Day 3
During breakfast we set sail for Urk. On arrival there is plenty of time for you to explore this quaint, centuries-old, fishing village with its winding labyrinth of alleyways known locally as ginkies. We rejoin our ship and set sail toward Medemblik where you can join our optional excursion to the tastiest museum in the Netherlands, the Medemblik Bakery to see demonstrations of its old fashioned bread making.
Day 4
Another morning of cruising takes us to Alkmaar, where we have a short stop around midday. Continue to relax and take in the views as the afternoons sailing takes us past Zansche Schanns with its historic windmills and distinctive green wooden houses before our arrival in Zaandam. The rest of your day is then free to explore.
Day 5
Nieuwe Meersluis is a beautiful, picture-book part of Holland known as ‘the green heart of the Netherlands’ where development has been kept at bay by its wetland and marshes. Enjoy life onboard as we sail past low-lying peat meadows with grazing cattle, vast polders under the skies and pretty villages with monumental farmhouses. In the mid-afternoon we dock in the ‘cheese town’ of Gouda.
Day 6
Today’s optional excursion takes us to Keukenhof Gardens, known as ‘the garden of Europe’, one of the world’s largest flower gardens. Here you will experience a scenic park awash with the sight and scent of blossoming flowers and dotted with delightful statues and works of art. We rejoin our ship in Rotterdam for a relaxing evening onboard.
Day 7
Our morning sailing takes us to the city of Dordrecht. After lunch on board there is free time to explore this pretty little city, with its preserved centre and ancient buildings surrounded by a web of canals and harbours.
Day 8
We bid farewell to the captain and his crew after breakfast and disembark for the return journey to the UK.