Explore Holland during a 7-day cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile as it stops at beautiful destinations of the region. Visit Keukenhof Gardens, known to be the most beautiful spring gardens in the world with its 7 million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths that fill over 32 hectares with color and fragrance. Explore the neighborhood of Zaandam, Zaanse Schans, where a collection of well-preserved windmills and houses are located. Visit the world famous Delft Blue from Royal Delft pottery which was completely painted by hand.
Highlights
Tour the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens
View the fascinating windmills of Zaanse Schans
Visit the Royal Delft pottery shop, where traditional Dutch pottery is made.
Enjoy Aalsmeer and see its gorgeous flower auction
Involves minimal physical effort and is typically associated with leisurely activities. Activities are low-intensity or last less than a few hours each day.
Guests will meet in Amsterdam and transfer to La Nouvelle Etoile which is moored in the center of Haarlem. The whole crew prepares you for your cruise with a champagne welcome. Haarlem has its charming beauty which can be seen through its retained medieval character of cobblestone streets and gabled houses. In the main square, you can find the majestic St. Bavo's Cathedral where Mozart and Handel played on its muller organ.
After breakfast, you will then take a cruise to the reconstructed historic village of Zaanse Schans. You will find working windmills, clog makers, cheese farms, mustard mills and everything the Dutch are known for can be found in this sweet village. In the afternoon, you will be taken back to a previous century as you cruise through the heart of Amsterdam with its narrow canals and architecture. After this visit, you will then continue cruising along the Amstel River to Uithoorn.
A morning cruise to Gouda warms up your day for its famous cheese, pipes, and candles. Visit a local cheese farm and explore Gouda's unique architecture and stained glass windows, the remarkable windows in St. John's church date back to the 15th century. You will also be given enough time to browse or shop while you are in Gouda.
A delightful breakfast keeps you energetic throughout your morning cruise to the world's largest port, Rotterdam. Stop at a Ketel One vodka distillery, which is known to be the oldest distillery in Holland. The ship will then continue to cruise to the beautiful town of Delft which played an important role in some historical events such as being one of the starting chambers of the Dutch East India Company and the birthplace of artist Jan Vermeer. You will also have the opportunity to visit a factory where the world famous pottery is made. In the afternoon, you will have all the time to stroll or wander around the Dutch city.
The sailing adventure continues as you cruise through the canals past Leiden where many of the Pilgrims lived before they set out to the New World. The ship will cross the Brasemmer Lakes to Oude Wetering. In the afternoon, visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens and explore the 70-acres which exemplify the Dutch floral industry. This showcases an ever-changing display of spring flowers beginning with narcissus followed by hyacinths and tulips from late March to mid-May.
Aalsmeer is where the world's largest flower auction is held and where 10 billion flowers are sold every year. After visiting this gorgeous place, you will then return to the hotel barge for a cruise to Haarlem with an optional side trip to Cruquius Museum. The Cruquius pumping station is a beautiful neo-Gothic building built in 1846. Visit the town of Haarlem and the Frans Hals Museum where an international collection of Old Masters and works that represent the Dutch Golden Age. Tonight enjoy the Captain's farewell dinner on board.
Day 7: Haarlem | Disembark
1 Breakfast
After breakfast, disembark La Nouvelle Etoile and transfer back to Amsterdam.
This itinerary is no longer available. For other trip ideas, please visit Netherlands River Cruises.
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Prices for are estimated based on inflation. Contact us to confirm pricing and availability for your desired departure date.
Suites
200 sq. ft. including en-suite facilities. Twin/double beds, private bathroom with shower, wardrobe, small tables and a chair.
Initial deposit is 25%, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.
Final payment is due 100 days prior to departure by Credit card, check, and bank transfer. All final payments by credit card subject to a surcharge of 2.5% and maximum of $20,000 charge
Our guide and driver were very good with their knowledge and were very helpful with our questions. It was a very pleasant visit that would have been impossible to do on our own. Hotels and restaurants were fantastic. The special places we got to go to, like the kitchens, were great. Enjoyed the entire trip!
Very well ececuted. Hily recomended. Great experiance
Nancy Kaierle
2 days ago
Belize adventures
I've worked with Adventure Life before in planning trips and appreciate the quality of trips they put together. They use knowledgeable local guides, comfortable lodgings, and assist with transportation. I find trip planning stressful, so am happy to turn it over to them. They work within our parameters of time, budget, activity level, and types of activities to give us great experiences!
Kaesa Footracer
2 days ago
I was reading and it was a good story I need to recommend it
Delilah DeLee
4 days ago
We have been working with Adventure Life for 5 years now and it is very easy to plan out our trips. Our holidays include customization of activities and side trips along with the standard packages available on the Adventure Life website. Kevin, Jess, Mary Rose and their teams have many recommendations that have enhanced our travel.
Joe
1 week ago
We went to the Patagonia on the Chile side and Perito Moreno in El Calafate, Argentina. Eric of San Diego handled our trip with expertise. The preparation went smoothly, despite some changes on our part with scheduling conflicts. He offered great advice which made us feel at ease with all decisions on the trip. It was truly a great experience.