Click here for Holland Index Page
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Flower of Europe
If Europe boasts a real paradise for the inland cruising
enthusiast, it has to be Holland. The waterways network
is so vast that it is virtually impossible to calculate
its total mileage.
Cruising here is totally unlike cruising in France.
One must appreciate that every Dutch family owns a boat,
ranging from the humble to the magnificent, and at weekends
most canals and rivers are bustling with cheerful boaters.
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One sees
the true nature of the country on its countless waterways
since everything which is built, whether towns, villages,
mills or bridges , is also mirrored in the water at its
feet. Here you will find the landscapes of its famous painters
, from the emphatic tones of Vermeer to the gentler
touch of other masters of the Golden Age. You'll see
the warmth and joie de vivre of the Dutch in the cafes,
on the welcoming terraces along the water's edge, and
in the shops which nestle amongst the cellars of the
old houses of Utrecht or of Amsterdam .
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After
crossing the great "broad" of
Loosdrecht , dotted with untouched islands, you will
follow the course of the river Vecht and pass through
the two
great art centres of Amsterdam and Utrecht.
Further north, near Edam , you cross the Zaan country,
full of windmills and rich in wildlife. To the south
your cruise unfolds through the timeless Dutch countryside:
lifting bridges, dykes, and that magic light of dawn
which will surely tempt you into rising early.
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| MOORING
IN THE HEART OF DUTCH CITIES
At
Amsterdam the marina is very central, but still
quiet.
It is just across the ship canal from the central
station,
and is served by a ferry which runs every 10 minutes
night and day. Taking a penichette through the city's
canals is simple enough with a little care, and it
is the best way of all to see the place.
You will need to buy a permit to enter the city.
At Utrecht you can readily moor at the quaysides
or opposite the cathedral. A plan of the city's
canals
and the many bridges will be given to you at the
entrance lock, where you will have to pay a modest
toll.
At Gouda the marina is in the middle of the old town.
Festivals and Events
to look out for during your cruise
TO REMEMBER
Locks
and lifting bridges are splendidly well maintained;
at many, you will be asked to pay a small toll, usually
between €4 and €6.
The yacht harbours which you will find in most towns
also charge for overnight stops. Before 15 April and
after 15 October some canals are closed entirely and
others closed on Sundays.
It is essential to check your cruising plans with
the base during these periods.
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* The Vecht and the Loosdrecht
Lock are open everyday from 1/4 to 1/11.
The canal between Gouda and Utrecht and the canal between
Edam and Volledam are open everyday between 16/4 and
15/10. The bridges and locks on all other canals are
closed on Sundays until 15/4 and as from 16/10.
Several locks
and some lifting bridges have charges for passage (Locks: €4 to €6, bridges: €0,5
to €2 ). More and more bridges are automatic and
free of charge. Marinas charge for mooring and facilities.
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| Cruises in Holland : |
| Locks
and Bridges are open every day. Closed on Sundays
(except Vecht) until the 15 th April and after
the 15 th October. |
Cruises -Vecht,
Zaan, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht Kan,
Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe De
Kanaal
Circle
Loosdrecht
1 week -
Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Uithoorn, Woerden, Gouda*,
Oudewater, Utrecht, Loosdrecht.
Lenght of Cruise : 168 Km,
14 locks,
48 lifting bridges,
5 h 30 / day |
Cruises -
Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Zaan, Noord Holland.
Circle
Loosdrecht
1 week -
oosdrecht, Amsterdam, Edam, Alkmaar, Zaanstad,
Amsterdam, Loosdrecht
Lenght
of Cruise : 164 Km,
9 locks,
28 lifting bridges,
4 h 30 / day
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Cruises -
Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht Kan,
Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe De
Kanaal
Circle Loosdrecht
1 week -
Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Lisse, Kager Plassen,
Alphen, Gouda*, Oudewater, Utrecht, Loosdrecht.
Lenght
of Cruise: 169 Km,
11 locks,
52 lifting bridges,
5 h 30 / day |
Cruises -
Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht Kan,
Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe De
Kanaal
Circle
Loosdrecht
10 - 11 days -
Loosdrecht, Vinkeveense Plassen, Ouderkerk, Amsterdam,
Aalsmeer, Kager Plassen, Katwijk, Alphen, Gouda*,
Oudewater, Utrecht, Loosdrecht.
Lenght
of Cruise: 225 Km,
13 locks,
76 lifting bridges,
5 h / day |
Cruises -
Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht Kan,
Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe De
Kanaal
Circle
Loosdrecht
10 - 11 days -
Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Edam, Uitgeest, Amsterdam,
Aalsmeer, Kager Plassen, Katwijk, Alphen, Gouda*,
Oudewater, Utrecht, Loosdrecht.
Lenght
of Cruise: 250 Km,
15 locks,
67 lifting bridges,
5 h 15 / day |
Cruises -
Vecht, Zaan, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht
Kan, Noord Holland, Grecht, Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe
De Kanaal
Circle
Loosdrecht
2 weeks -
Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Edam, Alkmaar, Zaanstad, Amsterdam,
Aalsmeer, Kager Plassen, Leiden, Katwijk, Alphen,
Gouda*, Oudewater, Utrecht, Loosdrecht.
Lenght
of Cruise: 315 Km,
16 locks,
88 lifting bridges,
4 h 30 / day |
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Locaboat
Holidays - Holland Utrecht Region Information
