All About Me:
Hi, I’m Zarah. I’m an Amsterdam-based guide with a lifelong love of history and storytelling. I grew up between Ireland and England and went on to study History at university before completing a Master’s in International Relations from a historical perspective in Utrecht. My first visit to the Netherlands was as a student during an Erasmus year, when I fell completely in love with Dutch history, especially the Golden Age, its global connections, and the fascinating question of how Dutch identity has been shaped, challenged, and reinvented over time. That curiosity never left me, and eventually it led me back to Amsterdam to stay for good.
Tour guiding began almost by accident, through a friend who thought I might enjoy it and she was absolutely right. Before joining Amsterdam Experiences, I spent a summer working on the canals with a boat company, giving hundreds of informal, history-filled boat tours. People often told me I was “too serious” for a job that involved mixing drinks on deck, but I always took it as a compliment. I simply love sharing real stories, meaningful details, and the wider context behind the city. These days I guide in English and particularly enjoy tours connected to the 17th century, colonial history, questions of identity and tolerance, and those big historical debates that still shape the Netherlands today. I’m also especially drawn to stories about women and their emancipation, the lesser-told narratives that reveal how much courage, resilience, and reform have shaped Dutch society.
What I love most about guiding is helping visitors see beyond the postcard views exploring quiet courtyards, overlooked corners, and the layers of history woven into everyday Amsterdam. My aim is always to create tours that feel thoughtful, friendly, and genuinely engaging, offering a deeper understanding of how this unique city came to be.
You can take the following tours with me:
My favourite place in Amsterdam is Erasmus Park. It’s my go-to place when I want to escape the bustle of the centre and just breathe. I love wandering along the paths, taking in the greenery, and watching the little everyday moments of the locals around me. It’s also close to a few cosy cafés and bars I adore, so it always feels a bit like home, a quiet corner of Amsterdam that’s both familiar and full of life.
