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.
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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!
Meyer Smolen
TrustScore 4.8 | 174 reviews
TrustScore 4.8 of 5
Based on 174 reviews on
1 day ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
2 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.