Holland
- Keukenhof Barge Cruise
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.
This
river boat was substantially refurbished for the beginning of the 2005 season.
Her six staterooms offer luxurious accommodation for 12 passengers. The salon,
dining area, and bar are finished in mahogany, teak and brass, decorated with
antiques and paintings. Two spacious decks offer magnificent views of the countryside.
TYPICAL
BARGE CRUISE ITINERARY
(actual program may vary)
Day
1 - Sunday:
Amsterdam
to Zaandam. Meet at a downtown Amsterdam
hotel 2 pm. (Schiphol Airport pickup can also be arranged.) You'll be taken to
the river boat moored in the center of Haarlem for a champagne welcome. Relax
during a cruise to Zaandam and enjoy your first gourmet dinner on board the barge.
Day
2 - Monday: Zaandam to Ouderkerk.
After breakfast, a short drive will take you to the Zaanse Schans to visit a working
windmill, a clog maker and a cheese maker. In the afternoon, 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.
Day
3 - Tuesday: Ouderkerk to Gouda.
Early drive to the colorful flower auction in Aalsmeer. Upon return you'll cruise
on the canals to the cheese mecca of Gouda. After lunch on the barge, you'll visit
a local cheese farm. Besides cheese, you will also find beautiful buildings, excellent
shopping and the most magnificent stained glass windows in Holland.
Day
4 - Wednesday: Gouda to Delft.
Morning cruise through the center of the busy port of Rotterdam and then on to
Delft. Visit the Delft pottery works, where porcelain is still handmade and painted.
Spend the rest of the afternoon strolling around this beautiful historic Dutch
city.
Day
5 - Thursday: Delft to Keukenhof.
On to Leiden, across the Brasemmer Lakes to Oude Wetering. Spend the afternoon
at the famous Keukenhof Gardens, with the largest display of flowers in the world.
Here you will see hundreds of varieties of tulips, hyacinths, and other beautiful
bulbous plants.
Day
6 - Friday: Keukenhof to Haarlem.
Morning 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
a farewell celebration on board and your last elegant gourmet dinner.
Day
7 - Saturday: Amsterdam.
After breakfast on board the river boat, you will be taken either to Schiphol
Airport or to your hotel in Amsterdam.
This
itinerary is subject to change without notice.
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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
- 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 point
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 shower. Staterooms 2 through 6 each have a separate
toilet and shower.
- 6
crew members
- Size:
128 ft. long
- Air
conditioning and central heating
- Air-conditioned
coach for excursions
Cruise
Departures
Every
Sunday from the end of March to the end of April, subject to availability
This
river boat can be chartered for groups. Various themes and dates can be arranged
to fit the specific interests of each group.
| |
Standard/Individuals |
Charters/Groups |
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