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CHARLEMAGNE
6
NIGHT TULIP CRUISES
22nd
MARCH TO 10TH MAY
Saturday
We
meet in central
Amsterdam
this afternoon and transfer
to the Charlemagne moored in Vreeswijk. A
welcome on board champagne reception and presentation of the crew before you are
shown to your cabin. We will have a
delightful cruise this afternoon along the river Lek to Schoonoven, well known
for its silver jewelry and traditional clock making since the 17th c.
There will be time to stroll into this charming town after dinner on
board.
Sunday
A morning cruise to Kinderdijk where we will visit the 19 windmills which are
part of Unesco World Heritage, they were built in 1740 to drain the polders.
At lunchtime we will cruise along the Hollandse Ijsell river, passing by
the skyline of
Rotterdam
, one of the world’s
largest seaports. Later in the
afternoon, a walking tour of
Gouda
, famous for its cheese,
pipes and candles.
Monday
After
breakfast, a visit to see the remarkable stained glass windows in
St John’s
church dating from the 15th
c. Afterwards we cruise to Oude
Wetering on the Gouwe and Oude Wetering canals.
Poulders which are low lying lands reclaimed from the sea stretch out in
every direction. This afternoon, an
excursion to the
Keukenhof
Gardens
, famous throughout the world
for their dazzling fields of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths.
Tuesday
An
early morning visit to the worlds biggest flower auction in Aalsmeer where some
10 billion flowers are sold every year. Later
we cruise on the Ringvaart canal, skirting one of
Holland
’s oldest polders.
In the afternoon, a tour of
Haarlem
, the center of the Dutch bulb trade followed by a
cruise to Pumerend.
Wednesday
A
very scenic cruise passing fields of blooming flowers to Alkmaar where we will
have a guided visit of the town’s monuments: 17th c fortifications,
St Lawrence church with one of the finest ancient organs in Holland, the
majestic 15th c gothic Town Hall and many picturesque old houses.
There will be time for shopping.
Thursday
A
morning cruise to Zaansche Schans, a reconstructed village of wooden houses and
windmills, transporting us 300 years into the past.
Our cruise ends in the heart of
Amsterdam
where we will have a guided
tour of the many monuments with time for shopping.
This evening is our farewell gala dinner.
Friday
After
breakfast, depart the Charlemagne for onward travels
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