Tours that Matter

13/03/2025

Amsterdam, a Postcolonial city?

While we were walking towards the slavery monument with a group of students from  one of them asked me how Dutch people look back at our heritage with slavery? I was proud to show them how the renovations of the monument were taking place, the apologies of the prime minister and the king and how our history lessons are being rewritten as we speak.

But I was also ashamed to share with them the current political situation on a national level. They recognised the anti-migration sentiment from their own country and we had interesting discussions about it.

In our tours we talk about what matters, but we also show inspiration for an inclusive and sustainable future. That's why we finished the tour at , an squatted community initiative dedicated to bring positive change to the neighbourhood. At the heart of the Flevopark they created a lively community hub, welcoming everyone for food, music and to talk about what matters 🩵

31/01/2025

Reconnecting with Nature

A full day in the middle of Amsterdam to reconnect with Nature 💚 Yesterday we organized a circular inspiration program for and

✨ Inspiring tour about sustainable experiments
🌱 Vegan lunch
🌾 Foraging workshop with

Do you want to reconnect with the world around you? Learn more about the rights to nature. From a talk about speaking up for nature to a City Safari to open your senses ❇️

Get in touch to explore the possibilites of all green tours and workshops in the city!

📷

28/01/2025

Social Innovation Program

Our friends from came for a visit to our boat office at . This time with the amazing students from their Social Innovation Program. A bunch of motivated kids full of questions and thoughts, a true joy to guide around 🥰

Together we looked at the transition of Amsterdam North, visited the and . Tours That Matter is a way of thinking, a unique way to design tours that make social impact. We love to talk about what we do, and even more to show you ✨

We finished the day with a tour of , the pioneers in moving from pollution to solution. And serving a delicious vegan lunch 🌱

17/01/2025

Ceuvel Tours Matter ✨

After being a Ceuvelaar for a while now, it was time to step up our game. To contribute something to this amazing creative playground . To use tours as a tool to create more awareness and engagement with and about this inspiring place. From january took on the organization of the Ceuvel Tours. We are excited to tell the stories behind this circular breading ground.

Did you know..

💛 The tourguides are the architects, social entrepreneurs, founders, artists and placemakers that work at de Ceuvel

💡 You can find many inspiring stories of change, learn how all obstacles from a polluted shipyard where turned into circular solutions

✨ De Ceuvel offers tours to share the knowledge of the circular systems, community projects and the transition of the North

🤝 You can meet changemakers and hear their stories by inspring talks and workshops they organize

In the upcoming months we will share more updates! Do you want to organize a tour of day program at de Ceuvel? Send an email to [email protected]

26/11/2024

Sometimes you have these days where all the different pieces come together. For our partner we designed a special program for the government accelerator program of the UAE. It was a day filled with exciting encounters; sailing with the Dame van Amstel - Amsterdam’s largest salonboat- to meeting the pioneers of the city that are making the city more sustainable and inclusive.

Some of the highlights:
🙏 The warm welcome from Fares Al Qadi from

🤖 with a thought-provoking lecture about tech & and the future.

🌱 , and showing insightful examples of how to create a sustainable future in practice.

And of course with their gorgeous boat, great service and the delicious Indonesian rice table.

Thanks to the whole team from for the organisation and for the inspiring space and event center.

26/09/2024

Innovation & Radical Tourism

Last Tuesday we took a group of creative students from to explore what lies around Oosterdok, a place where innovation and adventure come together to solve urban challenges.

How do you imagine your future? What does the world you want to live in look like? The world as we know it is changing faster than ever, we need a new approach to solve issues of society. To take risks, dare to experiment and come up with innovative solutions.

During the tour we talked about colonialism and migration, discovered what lies behind the pioneering spirit of Amsterdam. We visited change makers like and discussed how they work towards a better future.

Then it was time for the students to come up with some innovative solutions themselves. The is facing a big problem of trash (mainly cigarette butts). From garbage games to paid pigeons, the valueble ideas where the giveback of the tour 💡

24/09/2024

Innovation & Radical Tourism

Last Tuesday we took a group of creative students from to explore what lies around Oosterdok, a place where innovation and adventure come together to solve urban challenges.

How do you imagine your future? What does the world you want to live in look like? The world as we know it is changing faster than ever, we need a new approach to solve issues of society. To take risks, dare to experiment and come up with innovative solutions.

During the tour we talked about colonialism and migration, and discovered what lies behind the pioneering spirit of Amsterdam. We visited change makers like and learned how they work towards a better future.

After the tour organized a Trash Bingo and playful challenge to solve the cigarette butt issue of the .

Do you also want to get inspired to talk about what matters? Get in touch to design your own tour [email protected]

20/06/2024

How can we live in harmony with nature and each other?
On our adventurous tour into the wild and hidden parts of Zeeburgereiland we explored how people there have been doing this for decades. We got inspired on what alternative living can look like and why it is so important to protect these rare places of nature and community in the City.

11/06/2024

We normally visit human changemakers on our tours, but I think we can all imagine that this fluffy one got all the attention this time :)

27/05/2024

We had so much fun with this group of students coming all the way from the US. We designed a whole day for them, from a circular city tour in noord with hidden places to explore and changemakers to meet and a communal lunch to a super nice volunteer activity in the afternoon. Thanks for the lovely day!

15/04/2024

GUIDING YOU TOWARDS VOLUNTEER WORK

Are you an expat or international student in Amsterdam that is looking to connect and give back to the community? Join the first free Voluntour on April 24th! Learn about the city centre and the initiatives that make it more beautiful everyday. Find out where you can Volunteer based on your availability and interest.

Starting point: 14.30 at Art Exhibition
Finishing point: 17.00 with drinks at .amsterdam

👉 Sign up here:
https://vcatraint.nu/voor-vrijwilligers/voluntour-city-center/

Some of our friends that you will meet 🤝
.amsterdam

Thanks for sharing 💙

21/03/2024

POSITIVE IMPACT TOURS

We love to tell our story to the world. To inspire others how you can create a tour with impact. Tours That Matter is a way of tour design, where focus lies on contributing to the community. We are super transparent and share everything we've learned about creating positive impact tours. Maybe you'll design your own 💙

This time Anouschka visited a great place to connect with future change-makers. The students are challenged here daily on how to use tourism as a tool for change. But can you continue this afterwards in your role? shows you how to build an impact tour business! Thanks for the great organisation.

18/03/2024

SUPER DIVERSITY

Last week we spent an amazing day in .zuidoost with our friends from . The theme was identity & media, so we visited inspiring initiatives such as . Sharing stories about building collective heritage and cultural identity.

But a visit to the Bijlmer cannot be with an empty belly. After the local Street Market, we visited inspired by the story of Omoe. The Bijlmer is an example of super diversity, and also the place to talk about connections and disconnection to society.

11/03/2024

GIVING BACK

Last week we had an enthusiastic group from Wales that were willing to free up a whole day in their program. After a morning tour in the Amsterdam East about Colonialism, Migration & Gentrification we visited inspiring community centre . The students had a lunch where they learned about new ways towards a more harmonious and supportive society. Afterwards they could also feel it, by dancing together, gardening and creating art.

Thank you en

All of our tours have the opportunity to add a volunteer activity, to connect and give back to the community 🌿 Definitely worth it to make a bit of extra time!

07/02/2024

Colonialism to Fair Trade

Last week we organised a customized tour about trade, connecting the past, present and the future. Over 75 CEO's of the joined out walking tours through the city center. Listening to the stories of the VOC, creating understanding beyond the bricks and stones.

Giving new inspiration to decision makers, from stories of the pioneers of Amsterdam. Guest speakers like
who do business differently, use the past to create a different future. who is on a mission to change an industry, not a product.

Proud to use our city as a learning playground and of the stories of our change makers.

12/01/2024

Meeting point for the whole neighborhood 🩵

is one of our favorite places in Amsterdam South-East! Because of the food, the atmosphere and the amazing owner Mr. Kai Hing Li (Omoe). The oldest shop in the neighborhood has a rich history but cannot be missed by the neighborhood today. It's a representation of all cultures, colors and tastes of the Bijlmer. Omoe his spirit is "if the customer wants something, I'll make sure he gets it".

We love to visit the shop and share the story of Toko Omoe in our tour about Superdiversity. Well, mostly it's Omoe and his son Ramon that welcome everyone and share the stories themselves. The toko provides much more than food, a warm conversation, a recipe, some lonely people come back 4x a day! While the whole world and neighborhood changes, this place stays the same.

05/01/2024

New Year, New Collaborations

Do you want to discover all the beauty of Amsterdam from a boat, but would you also like to leave the city a little more beautiful? In a unique collaboration with E-boats, you can now book a Boat Tour that Matters with us! An eye-opening and cosy experience for the colder winter days with colleagues, friends or classmates.

Visit places of the regular sailing routes and listen to stories that are less heard. While sailing we pass inspiring initiatives that are working towards a better future.

Every tour is tailor-made depending on the need of the group and the topic of tour! Do you want to know more? Send us a message or e-mail at [email protected].

NEW collaboration with E-boats Happy 2024! The holiday season is all about spending quality time with family and friends, making wishes for the New Year. 366 days to come to create happy and meaningful moments, at home and at work. As always you can join us for inspiring walks and positive impact ac...

28/12/2023

A Circular Houseboat Community

Living on the water has been a common alternative way of living in Amsterdam. But this floating neighbourhood in the Johan van Hasseltkanaal is truly unique. For over ten years the residents worked together to design, develop and realise Schoonschip. An ecologically and socially sustainable neighbourhood where they live with 46 households, on 30 arks. On their website and during the guided visits residents share openly about the process and their lifestyle.

On our Circular City Tour we share the story of an inspiring example of alternative ways of living. Not only due to the green innovations, but also the way of sharing and community living.
Next year we'll be launching a tour together about reshaping urban landscape. An e-bike tour that included a special guided visit by one of Schoonschips residents.