘t Blaauwhooft, Fondue & Fondue and Café Jaap at the Jaap Eden ice rink.

Stamppot

Stamppot is a big lovely mess of mashed potato mushed up with other vegetables including sauerkraut, kale, spinach or turnip greens. Sometimes the potato is smashed with carrots and turnips, and then it’s called Hutspot (not to be confused with the fashionable clothes and homeware store of the same name). You’ll normally find it served with a big ol’ smoked sausage or a pork chop at a traditional Dutch restaurant.

Suddervlees

Suddervlees literally means “braised meat” which translates on the plate to a big hearty beef and ale stew. It makes absolutely no attempt to look attractive (see picture), but with its punchy combo of slow cooked meat, beer, onions and seasoning, it’s winter on a plate for many people in the Netherlands. Get it with frites to mop up all that lovely gravy.

Suddervlees: Looks aren’t everything

Oliebollen

Oliebollen (which translates to “oily balls” – yum?) are so special that you can only get them for a few short winter months. Traditionally eaten on New Year’s Eve, they’re essentially deep fried dough balls dusted with powdered sugar, studded with raisins and currants. Look out for Oliebollen stalls (oliebollenkramen) which appear around Amsterdam in mid October, and eat as many as you possibly can before they disappear for another year.

Poffertjes

Repeat after me: “Poff-fert-jus”. There, now you know how to say it, you have no excuse for not ordering trays and trays of these tiny pancakey treats while you’re in Amsterdam. Get them steaming hot from a street vendor, slathered in melty butter and powdered sugar, and devour them whole. What a time to be alive.

Dutch pancakes

Nice things about eating massive pancakes in winter: everything. Thankfully pancakes are as ubiquitous as bicycles in Amsterdam, so drizzle them in syrup and sugar and let the good times roll. Take a look at some of our favourite pancake houses if you’re in need of inspiration.

Chocolate letters

Go into any food store in November or early December (pre-Sinterklaas) and you will probably see lots of giant letters made from chocolate. These “chocoladeletters” are an integral Sinterklaas tradition in the Netherlands, given as gifts to reflect the first letter of the recipient’s name. It’s also absolutely fine to buy them for yourself.

Hot Chocomel

Wrapping your hands around a mug of hot chocolate milk on a winter’s day is one of life’s simple pleasures. You’ll find hot chocolade (usually the Dutch brand Chocomel) on the menus at most cafes and street markets in Amsterdam – ask for yours with a splash of rum if you want to feel a bit naughty.

Dutch apple pie (appeltaart)

Holland’s national pastry comes into its own in the winter months, and there’s nothing more enjoyable than sitting on a heated terrace on a crisp winter’s day, tucking into a thick slice of freshly baked apple pie. Dutch appeltaart is a thing of wonder: with layers of layers of sliced apple tightly packed under a layer of yummy doughy pastry. Winkel 43 and Café Papeneiland are both commonly said to have the best appeltaart in Amsterdam, but there can be only one winner – and only one way to find out.

Explore the historic center of Amsterdam and delight in the culture and history of this unique city from cobbled streets to world-famous canal houses on our Amsterdam Private Old Town Walking Tour. During the tour you can try local cheese and make a spontaneous coffee break in one of the suggested cafeterias or bakeries.

Best of Breakfast and Brunch Spots in Amsterdam

A beaming morning sun over the charming canals and superb ingredients at hand, there are plenty of delectable breakfasts to be found throughout Amsterdam.

The best places for breakfast and brunch in Amsterdam

In a city where the collective population cycles 2 million kilometers each day, there is no shortage of hearty breakfast options. From bakeries, brunch spots, pancake shops, brasseries and bistros, here are the places you should head to fuel up and start your day in style.

The Breakfast Club

With two locations in Amsterdam West (Bellamystraat & Haarlemmerplein), this hipstery hotspot is the place to go for late, lazy brunches that last all day long (or until 5pm, at least). The menu boasts various city-themed dishes, which means you get a pretty wide selection of breakfast styles, from flapjacks to eggs on toast and from fresh croissants to buckwheat pancakes. Green, orange, brown and pink smoothies are also on the menu. The Breakfast Club // Oud-West & Westerpark

Rum Baba

Sweet-toothed brunchers should head to this friendly cafe in Amsterdam’s Oosterpark neighborhood for a delectable range of freshly baked pastries and delicious hot coffee at any time of the day. Pull up a seat and stay as long as you like. And if you become particularly attached to your chair you could even take it home with you – the furniture, books, plants, other home accessories here are all for sale. Rum Baba // Oosterpar

Drovers Dog

Now with three locations in Amsterdam, this Australian inspired eatery is taking over the city one neighborhood at a time. Hungry pups can tuck into of all-day brunches with ricotta pancakes, eggs Benedict, organic muesli and the best flat whites this side of Down Under. Drovers Dog // drovers-dog.com // Oost & Zuid and West

Bakers & Roasters

This cute breakfast and brunch spot in the bohemian neighbourhood of De Pijp describes itself as a ‘New-Zealand-style café served with a heavy dose of Brazil’. It’s an unusual mix but we like it; and the colourful breakfasts, baked delicacies and fresh fruit salads will certainly put a spring in your Samba ahead of a day exploring Amsterdam. Bakers & Roasters // De Pijp

Sugar & Spice

Best thing about being a grown up? You get to eat cake for breakfast whenever you like. And at this cosy De Wallen bakery you can do just that. The brunch platter offers a tempting selection of all things nice; yoghurt with granola, cake and pastries, served up in kitsch, homely surroundings with friendly service. Sugar & Spice // Centrum

The Pancake Bakery

Beloved by visitors, international students and locals alike, this cosy pancake house inside a 17^th century warehouse on Prinsengracht is something of an Amsterdam institution – which explains the queues frequently seen snaking out of the door and along the canal. Visitors can tuck into a choice of more than 100 (huge) sweet and savoury pancakes, and help themselves from generous pots of syrup on the tables. The Pancake Bakery // Centrum

You might also like: Top pancake spots in Amsterdam

Bar Spek

Literally translated as ‘bacon bar’, this quirky breakfast spot is set on the edge of Amsterdam’s newly hip Baarsjes neighbourhood. It’s open for lunch and dinner too, but it’s well worth the short trip out of the centre for the most important meal of the day. Snag yourself a table on the terrace if the weather’s nice and tuck into a selection of cooked breakfasts, pancakes and healthier options. Bar Spek // Oud-West

Scandinavian Embassy

On a leafy block a stone’s throw from Sarphatipark, this understated De Pijp breakfast spot is definitely one for the coffee purists; thanks to its Swedish owners’ unfaltering commitment to the perfect cup. Head there for award-winning, freshly-brewed coffee and a healthy, Scandinavian influenced breakfast in stylish, Nordic inspired surroundings. Scandinavian Embassy // De Pijp

Anne & Max

Anne and Max are the fictional characters behind this eponymous Amsterdam café, open every day for breakfast, a quick coffee, lunch, high tea and savoury snacks. Every day, you can read the menu boards to see which specials Anne and Max recommend, including the baguette with hummus and avocado, and the revitalising `goedmaken’ fruit shake, made with pomegranate, blackberry, apple, strawberry and ginger. The ingredients are, wherever possible, sustainable and homemade. Anne & Max // De Pijp

De Bakkerswinkel

If you stumble across it by accident, you may not even realise that this stylish but humble eatery is actually a much-loved national bakery chain. It has three Amsterdam branches to its name and, more often than not, queues out of the door. Select from tea, coffee or juices to perk you up while you decide whether you fancy a basic breakfast bun with a tasty filling, a slim-line yoghurt-muesli combo or a more elaborate mix of croissant, breads and eggs. De Bakkerswinkel // Westerpark & Centrum

Omelegg

Omelegg pride themselves on being the Netherlands’ first “omeletterie”. And they’re not joking around when it comes to egg cravings, providing their first customers’ fix from 7 in the morning. As you would expect from such a specialised place, the menu boasts some rather experimental items – think omelette with dates, currywurst or banana and peanut butter – but purists won’t need to abstain from the standard variations, either. While you wait, watch the eggs sizzling with all sorts of fresh ingredients in the open kitchen. Omelegg // De Pijp

Pancakes!

Another Amsterdam institution dedicated to the lovely art of pannenkoeken, this cosy café jwith two central locations serves up a selection of pancakey treats all day long amongst modern Delft print decor and wooden tulips. Choose from fluffy American style pancakes, traditional Dutch, French clafoutis and even Turkish mucver – all with your choice of fillings and toppings. The Dutch don’t traditionally eat pancakes for breakfast so you’ll need to wait until opening time 10am to get your fix; plenty of time to build up an appetite (you’ll need it). Pancakes! // 9 Streets & Centrum

Conservatorium Brasserie

If you’re looking to push the breakfast boat out, the bright and airy brasserie at the luxurious Conservatorium hotel in Museumplein makes the ideal spot for an elegant breakfast or brunch in Amsterdam. Located in an internal courtyard with a spectacular glass ceiling and floor to ceiling windows, the brasserie offers a choice of exquisite a la carte breakfast or a modern buffet-style ‘ice table’. If you really want to start your day off in style/a bit drunk, the breakfast menu also includes Louis Roederer Champagne by the glass. Conservatorium Brasserie // Oud-Zuid

The Cottage

This cosy little place in Amsterdam Oost serves delicious British comfort food all day long. Start your day (they open at 8:30) with great coffee, fresh scones, homemade jam or a full English – part of their all-day brunch menu. The lunch menu includes delicious pies, sausage rolls and a Sunday roast, plus they have an excellent range of drinks and cocktails, served from a beautiful old bar. The Cottage // Oost

CT Coffee & Coconuts

Like coffee? Like coconuts? Then you’ll love this airy De Pijp eatery. Housed inside a former 1920s cinema, the art deco building has been lovingly converted into a hip hangout with stripped back décor and a laid back atmosphere ideal for long, lazy brunches. As well as a regularly updated selection of coffee to accompany your breakfast, visitors can enjoy an entire fresh coconut with a squeeze of lime (and a dash of rum if you like). Breakfast is served until 1pm and includes a healthy range of overnight buckwheat porridge, avocado on toast and delicious coconut pancakes. Coffee & Coconuts // De Pijp

Yoghurt Barn

Get your day off to a healthy start by creating your own perfect yoghurt at this trendy De Pijp breakfast spot. Choose organic, soy or goat milk yoghurt and then add a variety of delicious toppings to it. You can also select one of the fixed yoghurt combinations on the menu, such as the crazy cookie or brownie bango. Feel like having something else? Yoghurt Barn offers frozen yoghurt, yoghurt smoothies and coffee as well. Yoghurt Barn // Oud-West

5&33 at art’otel amsterdam

For brunch with a designer twist, head to the colourful bar and art space at the newly opened art’otel opposite Central Station, for one of their famous Bloody Mary Brunches. Choose from a selection of imaginative egg dishes, sandwiches or larger meals served up with a range of Bloody Mary cocktails – the perfect tonic for the morning-after-the-night-before. 5&33 at art’otel // Amsterdam Centrum

For more local tips, contact us or join us on our Amsterdam tours!

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