Pre Trip (3 Nights)

Lake Como

May 26-29, 2019

Viking Cruise (7 Nights)

Basel to Amsterdam

May 29 - June 5, 2019

Post Trip (2 Nights)

Amsterdam

June 5-7, 2019

Linda and Debbie,

Scroll down to see pricing and hotel choices for your pre and post tours to Lake Como and Amsterdam. Here are some options for you in regard to hotels. When you have your flight information, if you send it to me including the record locator, I will upload it into your itinerary on Umapped. This is where all of your travel documents will be stored in an easy to use app. This way you won't need to carry lots of paper documents. It will also notify you in the event of flight delays.

May 25, 2019 - Saturday - International Flight

DFW JFK

FLIGHT: AA 2242

DEPARTS DFW: 10:20 AM

ARRIVES JFK: 3:00 PM

LAYOVER: 3 HOURS 15 MINUTES

JFK MXP (Milan)

FLIGHT: 198

DEPARTS JFK: 6:15 PM

ARRIVES MXP: May 26th at 8:20 AM

Pre-Trip - Lake Como

Post Trip - Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM - TRANSFERS

Cruise Port Terminal to Your Hotel

$21.39 per person or $85.56 for 4 People

Your Hotel to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport

$20.77 per person or $83.08 for 4 People (Best price)

STATUS: Not Yet Booked

More Options:

Most of the hotels offer shuttles from the hotels to the airport that run twice per hour. Check with your hotel if you are interested in this option.

The commute time is approximately 25 minutes from the hotel to the airport.

Pulitzer Amsterdam

RESERVATION NUMBER: Not Yet Reserved

WEBSITE: Pulitzer

Check-in: June 5, 2019

Check -out: June 7, 2019

Number of Nights: 2

Room: Classic King 404.72 Euros/night (429 euros/with taxes)

Room: Classic King with Canal View 475.47/Euros/night (504 euros/with tax)

Rate doesn't include VAT and services

Excluded is a 6% city tax

VIRTUOSO BENEFITS:

Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability
Complimentary Full American Breakfast for two daily
Welcome cocktail in Pulitzer's Bar
$100 USD equivalent Food & Beverage credit to be utilized during stay (not combinable, no cash value if not redeemed in full)
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Cancelation Policy: Credit card guarantee required to hold room. Cancel before 6 pm hotel time 1 day prior to arrival to avoid 1 night of stay charge penalty.

The Pulitzer Amsterdam is a luxury properrty exceptionally well located in the Canal Loop between two of Amsterdam's most iconic canals. Discover quintessential Dutch elegance in an intricate maze of 25 connecting Golden Age canal houses and a labyrinth of inner gardens. The hotel's 225 guest rooms and suites are individually decorated with warmth and charm, plus amenties like minibars, and flat-screen TVs. After a full renovation, which completed in August 2016, this hidden neighborhood now features: intimate guest rooms, tranquil inner gardens, a garden café, a hotel bar and a restaurant that serves simple yet beautifully crafted dishes. The Pulitzer is a unique blend of up-market, traditional and modern Dutch craftsmanship hidden amongst the city’s iconic canals.

It’s easy to spend your Dutch days wandering the many passages, relaxing in the pleasant garden courtyard or perusing the walls adorned with quirky pieces from the hotel’s impressive modern art collection. Yet just beyond its doors lie the Anne Frank House, the Royal Palace and other city must-sees. Delightfully surprising dishes make Restaurant Jansz a foodie favorite.

Cruise Amsterdam’s canals in classic style aboard the hotel’s 1909 salon boat, decked out in mahogany, marble, leather and beveled glass.

The hotel has an endearing restaurant, a swanky Art Deco cocktail bar, a casual cafe, and indoor and outdoor dining spaces. There's also a modern gym, but no other wellness facilities. The hotel offers Les Clefs d’Or concierge service, 24-hour room service, kid-friendly amenities, and its own mahogany tour boat. The nearby W Amsterdam has hip, design-conscious luxury, plus a rooftop pool, though it's vague corporate veneer doesn't match Pulitzer's timeless, individual style.

ROOMS:

All 225 guest rooms, which were included in the hotel's 2016 renovations, are rumored to have been stayed in by the hotel's interior designer to insure decor was on point. The attention to detail shows. Rooms are as charming as common areas, individually decorated with unique touches like antique furnishings and architectural features that range from arched windows to wood floors or exposed wood-beam ceilings. A soft color palette is accented with muted shades of yellow and purple, and velvet upholstery, wood wardrobes, chrome and brass fixtures, bar carts, and old rotary phones are common features. Bathrooms can be quite spacious, with sleek subway tiling, marble sinks, and oval-shaped, heated mirrors.

All rooms have individual climate control, work desks outfitted with colored pencils, flat-screen LCD TVs, free Wi-Fi, coffee/tea service (with china tea cups), and minibars, plus extras like free cookies and bottled water and bike repair kits. Bathrooms feature robes, slippers, hairdryers, and Le Labo toiletries. Entry-level Cozy Rooms are indeed cozy at just 160 square feet — an upgrade to a Classic Room adds an extra 100 square feet. Generous Rooms, split-level Family Rooms, and Suites add extra space (some with more than 700 square feet), style, and a free breakfast. The Extraordinary Suites can be truly opulent with parquet floors, freestanding tubs, and elegant, themed decor. Many rooms are flooded with natural light, but not all have canal views — some overlook the hotel's garden. Noise is an occasional complaint, typically in rooms closer to street level.

LOCATION: Pulitzer Amsterdam sits right along the Prinsengracht canal, which forms part of the inner canal ring in Amsterdam's old city center, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's one of Amsterdam's most picturesque areas, and it's an extremely popular place for visitors to stay. It's full of shops, restaurants, and centuries'-old buildings. In just a couple minutes, guests can walk to the Anne Frank House, the Westermarkt tram station, and tons of restaurants and shops.

The Toren - Amsterdam

A boutique hotel in two 17th century residences

RESERVATION NUMBER: Not Yet Reserved

WEBSITE: The Toren by the Pavilions

Check-in: June 5, 2019

Check -out: June 7, 2019

Number of Nights: 2

Canal View Room: 350/euros/night includes VAT - advance purchase price

Deluxe View Room: 410/euros/night includes VAT - advance purchase price

Breakfast is NOT included - it is an additional price

Excluded is a 6% city tax

VIRTUOSO BENEFITS:

None - This property is not a Virtuoso property

The Toren boutique hotel is comprised of two 17th century buildings. Keep in mind this is a small hotel of 40 rooms and does not offer the services and amenities of a full service hotel. There is no restaurant, however, there is a bar. The main building has a small reception area where guests are able to check-in. Don't expect to have an early check-in or late check-out as in the larger properties. This type of property offers a friendly staff but lacks in services of a hotel. It is recommended for guests who don't require much attention and like being on their own. Guests in both buildings mentioned that air conditioning isn't reliable. Rooms have been reported as a little dated, tired and in need of a refresh.

Though each room is unique, they're all decorated with the same sophisticated, old world touch combining rich hues, chandeliers, and bold patterns. The lounge offers a solid breakfast (for a fee), a good array of drinks, and small snacks.

The Second Building - This building is not staffed and is located down the street about 200 feet away. Most guests like the main building but very few if any like staying at the second building. Guests complain that it is the "step child" and it lacks in cleaning, rooms are very dark and there are no amenities in the second building. Although there is an elevator, most rooms still require going up and down several steps to reach the room.

DOUBLE CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO VIEW THE GALLERY

De L'Europe - Amsterdam

*Another client of mine stayed here in September and LOVED IT!

RESERVATION NUMBER: Not Yet Reserved

WEBSITE: De L'Europe Amsterdam

Check-in: June 5, 2019

Check -out: June 7, 2019

Number of Nights: 2

Room: Pay for Superior and get upgraded to a Deluxe Room

QUOTED PRICE: 609 euros/night (About $695/night)

Rate includes VAT and services.

Excluded is a 6% city tax

VIRTUOSO BENEFITS:

Guaranteed upgrade at time of booking

Daily breakfast

85 Euro food and beverage credit per room

Wecome gift

Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

All Reservations require a valid credit card on file to guarantee room.

CANCELATION POLICY: Reservation must be canceled by June 4, 2019 at 3:00 PM (Amsterdam Time Zone) in order to avoid a penalty charge.

Penalty charge for late cancelation is 1 night.

Viking quoted $599 per person or $1,198 total at the Movenpick Hotel which is 4-star hotel and located 20 minutes from the city center. This also included your group transfers by motorcoach.

De L'Europe Amsterdam, also referred to as The Grand Dame amongst Amsterdam's legendary 5 star luxury hotels and member of the Leading hotels of the World, is overlooking the beautiful Amstel River in the heart of Amsterdam and offers convenient access to several of the world's heralded museums and Amsterdam's key points of interest.

Contemporary amenities and classic design blend with luxurious comfort and the latest technology including an Apple TV, Bose surround sound system and complimentary high-speed internet access. The comfort of the divine Coco-Mat beds combined with Arabesco-Carrara marble bathrooms create the ultimate escape.

Traditional old-charm co-exists with historic masterpieces in the grand Promenade, where the city's most authentic High Tea is served while river views provide a breathtaking backdrop to the Michelin-starred restaurant Bord'Eau, the Bib Gourmand awarded casual Hoofdstad Brasserie with a warm-weather terrace and the authentic Freddy's Bar.

SUGGESTED ROOM: Pay for a Deluxe Room with a guaranteed upgrade to a PREMIUM DELUXE ROOM with 30 - 40 sq m, Premium Deluxe rooms combine work with relaxation by balancing luxury with space. The interiors blend classic design with modern amenities, while double glazed windows afford picturesque views of Amsterdam’s historic city centre, the interior courtyard or romantic vistas of the Amstel River.

EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO CLIENT AMENITIES:

Guaranteed upgrade at time of booking (Deluxe room to a Premium Deluxe Room or better)
Welcome gift
Breakfast for two daily for the duration of the stay
85 euro credit on food and beverage to be used during your stay (not redeemable for cash and not valid on room rate)
Wi-fi internet connection in rooms and public areas
Early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability)

Conservatorium Hotel - Amsterdam

RESERVATION NUMBER: Not Yet Reserved

WEBSITE: C onservatorium

Check-in: June 5, 2019

Check -out: June 7, 2019

Number of Nights: 2

Room: Duplex Guest Room

QUOTED PRICE: 660 euros/night (About $755/night)

Rate includes VAT and services

Excluded is a 6% city tax

VIRTUOSO BENEFITS:

Upgrade at time of arrival (subject to availability)

Daily breakfast in the Brasserie

85 Euro food and beverage credit per room

Wecome gift

Early check-in/late check-out subject to availability

All Reservations require a valid credit card on file to guarantee room.

CANCELATION POLICY: Reservation must be canceled by June 4, 2019 at 3:00 PM (Amsterdam Time Zone) in order to avoid a penalty charge.

Penalty charge for late cancelation is 1 night.

Viking quoted $599 per person or $1,198 total at the Movenpick Hotel which is 4-star hotel and located 20 minutes from the city center. This also included your group transfers by motorcoach.

In the heart of Amsterdam’s famous museum district, right opposite the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and Stedelijk Museum, is the Conservatorium hotel. Built on the former site of the Sweelinck Conservatory of Music, this luxury lifestyle hotel is situated next to the luxury shopping district, the P.C. Hooftstraat. The sense of arrival in the spacious atrium of this architectural masterpiece is exceptional, combining history with contemporary design. Brushed-oak flooring and beige furniture define the cool autumnal color scheme in the rooms and suites. Bathrooms are designed with large rainfall showers and marble tubs. Guests can expect highlights of the city’s culinary scene in Taiko, the Brasserie and Tunes Bar, and enjoy a wide range of signature treatments at Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre.

Guests enjoy a selection of restaurants, a bar, lounge and the 1,000 square metres Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre. In this vibrant and elegant setting, the city's crown jewels – the Van Gogh Museum, Concertgebouw, Rijksmuseum, Vondelpark and Amsterdam's most indulgent shopping – are literally at your doorstep.

The hotel features 129 rooms and suites, all equipped with state-of-the-art in-room technology as well as luxury linens and amenities. Conservatorium hotel occupies eight floors with room categories ranging from Duplex Guest Rooms to several suites including a spacious penthouse. All rooms and suites include double glazed windows and range in size from 30 m2 to a spacious 170 m2. Paying homage to the building’s original lofty ceilings, almost half of the rooms have been transformed into stunning duplex layout with large windows and exposed structural beams.

SUGGESTED ROOM: Duplex Guest Rooms are approximately 377 sq. ft. and are well laid out and cozy in size. The room offers comfortable working space with free Wi-Fi and state-of-the-art in-room entertainment, a large rainfall shower, luxurious designer amenities, bathroom LCD mirror TV. The bedroom area is located on the mezzanine level.

ROOM AMENITIES:

Complimentary daily newspaper and choice of magazines
Complimentary Wi-Fi
24hr in-room dining
Air Conditioning
Complimentary access to Akasha Holistic Wellbeing Centre with full use of the large lap pool, state-of-the-art-gym, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room
Designer British bathroom amenities from Floris
Luxury bathrobe and slippers
Mini Bar

EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO CLIENT AMENITIES:

Possible upgrade at time of arrival (subject to availability)
Welcome gift
Breakfast for two daily for the duration of the stay
85 euro credit on food and beverage to be used during your stay (not redeemable for cash and not valid on room rate)
Wi-fi internet connection in rooms and public areas
Early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability)

The Intercontinental Hotel - Amsterdam

RESERVATION NUMBER: Not Yet Reserved

WEBSITE: InerContinental Amstel

Check-in: June 5, 2019

Check -out: June 7, 2019

Number of Nights: 2

Room: Executive City View Room

QUOTED PRICE: 563.68 USD/night (About $643/night)

Rate includes VAT and services

Excluded is a 6% city tax

VIRTUOSO BENEFITS:

Upgrade at time of arrival (subject to availability)

Daily American Breakfast Buffet

Dutch welcome cocktail in the A-bar & homemade Chocolate welcome amenity
A discount of € 35,00 per person, two persons per room on City of Diamonds Tour by Gassan. Guests will be picked up by limousine for a tour at Gassan Diamonds. During the tour guests enjoy a glass of Champagne
Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
Complimentary Wi-Fi

Viking quoted $599 per person or $1,198 total at the Movenpick Hotel which is 4-star hotel and located 20 minutes from the city center. This also included your group transfers by motorcoach.

Housed in a stunning building with a commanding setting on the banks of the Amstel River, the Intercontinental Amstel is one of Amsterdam’s grand dames. The property has been around since 1867, and its imposing facade, gorgeous lobby, outstanding service, and opulent rooms have historically set the bar for classic luxury. Climbing the carpeted steps to the arched entrance where uniformed doormen await can make travelers feel like a celebrity from back in the day, while the lavish lobby, with its stately arches and ceiling moldings, golden chandeliers, and polished marble floors take visitors straight to the Dutch Golden Age. The Intercontinental is classic and formal, but it manages to feel more elegant than stuffy, and common areas are always busy with non-guests admiring the grand interiors and panoramic river views. The busiest time of the day, however, tends to be in the early afternoon, when couples and families sit down for tea in the gorgeous Amstel Lounge, housed in a jaw-dropping space with floor-to-ceiling windows, huge skylights, plush velvet seating, and thick rugs.

ROOMS: The hotel has 79 rooms, including 24 gorgeous suites and 55 large entry-level Executive Rooms. They’re all decorated in a classic, ornate style, with beautiful antiques, rich fabrics, elegant wallpaper, and flowery details on throw pillows and heavy drapes. Rooms come in three different color schemes -- gold, red, or navy -- but all feature plush carpets, wonderful beds with several pillows, and huge windows that offer either city or river views. Handmade porcelain touches and drawings of old Dutch scenes add local charm, while neutral accents and small lamps help make spaces warm and homey. Starting at 376 square feet (35 square meters), rooms at the Intercontinental are some of the largest in town, and each has enough space to fit a small seating area, a work desk, and a sideboard stocked with a wide array of liquors, an Illy coffeemaker, electric kettle, and minibar. Large TVs come with lots of international channels, and there are CD/DVD players in all rooms. Wi-Fi is free, and robes, slippers, and safes are provided. Marble bathrooms are large and decadent, with separate soaking tubs and rainfall showers, an array of quality toiletries, and plush towels.

LOCATION: The hotel is located by the Amstel River, about two blocks from the famous Skinny Bridge. Though part of the Canal Ring, this eastern end of the neighborhood is quieter than the more central areas, as few major attractions can be found nearby. There are a handful of restaurants, shops, and cafes in the immediate vicinity of the hotel, and the tram and metro stop about a block each from the main entrance, allowing for easy access to the heart of the action in the Old Center. Tourist sights such as the Hermitage Amsterdam, zoo, Albert Cuyp Market, and the Heineken Experience can all be reached on foot, while others farther afield -- such as the Rijksmuseum, Anne Frank House, and Dam Square -- are just a quick 15-minute tram ride away. Centraal Station is about 10 minutes away by tram, and it takes about 25 minutes to get from the hotel to the airport by car.

SUGGESTED ROOM: The Executive Rooms look out either onto the square or over the Amstel. They are laid out in a classic French style with two large, double windows, a spacious marble bathroom with cascade shower and a separate bath. Each room is fully air-conditioned, and equipped with a minibar and an entertainment system. Executive City View - 35 square meters / 377 square feet Upgrade: Executive River View

ROOM AMENITIES:

Spacious work desk

High-speed Wi-Fi

Luxury bath products
Well stocked minibar

Broadband internet

Bathrobes and slippers
Free morning newspaper

CD and DVD player Hairdryer
Turndown service Cable satellite TV | Pay

Illy coffee and tea facilities
Air-conditioning

In-room safe

24 hour room service

EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO CLIENT AMENITIES:

Possible upgrade at time of arrival (subject to availability)
Welcome gift
Breakfast for two daily for the duration of the stay
85 euro credit on food and beverage to be used during your stay (not redeemable for cash and not valid on room rate)
Wi-fi internet connection in rooms and public areas
Early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability)

Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam

My client walked past this hotel and said it is okay for post cruise

but not in a great location for seeing the sites.

RESERVATION NUMBER: Not Yet Reserved

WEBSITE: S ofitel Legend

Check-in: June 5, 2019

Check -out: June 7, 2019

Number of Nights: 2

Room: Superior City View Room

QUOTED PRICE: 387 USD/night (Ab out $443/night)

Rate includes VAT and services

Excluded is a 6% city tax

VIRTUOSO BENEFITS:

Upgrade at time of booking (subject to availability)

Daily Breakfast

Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability
$100 USD food and beverage credit

Viking quoted $599 per person or $1,198 total at the Movenpick Hotel which is 4-star hotel and located 20 minutes from the city center. This also included your group transfers by motorcoach.

Welcome to Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam, an historical site. In quite a unique manner, the history of Amsterdam is reflected in the past and present of this building. Guests at Sofitel Legend The Grand Amsterdam are promised a sublime stay — and not simply because the building was formerly a 15th-century convent. Tucked in the city center along two of Amsterdam’s finest canals — Oudezijds Achterburgwal and Oudezijds Voorburgwal — this legendary hotel has been sleekly redesigned with 21st-century sensibilities. Each of the 177 spacious guestrooms possesses its own style, with exposed brick, bold damask and vibrant prints; suites offer Bose sound systems and butler service. Bridges restaurant serves the best seafood in Amsterdam, while the bi-level So Spa includes a Turkish hammam.

The Sofitel is located in the heart of the Old Center. While some guests complain that it is too close to the Red Light District, and that some streets around the hotel can feel a little seedy at night, the area is safe and very convenient for those who want to be within walking distance to major attractions such as the Dam Square, the scenic Canal Ring neighborhood, and museums. For longer distances, there are two tram stations and several bus lines within a five-minute walk from the hotel.

The name may suggest otherwise, but Old Center remains the bustling center of Amsterdam's activity today. It is a popular tourist destination with museums, shops, restaurants, and the infamous Red Light District. Once divided by a now dried-up river, Old Center has two main parts: the Old Side and the New Side. Both sides feature gorgeous medieval architecture, and they overlap in places, but each side has its own vibe. The New Side is home to the most activity. The Old Side is home to a burgeoning Asian district (Amsterdam's version of Chinatown) as well as the Red Light District.

Marked by cobblestone streets, canals, and an abundance of coffee shops (which are most often known for something other than coffee), Amsterdam is both a quiet and lively city without the pretention of some other European metropolises.

Rooms & Suites - The rich history is, as naturally, incorporated into the new architectural details in many ways. The students of the Design Academy of Eindhoven used legendary persons from the history of the building as a source of inspiration: their creative contribution with historical influences is draped across the 177 rooms including 52 suites.

SUGGESTED ROOM: 30 SQM / 322 SQFT, spacious room filled with delicate reminders of the history of Amsterdam, the exquisite Sofitel MyBed, climate control, walk-in rainfall shower with Hermès bath amenities, Complimentary Wi-Fi, Nespresso facilities and HD TV.

EXCLUSIVE VIRTUOSO CLIENT AMENITIES:

Possible upgrade at time of booking (subject to availability)
Breakfast for two daily for the duration of the stay
$100 USD credit on food and beverage to be used during your stay (not redeemable for cash and not valid on room rate)
Early check-in/late check-out (subject to availability)