Classic Cruise - Holland

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. 

After breakfast, disembark La Nouvelle Etoile and transfer back to Amsterdam.