Amsterdam’s Van Gogh Museum, the largest of its kind in the world, houses hundreds of paintings, drawings, and other mementos from one of the 19th century’s most mysterious artists. This small group tour with an art historian guide—complete with reserved entry so you don’t have to worry about getting your own tickets—will help you make sense of it all. In two and a half unforgettable hours, you’ll get an unparallelled look into the life of Vincent Van Gogh and hear the unforgettable stories behind the iconic masterpieces and lesser-known gems of his collection.

Your journey through the Van Gogh Museum begins with his instantly recognisable self-portraits. You’ll learn the real reason why he painted so many of them, which had nothing to do with vanity, and how he turned to painting as a refuge while struggling with mental illness.

You’ll then explore some of Van Gogh’s lesser-known works, offering a glimpse at a different side of the artist. Some of the aesthetics that influenced him, such as bold Japanese prints, may surprise you. And even though Van Gogh is often remembered today as a tortured artist, your guide will share examples of how he saw beauty in the least-expected places and masterfully depicted it in his works.

From there, your Van Gogh Museum tour finishes on an unforgettable note with some of the artist’s most famous works. Learn the untold stories behind paintings like “The Potato Eaters,” “Sunflowers,” and “Almond Blossom.” Finally, gaze upon his haunting final painting, completed just weeks before he tragically took his own life.

While his work was unappreciated during his lifetime, today Vincent Van Gogh is regarded as one of the greatest artists of his generation. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see his work in his homeland is a can’t-miss Amsterdam experience that will stay with you for years to come.