La Nouvelle Etoile

Meet in Amsterdam and transfer to elegant La Nouvelle Etoile, moored in the center of Haarlem. After a welcome reception, enjoy a gourmet dinner on board.

After breakfast, drive to the reconstructed village of Zaanse Schans to see a working windmill. In the afternoon, cruise through the heart of Amsterdam en route to Uithoorn.

Today, La Nouvelle Etoile cruises to Gouda, a historic trading center situated between Amsterdam and Rotterdam. In the 15th century, wealthy Gouda was Holland's fifth-largest town. After lunch, visit a local cheese farm.

Cruise to Rotterdam and visit the historic town of Delft, the epitome of an old-fashioned Dutch town with quaint shops and picturesque canals. Stop at the pottery works, where the town's famous porcelain is still painted by hand. After lunch, you have time on your own to explore the old city center.

A morning cruise past Leiden crosses the Brasemmer Lakes to Oude Wetering. Spend the afternoon at the magnificent Keukenhof Gardens, a famous 79-acre park containing millions of colorful flowers. One of the most photographed places in the world, Keukenhof is also home to the largest sculpture park in Holland.

Early this morning, visit the fascinating and fast-paced flower market at Aalsmeer, where 7,000 growers supply over 20 million flowers and plants to be sold each day. Perhaps make an optional visit to the Cruquius Museum, a pumping station that originally helped to drain Haarlemmermeer (Haarlem's Lake). Back in Haarlem, explore the museum dedicated to Dutch portrait artist Frans Hals. This evening, enjoy a special farewell dinner on board La Nouvelle Etoile.

After breakfast, transfer back to Amsterdam where your program ends.