About Orange Coot
Behind Orange Coot stands Dominika – an art historian, city enthusiast, and a keen traveller.
For me, exploring cities and heritage isn’t just a hobby; it’s my profession. Having spent many years working in historic preservation and conservation, I learned to see a city and its architecture as a multi-layered story. My passion for guiding didn’t start in the Netherlands, though. Long before moving here, I completed a training and earned my official city guide license in Warsaw, where I first learned the craft from the ground up.
The Netherlands has been a constant in my life for over eight years and for the past four, I’ve been living permanently in the picturesque city of Leiden. This is my base, from which I set out to show you the very best this country has to offer. My signature tours focus on three cities that together paint a remarkably rich portrait of the historic region of Holland.
Before becoming a guide, I was (and still am!) a curious traveller. I visited around 20 European countries, exploring dozens of cities and towns. I have experienced every travel scenario firsthand: from the sheer joy of stumbling upon hidden gems, to the frustration of realizing that I had missed something essential just a fewsteps away. I know that discovering places on your own is deeply rewarding, but it can also be stressful and logistically challenging.
At Orange Coot I organize private walking tours, making sure your sightseeing experience is pure pleasure. I translate my specialized knowledge into light, engaging stories, guiding you with confidence and at an unhurried pace. Our walks, however, are more than just history lessons – I love to weave in insights about modern Dutch life, local politics, food and the famous (or infamous if you will) Dutch practical attitude.
Apart from providing you with a good dose of history, my goal is also to leave you with a clear mental map of the city, a handful of practical tips, and a ready-made plan for further exploring.