Netherlands Rail & Sail

DAY 1

We depart London St Pancras by Eurostar to Brussels, then onwards through the Netherlands to Gouda. Our hotel, the Best Western Plus City Hotel, is situated conveniently in the heart of the city alongside one of the canals and we enjoy our first evening meal together in a local restaurant.

DAY 2

We enjoy free time this morning to stroll around the narrow streets of Gouda visiting the incredible town hall, historic houses, and the longest church in the Netherlands with its magnificent 72 stained-glass windows. After our exploration, we will travel by rail to Rotterdam for the waterbus to the iconic World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, 19 magnificent windmills - the largest collection in the Netherlands. Delving into the history with a visit to one of the mills, we will also enjoy afternoon tea in a superb setting before returning by boat and train to Gouda.

DAY 3

After breakfast, we travel by rail to Delft for our narrated boat cruise along the historic canal plus free time to explore this picturesque city visiting the Vermeer Museum before continuing the short distance by rail to The Hague. Here we ride the Hop-on, Hop-off vintage tram through the city to the coast. This evening we have the option of travelling to Utrecht for an evening meal alongside the canal in the old town.

DAY 4

After breakfast this morning, we travel by rail to Hoorn to visit the locomotive depot and museum learning about the history of steam trams in the Netherlands before departing behind steam to Medemblik with tea/coffee and cake provided. We will enjoy free time to explore this beautiful, historic town before our vintage boat cruise (with lunch included) across the magnificent Lake IJssel to the Zuiderzee Village Museum. Walk 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 Gouda.

DAY 5

Today we enjoy a full day of exploration in Amsterdam. Museums, galleries, canals, Ann Frank House, and much more using our day pass for the tram and Metro system. Our final evening allows us to indulge in a delicious 3-course dinner on a relaxing cruise along the Amsterdam canals.

DAY 6

After breakfast, we begin our journeys home departing Gouda and returning by rail to Brussels, then via Eurostar to London St Pancras.

B=Breakfast, L=Lunch, D=Dinner