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.
Apologies for the inconvenience. Prices for not yet published. Below per person rate based on previous season. Contact us to confirm upcoming season pricing.
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
Everything was amazing! The planning with Adventure Life went smoothly. The actual trip was fantastic! One of the best trips I have experienced. The cruise staff members were knowledgeable and attentive. I will be writing more about this on the blog!
The persons I spoke with knew the material. I wont know until I actually take the trip if it was all correct but at this point they were helpful in finding a trip that met my criteria
SS
5 days ago
Creating a checklist was very beneficial and meeting objectives on certain dates helped as well (to keep my trip organized). The Adventure Travel personnel helped keep me on track which is why my trip was so successful. Communication from both travel agencies (AT/MT) was vital.
Iziah Carthens
6 days ago
This is an amazing company to work with. I generally do not use tour companies as I am more of an independent traveller so I was slightly reticent. They were fantastic from the start - 10/10 - from lining up a phone call to discuss requirements, then their ongoing communication in the lead up to the tour and during it (thank you, Franny and Phen). They also explored cost-effective options (eg group transfers). The tour was in Patagonia so Adventure Life organised a pickup from the El Calafate airport to the El Chalten accommodation, two day hikes with a private guide and then to the El Calafate accommodation. A tour coordinator came to the hotel to explain, using the maps, what was involved in each day tour and what should be expected, and patiently answered all questions. The tour guide Marcos was excellent - very professional, knowledgable, communicative and at all times felt very safe with his navigational skills (important in the Patagonian wilderness). On the second day I forgot to take hiking poles so Marcos kindly gave me his. I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing and would happily recommend and book through them again.
Petrina Sta
1 week ago
Adventure Life has been great throughout my planning process for our up and coming Galapagos cruise. Kevin Moore, in particular, was very helpful in assisting me in making choices and providing me with options. He was also very patient, as I worked through figuring out what I really wanted in this vacation.
Lucy Greenway
1 week ago
Adventure Life was a pleasure to work with. They helped us find different options for our charter and answered a lot of questions with patience and clarity.
