• Canal cruises are a popular tourist excursion in the Netherlands.shannon-erne waterway image by Keith Nolan from Fotolia.com
  
  The Netherlands, or Holland, is surrounded by water. Tourists and locals alike make use of these waterways and take canal tours inland as well as sailing cruises in the sea. Many options for sailing and boating exist in the Netherlands, including barge tours, sale boats and canal tours. Some are self-guided, while others are led by experience ship captains and tour guides.
  
  

Channel Cruises Holland Sailing Tours

• Channel Cruises Holland offers round trip five- and seven-day mini cruises from Amsterdam to Dutch cities including Haarlem, the Hague, Delft, Rotterdam and Leiden. These mini cruises are conducted on barges and traverse the rivers, canals and lakes of Holland.
  The barges accommodate as many as 45 people and are helmed by experienced "skippers." Different cruise options are available, including self catering, in which the travelers prepare their own meals, or fullboard-plus trips, in which a cook prepares all meals and a housekeeping staff cleans and maintains the boat. Guests may bring their own bed linens or rent from the tour company; guests may also elect to bring bicycles or rent from the company.
  The cruise stops at various tourist sites along the way so guests can explore different areas of Holland, shop and visit cultural attractions.
  
  Channel Cruises Holland Sailing Tours
  Noordeinde 5
  1141 AE Monnickendam
  The Netherlands
  011-31-299-313-060
  channelcruises.com
  
  

Canal Boat Holidays: Locaboat Holidays

• Canal Boat Holidays offers a variety of self-guided round trip boating excursions in Holland lasting between 10 and 14 nights. Tours may travel the South or North of the country, but all are conducted on a Pénichette boat and start on the Vecht River. Trips depart from the base of Loosdrecht. At the base, accomodations include a washing machine, bathroom and shower, phone, market and restaurant.
  Once on board, the trip includes cooking supplies and equipment as well as bed linens. Navigation tolls and insurance are also included in the price of the trip. Pets are welcome, for a fee.
  
  Canal Boat Holidays
  P.O.Box 1518
  Frankston, Victoria 3199
  Australia
  011-61-03-8781-1150
  canalboatholidays.com
  
  

Special Places Travel

• Special Places Travel offers luxury cruises aboard its 8-passenger barge, La Nouvelle Etoile. The barge has four suites, each with internet access, satellite TV and video. All suites have bathrooms with double sinks and showers. Guests are provided with fresh flowers and fruit and bed linens. There is also an exercise room.
  The barge offers guests catered meals served on luxurious china and with fine silver and crystal. Herbs are grown on the barge, and the chef prides himself on procuring local, seasonal ingredients. Meals can be customized depending on diners' dietary needs and preferences.
  
  Itineraries vary depending on the time of year; guests are encouraged to explore different Dutch towns and take in cultural attractions along the way.
  
  The barge is wheelchair accessible--with both an elevator and a wide gangplank, and an accessible bathroom.
  
  Special Places Travel
  877-642-2743
  bargesinfrance.com