Colonial Grounds:
Tracing Coffee, Trade, and Power in the Dutch Colonial World
Beneath the cobbled streets and shimmering canals of the Netherlands lies the story of a global empire brewed one cup at a time. Colonial Grounds is an immersive journey through the Dutch Republic’s gilded past, where 17th-century coffee houses served as salons of commerce, politics, and power; ships carried secrets across oceans; and fortunes were built on beans. From Amsterdam’s hidden histories to the ports of Rotterdam and the university halls of Utrecht, travelers will trace the entangled legacies of trade, empire, and culture—all stirred into the seemingly simple ritual of a morning brew. This is more than a study abroad—it’s a deeper look into the shadows behind the steam.
Program Fee: $TBA
The program fee includes all lodging (based on double occupancy), in-country transportation from the moment you arrive in Amsterdam, all scheduled tours, and at least two dinners (welcome and farewell). While we bring our expertise in educational programming and trip coordination, we often partner with trusted professionals on the ground—experienced drivers for private coaches and licensed guides with deep local and subject knowledge—whose services are included in the program cost. Please note: international airfare and transportation to and from Amsterdam are not included. The program officially begins and ends at Amsterdam central train station. Travelers who prefer a private room may request one for an additional single-occupancy fee.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
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Curated visit to Amsterdam’s Maritime Museum and VOC headquarters, uncovering how the Dutch East India Company built a global coffee empire.
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Guided walking tours through historic districts and 17th-century coffee salons, exploring the cultural, political, and economic life of the Dutch Republic.
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Guest lecture at Utrecht University on the intersections of capitalism, colonialism, and the global coffee trade.
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Hands-on coffee tasting and sourcing workshop with a Rotterdam-based ethical roaster, connecting historical legacies with today’s fair trade movement.
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Private access to Dutch colonial records at The Hague’s National Archives, where centuries-old shipping logs and trade documents come alive.
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Farewell dinner at a Dutch-Indonesian fusion restaurant, exploring how colonialism continues to shape contemporary foodways and cultural identity.
DAILY PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
Day 1 -Arrival in Amsterdam: Orientation & Welcome
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Late afternoon check-in at hotel in central Amsterdam.
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Evening welcome dinner at a historic café.
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Introductory conversation: “Why Coffee? Trade, Empire, and Everyday Life”.
Day 2 - Amsterdam: The VOC and the Architecture of Empire
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Morning visit to the Maritime Museum, focusing on Dutch naval trade.
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Midday break and lunch.
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Guided walking tour of the VOC district, including the former East India House.
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Group discussion over drinks: “What Does Colonial Power Look Like?”.
Day 3 - Amsterdam: Coffeehouses and Urban Culture
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Morning visit to a historic coffeehouse.
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Seminar discussion: “Coffeehouses as Crossroads: Commerce, Conversation, and Control”.
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Optional afternoon visit to Tropenmuseum.
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Free evening to explore Amsterdam’s modern café culture.
Day 4 - The Hague: Colonial Memory and Global Institutions
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Morning train to The Hague (approx. 50 minutes).
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Guided tour of the Mauritshuis.
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Lunch in the city center.
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Afternoon visit to the National Archives to explore VOC trade records.
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Optional café meetup near the Peace Palace.
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Early evening return to Amsterdam.
Day 5 -Rotterdam: Ports, People, and Coffee Futures
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Morning visit to Rotterdam Port.
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Private workshop at a local fair trade coffee roaster.
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Discussion: “Decolonizing a Beverage: Sustainability and Justice in Coffee Today”.
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Return to Amsterdam for dinner or free time.
Day 6 -
Utrecht: Scholarship, Print Culture, and Colonial Critique
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Mid-morning train to Utrecht.
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Guided walking tour.
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Lunch along the canals.
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Afternoon guest lecture at Utrecht University: “The Dutch Republic and the Birth of Global Capitalism”.
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Optional visit to Museum Catharijneconvent.
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Return to Amsterdam in the evening.
Day 7 -Amsterdam: Synthesis and Culinary Colonialism
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Morning: participant-led reflection circles.
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Free afternoon.
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Farewell dinner at a Dutch-Indonesian fusion restaurant.
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Closing discussion: “Legacies of Empire at the Table”.
Day 8 -Departures
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Optional informal breakfast meetup at a favorite café. Individual departures from Amsterdam.
Interested in booking this global field seminar? Press the button below to find out how!
Make it your own adventure
At Passport Perspectives, we believe every journey should reflect your interests and curiosities. That’s why we offer complimentary travel planning services to help you extend your experience before or after the global seminar. Whether you're arriving early or staying on after the program in Angers, we’re here to assist with train bookings, lodging, cultural recommendations, and more.
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Our specialties include Belgium, Czechia (Czech Republic), France, Germany, and the Netherlands, but we're happy to help with travel throughout Europe. For this particular seminar, we’ve also curated a few optional extensions—ideas for continuing your journey on your own terms. If you decide to explore any of these, we’ll gladly help coordinate the logistics and share suggestions for accommodations, activities, and hidden gems along the way.
SUGGESTED INDEPENDENT EXTENSIONS
Antwerp – The Coffee Trail South
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Overview: Just a two-hour train ride from Amsterdam, Antwerp offers a fascinating Belgian counterpart to Dutch colonial trade. A historic port city that rivaled Amsterdam during the early modern era, it’s a great spot to explore coffee’s continued role in European commerce and culture.
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Highlights:
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Visit the Museum aan de Stroom (MAS) for exhibits on global trade and Antwerp’s maritime history
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Explore historic guild houses and merchant streets from the Golden Age
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Sip modern brews at renowned specialty coffee shops like Caffenation and Normo
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Travel from Amsterdam:
Direct trains depart regularly and take around 2 hours each way -
Good to Know:
Antwerp is walkable and full of charm; Dutch is spoken, but many locals also speak English and French. Trains back to Amsterdam run late into the evening.
The Hague – Justice and Memory Revisited
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Overview: If one day in The Hague left you wanting more, consider an overnight or extended stay in this international city of diplomacy. The Hague offers deeper engagement with themes of law, postcolonial reckoning, and civic memory.
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Highlights:
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Tour the Peace Palace and its visitor center on global justice
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Visit the Humanity House (if reopened) or Museum Sophiahof for perspectives on colonial memory
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Relax along Scheveningen Beach, a historic departure point for VOC ships
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Travel from Amsterdam:
Frequent trains take just under 1 hour each way -
Good to Know: The Hague offers a calmer, more polished urban experience with ample museums, restaurants, and quiet residential charm. Great for solo travelers and small groups.
Haarlem – The Quiet Capital of Dutch Art and Trade
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Overview: Only 20 minutes west of Amsterdam, Haarlem provides a peaceful extension that complements the Colonial Grounds itinerary with its art, architecture, and trade history. Once a wealthy center of commerce and home to VOC-affiliated merchants, it also boasts one of the best-preserved historic cores in the Netherlands.
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Highlights:
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Visit the Frans Hals Museum, showcasing portraits of the Dutch mercantile elite
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Explore VOC-era buildings and courtyards in the city center
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Stroll the city’s Saturday market or visit the Teylers Museum, the oldest in the Netherlands
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Travel from Amsterdam:
Direct trains run every 10–15 minutes and take under 30 minutes
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Good to Know: This is a great half-day or full-day trip for those looking to slow the pace. Haarlem’s café culture is thriving, and many visitors prefer it to busier Amsterdam neighborhoods.
Delft – Porcelain, Painters, and Port Cities
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Overview: Delft is a postcard-perfect town known for its iconic blue ceramics, historic canals, and as the home of painter Johannes Vermeer. It also sits squarely in the story of Dutch global trade, with its porcelain and aesthetics deeply shaped by colonial exchange.
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Highlights:
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Tour the Royal Delft porcelain factory, with exhibits on Chinese and Dutch influences
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Visit the Vermeer Centrum Delft to learn how global trade shaped Dutch art
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Walk the canal-ringed old town and visit Nieuwe Kerk, burial site of the House of Orange
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Travel from Amsterdam:
Trains take about 1 hour, usually with a simple connection in The Hague -
Good to Know: Delft is a favorite among travelers for its manageable size and rich cultural offerings. It’s ideal for a reflective day trip or slow weekend stroll.