Amsterdam, The Netherlands - British Isles & North West Europe Cruises

Experience the sights of Amsterdam from the comfort of a canal boat.

Amsterdam has always had strong ties to the water. Spread out over 70 islands, this cosmopolitan city boasts 60 miles of canals and 1000 bridges. From the 13th century, tiny ships sailed from this port into the challenging Zuider Sea.

Board a glass-topped canal boat that will take you through the Amsterdam canals passing major monuments such as the Maritime Museum, Town Hall, and the Anne Frank House. Relax as you glide past the narrow, gabled houses that line the canals that Amsterdam is famous for

Note: There is minimal walking on this tour. There are approximately ten steps to the landing platform and a further three steep steps into the boat.

Visit the World Horticultural Expo 2012, Europe's biggest agricultural and horticultural Expo only held once a decade.

Enjoy approximately five hours at your own pace to explore and wander around the millions of flowers and plants that are exhibited.

This year the organisation has created five very different worlds to explore, Relax and Heal features the feelings; taste, smell, touch and hearing and you can learn how nature influences your health, wellbeing and mood in tranquil surroundings. Green Engine features the contrasting ideals of nature and industry, but as you will witness, they actually complement each other very well as you learn about horticulture as a major economic engine.

The section, Education & Innovation, features a world of changing perspectives and Environment is where you can experience how flowers, plants, trees, vegetables and fruit in your immediate environment can improve your daily life.

The World Show Stage encourages you to get to know other cultures and immerse yourself in a colourful melting pot of art, culture and entertainment.

Note: The drive to Venlo is approximately 2¼ hours. For more information please visit www.floriade.com

Explore the Dutch countryside, shop for souvenirs and learn about one of Holland's most delicious exports, gourmet cheese.

Venture north out of Amsterdam to visit the authentic old village of Zaanse Schans, which is a working open-air museum, as well as Edam, best known for its town's scarlet-skinned cheese.
Your scenic drive out of Amsterdam will pass pastureland dotted with farmhouses and grazing animals. Zaanse Schans is a quaint Dutch windmill village which has been fully recreated to resemble an 18th century Zaan community. As you stroll through the quaint streets watching the craftsmen practicing the trades of yesteryear, you'll get a glimpse of how Dutch life once was. There were once over 600 windmills in the Zaanstreek, but now only a handful have been preserved. Take the opportunity to witness the old Dutch craft of clog making, or simply relax in an outdoor café.

Continue onto the typical Dutch village of Edam and stroll through the town's cobblestone streets. View the unique bell tower and the many beautiful canals that crisscross the village as well as the drawbridges that connect them to the city. A stop will be made at a local cheese factory to sample some of the products on offer.

Note: The tour involves approximately 1½ hour’s total walking at a leisurely pace with some cobblestoned pathways. The route taken is scenic and at times the road is below sea level.

Absorb the highlights of the city of Amsterdam and visit the Van Gogh Museum.

Start your tour with a cultural guided tour of the city of Amsterdam, taking in the attractions of Dam Square with the Royal Palace and The New Church. Of particular interest is the lovely 16th century Weeper’s Tower, one of the most famous of the city's collection of stunning towers and steeples.

Afterwards, visit the Van Gogh Museum, where you will be able to witness the history of one of the most famous Dutch painters and experience his works first hand. Although guiding is not allowed in the Museum, your guide will give general information prior to entry and you will be given the opportunity to purchase Van Gogh literature and souvenirs at the Museum shop.

Note: Photography inside the Van Gogh Museum is not permitted.

Off the beaten track, this tour visits the charming city of Delft followed by a panoramic tour of The Hague.

Your scenic drive will take you south to the town of Delft which is famous for the many paintings by the Dutch master Vermeeras well as its Delft’s Blue pottery.

Visit the Royal Delft’s Bleu factory ‘The Porceleyne Fles’. Where you will discover the age-old process involved in creating the world famous Delft porcelain. Artists will demonstrate detailed hand-painting of Delft earthenware that makes each piece a work of art.

Continue with a short guided walking tour, through the narrow streets of this charming 17th century city of canals, cobbled alleys and gabled houses. Enjoy some free time for lunch on your own and shopping in Delft before continuing onto The Hague (Den Haag) for a guided coach tour passing the Dutch government building and the spectacular Peace Palace where the international court of justice is situated.

Note: The streets in Delft are uneven and cobble-stoned.

Discover the hidden paradise of the old centre of Amsterdam on this walking tour including a canal cruise.

Your guide will take you on a journey through historic Amsterdam and the Middle Ages, telling stories behind the architecture and discovering hidden churches as you walk through the charming narrow alleyways.

Transfer by coach through the old district, passing the Maritime Museum and the 16th century Weeper’s Tower, arriving at the Flower Market where the walking tour will begin. Your guide will share insights into Amsterdam’s long history as you pass the Beguinage and cross the square for a short visit to the Art Gallery of the Amsterdam Historical Museum, Continue on towards Dam Square, viewing the outside of the Nieuwe Church, a 550 year old church, the site of numerous coronations.

As many sights are only accessible from the water, a tour of Amsterdam would not be complete without a scenic cruise along the city's canals. Board a glass topped motor launch, and glide through the historic canals passing elegant merchants mansions, churches and warehouses dating back to the 16th and 17th century. You will also pass one of the most famous sites in Amsterdam including the Anne Frank house. Your boat will drop you right at your ‘front door’ at the cruise terminal itself.

Note: This tour involves walking for approximately 2½ hours over mostly paved surfaces.

For an unforgettable introduction to the many charms of Amsterdam, choose this fabulous city drive and canal tour with free time.

With more than 60 miles of waterways, Amsterdam has more canals and bridges than Venice, and this is one of the best ways to become acquainted with the waterside scenery. From your glass-topped motor-launch, experience a canal cruise consisting of a myriad of sights and sounds: the fine old houses of the city's rich Dutch traders; picturesque house boats; Anne Frank's house and many other attractions.

Enjoy a panoramic drive passing the inner city's central landmark, Dam Square, and the classical-style Royal Palace, before continuing to Nieuwe Kerk, an imposing late-Gothic church dating from around 1500, where royal inaugurations are held. Of particular interest is the lovely, 16th century Weeper’s Tower, one of the most famous of the city's collection of stunning towers and steeples. You will have an opportunity to photograph a perfect symbol of Holland's past, a windmill - many have long since been replaced by modern technology.

During the tour, you will have one hour of free time to explore the streets, stalls and shops in the city.

Note: The order of highlights may be reversed. Limited toilet facilities are available on the canal cruise. There are approximately ten steps to the landing platform and a further three steep steps into the boat and the amount of walking during the free time is at guests’ own discretion.

Something to write about in your diary. A tour of Amsterdam, stopping off at The Anne Frank House.

Your tour begins with a short transfer to the Westerkerk (Western Church) and the small statue of Anne Frank. Walk the short distance to the Anne Frank House where you will be able to see where the Jewish girl, Anne Frank, wrote her renowned diary while hiding away with her family from the Nazis. It is in this very house that she spent the last 2 years of her life before being transported to Germany where her story came to an end. Guiding inside the Museum is not permitted, so the guide will give general information prior to entry.

Continue the tour with a scenic drive around the centre of Amsterdam passing such highlights as the Baroque Royal Palace at the Dam square (the Queen’s residence when she visits the city). Pass by Nieuwe Kerk or New Church, a 550-year old church which is the site of numerous inaugurations and the resting place of many important Dutchmen. View the Mint Tower, built in 1618 over a medieval gate a place where coins were minted, and the 16th century Weepers’ tower.

Note: The Anne Frank House is an old mansion with various steep steps and photography is not permitted inside the museum.

Cruise through Amsterdam in style on this magical evening excursion, sampling local cheese and wine as you go.

Relax, sit back and enjoy a fantastic experience as you see Amsterdam and its sights from a whole new perspective. This tour presents an opportunity to see the canals and bridges whilst you sip wine, tasting a variety of Dutch cheese and biscuits from the comfort of your canal boat. Glide past medieval corners that regular transport cannot reach.

Seeing the sights from this different angle, you’ll take in the famous crescent-shaped Herengracht, Keizergracht and Prinsengracht canals, lined by numerous trees and monumental buildings; a wonderful sight by night.

Cruise past the famous Anne Frank House along the Prinsengracht canal, where she wrote her renowned diary and spent the last 2 years of her life before being transported to Germany.

Note: There are three to four steep steps to embark/disembark the canal boat.

For an introduction to the many charms of Amsterdam and its surroundings, choose this scenic option.

This scenic drive will take you through lovely countryside, alongside lakes and past windmills. There will be plenty of opportunities to capture these highlights on film, so do not forget your camera.

A comfort stop will be made at a hotel in Volendam, where there will be an opportunity to enjoy refreshments of a soft drink, coffee or tea.

Afterwards, the journey will continue along the borders of the old Zuider Zee. Once a saltwater sea, it is now the largest freshwater lake in the country. Relax in the comfort of your coach and let the beautiful landscapes pass by. The far horizons may remind you of the famous landscape paintings you have seen in many museums around the world. During the tour, a visit will be made to a cheese farm for an opportunity to taste a variety of Dutch cheeses.

Note: This tour is mainly scenic and requires very little walking. The order of sights may be reversed.

Amsterdam is famous for its diamond production and trading, this tour visits the fascinating factory and museum.

Every day in the historic and beautiful heart of Amsterdam, rough diamonds are transformed into dazzling jewels. Experience the sensation of diamond cutting firsthand and view every stage of the process, as we invite you to step into the exciting world of over four centuries of craftsmanship and tradition.

During a short transfer by coach to the city centre, pass by the Baroque-style Royal Palace at the Dam square (the Queen’s residence when she visits the city), New Church, the Mint and Weeper’s tower.

Visit Gassan Diamonds to witness diamond polishers at work and discover the different stages of a rough diamond transforming into a brilliant cut diamond. Loose polished diamonds are on display in various carats, colours, clarities and cuts and you are welcome to enjoy a complimentary coffee, tea or soft drinks and stroll around the gift shop, there is no obligation to purchase.

Note: There are 15 steps to the coach park and some steps at the Diamond Factory.