Dutch Maximum Steam Weekend

DAY 1

We depart by Eurostar to Brussels, changing here to travel onwards via Rotterdam to Utrecht. Staying at the Hampton Inn which is situated next to the station with the old town centre a short walk away featuring a number of restaurants and bars.

DAY 2

After breakfast this morning, we travel by rail to Hoorn to visit the locomotive depot and museum learning about the history of stream trams in the Netherlands before departing behind steam to Medemblik with tea/coffee and cake provided. We will enjoy free time to explore this lovely, historic town before our vintage boat cruise (including lunch) across the beautiful Lake Ijssel to the Zuiderzee Village Museum. Walk one hundred years back in time along the cobbled streets of this outdoor museum featuring more than 140 historic buildings which create a superb, authentic atmosphere. We will return by boat to Enkhuizen, connecting onwards by rail to Utrecht.

DAY 3

Today, after breakfast, we depart the hotel by private coach to Ouddorp to ride the morning RTM steam tram to West-Repart and return over what was once part of the extensive, rural tramways in the Netherlands. We will continue by road to the Stoomtrein Katwijk Leiden to experience the golden age of steam travelling. Smell, watch, and enjoy the ambience of days gone by at the platform where an almost 100-year-old steam locomotive and its antique wooden carriage are waiting to take you on the narrow-gauge railway around the lake. After exploring their extensive collection of meticulously maintained steam and diesel locomotives, we return to Utrecht.

DAY 4

Our journey today takes us by rail to Apeldoorn for the fabulous Veluwsche Stoomtrein Festival, the largest steam train festival in the Netherlands! Relive former times at various stations between Apeldoorn and Dieren where there are model railways, steam rollers, steam tractors, operational steam sawmills, trade stands, and much more. Your day ticket provides unlimited rides to experience every inch of this fantastic event and the last train of the day is often triple headed!

DAY 5

After the excitement of this action-packed tour, it is time to return by rail to London via Rotterdam and Brussels.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch