Aurora Dutch Tulip Cruise

The Netherlands: between Schiedam (Rotterdam) and Alkmaar

Enjoy a barge cruise through Holland aboard the luxury Dutch Hotel Barge Aurora as she takes you to lovely towns and flourishing cities.

From the quaint town of Schiedam (outside Rotterdam) to scholastic Leiden; from delicate hand-painted porcelain in Delft to the Keukenhof Gardens with the largest display of flowers in the world; from an exciting cruise through Amsterdam to the windmills of Zaanse Schans – there is never a dull moment.

Experience the best the Netherlands has to offer with a barge charter aboard Aurora. Great tours, awesome cruising, and delicious cuisine makes this a week to remember.

Map of Holland

Canal and river cruising in the Netherlands is a relaxing experience that is inherently flexible in nature. The following itinerary is a SAMPLE of the places that you can expect to see and visit during your cruise. Water levels, waterway traffic, and maintenance of canals and locks have an effect on canal and river cruising itineraries. If these situations occur, we will need to make the appropriate itinerary changes.

Sunday, Day 1 – Schiedam (Rotterdam)

Your chauffeur drives you from your hotel or the airport to Aurora, docked in the charming town of Schiedam near Rotterdam. This town boasts incredible sights: six of the world’s largest traditional working windmills, a glass museum, a chocolate factory, and a historic boat harbor. Jenever (Dutch gin) distilleries also make Schiedam famous; the Nolet distillery (we moor right under their mill) is the most famous. Take time for a leisurely walk around the old town and visit the gin museum and tasting room. Or alternatively, visit the Euromast observation tower for panoramic views and the most iconic sights of Rotterdam.

Monday, Day 2 – Rotterdam and Delft to Leiden

While savoring your first gourmet breakfast, Aurora begins your cruise. As you admire Rotterdam’s skyline, Aurora turns right beneath the Euromast, Holland’s highest viewpoint. Aurora then passes through the “Parksluis” lock and arrives on the quiet, small river Schie. This leads us to the 16th-century town of Delft with its world famous Delft Blue.

We visit a nearby factory to see artisans craft world-famous Delft porcelain. You will also have free time during the afternoon to explore Delft further.

– You can individually:

• Explore Delft’s highlights: the Nieuwe Kerk’s royal tombs, Oude Kerk, Vermeer Centre, Town Hall, and the Eastern Gate;
• or tour The Hague’s Mauritshuis (Rembrandt, Vermeer), the Peace Palace, and the Binnenhof parliament buildings);
• or Madurodam – a miniature Holland depiction with replicas of historically significant buildings.

After our Delft visit, Aurora cruises to Leiden for the night, an old university town and Rembrandt’s birthplace. Leiden is an ancient and impressive historical city (city rights since 1266) full of charm and character. Perfect for those who like to cycle or simply stroll the banks of the pretty tree-lined canals. In the evening, you can take a stroll through the historic town center. View its many churches, historic city gates and courts, almshouses, mills, and numerous museums.

Tuesday, Day 3 – Leiden to Haarlem

Leaving Leiden this morning, Aurora cruises past beautiful lakes and flower fields to the historic and picturesque 13th-century city of Haarlem. This town is home to the Frans Hals Museum, founded in 1862 with its vast collection of Old Masters. Other highlights include many great buildings, such as the Gothic St. Bavo’s Cathedral on the main square. Both Handel and Mozart played the magnificent Muller organ there. Explore 13th-century history at the town hall, Lieven de Key’s Butchers’ Hall, and the Fish Auction Hall, then stroll through historic courtyards.. You will have some free time to visit a fine selection of boutique shops.

– OR –

Optionally, visit Keukenhof with a walk through the world famous Keukenhof Gardens. Known as the “Garden of Europe,” Keukenhof is the world’s largest flower display, featuring over 7 million bulbs across 100 acres. Enjoy an unforgettable excursion strolling through 32 hectares of breathtaking, fragrant, and colorful blooms

Complete this day with an evening walk along the quiet canals to the market square with its café terraces or take a canal boat tour through picturesque arched bridges.

Wednesday, Day 4 – Haarlem to Amsterdam via Zaandam/ Zaanse Schans

Our morning cruise takes us north up the Spaarne river to the region of Zaandam with its traditional Dutch green “dollhouse” architecture. We cruise into Amsterdam, through the heart and the very center of the city, passing 10 lifting bridges and numerous canal houseboats where the small canals and architecture will take you back to a previous century.

In the afternoon, we tour Zaanse Schans, an open air conservation area and museum, giving you a vivid impression of the Dutch way of life in the 17th and 18th centuries. This historical area consists of authentic houses and windmills, an historic shipyard, a pewter factory, a cheese and dairy farm, and an age-old grocery store dating back to the 1900’s. In Zaanse Schans, you can explore 6 working windmills, a clog maker, a cheese maker, and a mustard mill – this tiny village offers everything the Dutch are famous for. It’s a real treat and an absoluut must for anyone traveling to Holland. Zaanse Schans is one of Holland’s top tourist destinations.

Thursday, Day 5 – Zaanse Schans to Alphen aan den Rijn

From the outskirts of Amsterdam, we sail through a big lake past the Schiphol airport, pastures, and cute Dutch villages towards the picturesque Oude Wetering. We then pass along the beautiful lake area to our mooring for the night in Alphen aan den Rijn.

Options for today:

• Amsterdam: a quick tour with pointing out some of the city highlights plus a visit of one of the numerous musuems (Rijksmuseum, van Gogh museum, Diamond museum or Anne Frank’s house); OR
• Volendam and/or Marken: visit the traditional fishing villages, where one can admire the original atmosphere retaining its wooden houses. In Marken, there is a cheese factory and a clog-making workshop. In the world-famous, old village of Volendam, one can admire and soak up the past with the traditional folk costumes casually worn by the locals in the maze of narrow streets, wooden houses, and little canals. A blast from the past!

Friday, Day 6 – Alphen aan den Rijn to Schiedam via Gouda

Today, Aurora sets off for a last breakfast cruise to the nearby quaint medieval town of Gouda – the Mecca of cheese and smoking pipes.

Known especially for its stained glass windows, the large Gothic Sint Janskerk has earned placement on the UNESCO list of Dutch monuments. Explore Gouda’s scenic town hall, the historic market square, and the Waag, where farmers have weighed the famous cheese since 1668. Take a peek inside one of the cheese shops!

Saturday, Day 7 – Schiedam

Today, we will sadly say our farewell. After your final wonderful breakfast on board, we will drive you to your designated drop-off point (the airport or the hotel of your choice)

NOTE: This is a sample itinerary.

AURORA > ITINERARIES > HOLLAND: Dutch Tulip Barge Cruise