With today’s post, I want to introduce my readers to an innovative, historic, and incredibly creative tour company in Amsterdam. Badass Tours.
The creative minds behind this venture are related to a friend, and because he knows how much I love to travel and to find a destination’s often-overlooked treasures and history, he connected us a few years back.
I was honored to be one of the folks that tested their DIY beta product while they were in the development process.
They’ve come a long way since then. At this point, they are even teaming up with National Geographic and TUI (a Dutch charter airline) on another exciting tour option – but more on that later.
The business is the brainchild of Elyzabeth Gorman. Elyzabeth is a storyteller extraordinaire. Her research into Shakespeare’s sources while on a fellowship at the Shakespeare Theatre of DC inspired a historic play through the voices of early female writers. After moving to Amsterdam, she found that early Dutch history was filled with the type of woman she’d been researching. Because those stories were usually only in Dutch, she began to translate them and become their voice in today’s world.
Elyzabeth’s partner is Shea Elmore who has an accomplished technical and creative background as a UX (user experience) designer who has worked in virtual reality and interactive performance. Before moving from New York to Amsterdam he was an international producer for the Blue Man Group. Shea is the force behind the website and interactive tour options, serving double duty as Executive Director of the firm.
In a nutshell, they “tell the stories of individual people in order to inspire, empower and connect” people with untold history. I can’t think of a better way to combine learning significant historic facts, along with humanizing the past, and just plain good fun.
A visit to their website, badasstours.nl, will give you a more in-depth look into their offerings of small guided tours, private custom tours, and, now, DIY tours. Besides “Hidden Gems”, specialty tours focus on Women’s History, Jewish History, LGBTQ+ History, and BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color) History.
Their self-curated tour takes visitors through Amsterdam’s historical center introducing them to hidden villains, heroes, and rebels. It’s a great (and inexpensive at 10 €) option for people who love to explore on their own. All you need is a smartphone.
The latest addition to their portfolio is the previously mentioned project with TUI and National Geographic – an Immigrant Tour. Being marketed to river and ocean cruise ship passengers, it will feature lunch in a restaurant run by refugees and a boat tour.
On a personal note, I have some plans that will take me back to Amsterdam, and doing a Badass tour is at the top of my list. And BTW, I don’t do pay-for-play posts. As always, you are reading my independent, uncompensated thoughts, recs, and opinions!
