Day 1: AMSTERDAM

Embarkation at 6:00 pm in Amsterdam. Settling in the cabin. Introduction of the crew during a welcome cocktail. Dinner on board and optional sightseeing tour in Amsterdam - known as the Venice of the North- by river boat.

Day 2: AMSTERDAM - VOLLENDAM

Breakfast on board and departure of the cruise on one of Holland’s largest inland sea. Lunch on board and call in at Vollendam, at 1:00 pm. In the 19th century, artists used to come there and paint everyday life scenes, coloured by traditional costumes. Let’s take part to an optional sightseeing tour to Zaanse Schans, an outdoor museum : this village owns mills that are still working, houses of the 17th and the 18th century, a cheese and a clog factory. Return on board

around 6:00 pm. Dinner and traditional Dutch evening on board.

Day 3: VOLLENDAM - HOORN

After breakfast, let’s enjoy an optional coach tour to Alkmaar and a visit to its cheese museum, consecrated to the fabrication of cheese and butter. Return on board at Volledam. Lunch on board. Departure of the boat to Hoorn, a village which became flourishing thanks to shipping trade and herring fishing. Call in at Hoorn at 3:00 pm where you will enjoy some time on your own. The original name of "Cape Horn" came from a well-known sailor born in this town, who was the first navigator to overtake the southern cape. Return on board. Dinner and

evening with the crew.

Day 4: HOORN - LELYSTAD - URK

Breakfast on board. Morning cruise on the Ijsselmeer. Entertainment before lunch in the lounge and lunch on board.We will pass alongside Lelystad, capital of Fleveland, owing its name to an engineer called Lely who build the sea wall of the Ijsselmeer, around 1:00 pm.We will pass through a lock to get over the sea wall and reach Urk, a small port owing its main activity to the

North Sea and the Ijsselmeer. Most elderly people in this town still wear the traditional costume. Return on board, dinner and fare-well evening.

Day 5: URK - AMSTERDAM

Breakfast on board. Morning cruise heading for Amsterdam. Lunch on board and call in at Amsterdam around 2:00 pm. Let’s take part to an optional sightseeing tour to Keukenhof Floral Park (open in April and May only). Return on board. Dinner. Free evening or optional transfer to the city centre for a walk through the Red Quarter.

Day 6: AMSTERDAM

Disembarkation after breakfast around 9:00 am. End of our services.

2009 Departure dates: