'ABSOLUUT2'

Canal and river cruising in Europe 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.
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are included on board daily, beginning with dinner on Sunday and ending with breakfast on Saturday. Open bar, all excursions, and transfers, Internet access Wi Fi 24 /7
Water levels, waterway traffic, and maintenance of canals and locks have an effect on canal and river cruising itineraries. Some waterways are subject to occasional closures because of drought, storms, floods, canal/lock repairs, or other unforeseen circumstances. In the event of such occurrences, the appropriate itinerary changes will need to be made.

SUNDAY, DAY 1
Amsterdam, / Schiedam
Meet at your Hotel in Amsterdam at 2:00 p.m. and transfer to ‘Absoluut2.' You are welcomed on board with an aperitif and some time to relax and a stroll around SCHIEDAM, known for its six working windmills (five of which are the highest traditional, working in the world), We buy our flour from this one . Or- visit a jenever (Dutch gin) distillery.
Or – Go to the top of the Euromast.
Then enjoy your first dinner on board.


MONDAY, DAY 2
Schiedam / Leidschendam
We start today with a breakfast cruise through the tiny canals of Schiedam, to Delft, famous for the blue-and-white porcelain that bears its name. Delft is a beautiful town & has many historic connections including the Dutch East India Company and the birthplace of artist Jan Vermeer. (visit Vermeer Centre) Visit a factory to learn how the world famous Delft pottery is made.
Then a late afternoon cruise to moor in Leidschendam

TUESDAY, DAY 3
Leidschendam / Haarlem
This morning, we cruise past the University City of Leiden, & on through a small lake.
Spend some time shopping in the cosmopolitan town of Haarlem, Or: visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral, where both Mozart and Handel played on its magnificent Muller organ. Or: visit Frans Hals portrait Gallery

WEDNESDAY, DAY 4
Haarlem / Zaandam
Morning cruise on the Northsea Canal to the historic village of Zaan Schaans with its working windmills; clog makers, cheese farm and mustard mill. Everything the Dutch are know for can be found in this quaint village.

THURSDAY, DAY 5
Zaandam/ Alphen an dem Rijn
Morning cruise through the center of Amsterdam. Continue past lifting bridges and canal houseboats to our mooring.
After lunch experience one of the highlights of the cruise. Walk through the Keukenhof Gardens, a 70-acre showcase for the Dutch floral industry. Visitors are treated to an ever-changing display of spring flowers beginning with crocus and narcissus followed by hyacinths and tulips a few weeks later. (Closes May 18) (After May 18: Visit the Peace Palace, if no one is on trial.)

FRIDAY, DAY 6
Alphen an dem Rijn/ Schiedam
Early morning cruise to Gouda, see the remarkable stained glass windows in St John’s church dating back to the 15th century and take a walking tour of Gouda, famous for its cheese, pipes and candles. An afternoon cruise down the Ijssle and through spectacular Rotterdam harbour.
Here we enjoy special farewell dinner.

SATURDAY, DAY 7
After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer back to your hotel or to Schipol Airport.

Sunday, Day 1
PARIS - NEMOURS
Our complimentary transportation meets you, at a designated hotel, for pick up at 2:00 pm, and transfer to “Absoluut 2”. Enjoy a champagne reception and introduction to the crew and facilities. Enjoy a lovely a stroll around the enchanting village, before your first gourmet dinner on board.

Monday, Day 2
NEMOURS – NARGIS
Savor a fantastic breakfast of croissants, preserves and French bread, fresh from the local boulangerie. We cruise upstream through 8 locks to Nargis. After lunch, enjoy a leisurely drive through the Forest of Fontainebleau to the 16th century Chateau de Fontainebleau. This was home to 34 different Sovereign. We tour the State apartments andNapoleon Bonaparte's imperial inner apartment.

Tuesday, Day 3
NARGIS - MONTARGIS
A morning cruises, with time for you to help turn lock gates, or stroll along the towpath. After lunch, we can wander around Montargis also called “Little Venice” because of it’s numerous canals, and bridges. Visit one of the many museums or shop for the famous Mazet Praline.

Wednesday, Day 4
MONTARGIS – MONTBOUY
This morning cruise or ride a bike, slowly beside the boat to Montbouy. Enjoy a light and delicious lunch we will take a short drive out to the beautiful town of Gien, built on the riverbanks of the Loire. Gien is famous for it’s faïence earthenware and we will visit the faïence factory and museum and explore where your dinner plates were made.

Thursday, Day 5
MONTBOUY – ROGNY-LES-SEPT-ECLUSES
On to Rogny-sept-ecluses, the 17th century flight of seven locks stands as a canal monument. From here we explore the Chateau of St Fargeau

Friday, Day 6
ROGNY-LES-SEPT-ECLUSES - BRIARE
Enjoy a fantastic afternoon wine tasting in a family run vineyard in the heart of Sancerre, with a chance to sample the wines for which this region is world renown. The highlight of the day, being an evening cruise, to take in the delightful splendor of the Briare aqueduct, across the River Loire and our traditional farewell dinner.

Saturday, Day 7
BRIARE - PARIS
This morning after breakfast we return you to Paris.

Please note this is a sample itinerary and is therefore subject to change without notice. Cruises run in the reverse direction on alternate weeks.

Friday:
Paris to Dijon
You will be met mid-afternoon in central Paris. Transfer by private minibus to Absoluut2, moored in Dijon harbour, and enjoy our “Canapé and Champagne” reception, or a Kir Royal.
Then, drive into Dijon for a walking tour of the historic town centre, including the former Ducal Palace and the Cathedral of Saint Benigne. Return to your new floating home for the first of many gourmet dinners on board.

Saturday:
Dijon to Longecourt en Plaine
Buy Gourmet Cheese at an Historic Monastery
Today, float from town to countryside as you begin your journey! This is the time to relax – or explore by bicycle – as Absoluut2 begins its journey on the famed Canal de Bourgogne. Float past villages, fields, and locals out for a walk on the way to Longecourt-en-Plaine. After lunch on board, your guide drives to the Abbaye de Citeaux, founded in 1098. Amazingly, monks are still in residence and producing food products from their own fields and animals. This monastery is known for its washed rind cheese, of which only 300 are produced a week. Tour this historic building; there will be time to purchase the cheese, as well as honey and caramels, perfect souvenirs of an interesting day.

Sunday:
Longecourt en Plaine to St. Jean de Losne
Wine-tasting at a Chateau - Along with a few Surprises!
Continue on the charming Burgundy Canal to the old barging capital of St. Jean de Losne. After lunch, experience one of the cruise high points, an excursion to the cobblestoned town of Beaune, wine capital of the Cote d’Or. Tour the immaculately preserved Medieval hospice, pictured below, which was still taking patients in the early 20th century. Then it’s on to Chateau de Savigny-les-Beaune for a tasting of wines produced in vineyard surrounding the chateau. But it’s not all about the wine here: Take a look at the 80 fighter jets lined up in the vineyard, the collection of antique race cars, and thousands of model airplanes…reflecting the passions of the current owner who is obsessed with the beauty of speed and the sheer joy of acquiring. Review this outstanding day at dinner on board.

Monday:
St. Jean de Losne to Seurre
Dole, a Lovely and Typical Town
This morning, Absoluut2 slips onto the second of the three waterways, the River Saone. This is one of France’s smaller rivers and it is easy to walk or bicycle along its meandering shores. After the cruise to Seurre, drive to Dole, where you will fully explore this town: From the old tannery tunnel which weaves under the village – to the Cathedral at the highest point. Dole is what a French town should be, with its narrow streets and flower baskets. Return to Absoluu2 for dinner on board.

Tuesday:
Seurre to Chalon-sur-Saone
The Birthplace of Photography
Continue on the River Saone to Chalon sur Saone, whose most famous resident, Nicephore Niepce, invented modern photographic equipment, & the Internal Combustion Engine. Visit a museum with many early cameras and photographs on display. Then it’s time to take a café in the beautiful square, Place St. Vincent, and what about a peek into the Cathedral of St. Vinvent? Dinner on board ends this interesting day.

Wednesday:
Chalon-sur-Saone to Chagny
12th Century Fairy Tale Castle will Enchant You!
Absoluut2 enters the third waterway of your cruise, Canal du Centre. Relax on deck or explore by bicycle as the barge cruises to your final port, Chagny. After lunch, visit another cruise high point, the fairy tale chateau of Rochepot, pictured at left, perched over a little village of the same name. The gorgeous tiled roof is typical of Burgundian architecture. Inside, there are relics of the Medieval period and lifestyle. Return to the barge for the Farewell Dinner, which ends your cruise in style.

Thursday:
Transfer to Paris
A Sad Farewell
Depart after breakfast for your to minibus transfer to central Paris.

Please note this is a sample itinerary and is therefore subject to change without notice. Cruises run in the reverse direction on alternate weeks.