H2olidays

Locaboat

Holland

The Pénichette is the ideal vehicle to discover Holland with its countless canals , rivers and lakes : Vecht, Zaan, Weesper Trekvaart-Gaasp, Amsteldrecht Kanaal, Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht or Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe-De Kanaal. Berthing in the centre of Amsterdam is a unique experience.
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. 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.

Festivals and Events to look out for during your cruise
15-23 August
Amsterdam Canal Festival, Some 70 concerts featuring international performers.
www.grachtenfestival.nl
19 March-21 May
Opening period of the display gardens of Keukenhof near Haarlem, with some 6 million tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other bulbs
www.keukenhof.nl
8 May
National Windmill Day. The day when mill owners open their doors to the public.

Mooring in the heart of the 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.

1 Week

Loosdrecht - Loosdrecht
Vecht, Zaan, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht Kan, Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe De Kanaal
Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Uithoorn, Woerden, Gouda*, Oudewater, Utrecht Loosdrecht
168 km - Locks: 14 - lifting bridges: 48 - navigation: 5 : 30' / Day

Loosdrecht - Loosdrecht
Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Zaan, Noord Holland.
Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Edam, Alkmaar, Zaanstad, Amsterdam Loosdrecht
164 km - Locks: 9 - lifting bridges: 28 - navigation: 4 : 30' / Day

Loosdrecht - Loosdrecht
Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht Kan, Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe De Kanaal
Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Lisse, Kager Plassen, Alphen, Gouda*, Oudewater, Utrecht Loosdrecht
169 km - Locks: 11 - lifting bridges: 52 - navigation: 5 : 30' / Day

10 days 

Loosdrecht - Loosdrecht
Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht Kan, Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe De Kanaal
Loosdrecht, Vinkeveense Plassen, Ouderkerk, Amsterdam, Aalsmeer, Kager Plassen, Katwijk, Alphen, Gouda*, Oudewater, Utrecht Loosdrecht
225 km - Locks: 13 - lifting bridges: 76 - navigation: 5 : 0' / Day

Loosdrecht - Loosdrecht
Vecht, Weesper Trekvaart-gaasp, Amsteldrecht Kan, Kromme Mijdrecht-Grecht, Hollandse Ijssel-Merwe De Kanaal
Loosdrecht, Amsterdam, Edam, Uitgeest, Amsterdam, Aalsmeer, Kager Plassen, Katwijk, Alphen, Gouda*, Oudewater, Utrecht Loosdrecht
250 km - Locks: 15 - lifting bridges: 67 - navigation: 5 : 15' / Day