Cruising from Schiedam to Amsterdam: Highlights of Holland
Canal and river cruising in Holland is a relaxing experience. Step aboard Aurora for a week of carefree cruising.
We offer a choice of excursions most days so that should you have visited Holland before, you will still enjoy the trip.
Golf and cycling charters are available: Please ask for the itinerary if of interest.
Sunday: Schiedam to Amsterdam
We will meet you at either your hotel or the airport, for our transfer to Aurora, moored in the fascinating town of Schiedam, on the outskirts of Rotterdam. Schiedam boasts six of the largest working windmills in the world, along with a glass museum, a chocolate art factory, a historic harbour and Jenever (Dutch Gin) distilleries. Aurora will be moored beneath the Nolet distillery, the most famous one. Take time to explore the town and to enjoy a Gin tasting before dinner on board.
Monday: Rotterdam, Delft and Leiden
Enjoy your first gourmet breakfast while Aurora begins her cruise. Admire the Rotterdam skyline as we bear right under Euromast, the highest viewpoint in Holland. Passing through the Parksluis lock, we join the peaceful river Schie, which leads to the beautiful 16th-century town of Delft, world-famous for its beautiful blue pottery.
For a close-up experience, we visit a Delftware factory close to our mooring to learn from the artisans how the porcelain is made.
After lunch, there will be free time to explore the streets and sites of Delft: You may like to visit the Nieuwe Kerk, to see the tomb of William of Orange and other royals, or perhaps the Vermeer Centre to see his famous works.
As an alternative to visiting the Delft factory, we offer a visit to Hague where you can see the works of Rembrandt or Vermeer at Mauritshuis, and visit the Parliament buildings at BInnenhof, or the Peace Palace.
Or, you could visit Madurodam, with replicas of historically significant buildings in a miniature Holland.
Aurora will continue cruising to Leiden, where we moor for the night. This is an ancient, impressive historical visit, and the birthplace of Rembrandt Van Rijn, and home to one of the oldest universities in Holland. Take a bike ride or stroll along the banks of the pretty tree-lined canals, or simply relax onboard. In the evening, why not take a walk through the historic centre? There are numerous churches, historic city gates, almshouses, mills and museums to see.
Tuesday: Haarlem
Today is we can continue our discovery of the beautiful Dutch architecture and art, or immerse ourselves in the flower gardens
As we leave Leiden, we cruise past stunning lakes and colourful flower fields towards Haarlem, a rich city dating back to the 13th century. The Frans Hals Museum, founded in 1862, is home to a vast collection of Old Masters. The town is full of beautiful buildings such as the Gothic St Bavo's cathedral on the main square, where Handel and Mozart both played the organ. The 13th-century town hall, the Butcher's Hall (Vleeshal) and the Fish auction hall take us back to a simpler but busy time in the city. Enjoy some free time to explore the boutiques.
Alternatively, nature-lovers will adore the Keukenhof gardens. This Garden of Europe is home to over 7 million flowering bulbs over a 100-acre site! We stroll through 37 hectares of stunning waves of colour and scents during this wonderful excursion.
Should you prefer, we can offer an excursion to the Frans Hals portrait gallery.
Wednesday: Zaandam / Zaanse Schans
After a busy day yesterday, there is plenty of time to relax today during our morning cruise past fields of tulips as we head north on the Spaarne to the region named Zaandam, with its traditional Dutch green 'dollhouse' architecture. After lunch, we will tour Zaanse Schans, a conservation area and museum which presents the Dutch way of life in the 17th & 18th centuries. This historical area includes authentic houses and windmills, an ancient shipyard, a pewter factory, a dairy farm and cheese producer, and a produce store from the 1900s, all typical of the Dutch way of life.
The tiny village of Zaanse Schans is full of surprises including 6 working windmills, a clog maker, a cheese producer and a mustard mill.
Thursday: Amsterdam /Alphen aan den Rijn
Prepare for a busy day! This morning we cruise to Amsterdam, through the heart of the city, passing 10 lifting bridges and numerous houseboats. The small canals and architecture take up back in time again before we had to the beautiful lakes which lead us to our peaceful mooring for the night in the Alphen aan den Rijn.
Our excursion options today include a quick tour of Amsterdam pin-pointing the city highlights, plus a visit to one of the numerous museums (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh museum, Diamond museum or Anne Frank House)
Alternatively, we can visit the traditional fishing villages of Volendam and/or Marken, to see in the original wooden house, a cheese factory and a clog-making workshop in Marken, or the wooden houses, little canal and traditional folk costumes being worn by the locals in Volendam.
Friday: Aalsmeer / Gouda
There is a treat in store this morning for very early-risers: Visit the colourful Aalsmeer Flower Auction, where an incredible 17 million cut flowers from all over the world are traded each day. Upon returning to the barge, we set off on a breakfast cruise to the nearby medieval town of Gouda, famous for its cheese and pipes.
The Gothic church of Saint Jaanskerk houses magnificent stained glass windows (UNESCO listed) and is 123m tall! Take the time to explore the picture-perfect town hall and Town Square and the Waag where cheese has been weighed since 1668.
Saturday: Return to Schiedam
After your last plentiful breakfast, it's time to say a sad farewell to join the return drive to Schiedam. Tot ziens!
Cycling and Golfing charters are available upon request.