AT AMSTERDAM ODYSSEY, WE STAND BY A FEW SIMPLE BELIEFS
People come first
Our goal is that you have a great time. Every person is different. First, we take account of your wishes and needs. Then we carefully craft your perfect tour.
Last-minute change of plans? No problem: flexible is our middle name. We know the city inside out, and we take care of you from the moment we start working on your tour.
Relax and enjoy your vacation!
Be genuine
Amsterdam highlights? Check. Hidden gems? You got it. But there is more. We help you understand what Amsterdam is about. What makes it a unique home for Amsterdammers and, since always, inspires visitors.
We take you where its fascinating history meets daily life. Our tours are insightful, inspirational and entertaining – like Amsterdam itself.
Local, sustainable and organic are our default settings. By taking a tour with us, you also support local entrepreneurs and initiatives. You help making Amsterdam even better!
Do what you love, and do it well
Amsterdam is our home. We deeply love it, and we want you, too, to feel at home here.
We strongly believe that empathy and genuine connections are key in travel experience. We love guiding, and we handpick our guides. We only work with professionals who are passionate and knowledgeable about this city. Our guides have a minimum level of Master’s degree in history, social sciences and/or art history.
And most importantly: they are dedicated to giving you the best time.
Meet the team
EVA VAN DIJK
Co-founder/ owner and guide
Hi, I’m Eva, anthropologist and teacher of social sciences. Since 2010 I have been involved in several projects around sustainability and social development. Once I realized I prefer going beyond ‘ready-made jobs’, I started creating my own variations, one of them being Amsterdam Odyssey.
What I love about Amsterdam Odyssey is that everything I value, comes together. I have a passion for the city I was born and raised in. I enjoy sharing my extensive knowledge and enthusiasm with others, and I love involving people in the society around them, connecting them with each other and their surroundings.
HUIBERT TEEKENS
Guide
Hi, I’m Huibert. I studied history and graphic design. I walk, cycle, boat and canoe people through Amsterdam since 2003, telling tales from beyond the obvious about everything connected with Amsterdam. I like to surprise people and Amsterdam is full of surprises. Storytelling is a great way to make a connection between people and places.
Amsterdam is unique and so is Amsterdam Odyssey. Eva and Hanneke started this great concept and it suits me like a glove. By creating custom based tours you never stop exploring!
PAOLA PIROVANO
Guide
Hi, I’m Paola, art historian or should I say art-addict… Guiding is my passion and my full-time job. Since I moved to Amsterdam in 2014, I’m so lucky to spend every day in her wonderful museums – the best ‘offices’ you could ask for! I’ve been to the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum countless times, and yet I’m still so excited to show my guests their amazing treasures and share the captivating stories behind their artworks.
My tours are based on my in-depth knowledge of art and history, but don’t think of them as a boring stream of information. I make them educational, personable, and fun too! That’s why I immediately embraced the philosophy of Amsterdam Odyssey of creating meaningful tours tailored to your wishes.
VERA DE GROOT
Guide
Hi, I’m Vera, writer and theatre artist in one. I see paintings, like Rembrandt did, as
theatrical scenes. As a guide I can combine the three things I enjoy the most: storytelling, art and history. I simply love sharing unusual details that help you travel to a certain time, or even an artist’s brain. Research on my historical novel has deeply broadened my knowledge of our golden age. Being an artist myself, I can easily relate to the inner struggle of painters. As for Vincent van Gogh: I’ll take you beyond the clichés of his madness, by going deeper into his relationship with his parents, his underexplored talents and debatable ending.
I chose for Amsterdam Odyssey, because all guides are authentic storytellers, who at the same time value interaction with you, our visitor.
EWALD BOGERS
Guide
Hi, my name is Ewald. Storytelling and giving meaning to history and culture are my main passions.
I started tour guiding in 2002 while I was enrolled at the University of Amsterdam. After graduating in Tourism and Geography, I worked and traveled around the globe. In the meantime, I always returned home to Amsterdam and continued guiding tours here. As soon as I discovered the fun and depth of guiding in art museums, I knew I did not have to look any further. To me, highlighting the uniqueness of Van Gogh, Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters brings out the best of storytelling.
Art helps me to appreciate aesthetics everywhere and always. The history of art teaches me to see everything in its unique light. To share this passion with others, is what brought me to Amsterdam Odyssey.
