'Absoluut2'

Holland ‘Tulip Cruises’ (available 29 March — 06 June 2009)

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 (limited in Holland, only). 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—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 in the world), or jenever (Dutch gin) distillery. Then enjoy your first dinner on board.

Monday—Schiedam / Leidschendam
We start today with a breakfast cruise through the tiny canals of Schiedam, to Delft, famous for the blue-andwhite porcelain that bears its name. Delft is a beautiful town & has many historic connections including being one of the starting Chambers of the Dutch East India Company and the birthplace of artist Jan Vermeer. Visit a factory to learn how the world famous pottery is made.
Then a late afternoon cruise to moor in Leidschendam

Tuesday—Leidschendam / Haarlem
This morning, we cruise through the University City of Leiden, and on to a small lake. Spend some time shopping in the cosmopolitan town or visit St. Bavo’s Cathedral, where both Mozart and Handel played on its magnificent Muller organ.

Wednesday—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—Zaandam / Oude Wettering
Morning cruise through the center of Amsterdam. Continue past lifting bridges and canal houseboats to your mooring for the evening in the peaceful countryside. 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. (On cruise dates when the Keukenhof Gardens are not open, we will enjoy a visit to the Peace Palace instead.)

Friday—Oude Wettering / 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 , & through Rotterdam harbour. Here we enjoy special farewell dinner.

Saturday—
After a leisurely breakfast, we transfer back to your hotel or to Schipol Airport.