Explore the traditional towns and fascinating cities of Holland and Belgium on this relaxing hotel barge cruise on La Nouvelle Etoile, with transfers, excursions, open bar and meals prepared by a Master Chef all included
Explore the picturesque waterways of Holland and Belgium on this superb cruise from the quaint town of Haarlem.
Discover Aalsmeer's colourful flower auction, enjoy a visit to the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens and admire traditional pottery at the Delft Pottery Works. La Nouvelle Etoile then cruises through the busy port of Rotterdam and on to the fortress town of Willemstad and Flemish city of Antwerp, where this is a visit to Rubens' home.
See the sights of Ghent, home to the famous painting, "The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb" and spend time at leisure in Bruges, known as the Venice of the North, before this relaxing holiday comes to an end.
La Nouvelle Etoile carries just 8 passengers, and has an elegant saloon, dining area and a piano bar. The spacious sun deck has a hot tub and eight bikes for exploring ashore.
6 nights accommodation on 8 passenger Hotel Barge La Nouvelle Etoile
All meals on board catered for by the on board Master Chef
Open bar with a large range of alcoholic and non alcoholic drinks
All wines served throughout the cruise
Excursions and admittance fees as per itinerary
Use of barge facilities including bicycles, lift, internet access, satellite TV and DVD, exercise room and spa pool
Transfers to and from barge
Itinerary
Day 1Haarlem (Holland) - Cruquius
Guests are met in Amsterdam** and transferred to the hotel barge moored in the quaint town of Haarlem where there will be a champagne welcome. There will be time to relax and then take a short walking tour of Haarlem. Upon return, La Nouvelle Etoile will set off for a short cocktail cruise through Haarlem and moor for the night near Cruquius. Tonight will be your first, of many, gourmet meals on board. **other locations available for private charter bookings
Day 2Delft
After an early breakfast, we drive to the colourful flower auction in Aalsmeer and then return back for morning cruise along the canals to Lisse where you will be taken after lunch to visit the Keukenhof Gardens, the largest display of flowers in the world. Here you will see hundreds of varieties of tulips, hyacinths and other bulbs. Meanwhile, La Nouvelle Etoile has continued cruising to Delft and before returning to the hotel barge we visit the Delft Pottery Works, where the world famous pottery is still handmade and painted. Dinner on board.
Day 3Rotterdam - Willemstad
We leave Delft and cruise to Rotterdam. During the morning you will have time to visit the ancient distillery of Ketel One, where one of the most prestigious vodkas in the world is made. Upon returning to the barge, we continue our cruise through the busy port of Rotterdam and across the Hollandsch Diep, part of the Dutch estuaries, to the charming old fortress town of Willemstad. Dinner on board.
Day 4Antwerp (Belgium)
Today, we will leave Holland and cross the border into Belgium and cruise to Antwerp. Antwerp is the city of Rubens. After lunch, we tour Rubens’ home and take a stroll in the old quarter of this beautiful Flemish city. Dinner on board.
Day 5Ghent
After breakfast, we can catch the flood tide up the winding “Sea Schelde”, which takes us to the town of Ghent. Here you can look at the “The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, the famous painting by the Van Eyck brothers, or take a walk through this wonderful town in the afternoon. Dinner on board.
Day 6Bruges
This morning we will cruise to the beautiful little town of Bruges, known as the “Venice of the North”. You’ll have ample time to explore the many museums and maybe buy some of the handmade lace or take a boat trip on the small canals which meander through this picturesque town. Tonight is the Farewell Captain’s Dinner on board.
Day 7Bruges
After breakfast, disembark and transfer to the drop off point in Bruges**.**other locations available for private charter bookings
Holland and Belgium ItineraryItinerary is subject to change.
