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Check-in Time / Location 2:00 PM in Amsterdam
Travel Haarlem to Haarlem on the Dutch waterways
In the afternoon, you will be met at the designated meeting point by La Nouvelle Etoile crew. From here, relax as you are chauffeured to the barge, moored in Haarlem. You are welcomed onboard with a champagne reception. Cruise this afternoon to Zaandam before your first gourmet dinner onboard.
This morning's excursion is to the reconstructed historic village of Zaanse Schans with its working windmills, clog makers, cheese farm, and mustard mill. Everything the Dutch are known for can be found in this quaint village. Your Tour Guide returns you to the barge for an afternoon cruise through the heart of Amsterdam. Relax on deck as you enjoy a unique view of Amsterdam from the water. Relive this exciting day at cocktail hour and tonight’s gourmet dinner.
This morning, a languid cruise along the Oude Rijn, a branch of the Rhine delta, provides the perfect opportunity to take in the views along the canal, laze in the hot tub, or just socialize on deck. In the afternoon, your Tour Guide escorts you to a local cheese farm for a tour and tasting of freshly produced cheeses. Later, explore Gouda’s gorgeous architecture, excellent shopping, and admire some of the most beautiful stained glass windows in Holland at St. John's church. Return to La Nouvelle Etoile for cocktails and canapes. Chef presents this evening's gourmet dinner.
This morning, cruise through the heart of Rotterdam to the enchanting town of Delft. In the afternoon, your Tour Guide presents the main sights, including the Nieuwe Kerk, a Protestant church dating from 1496, and the Royal Delft Museum and factory. The last surviving “pottery” of more than 30 that once existed, your tour reveals both the history and future of this beloved artisan icon. Watch the artists carefully and passionately paint the ceramics in the famous cobalt blue and tour the factory to see the potters creating each piece by hand. Return to the barge and relax on deck before Chef serves this evening's delicious dinner.
This morning, enjoy an optional five-mile bicycle ride to Leiden along a very beautiful stretch of canal. This afternoon's visit is to the Keukenhof, known as the “Garden of Europe.” Approximately 7 million flower bulbs are planted annually, covering 72 acres. This vibrantly colorful and aromatic experience allows visitors to admire tulips, along with hyacinths, daffodils, and other spring flowers, all in an elaborate display. Your Tour Guide returns you to the barge where cocktails and canapes precede tonight's gourmet dinner.
An early morning visit brings you to the world’s largest flower auction in Aalsmeer, where some 10 billion flowers are sold every year. Return to La Nouvelle Etoile for a morning cruise to Haarlem with an optional visit to the Cruquius Museum along the way. This afternoon, visit the Frans Hals Museum in the picturesque town of Haarlem, which boasts a celebrated collection of Old Masters and other artworks representative of the Dutch Golden Age. Return to the barge and freshen up before Chef presents the Captain's Dinner aboard.
This will be your last wonderful breakfast on board and then you will be taken to either your hotel or the airport depending on your travel plans.
Please note: this is a sample itinerary which may be subject to change depending on local conditions.
In the afternoon, you will be met at the designated meeting point by La Nouvelle Etoile crew. From here, relax as you are chauffeured to the barge, moored in Haarlem. A traditional champagne welcome and introduction to the crew awaits you, before your first gourmet dinner onboard.
Today is all about flower power -- you are in Holland, after all! After breakfast, visit the world-famous Aalsmeer Flower Auction, where millions of blooms are bought and sold each day in a whirlwind of color and commerce. Then enjoy a leisurely late-morning cruise aboard La Nouvelle Etoile to the town of Lisse. In the afternoon, explore the breathtaking Keukenhof Gardens, where over seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths burst into bloom across 70 acres of meticulously designed landscapes. Your Tour Guide will then chauffeur you back to the barge, now moored in the charming city of Delft, where an evening of drinks and dinner await onboard.
This morning, visit the renowned Ketel One Distillery for an insider’s look at how one of the world’s most prestigious vodkas is crafted, steeped in generations of Dutch tradition. Return to La Nouvelle Etoile for an unforgettable cruise through Rotterdam, a city once devastated during World War II and now a bold symbol of modern reinvention. By late afternoon, the barge arrives in the historic fortress town of Willemstad, its star-shaped ramparts and cobbled streets offering a picturesque contrast to the day’s urban spectacle. Cocktails and canapes precede tonight's multi-course dinner onboard.
This morning, La Nouvelle Etoile cruises from Holland into Belgium, arriving in the vibrant port city of Antwerp. This afternoon, choose from excursions ashore including a visit to the Cathedral of Our Lady, a soaring Gothic masterpiece begun in 1352, home to several major works by Peter Paul Rubens. You may also visit Rubens’ former studio and residence, where the Baroque master lived and worked. Later, enjoy a leisurely walk through Antwerp’s romantic old quarter, with its winding lanes, historic guild houses, and lively café culture. Return to the barge for an evening of aperitifs and appetizers before Chef presents tonight's gourmet dinner onboard.
Float on the flood tide along the Sea Schelde as La Nouvelle Etoile gently makes her way to the historic city of Ghent. Once a major trading hub in the Middle Ages, Ghent still boasts one of Europe’s most beautifully preserved medieval cores. A highlight of your visit is Saint Bavo’s Cathedral, home to the Van Eyck brothers’ 1432 masterpiece, The Adoration of the Mystic Lamb, along with an extraordinary collection of religious art, including treasures hidden in the crypt. Cross Saint Michael’s Bridge for the city’s most breathtaking view, where spires, canals, and gabled guild houses unfold like a Gothic fairytale. Return to the barge for tonight's dinner party onboard.
Cruise to Bruges, a storybook city and a marvelous port in which to end your journey. Often called the “Venice of the North,” Bruges enchants with its network of canals, winding cobblestone lanes, and dreamy medieval architecture. While the city boasts world-class museums and art collections, its true magic lies in simply strolling through the quiet backstreets, where every turn reveals a hidden courtyard, ancient chapel, or charming canal view. Don’t miss the chance to browse shops filled with traditional Belgian lace, artisanal chocolates, and other one-of-a-kind souvenirs. This evening, celebrate your final night aboard La Nouvelle Etoile with an elegant Farewell Feast in this unforgettable Flemish setting.
After breakfast, you will be chauffeured to the designated drop off point.
