IJmuiden, Netherlands

• Zaanse Schans
  

• Volendam with lunch

• Holland is known throughout the world as the country of tulips, canals and...windmills! So this excursion which takes us to visit the authentic, rural Holland is a must, with its vast green plains and magnificent windmills that are reflected in the water.
  

• The first destination on our itinerary is one of the most charming places in the Netherlands: Zaanse Schans; the name means "Fortification on the river Zaan" and refers to its original purpose during the 80 years' war, the revolt against Spanish rule, between the 16th and 17th centuries.
  

• We enter a typical 18th-19th century village: vibrant and industrious, full of wooden windmills, barns, homes and museums, approximately 35 wooden buildings built in the typical Dutch architectural style and transported, piece by piece since 1961, to this magical open-air museum.
  

• It is a unique experience, stepping into the past with all the images, scents and flavours of times gone by. We walk through the wonderful magical landscape, we visit some of the many windmills and historic buildings, and browse the artisan shops where the traditional clogs are made and the famous Dutch cheese is produced.
  

• The next part of our itinerary takes us to the charming Catholic village of Volendam, a famous tourist attraction renowned for the traditional clothes that some of its residents still wear and for its old fishing boats.
  

• Before exploring this romantic fishing village, we have lunch in one of the inviting restaurants. After lunch, we can take advantage of the free time at our disposal in this picturesque place to walk along the quay lined with typical green wooden houses with red sloping roofs and admire the delightful marina and the docked boats being rocked by the delicate motion of the sea. Or we can stroll through the picturesque narrow streets, lined with typical little houses standing side by side, and cross the charming canals overlooked by small wooden bridges.

• Space is limited, so please reserve early.
• This excursion is reserved for guests who do not disembark in Ijmuiden.

How many things can you discover as you wander round Haarlem in total freedom? This medieval city, which inspired the name of the famous neighborhood in New York, has everything * now it's down to you to decide what you want to see: the eclectic cathedral of St. Bavo or the mystery of the little secret doors which open onto the city's green courtyards? But if you love art, there's no question about it: the museum dedicated to Frans Hals is unmissable!

• Sightseeing coach tour from the port to the city of Haarlem
• Center of Haarlem, with the option of viewing the following places on your own: cathedral of St. Bavo; typical Dutch courtyards; Frans Hals museum

• Protected by the dunes to the south of the North Sea Canal, Haarlem is one of Holland's gems: today, you can choose how to get to know it, as you wander independently. Want a few tips?
• You'll find yourself among medieval buildings, protected urban landscapes, fields of tulips, windmills and watercourses surrounded by greenery. The first Dutch immigrants to New York * which was once called New Amsterdam * named one of the city's iconic neighborhoods "Nieuw Haarlem" in honor of these views.
• As you make your way through the town step by step, don't miss out on the cathedral of St. Bavo: one of the largest churches in the Netherlands, it houses a huge organ, which was played by both Mozart and Händel.
• Or you could look for the hidden doors that open onto the Dutch “hofjes”, secret green courtyards surrounded by cute little houses. There's only one rule here: enjoy the silence.
• Want to find some art? Look for the museum dedicated to portrait artist Frans Hals, where you can find the largest collection of his paintings, as well as various Flemish works, furniture, ceramics, glass and silver.
• And then...allow yourself to be inspired. After all, today, the city is yours.

• During the tour, a local guide will provide assistance and information in English.

An unmissable opportunity to discover the incredible city of Amsterdam, known as the "Venice of the North" thanks to its unique appearance. The wonderful canals, lined with typical tall narrow houses with distinctive gables, all different from one another, are enchanting. Then we will be free to roam the magnificent collection at the Van Gogh Museum.

• Amsterdam
• Independent visit to the Van Gogh Museum

• The coach will take us to one of the most famous and most frequented museums in the city, the Van Gogh Museum, where we will be free to roam on our own. The museum houses the largest collection of Vincent Van Gogh works in the world, including some of his masterpieces such as "Sunflowers", "Blossoming Almond Tree" and "Vincent's Bedroom in Arles", as well as a total of 200 paintings, 400 drawings and 700 letters.
• We will have a look round the museum shop which sells posters, bags, books and souvenirs inspired by the life and works of Vincent Van Gogh. 
• After a little shopping, you will get the chance to discover Amsterdam at your own pace. Stroll around this lovely city and buy some typical souvenirs, have a cup of coffee or enjoy the sights Amsterdam has to offer during your free time. Afterwards,it is time to head back to the ship.

• Placeson this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early.
• It is not permitted to take bags into the museum.

Discover the Dutch masterpieces with this transfer to the Rijksmuseum. From the pier, a short bus drive will bring you the famous Museum Square dominated by the majestic building of the Rijksmuseum, currently undergoing a major renovation; the finest works from the 17th century will continue to be on view under the title The Masterpieces in the so called Philips Wing. However, you are by no means limited to the Holland art, stunning though it may be: paintings by other European artists, Oriental art, and the decorative arts also feature prominently on the list. Please note that you can join an audio tour via the app on your mobile device.
The Rijksmuseum has an interesting shop where you will be able to purchase art souvenirs as well as typical Dutch souvenirs. 

After the museum visit you will have free time to explore the city before the bus will drive you back to the ship.

• Rijksmuseum
• Free time

Amsterdam dedicated to its famous museums. Museum Square is dominated by the impressive building of the Rijksmuseum, the National Dutch Museum that will offer you the chance to admire the paintings of the 17th Century Dutch Masters.  

The Rijksmuseum is one of the two major sights in Amsterdam, featuring the Netherlands collection of art. The strongest point of the museum is 17th century Holland art, especially paintings by artists of the caliber of Rembrandt, Harmenszoon van Rijn and Johannes Vermeer, although there are many startling Middle Age masterpieces. However, you are by no means limited to the Holland art, stunning though it may be: paintings by other European artists, Oriental art, and the decorative arts also feature prominently on the list. Today, the Rijksmuseum ranks with the Louvre, the Uffizi, the National Gallery in London, and the Hermitage as a major European center for decorative arts. Please note that you can join an audio tour via the app on your mobile device.

The Rijksmuseum has an interesting shop where you will be able to purchase art souvenirs as well as typical Dutch souvenirs. After the museum visit you will have free time to explore the city before the bus will drive you back to the ship.

• It is not allowed to enter the the museum with backpacks, there is a cloackroom for storage.
• Please note that you can join an audio tour via the app on your mobile device.

A day of fun and entertainment. We will go on a sightseeing tour through the streets of Amsterdam to see some of its most famous buildings, we will hop on board a boat for a picturesque cruise along the canals and succumb to the Heineken Experience in the old factory that has been converted into a tourist attraction.

• Canal cruise
• Free time
• Heineken Experience

• We will leave the ship and start our day with a pleasant boat cruise tour of the incredible city of Amsterdam. The constant presence of water is always fascinating; it is an integral part of the city's character.
• The most exciting part of our day awaits us: the Heineken Experience. We enter the old factory that produced the famous Heineken beer which has been converted into a tourist attraction for a fantastic, interactive and dynamic tour of the Heineken world. We will learn everything there is to know about the history of the brand that goes back more than a century, one of the three biggest brands in the world, and before leaving we sample a nice glass of Heineken. On the house!
• At the end, we can enjoy some free time for a quick lunch in one of the many bistros in the area or some typical shopping.

• Placeson this excursion are limited. We recommend booking early.
• The minimum age permitted for the consumption of beer is 18.

An unmissable cruise along its typical canals to admire the charm of this "Venice of the North" from the water. We will see the splendid buildings and magnificent monuments that enhance Amsterdam and we will find out more about its history.

• Boat tour of Amsterdam: Skinny Bridge, Western Church
• Free time in city center

• The first part of this brief but fascinating itinerary, which offers an array of Amsterdam's beautiful sights, takes us on a charming sightseeing boat tour along the many canals that form the city's unique structure.
• As we sail along, we admire all the wonders that pass before our eyes from our privileged viewpoint. We will have to be careful not to miss even a detail of the characteristic, tall narrow buildings which line the canals, with the typical gables, each one different from the next, and the numerous bridges in all shapes and sizes that appear on the horizon. Skinny Bridge (Magere brug) is the most famous in the city: a wooden drawbridge over the River Amstel from which Amsterdam takes its name.
• From the water, we also see one of the city's icons appear before us: the bell tower of the Western Church (Westerkerk), the oldest in the city is almost 90 metres high.
• After the boat tour, you will get the chance to discover Amsterdam at your own pace. Stroll around this lovely city and buy some typical souvenirs, have a cup of coffee or enjoy the sights Amsterdam has to offer during your free time.
• At the end of the tour, a transfer to the ship will be provided.

• Places are limited, so please reserve early.
• This excursion is reserved for guests who do not disembark in Ijmuiden.

• Sightseeing coach tour
• Free time in Alkmaar
• Museums to see: Dutch Cheese Museum, Beatles Museum, National Beer Museum
• Main sights: City Hall, Public Weigh-house Square, Public Weigh-house and Grote Kerk

• Our excursion starts by coach headed to Alkmaar. Along the way, a rep is available to satisfy all our enquiries.
• As we listen to his anecdotes and stories, we admire the surrounding rural landscape dotted with farms, canals, fields of flowers and mills. We cannot help but appreciate the spectacular scenery of such a typically Dutch plain where our mind flips through the photographs and paintings that posters, brochures, books and catalogues have contributed to etch in our brain!
• Once in Alkmaar, we get off our coach near the city centre and set off to visit the city at our own leisure. We can spend a few hours in absolute freedom admiring Alkmaar’s monuments and museums, savouring local delicacies and indulging in some shopping.
• The Dutch Cheese Museum is a must as Alkmaar is the undisputed king of cheese production in the Netherlands, as is the Beatles Museum, one of the three official museums dedicated to the band in Europe, as well as the National Beer Museum which also offers a glass of beer at a reduced price at the end of the visit.
• As we stroll around the city streets, we can admire the “Stadhuis”, i.e. Alkmaar’s Town Hall in a Gothic Revival Style, the “Waagplein” or “Public Weigh-house Square” famous for its cheese market and the “Waag” or Public Weigh-house, a historic Renaissance building home to the Dutch Cheese Museum. We can then head towards the “Grote of Sint-Laurenkerk” or Grote Kerk, the city’s leading example of Gothic Revival architecture.
• Weather permitting, we can visit Alkmaar by boat as various short tours along the city’s picturesque canals are available to see the city from an entirely different angle.
• At this point, how can we not mention the wide range of cafés and restaurants that contribute to making Alkmaar so picturesque and elegant? We can relax as we enjoy a delicious snack at a table by the canal or in an elegant romantic restaurant. In addition, there are plenty of alternatives if we prefer a light snack between one attraction and another.
• Before our excursion comes to an end, let us not forget that the city has plenty to offer for shopping lovers, as its streets are filled with lovely shops and boutiques for all tastes and budgets.
• We then make our way back to our coach and to the port of Ijmuiden.

• This excursion does not include a guide. A local ecort willprovide general information in English.
• This excursion is reserved for guests who do not disembark at Ijmuiden.

• Short walk around Delft and its Golden Age atmosphere
• Guided tour of the Royal Delft, famous pottery factory

• Our tour starts with a short coach transfer to Delft
• Here, our guide awaits us for a short walk along the narrow alleyways of this enchanting city. Delft dates back to the 11th century and reached its maximum splendour during the 17th century, its Golden Age, when it became the seat of one of the Dutch East India Company chambers.
• In addition to being the birthplace of the painter Vermeer, who spent all his life here, and to being the city where William I of Orange, a prominent figure during the Eighty Years' War, was killed, Delft is famous for its tapestries and rich pottery production.
• At the end of our short walking tour, we have some free time to continue admiring the city’s 17th-century charm.
• We continue our excursion at the “De Porceleyne Fles” or Royal Delft, the most famous factory in the Netherlands manufacturing the famous Delft pottery which has been employing the same techniques since 1653, the year when it was founded, and distinguished itself from mass producers thanks to its unique hand-crafted masterpieces.
• A guided tour of the factory provides us with the chance to see the artists at work and learn more about the accurate and meticulous production process.
• Delft pottery, the term now used to indicate the entire Dutch pottery production, is characterised by the blue colour used as decoration and known as ”Delft blue”.
• After visiting the factory, we have some free time available to purchase a few souvenirs at the pottery shop.

• We recommend that you book early because only a limited number of places are available.
• This excursion is reserved for guests who do not disembark at Ijmuiden.

• The Hague
• Mauritshuis
• Free time to relax and purchase some souvenirs

• Our excursion starts on the road linking the port of Ijmuiden to The Hague or “Den Haag” in Dutch.
• Despite being the seat of the national government, foreign embassies, many international organisations and the residence of the Royal family, The Hague is indeed not Holland’s administrative capital * a role that was formally handed over to Amsterdam in 1814 * yet it is the third largest city in the Netherlands.
• Once we have reached this amazing city overlooking the North Sea, we admire its main sights such as the imposing historic buildings, large squares, long boulevards and wealthy homes * The Hague is a wealth of surprises.
• We stop at the Mauritshuis, the 17th-century palace that was originally a hotel and residence for prominent guests and is now home to the museum dedicated to 17th and 18th-century masterpieces. The collection boasts around 800 works of art by various artists including the “Girl with a Pearl Earring” by Vermeer, “The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp” by Rembrandt and “The Garden of Eden with the Fall of Man” by Rubens. Paintings by Fabritius, Jan Steen and Frans Hals are also on display.
• After visiting this marvellous museum, we have some free time available to relax, purchase a few souvenirs or savour a bite to eat.
• Once our tour of The Hague and Mauritshuis is over and after enjoying our free time, the time has come to return to the ship.

• We recommend that you book early because only a limited number of places are available.
• This excursion does not include a guide. A local escort will provide general information in English.