We flew to Amsterdam, spent a day exploring the city, and then got on our ship for a week’s tour of the canals.

Our Dutch canal barge, the Princesse Royal, cruised with just our group of 22 travelers, on canals that large vessels cannot navigate. The group was small and could move quickly while getting some in-depth knowledge of the country. The English-speaking crew of 5 was friendly and included a master chef and our Trip Leader.

To travel by barge is to sail back in time to a slower and less precise era of travel. Vintage barges cruise on both historic waterways and busy, commercial ones. Our Captain adapted the daily cruising times to match coastal tides and winds and inland water levels. The barge was a converted, historic and intimate vessel, not a modern hotel-ship. Barge travel is ideal if you enjoy the daily company of your fellow travelers and expect a leisurely, informal atmosphere without the latest amenities.

Our ship covered about 120 miles, at 5 -10 mph. We moored and explored Alkmaar, Gouda, Kinderdijk, Oude Wetering, Shoonhoven, and Zaanse Schans. Occasionally, we bicycled alongside the barge as it traveled from town to town. When the boat was moored, we visited windmills, cheese-makers, a brewery, a flower market, tulip growers, a historic marina, and bunches of classic old buildings and churches. And, of course we visited the famous Keukenhof Gardens. It was great to be able to move around the country without the need to continuously pack and unpack.

One other thing; we were blessed with unusually warm and clear weather for the whole vacation. In fact, it was cold and nasty when we returned to Atlanta.

Carol and Steve LaPonte