Leiden Secret Stories: A Guided Walking Tour Review

So, if you’re thinking about visiting Leiden, that very pretty Dutch city, perhaps you should consider doing something a bit unusual? A regular sightseeing trip is OK and stuff, but taking a walking tour is really a great way to begin to explore this great place in the Netherlands. We think the “Leiden Secret Stories” guided walking tour might just be what you are after. It gives you some nice glimpses into parts of the city a visitor might typically just miss completely. That is a fun thing. It is almost as if it reveals all kinds of cool hidden gems. We will be providing you with some very helpful insights and maybe some personal recommendations. Hopefully, that helps you determine if it is worth doing.

Why Pick “Leiden Secret Stories” Tour?

Why this tour though, basically when you have countless options at your fingertips? It seems that the magic is just down to its special way of helping you learn some amazing, a little bit untold, stories that go far past those usual historical facts. I mean, alright Leiden certainly is drowning in historical past, alright? But it is also this collection of little, personal stories, quirky happenings, and local legends, it is kind of what this tour just puts in the spotlight very nicely. The tour guides really do a good job. It really appears they just try to spark a special sense of curiosity, which in turn, just makes it a unique experience in a way. It gives you a fresh outlook on Leiden. I mean, the stuff you probably never learned in history class.

A Glimpse Into Leiden’s Soul

I mean, right from the get-go, that feeling of exploring is very much there, alright? The guide, full of stories and an infectious kind of energy, they usually lead you down those very pretty cobbled streets and down through some secret courtyards. They aren’t on every tourist map for sure. Each corner really turned just offers something, just a new and interesting, usually unheard story. You’ll hear some local anecdotes and it will start to feel very different. It can even give you a better feeling than just reading from some generic brochure. I will say, you can expect to discover really tiny almshouses. I thought that was nice. Or maybe just get an explanation of some unusual architectural detail and that really breathes life into what are Leiden’s past narratives.

The Guide: A Storyteller, Not Just a Narrator

I guess, so one of the big differences between an OK tour and a fantastic tour tends to be the guide, is that right? The “Leiden Secret Stories” is rather lucky and it is often run by those super passionate locals. Those guides really give off some serious storytelling skills. These people are more than just fact-givers. They are people just willing to put a nice emotional color and depth to all these interesting tales. They are also willing to engage with the visitors. When there are questions, there really is more depth behind those usual answers. They manage just to turn every spot into a nice lively chapter within a bigger history. They’re just putting people at ease a little, very much more keen to offer things and bring them right up-to-date. I guess if you have that personal link, it makes a big change.

What You Might Unearth

Basically, during the tour, anticipate discovering some truly charming secrets and hidden history:

• Those Hidden Courtyards: Check out a calm place in the middle of the lively town, they come with special backgrounds.
• Very Old Almshouses: Almost, explore those charity homes that date way back, and see some of that architecture.
• Stories From Students: Learn those pretty exciting student stories in Leiden and it has its own university, one of those older establishments.
• Tales That Locals Tell: The stories you might miss entirely without some nice guide by your side. It puts them out there.

Who Might Enjoy This Tour?

Maybe, this walking tour really is a great choice, maybe just appealing to a lot of different folks:

• Folks that are Interested in the Story of Stuff: Is that history all your thing? Prepare yourself just to absorb some interesting stuff beyond those usual textbooks.
• When You Are First Time Visitors to The Area: It is almost that great way just to get your feet very much on the ground, see that city, and appreciate your immediate surrounding areas.
• Repeat Leiden Visitors: Are you almost that experienced visitor? You can have an alternate angle entirely, and unearth something that you did not really see originally.
• Basically Those Who Love Culture: When you adore unearthing all of Leiden’s tradition, then culture it is almost something a must-see or must-do thing.

Things To Keep In Mind Before The Tour

So, you have to prepare for this lovely “Leiden Secret Stories” tour:

• The Proper Footwear is Essential: You can have a little walk over stone roads, almost so you really need some comfortable trainers.
• Very Weather Appropriate Garments: Netherlands temperatures are sort of predictable. So, layering the clothing is generally the ideal technique here.
• Small Size of The Group: The booking of locations is quite helpful, so it just keeps a far more individual feel and stuff.
• Inquire If There is a Language Offered: See if the tour has all these languages on offer, when Dutch is not your area.

In general, just keep some essentials with you to stay comfortable throughout this walk. We suggest bringing a water bottle to keep you hydrated. An umbrella will do just in case there is some change in the weather, that may occur suddenly. Then maybe bring your camera. Then, take those remarkable sights which occur across those charming streets of Leiden.

Is It Worth That Experience?

Anyway, you’re debating it: Do the benefits beat those time or the cost dedication of some tour? If your traveling preferences lean a bit to having really meaningful experiences with really local cultures, then the answer could well be; a very definite yes, right? Not only could you potentially get very interesting historic insights, right? You basically will see Leiden, and how it is seen within a lens from people within. The “Leiden Secret Stories” walking tour might be the unusual means of really peeling back all those standard tourism layers. And almost it could lead people in that cultural richness that may be on offer within Leiden.

Frequently Asked Questions