The Rhine & Holland‘s old fishing villages I

Introduction

The 32 kilometres long "Afsluitdijk" (Dutch for closure dike) separates since 1932 the IJsselmeer from the open North Sea and makes the once wild Zuiderzee to a calm and diversified fairway. Around the IJsselmeer youll find pictureque harbour villages which had their golden era during the time of trade with the Dutch East India Company. There are lots of buildings from that era which show the former wealth.

Day 1 Embarkation in Mainz, which is located right at the mouth of the river Main into the Rhine. The ship leaves the port in the evening, glides downstream on the Rhine.

Day 2 This morning, th ship arrives in the lively Rhine city of *Cologne, which is explored on a sightseeing tour. The tour will take you, of course, to the famous Gothic Cologne Cathedral, which is listed on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List and is considered the third highest church in the world. It is also the most visited monument in Germany. The afternoon will be spent on board, while the ship cruises through the German and Dutch waterways.

Day 3 After the arrival in Kampen in the morning, you will discover the pretty harbour town, where the IJssel flows into the IJsselmeer, on a *walking tour. Kampen has had city rights since 1236, and proves itself to be a lively university city that has not lost any of its historical allure despite all its modern features. Subsequently, there will be a coach excursion to the interesting canal village of *Giethoorn, the “Venice of the North”. On a boat trip through the canals, the idyllic Giethoorn shows all its charms. Reembarkation is in Urk. After lunch on board, you will go on a *walking tour through the old fishing village of Urk, which has a wellpreserved, compact centre with a pleasant fishing harbour and many old houses. The ship stays in Urk for the night.

Day 4 Today, you will use Urk as the starting point for a *coach excursion to picturesque Hindeloopen. Old houses with extraordinary facades, small wooden bridges and the peaceful canals give the village a charming character. Afterwards your coach will take you across the impressive *Afsluitdijk dam to Enkhuizen on the western shores of the IJsselmeer. In Enkhuizen, you will board the ship again and enjoy lunch. Like Hindeloopen, Enkhuizen also had its heyday in the 17th century as an important sea-port of the Dutch East India Company – to which some historical buildings still bear witness today. During a *walking tour you will experience the city highlights of Enkhuizen.

Day 5 The ship’s arrival in Amsterdam is scheduled during the night. An excursion to the worldfamous *Keukenhof tulip paradise, where a blossoming carpet is spread out in spring, is recommended for the morning. In the picturesque park, you can revel in a real sea of flowers of 800 different tulip varieties, between old trees, ponds, windmills and modern art installations, and allow yourself to be captivated by elaborate flower arrangements. Back in Amsterdam, the afternoon is reserved for *city sightseeing, which also includes a relaxing canal cruise.

Day 6 Disembarkation in Amsterdam after breakfast.