Absoluut2
Barging in Holland

Passengers: 8	Your Hosts: Captain John Baker
Size: 128 feet long	English Speaking Crew of: 5
Last Visited: 2012	Bicycles: 8
Rating: Deluxe	Air Conditioned: Yes

Cruise Rate Includes: 6 nights/7 days in a cabin with a private bath, chauffeured transfers from Amsterdam to the barge & return, all meals, from dinner the first night to breakfast the last morning, all wines with lunch & dinner, open bar, daily escorted excursions and use of onboard bicycles.

Cruise Rate Does NOT Include: Airfare to and from Holland, cancellation insurance and crew gratuity (suggested minimum amount is 5% of the cruise price)

2013 Holland rates

Whole-Boat Charter of 4: $25,000
Whole-Boat Charter of up to 6: $33,000
Whole-Boat Charter of up to 8: $39,500
Individuals: $5,500 per person double occupancy - Minimum of 4 guests required to book.
Single Supplement: $2,250 (does not apply to charters)
*Supplement of $250 per person/$500 per couple for Cabin 1*. This applies to individual cabin bookings only.

2013 Holland dates

March 31 - April 6	April 21 - 27	May 5 - 11
April 7 - 13	April 28 - May 4	May 12 - 18
April 14 - 20

2013 ROTTERDAM to Bruges Cruise

May 19 - 25
Whole-Boat Charter of 8: $40,150

Captain John Baker and the Absoluut2 have been successfully welcoming our guests in Holland for many seasons. Captain Baker, pictured at right, purchased Absoluut2 in 2006. The barge had a storied history as the private yacht of the DeKuyper Liqueur family of Belgium and has the design features and advanced mechanicals of a fine yacht. Asboluut2 is contemporary in style. In the window-lined salon, colorful leather sofas rest on gorgeous Oriental carpets while the cabins are comfortable with modern baths. Décor is set off by elegant flower displays. Other features include a bar, a computer corner and WiFi throughout.

The large deck is especially comfortable for cruising in Holland, where there is always a lot of fascinating lifestyle to be seen on Holland’s “living waterways.” Guests are always invited to visit Captain Baker in his newly renovated wheelhouse with comfortable guest seating.

Captain Baker brings a diverse background in the hospitality, restaurant and wine industries to his role as owner-host of Absoluut2. He was born in Australia, but has lived and worked all over Europe. Having absorbed the lessons of Swiss hotel schooling, he knows how to run a very professional operation. Presentation is very important, both in the range of tables settings (see at left) and in the details of beautiful plating and serving. Captain Baker was born with wanderlust; guests will enjoy his tales of cruising on most of Europe’s major waterways and living in France and Switzerland.

After several seasons in Holland, Captain Baker knows the most unspoiled moorings, combined with offering the major sights. He is very strategic in caring for families and groups of couples. Consider Absoluut2 for a Deluxe cruise at a value price in Holland at Tulip Time!

Absoluut2
Holland Barge Cruise Itinerary

Schiedam to Schiedam
Sunday: Amsterdam to Schiedam
Stroll in a typical Dutch town
We meet at your Hotel in Amsterdam at 2:00pm and transfer to 'Ab2'. You are welcomed on board with an aperitif and some time to relax and stroll around Schiedam, a typical Dutch town. Then enjoy your first dinner on board.

Monday: Schiedam to Oude Wettering
Enchanting Delft, birthplace of Jan Vermeer
This morning enjoy a breakfast cruise through Rotterdam harbor, Europe's largest port, to Delft - famous for the blue-and-white porcelain that bears its name. Visit a factory to learn how the world famous pottery is made. Delft is a beautiful town that has many historic connections including being one of the starting Chambers of the Dutch East India Company and the birthplace of artist Jan Vermeer.

Return to 'Absoluut2' for lunch and enjoy the beautiful Dutch countryside as you cruise to moor on the edge of a lake at Oude Wettering, pictured below.

Tuesday: Oude Wettering to Haarlem
See millions of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens!
This morning, experience one of the highlights of the cruise. Walk through the Keukenhof Gardens, pictured below, a 70-acre showcase for the Dutch floral industry. From late March to mid-May, 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.

Return to 'Absoluut2' and continue cruising to Haarlem. There is time for shopping in this cosmopolitan town or you can visit St. Bavo's Cathedral, where both Mozart and Handel played on ites magnificent Muller organ.

Wednesday: Haarlem though Amsterdam
Reconstructed Dutch village with traditional homes, crafts and windmills
This morning take an excursion to the reconstructed historic village of Zaan Schaans with its working windmills, clog makers, cheese farm and mustard mill. Everything the Dutch are known for can be found in this quaint village. Rejoin the vessel and cruise through the center of Amsterdam this afternoon. Continue past lifting bridges and canal houseboats to your mooring for the evening in the peaceful countryside of the Amstel River.

Thursday: to Gouda
Aalsmeer Flower Auction - an awesome sight
This morning, visit Aalsmeer and its fascinating flower market where over 18 million cut flowers are auctioned and dispatched to outlets all over the world each day.

Continue cruising to Gouda where you disembark fro a visit. 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.

Friday: Gouda to Schiedam
Cruise through Rotterdam Harbor
Today, you cruise down the Ijssel and return through Rotterdam's harbor. The city's magnificent modern architecture creates a skyline of awesome beauty. Return to the homeport of Schiedam where you can visit a working windmill, chocolate factory or Dutch gin distillery.

Tonight enjoy a farewell dinner on board 'Absoluut2.'

Saturday: Return to Amsterdam
A Sad Farwell
After breakfast, we disembark and transfer you to your hotel or to the Airport in Amsterdam where your tour ends. Estimated arrival time is 11:00am. We hope to see you back on board Absoluut 2.

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ROTTERDAM TO BRUGES CRUISE
May 19 - 25, 2013

Sunday: Amsterdam to Schiedam
Stroll in a typical Dutch town
We meet you at your hotel or the airport. And transport to Ab2 for a champagne welcome aboard : This ancient town has some amazing sights including six of the world’s largest working traditional windmills, it is also famous for it’s Jenever (Dutch gin) distilleries. So perhaps a visit to the gin museum and tasting room. OR, the grand panorama, from the top of the Euromast.

Monday: Schiedam to Kinderdijk
Cruise through Rotterdam
Morning cruise through Rotterdam harbour to enjoy the modern Architure of the skyline enroute to Kinderdijk and its 19 windmills. We overnight in Dordrecht. Perhaps an afternoon stroll around the old packing buildings and traditional working ships.

Tuesday: Dordrecht to Tholen
 Dordrecht-Tholen Cruise on Hollansdiep and after lunch visit the Delta works.

Wednesday: Tholen to Antwerp
Explore Antwerp
A morning cruise to Antwerpen and all afternoon to visit : The baroque painter Pieter Paul Rubens' house, The Plantin-Moretus house, a printing plant and shop in service between 1555 and 1876, and of course Belgium's largest Gothic cathedral. And perhaps stop at the "Grote Markt" to drink one of the more than 100 kinds of Belgian Beers.

Thursday: Antwerp to Ghent
Castle of the Counts
Depening on the 20' tide: we meander up the Schelde to Ghent. And it's marvelous medieval structures whose sturdy stone facades reflect well in canal waters. We visit the Castle of the Counts. This magnificent, almost unrivaled, example of a feudal fortress of the Counts of Flanders has a massive medieval shape that rises from the reflective waters of its moat; it was built about 1180.

Friday: Ghent to Bruges
Picturesque Bruges
We cruise to our final mooring, Bruges. One of the most picturesque cities in the world. The day ends with this evening's Farewell Dinner.

Saturday: Bruges
A Sad Farwell
After a final relaxing breakfast, we reluctantly part. Perhaps you will stay an extra day, or two in Brugge, or will will drive you to an hotel or the airpot at Brussels.

Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions. The route will run in reverse on alternate weeks. Contact The Barge Lady for reservations and more information about Barge cruises in Holland Or call us toll free at (800) 880-0071.

Absoluut2

Guest Book

"Captain John was great. Since we were the only passengers we spent a great deal of time with him both on the boat and on the tours. And it was nice to get to know his assistant, Zwaantje. The flowers at Keukenhof Gardens were truly spectacular. The trip turned out to be just what we expected—great food, great sightseeing, and a relaxed trip. Chef Louis prepared cuisine that was truly outstanding. The food was great, the excursions were interesting and informative, and the cruising on the canals of Holland was just what we look for in a barge cruise."
- David and Kay Anderson , cruised May, 2012 and repeat Barge Lady guests

"It was a dream come true and the trip of lifetime. Everybody should be able to experience it once. The ABSOLUUT2 crew was fantastic. They quickly became family friends. Professionally they catered to our wish. They were good to answer all our questions about the areas we went through and the things we saw. We all loved the slow pace of the barge. The crew worked well together and showed enthusiasm for their jobs. The food was all very delicious and presented well. John found a wine to suit every taste."
-Bob and Keitha White, 2008

"John and entire crew were professional but extremely warm and welcoming. They made sure our grandkids (11 & 13) were enjoying themselves. All made for a very positive outing!"
-David and Andree Wolf, 2008

"Another great experience and week of total relaxation. I certainly will continue using the Barge Lady as there are no surprises!"
-Mr. and Mrs. Joseph McGowan, 2007

"Captain John Baker was outstanding. The cruise was excellent with great food, wines, sightseeing and service."
-Ken and Eileen Ross, 2007

"Delightful, restful, charming, fun. Everything we could have hoped for including superb cuisine and excellent staff. This trip has been on our list to do for 23 years and we were not disappointed!! "
- Fred & Carol Praissman 2007

Absoluut2 Floor Plan

128 Feet long
Four cabins with en-suite shower bath
Suite 1 - 167 sq feet
Suite 2 - 111 sq feet
Suite 3 - 111 sq feet
Suite 4 - 137 sq feet
-One queen or two twin beds
-TV/DVD in cabins
-The cabins will be completely renovated for the 2013 season, with elegant hardwood floors and all new curtains, bedding and artwork.
In the Public Areas
-Wireless internet connection throughout
-Large windows in salon, dining room
Deck and Wheelhouse
-Completely renovated wheelhouse in 2012 with new and comfortable guest seating. You are always welcome to visit Captain Baker in his wheelhouse.
-Spacious deck with lots of seating
-Jacuzzi on deck.
8 Bicycles
Batavia Comanche brand with 21 speed Shimano gears and Shimano hand brakes. Also with adjustable seats/handlebars and locks.