Netherlands Scouting Trip
Netherlands
Upcoming Dates
Starting From
Experience an intensive learning with everything you need to know to make the Netherlands your new home. You will get an immersive look at history, art, cuisine and more. The itinerary includes visits to up to eight cities and towns around the country where expats are likely to choose to live including Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. You'll also have workshops on topics such as the DAFT visa process, the rental and buying housing market, getting your children into the right schools, navigating US taxes and investments, and integration. You'll experience traveling through the Nethalnds via train as is customary. Before the end of the week, you will feel like a scholar of the Netherlands! Optional add-on day: Eindhoven: Eindhoven is a major city outside the Randstad, in the so-called, "Brainport" region. It is a major tech hub, featuring major companies like Phillips and ASML and a plethora of startups as well. It is also about an hour and a half from Amsterdam, and therefore less expensive. We'll hear from real estate agents, recruiters, and more about life and opportunities in Eindhoven.
Meet Your Guide
Your expert partner through your Netherlands relocation journey
Bethany Quinn & Jana Sanchez
GTFO Tours
Bethany moved to the Netherlands on the DAFT visa in December 2022 and now lives in Amsterdam. A business strategy expert with an M.B.A. from Johns Hopkins, she brings firsthand experience navigating the Dutch relocation process — from visas and housing to building a life in a new country.
Jana has lived in the Netherlands and the UK for over two decades. A former journalist and U.S. Congressional nominee, she connects Americans to the resources and people they need, advising on visas, housing, education, and work. Together, they offer deep, practical knowledge of Dutch expat life across the country.
Trip Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival
Arrive at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, get settled in at hotel, and rest a bit before the tour begins on Saturday.
Day 2 – Haarlem
Explore Haarlem’s historic center and relaxed lifestyle, offering a charming alternative to Amsterdam with excellent connectivity, and meet the tour group over dinner!
Day 3 – Utrecht
Discover Utrecht’s vibrant city life, distinctive canal wharves, and central location ideal for work and family living.
Day 4 – Amsterdam
Experience Amsterdam’s diverse neighborhoods, global business environment, and cultural richness, including a networking happy hour with Americans and other friends, and a comedy show focused on Dutch vs. American culture.
Day 5 – Rotterdam
Discover Rotterdam’s modern architecture, dynamic economy, and forward-looking urban lifestyle, and meet community members at Rotterdam’s oldest brewery.
Day 6 – Den Haag
Explore The Hague’s international atmosphere, coastal access, and role as the Netherlands’ political and legal hub.
Day 7 – Leiden & Workshops
Visit Leiden to experience a classic Dutch university town known for innovation, culture, and a strong international community.
Day 8 – Haarlem area bike tour or day trip to towns outside the Randstad
Visit various neighborhoods in Haarlem and the nearby beaches by bike with Jana, or join Bethany to check out some less expensive cities outside of the Randstad.
Day 9 – Departure Day
Check out of the hotel and return home or continue exploring!
Join a Q&A Session to Learn Details & Ask Questions
What to Expect
Community
Meet other people who want to move abroad and enjoy exploring and getting to know each other. There will also be opportunities to meet locals and other expats.
A Learning Experience
Stay with fellow guests in great locations to get a feel for how you might like living in each of our destinations. Meet local experts like realtors, immigration attorneys, or local expats who know the ins and outs of moving to the local country.
Life as a Local, Not a Tourist
We'll bypass the touristy parts of town and experiences like visiting museums and landmarks. Instead, we'll see livable neighborhoods, markets, and where the locals hang out.
Fun!
We're all moving abroad for a better life, so we'll work on giving you a taste of what that means to you.
What's Included
Included
- Four-star accommodations, breakfast, and group transportation
- 8 nights
- Maximum of 12 guests
Not Included
- Airfare or airport transfers
- Food and drink not mentioned in itinerary
- Trip insurance or health insurance
- Optional excursions and add-ons
As Featured In
What Past Travelers Say
“Jen and Brett, what you all organized was hard. And all of us stretched. When you do hard things together and succeed, the results are amazing. I feel like we've made potential lifelong friends.”
— S.W.
Join a Q&A Session to Learn Details & Ask Questions
Next Steps
- 1Attend a Q&A session if you have questions
- 2Make sure your passport is valid for six months after the trip ends
- 3Book your trip with us
- 4Complete required forms from us
- 5Attend trip chats and use WhatsApp to ask questions and meet fellow travelers
- 6Schedule your flight
- 7Get excited!
Got Questions?
Join virtual to meet others considering the trip and ask us questions about the cost, itinerary, and more.
You can also join our Community to meet people who've gone on past trips or people considering an upcoming excursion.
Not ready to book?
Join a waitlist for upcoming tours!