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Dorian Destinations, a luxury travel advisory firm, announced the launch of its new “Passport Profile” podcast series, featuring in-depth interviews with destination experts from around the world. The inaugural episode spotlights Stephan van der Meer, a seasoned Amsterdam-based tour guide who has operated his own tour company, Amsterdam Experiences, since 2017.
The new podcast format represents a strategic initiative by Dorian Destinations to provide clients with authentic, insider perspectives on international destinations. Franco and Shannon Interian, co-founders and lead travel advisors of the agency, developed the series to showcase the network of local suppliers and destination experts that enable them to craft customized travel experiences.
“We are not influencers – we are travel advisors,” stated the hosts during the debut episode. “Everything discussed in our podcast can be booked through us to create the ultimate Amsterdam and Netherlands experience.”
Van der Meer, whose company offers walking, cycling, and car tours throughout the Netherlands, shared insights that challenge conventional tourism approaches to the region. While most visitors focus exclusively on Amsterdam, Stephan advocates exploring eight medieval towns within an hour’s travel of the capital city, including Delft, Gouda, Utrecht, and Haarlem.
“Amsterdam is beautiful, but there’s so much more to see,” Van der Meer explained during the interview. “These other cities offer the authentic feeling of old Dutch towns without the crowds.”
The podcast revealed several surprising facts about Amsterdam’s infrastructure and history. The city contains more canals than Venice and is laced with more than 1,500 bridges—far more than Venice (~438) and Paris (~37 across the Seine). Amsterdam is widely regarded as the site of the world’s first official stock exchange, established in 1602, and is home to De Poezenboot, which bills itself as the world’s only floating cat sanctuary.
Stephan van der Meer detailed the deep historical connections between the Netherlands and New York, tracing numerous borough and neighborhood names to their Dutch origins. Brooklyn derives from the Dutch village “Breuckelen,” Harlem from “Haarlem,” and Coney Island takes its name from the Dutch “Konijneneiland” (“Rabbit Island”), with the old English word “coney,” meaning rabbit, later reinforcing the term. These linguistic links reflect roughly four decades of Dutch rule — primarily from 1624 to 1664, with a brief return in 1673–1674 — when Manhattan was known as “New Amsterdam.”
The interview highlighted the Netherlands’ unique transportation culture, where bicycles serve as the primary mode of transit. Van der Meer noted that Dutch children often start on balance bikes around age two; by around ages 10–11, they take a national traffic cycling exam and begin riding more independently. This bicycle-centric infrastructure has led Amsterdam to restrict automotive access in large portions of the city center.
Tourism timing emerged as a crucial consideration for the Netherlands’ travel. The country’s famous tulip season generally runs from late March to mid-May, with peak bloom typically occurring in mid-April to early May, depending on the weather. Yet Van der Meer fields year-round inquiries about tulip viewing opportunities. He emphasized that the Netherlands offers diverse attractions beyond tulips, including coastal dunes, forests, and hilly regions in the south.
Van der Meer’s tour offerings include specialized experiences such as five-hour electric bicycle tours to historic windmills north of Amsterdam, family-friendly graffiti workshops in designated street art areas, and day trips to lesser-known destinations like Broek in Waterland – Van der Meer’s recommended alternative to the overcrowded village of Giethoorn.
The podcast also explored Van der Meer’s travel philosophy, rooted in the European approach of extended vacations. With Dutch workers typically receiving 25-30 vacation days annually plus national holidays, Van der Meer advocates for slower, more immersive travel experiences.
“Take time to feel the vibe of a place,” Van der Meer advised. “Instead of rushing through a checklist, calm down, relax, and enjoy the food, drinks, and people you encounter.”
Dorian Destinations plans to continue the “Passport Profile” series with destination experts from additional international markets. The agency positions these relationships as essential to delivering authentic, locally-informed travel experiences that distinguish professional travel advisors from online booking platforms.
The complete podcast interview is available through Dorian Destinations’ digital channels. Van der Meer’s tour services can be accessed through his website AmsterdamExperiences.nl, and bookings can be arranged directly through Dorian Destinations.
About Dorian Destinations
Dorian Destinations is a luxury travel advisory firm specializing in tailor-made international travel experiences. The agency leverages relationships with destination specialists worldwide to craft personalized itineraries for discerning travelers. Interested parties may connect with them via their website https://doriandestinations.com or email doriandestinations@gmail.com.
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For more information about Dorian Destinations, contact the company here:
Dorian Destinations
Shannon Interian
(305) 440-9200
doriandestinations@gmail.com
