Barging in Holland
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.
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. In the event of such occurrences, the appropriate itinerary changes will need to be made.
Sunday, Day 1 - Schiedam (Rotterdam)
You are met by your chauffeur at either your hotel or the airport and transferred to Aurora, moored in the quaint and fascinating town of Schiedam, on the outskirts of Rotterdam. This little town has some amazing sights, including six of the world's largest working traditional windmills, a glass museum, a chocolate art factory, and its historic boat harbor. Schiedam is also famous for its Jenever (Dutch gin) distilleries; the most famous being the Nolet distillery (we are moored right under their mill). 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 enjoying your first gourmet breakfast, Aurora begins your cruise. While admiring the skyline of Rotterdam, we take a turn right under Euromast – the highest viewpoint of Holland. Aurora passes through the “Parksluis” lock and arrives on the quiet, small river Schie, leading us to the 16th-century town of Delft with its world famous Delft Blue.
We visit a Delft tableware factory, just a few minutes' walk from tonight's mooring, to learn firsthand from the artisans how this world-famous porcelain is made. You will also have free time during the afternoon to explore Delft further.
– You can individually visit:
- the Nieuwe Kerk (with the tomb of William of Orange and other royals as they rest in peace), Oude Kerk, Vermeer Centre (for the admirers of the famous painter), the Town Hall and the eastern Gate;
- or The Hague and tour the Mauritshuis (with works by Rembrandt and Vermeer), the Peace Palace or Binnenhof (the Parliament and government buildings);
- or Madurodam – a miniature Holland depiction with replicas of historically significant buildings.
After our visit to Delft, Aurora continues cruising onto our tonight's mooring in the town of Leiden – home to one of the oldest universities in the country and the birthplace of the famous Rembrandt Van Rijn. 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 center with its many churches, historic city gates and courts, almshouses and mills, and many museums (Stedelijk-municipal, Boerhaave-science and medicine, Rijksmuseum Volkenkunde- ethnological, Naturalis-national natural).
Tuesday, Day 3 - Leiden to Haarlem
Upon leaving the university town of Leiden this morning, Aurora cruises past some beautiful lakes and colorful flower fields towards the historical cosmopolitan and truly picturesque city of Haarlem which dates back to the 13th century. Haarlem 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. Go back in time with the 13th-century town hall, the magnificent Butchers' Hall (Vleeshal) built by Lieven de Key, and the Fish Auction Hall (Vishal). Experience the atmosphere of the many historic courts. 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", they have the largest display of flowers in the world, with more than 100 acres filled with over 7 million flowering bulbs varieties of tulips and hyacinths. We stroll through 32 hectares of gloriously breathtaking waves of color and immerse ourselves in the heady scents during this unforgettable excursion.
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 visit 6 working windmills, a clog maker, a cheese maker, and mustard mill – everything that the Dutch are famous for can be encountered here in this tiny village. 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.
The fascinating, 123-meter tall Gothic church of Sint Janskerk in Gouda is known especially for its magnificent stained glass windows, for which it has been placed on the UNESCO list of Dutch monuments – so don't forget to admire it! There will be time to explore Gouda's beauty, the picture-perfect town hall and square, plus the Waag where the famous Gouda cheese has been weighed 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 you will be driven to your designated drop off point (airport or the hotel of your choice).
NOTE: This is a sample itinerary.
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