During our fourth tour we would like to present the Dutch province Utrecht. We cruise above all on smaller rivers and canals and visit picturesque small towns and villages such as the beautiful harbour town Muiden situated on the IJmeer, silver town Schoonhoven and lovely "Vecht" village Vreeland. Above all we experience the abundance of nature of lake districts, rivers and quiet polders.
Sat: Alphen aan den Rijn
Embarkation in Alphen a/d Rijn at 16.00 'o clock and welcome by the crew. Over a cup of coffee we will introduce you to the travel program. In the evening, explore the inner city of Alphen or/and end your first day with a cosy evening on board.
Su: Alphen-Uithoorn
After breakfast cast off for sailing through the centre of Alphen, further on the "Aar "canal and the beautiful river Amstel to Uithoorn, a quiet provincial town with a boulevard on the banks of the Amstel river.
In the afternoon we cycle along the picturesque Mijdrecht river through the polder 'De Ronde Venen'. We will stay in Uithoorn.
Mo: Uithoorn-Muiden
In the morning we enjoy a special cycle tour of about 40 km along the lake district Vinkeveense Plassen, originated by harvesting of peat and see pleasant towns such as Abcoude and Weesp.
About 3 pm we will meet the Ali-B2 moored in Muiden, an old fortressand harbour town on the IJmeer. Countless yachts and traditional sailboats determine the view of the centre.
Before dinner we advise to visit the medieval Muiderslot castle, one of the best maintained water castles of the Netherlands.
Walk to the beautiful coast of the IJmeer in the evening! By the way in Muiden you can find one of the most popular Dutch harbour pubs 'Ome Ko'!
Tue: Muiden-Vreeland
A leisure morning cruise brings us to the lovely village of Vreeland: We sail on the charming Vecht river through beautiful nature and picturesque villages along wonderful old mansions, their gardens stretching down to the water's edge.
We take a stop at a more than one century old cheese farm for tasting different kinds of really farm cheese made by hand in the old-fashioned way.
In the afternoon we enjoy one the most beautiful cycle tours in the province Utrecht. We admire marvellous mansions of the Golden Age bordered on the Vecht river. And finally we cross the so called water garden of the Netherlands (Lake district Loosdrechtse Plassen) and enjoy its natural abundance.
Wed: Vreeland-Schoonhoven
Setting off early in the morning we cruise on the Amsterdam-Rhine canal and the river Lek (distributary of the Rhine) to the silver and garrison town Schoonhoven.
A city walk in the afternoon takes us to the most important sights such as the late Gothic town hall, the impressive Watertoren (Water Tower) with a very unique architecture and the Bartholomeus church determining with its leaning tower the silhouette of Schoonhoven.
Museums and silver galleries are witnesses of the rich history of the centuries-old handicraft of silver work. We advise to visit the Netherlands Gold, Silver and Clock Museum, where a unique collection of over a thousand antique and curiosity objects is on display.
Finish the day with an evening walk to the river Lek to enjoy an unique river panorama.
Thu: Schoonhoven-Haastrecht-Gouda
Our cycle tour after breakfast takes us on dikes along the Lek river and through untouched green polders to the lovely village of Haastrecht, where we visit an old water pumping station. Cycling along the meandering Vlist we go back to the Ali-B2 in Schoonhoven.
In the afternoon we cruise on the river Lek and Holländische IJssel to Gouda, a real old-Dutch town with a virtually intact town centre.
Stroll through the narrow streets and the beautiful market square with its fabulous Gothic Town Hall, one of the oldest Gothic city halls in the Netherlands. Don't forget to admire the 123-metre long St. Janskerk (St. John's Church) with its world-famous stained-glass windows.
Fr: Gouda-Alphen
Today we sail back to Alphen: Cruising on the river Gouwe and Old Rhine along the nice villages Waddinxveen and Boskoop we pass through 3 magnificent lifting bridges.
After lunch we bike along the Nieuwkoopse lake district and visit an inhabited mill in Aarlanderveen, which belongs to the "Molenviergang" (mill four-course) the only one in the world which is still working.
In the evening we will enjoy the captain's dinner on board.
Sat: Individual departure after breakfast
