Barge
Cruise: Holland
- Keukenhof
Tulip
gardens, Delft pottery, and Gouda cheese
Cruise
the rivers and canals of Holland aboard a luxury 12-passenger barge-hotel
(7 days - 6 nights). In addition to the celebrated Keukenhof gardens, you will
see the flower auction at Aalsmeer, a working windmill, a clog maker and a cheese
farm. Tour the Delft pottery works and visit the museum in Haarlem, home of the
famous Dutch painter Frans Hals.
The
Keukenhof gardens are the world's largest flower park. Some seven million bulbs
are planted there every year. The park is located south of Amsterdam in an area
called the "Duin-en-Bollenstreek" (Dune and Bulb) region. Keukenhof
has been the world's largest flower garden for over fifty years. It is open from
late March to the middle of May. The best time to see the tulips is in mid-April,
depending on the weather that year.
TYPICAL
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)
Day
1 - Sunday:
Amsterdam
to Zaandam. Meet at a downtown Amsterdam
hotel at 2 pm. (Schiphol Airport pickup can also be arranged.) You'll be taken
to the barge moored in the center of Haarlem for a champagne welcome. Relax during
a cruise to Zaandam and enjoy your first gourmet dinner with the captain on board
the barge.
Day
2 - Monday: Zaandam to Ouderkerk.
After breakfast, a short drive will take you to the village of Zaanse Schans to
visit a working windmill, a clog maker and a cheese maker. After lunch, cruise
through the heart of Amsterdam, where the small canals and architecture will take
you back to a previous century. Continue cruising along the Amstel River to Ouderkerk.
Dinner on board the barge.
Day
3 - Tuesday: Ouderkerk to Gouda.
Early drive to the colorful flower auction in Aalsmeer, followed by a cruise on
the canals to the town of Gouda. After lunch on the barge, you'll visit a local
cheese farm. In addition to cheese, you will find great shopping and perhaps visit
Grote of St. Jans Kerk (Great or Saint John Church) - the largest cross-shaped
church in the Netherlands with the most magnificent stained glass windows in the
country. Dinner on board the barge.
Day
4 - Wednesday: Gouda to Delft.
Morning cruise through the center of the busy port of Rotterdam and on to Delft.
Visit the pottery works, where porcelain is still hand made and hand painted,
and just enjoy walking around this beautiful historic Dutch city. Dinner on board
the barge.
Day
5 - Thursday: Delft to Keukenhof.
On to Leiden and across the Brasemmer Lakes to Oude Wetering. Afternoon visit
of the renowned Keukenhof Gardens, which has the largest display of flowers in
the world, including hundreds of varieties of tulips, hyacinths, and other plants.
Dinner on board the barge.
Day
6 - Friday: Keukenhof to Haarlem.
Cruise to Haarlem, a picturesque town and the home of famous Dutch painter Frans
Hals. Tour the museum before returning to the barge. This evening enjoy an elegant
farewell celebration, including your last gourmet dinner on board the barge.
Day
7 - Saturday: Amsterdam.
After breakfast on board the barge, transfer to Schiphol Airport or to your hotel
in Amsterdam.
This
itinerary is subject to change without notice.
See
additional cruise: Amsterdam
- Keukenhof.
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Highlights
- Aalsmeer
flower auction
- Gouda
cheese farm
-
Delft pottery works
- Keukenhof
Gardens
- Haarlem,
home of the painter Frans Hals
Included
- Accommodations
with private bath or shower and all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on
day 7
- Unlimited
wine with lunch and dinner and selected alcoholic beverages consumed aboard the
barge
- Sightseeing
tours and entrance fees as specified
- Round-trip
transfers from specified meeting points
Not
Included
- Transportation
to and from beginning and end points
- Health
and travel insurance
- Barge
crew gratuities (suggested 5% of cruise price)
- Superior
vintage wines
- Personal
expenses
- Optional
activities when available
- Other
items not specifically listed under "Included" above
Barge
Features
- Cabins:
6 staterooms that can be set up with two twin beds or one queen bed (12 passengers)
- Stateroom
1 has a large bathroom with toilet and shower. Staterooms 2 through 6 each have
a separate toilet and shower. All staterooms have DVD players, screens and wireless
headsets.
- Internet
access and in-house blog to share your cruise experience with friends and family
at home
- 6
crew members
- Size:
128 ft. long
- Air
conditioning and central heating
- Air-conditioned
coach for excursions
2010
Cruise Departures
Every
Sunday from March 28 to Apr 25, subject to availability.
This
barge can be chartered for groups. Various themes and dates can be arranged to
fit the specific interests of each group.
Dates
and Prices
Book
Your Cruise!
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