Amsterdam Guided Tour of United East India Company and Maritime Museum with Art Historian

Sightseeing  :  Netherlands  :  North Holland  :  Amsterdam  :  Private Sightseeing Tours

During your 3 hour tour led by an art historian guide, you will visit the inner courtyard of the United East India House HQ to hear hair-raising stories of how the men came in from distant lands and were sworn in. Then visit the Maritime museum, with great maps, globes, sextants and have a walk on a full-size Indiaman ship, built of sturdy oak and recently restored.The first part of the tour will take you to the inner courtyard of the United East India House, the central HQ. Your guide will recount stories of how personnel was hired, and about signing in and swearing-in procedure. He will also explain the procession to the ships with rolling drums and fifes. Hear about hardship and evil situations on-board due to tedious voyage in hot climate with only little water and about the return of the sailors and soldiers 5 years after the beginning of their journey.

Enjoy a little coffee break and then move on to the Maritime museum, which is one of the world best shipping presentations. Explore the departments with great maps, globes and sextants.  Finally have a walk inside a full-size Indiaman ship, recently rebuilt. You  may spot actors pretending to live in the 17th century. See where sailors and soldiers lived below and had to endure bad food and insufficient drink and how well the captain and officers ate and lived.