Netherlands Scouting Trip
Netherlands
Upcoming Dates
Starting From
Meet some of our favorite people and explore different cities while learning with everything you need to know to make the Netherlands your new home. You will get an immersive look at history, culture, politics, 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 Netherlands via train as is customary. Before the end of the week, you will feel like a scholar of the Netherlands! Optional day: choose between seeing a smaller city outside the Randstad or a neighborhoods biking tour of a selected city.
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 in the morning. Haarlem offers a charming alternative to Amsterdam with excellent connectivity and the largest open air market in the country on Saturday. We officially kick off the week with a walking tour in the afternoon and get to know everyone over a traditional rijstafel Indonesian 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
Tour downtown Amsterdam while learning about its history of resistance and cultural richness while walking and boating. In the evening, meet some of our favorite Americans and other friends at our regular networking happy hour, before an English comedy show to learn about Dutch culture.
Day 5 – Rotterdam
Discover Rotterdam’s modern architecture, dynamic economy, and forward-looking urban lifestyle. Visit the Fenix Museum of Immigration, which helps place your journey in global and historical context. Enjoy Rotterdam's water taxi system as we sail across the Maas River.
Day 6 – Den Haag
Check out the Hague and get all of your questions about the Dutch political system answered in this interactive day in the nation's political center.
Day 7 – Leiden
Visit Delft and Leiden to experience classic Dutch university towns known for innovation, culture, and a strong international community. We'll also learn some of the nitty gritty details about visas, taxes, and more.
Day 8 – Your choice
Choose between visiting a smaller city outside of the Randstad or going on a bicycle tour of neighborhoods in a chosen city.
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
Explore great locations with fellow guests 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
- 8 nights
- Minimum of 3 guests; Maximum of 12 guests
Not Included
- Accommodations
- 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!