The iconic canal ring of Amsterdam is the beautiful result of an innovative seventeenth-century city expansion. This masterpiece of urban development was created on 90 artificial islands, and connected by no less than 1.500 bridges. The construction of the canal ring in 1613, and its extension in 1660 prompted Amsterdam’s elite to move from the old city center to the new ‘Gold Coast’. Today, you can follow in their footsteps and explore the highlights of the ‘Venice of the North’.

In 2010, the Amsterdam Canal District was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list. Some of the canal houses and national landmarks in this area are known all over the world. Along this tour, you'll see a number of historic buildings which served as an inspiration for the famous Delft Blue miniature house collection of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines. The fascinating story of the Amsterdam Canal District, and the secrets behind the facades of these buildings are taken from the book 'Kingdom by the Sea, a celebration of Dutch cultural heritage', by Dutch author Mark Zegeling.