This isn’t exactly blue-water cruising, but it sure looks like fun, for a whole lot of reasons. First, Amsterdam is one of my favorite cities in the world, which isn’t surprising given my Dutch-derived last name and the fact that a great-great-grandfather was a Dutch sea captain (or so the story goes). But Amsterdam is so full of history, art, and fascinating architecture that wandering along its ever-present canals is a pleasure, no matter what your family heritage. Here’s a great story from Dutch News about how to see the city by water, even for a short visit:
There is, many aficionados of the Dutch capital would argue, no better way to appreciate Amsterdam than from the water – especially now that the tourist boats are currently out of the running. A few good friends, something delicious to eat and drink… what could be better than gently motoring through Amsterdam’s waterways on a summer afternoon? And now that the city is still largely in the hands of its locals, you can really appreciate the beauty of the 17th century city centre from its never-ending network of canals. If you don’t own or have access to a boat, or are visiting the capital for a day or two, there are various rental options on offer. And if you don’t fancy steering the boat yourself, then check out the private boat rental Amsterdam has to offer. Starboard Boats, for example, is currently offering a 90 minute cruise for up to 10 people, with unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks for €195. The boat is electric which makes for a quiet cruise as well as an environment-friendly one.
“Our boat can actually take 20 people comfortably, but we’ve cut this to 10 in order to comply with social distancing regulations,” says head of operations Timo Haaker. “And it goes without saying that the boat gets a through clean in between cruises, and the skipper is behind a screen. The boat is also easy to access, so you don’t need to be helped to get in.”
Amsterdam’s main canal ring has been a Unesco world heritage site since 2010. The city has over 100 kilometres of canals, crossed by 1,500 bridges and bordered by hundreds of listed buildings, ranging from elegant town houses to churches and even the odd windmill or early industrial site. There is always something new to catch your eye. So a private canal cruise is not only a great way to treat yourself, but makes a great excursion if friends and family are visiting, now that the restrictions on travel are being lifted. Read more:
