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.
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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
We are so glad that we chose Adventure Life. The service is top-notch. Everything is well taken care of and we just have to print the documents and go. Franny even gave us timely updates on possible airport strike.
I am travelling alone on Bordeaux river cruise. Very prompt and informative responses. No issues.
Cliff Jones
7 hours ago
Dealing with Erin is such a pleasure; she makes the planning process extremely easy.
Sue Ryan
7 hours ago
Jess has been very informative & cordial.
L TX
1 day ago
Franny was knowledgeable with just the right touch. Highly recommend.
Bob
1 day ago
Adventure Life planned a stunner of a trip for our family ONCE AGAIN! This is our 7th trip with Adventure Life. We chose the Chile North to South adventure with add-ons of Magdalena Island to see the penguins; Las Torres hotel in Patagonia; Calafate, Argentina to see the Perito Moreno glacier and finally, Buenos Aires. We were active every day! Biking in vineyards, trekking at 14,000 ft above sea level and seeing vicuña and vizcacha everywhere after having almost the entire El Tatio geyser park to ourselves, an evening tour viewing the stars and galaxies in the Atacama Desert, River Rafting and hiking between volcanoes and glacial lakes in the mountain lake region of Peurto Varas, hiking the French Valley, Las Torres and riding horses in Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, walking on the glacier and drinking glacial water and hearing those thunderous booms of ice calving at Perito Moreno in Calafate, Argentina and biking 30 miles through Buenos Aires to the suburbs where we kayaked the Tigre River Delta. So much fun!! I even wore my adult children out!!
