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The Old Masters: Art Treasures of Holland by River

Program Number: 19504RJ
Start and End Dates:
9/21/2012 - 9/29/2012; 10/3/2013 - 10/12/2013; 10/10/2013 - 10/19/2013; 4/3/2014 - 4/12/2014; 5/1/2014 - 5/10/2014; 10/16/2014 - 10/25/2014;
Duration: 8 nights
Location: Netherlands
Price starting at: $1,998.00 - Price may vary based on date, departure city
Program Type: Adventure Afloat Study Cruise; River Boats
Meals: 19; 7 Breakfasts, 5 Lunches, 7 Dinners    
Meal Options: Vegetarian    

Voyage through the provinces of North and South Holland on a private barge and discover the landscapes that inspired Old Masters like Rembrandt, Vermeer, Flinck, Hals and Bol. In museums, professional art experts introduce the great artists of the Low Lands, while field trips explore churches, medieval towns and Holland’s oldest earthenware factory.




Activity Particulars

Program cost excludes five lunches to enjoy on your own. Extensive walking, up to two miles per day, and standing for up to two hours per day.



Itinerary At-a-Glance

Aboard Vessel, 7 nights.



Day 1:
Overnight flight from the U.S.A.




Day 2:
Arrival Amsterdam (Netherlands) / embark vessel:

Explore the Zaanse Schans, a Dutch village with windmills, a klompen (wooden shoes) maker and a traditional pancake house where you enjoy lunch. Board the barge in Amsterdam.



Day 3:
Haarlem:

At the Frans Hals Museum learn about this famous Dutch painter.



Day 4:
Aalsmeer / Leiden:

Visit the largest flower auction in the Netherlands to watch the bidding.



Day 5:
Delft / The Hague:

At the Mauritshouse, discuss Vermeer’s paintings, then visit De Porceleyne Fles, the oldest surviving porcelain factory in the Netherlands.



Day 6:
Rotterdam:

An art historian details the different schools of painting. A lecture at the Pilgrim’s Church reveals its unique history.



Day 7:
Gouda:

At the Catharina Gasthuis, admire a triptych by Dirck Barendsz.



Days 8-9:
Amsterdam / disembark / departure:

Barge to Amsterdam and explore this intriguing city independently. Delve into the drawings by Rembrandt’s contemporaries, as well as works by his teacher, Pieter Lastman.







Lena Maria

The Lena Maria was built in 1954 as a cargo ship and converted into a passenger boat in 2005. The barge is 148 feet long and 22 feet wide. Barging exclusively for Road Scholar, the Lena Maria has a sitting area, sun deck, bar and an air-conditioned salon where meals are served.


Netherlands

When Antwerp fell to Catholic Spain in 1585, wealthy Calvinists fled north to the United Provinces, which kept up the Dutch Revolt until victory 63 years later. This influx of the wealthy and educated spurred the Dutch Golden Age and turned tiny Amsterdam -- the “new Antwerp” -- into the world’s most important port. Today, the Netherlands sports an international outlook as a member of the EU and home to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.
Meals and Lodgings
   Lena Maria Barge
  Haarlem, Netherlands
Leiden, Netherlands
Delft, Netherlands
Gouda, Netherlands
Breukelen, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands		 7 nights
 Lena Maria Barge
Type: Barge
  Ship Information: The Lena Maria was built in 1954 as a cargo ship and converted into a passenger boat in 2005. The barge is 148' long 22' wide.
  Contact info: x
x,   Netherlands
phone: +31 6 51552268
  Facility amenities: Barging exclusively for Participants, the Lena Maria has a sitting area, sun deck, bar, and an air-conditioned salon where meals are served.
  Smoking allowed: Yes


Travel Details
  Start of Program:
10:00 You will be staying at Lena Maria Barge that night.
  End of Program:
9:00 You will be staying at Lena Maria Barge the night before.
  Required documents:
The Road Scholar Health & Safety Form is required. Release & Assumption of Risk Form
  Parking availability:
No parking available.
Transportation (For Independent Travelers)
  Train or bus availability: From Schiphol Airport take a train to Haarlem, then a taxi to the barge.
To Start of Program
  Location:  Haarlem
  Transportation to site: From Schiphol Airport take a train to Haarlem, then a taxi to the barge.
  From End of Program
  Location:  Amsterdam
  Nearest airport:  Amsterdam Schiphol
  Transportation from site: Taxi or train to Schiphol Airport.
The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.


Daily Schedule

Day 1: International Flight
(Friday, September 21)
   
 Afternoon: Board an overnight flight.

Day 2: Arrive in Amsterdam/Zaanse Schans/Haarlem/Welcome Dinner
(Saturday, September 22)
   
 Morning: Arrival at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport. Transfer to the Zaanse Schans, a village with windmills, a klompen maker (wooden shoes) and a fabulous pancake house.
 Lunch: Pancake house.
 Afternoon: After lunch we continue to Haarlem and board our barge. Meet the crew and pay close attention to the captain's safety orientation. The balance of the afternoon is yours to relax or explore the city.
 Dinner: Welcome dinner aboard the barge.
 Evening: All evenings are free to explore on your own or relax.
   
Accommodations: Lena Maria Barge
Meals Included: Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Frans Hals Museum
(Sunday, September 23)
   
 Breakfast: Aboard the barge.
 Morning: This morning we walk to the center of Haarlem and learn about the unique gables on the homes. We will also see the statue of Koster, who, according to the Dutch, was the inventor of printing.
 Lunch: Lunch onboard.
 Afternoon: After lunch we visit the Frans Hals Museum. A lecture will introduce this famous Dutch painter (1581-1666). Hals was commissioned to paint Amsterdam's civic guards with the understanding that he paint in Amsterdam. However, he became tired of traveling between Haarlem and Amsterdam and, when pressed to finish the painting, missed the deadline and didn't get paid. His contemporary, Pieter Codde, finished the painting, called Meagre Company, a reference to the short men in comparison to guards in other paintings. After the lecture we enjoy a guided tour of this fine museum.
 Dinner: Dinner aboard the barge.
   
Accommodations: Lena Maria Barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Flower Auction House
(Monday, September 24)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast aboard the barge.
 Morning: This morning we bus to Aalsmeer, to the largest flower auction in The Netherlands. Here we take a field trip through acres of flowers and plants. We will also watch the bidding as buyers from all over Europe compete with one another. Soon afterwards, the trucks leave for the distributors, and some flowers head for the airport on their way to the USA. The next day they may be for sale in your flower shop. Following our visit, we return to our barge waiting in Leiden, Rembrandt's birthplace and, appropriately, our home for the night.
 Lunch: Free to sample local cuisine.
 Afternoon: You are free for independent exploration of Leiden this afternoon.
 Dinner: Dinner aboard the barge.
   
Accommodations: Lena Maria Barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 5: Johannes Vermeer/Delft Porcelain Works
(Tuesday, September 25)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast aboard the barge.
 Morning: Our morning starts with a lecture on Johannes Vermeer, whose paintings were known for their small details: holes in the wall or a broken pane of glass. Alas, Vermeer died at a very early age, 43, but his paintings live on forever. Afterwards, accompanied by a docent, we visit the Mauritshouse and marvel at the collection of Old Masters .
 Lunch: Lunch on barge.
 Afternoon: We barge to Delft and visit The Porceleyne Fles, the oldest surviving porcelain factory in The Netherlands. Here we enjoy a lecture and field trip before heading back to our floating hotel.
 Dinner: Dinner aboard the barge.
   
Accommodations: Lena Maria Barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Pilgrim Church/Boijmans Museum
(Wednesday, September 26)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast aboard the barge.
 Morning: We barge this morning to Rotterdam and walk to a church where the pilgrims said their last prayers before sailing for England where they boarded the Mayflower for the United States. A lecture on this important part of our history will surely captivate you.
 Lunch: Aboard the barge.
 Afternoon: After lunch we attend a lecture on the different schools of painting. Then we explore the Boijmans Museum with its fine collection of Old Masters (Van Eyck, Fabricius, J. Bosch) with a lecture and field trip. Afterwards we continue to Gouda, our home for the night.
 Dinner: Dinner aboard the barge.
   
Accommodations: Lena Maria Barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Catharina Gasthuis/St. John's Church
(Thursday, September 27)
   
 Breakfast: Breakfast aboard the barge.
 Morning: In Gouda we visit the Catharina Gasthuis for an unusual lecture and field trip. The museum exhibits altar panels, painted in the Golden Age, by Dirck Barendsz, Antonie Blocklandt, Pieter Pourdus and Jan Steen. Across from the museum is the St. John's Church where we attend a lecture on the famous old windows with biblical scenes.
 Lunch: Lunch onboard.
 Afternoon: Relax on deck as we barge to Kudelstaart.
 Dinner: Dinner aboard the barge.
   
Accommodations: Lena Maria Barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Independent Exploration
(Friday, September 28)
   
 Breakfast: Aboard the barge.
 Morning: Your program leader will lead the group to the center of Amsterdam to Rembrandt Square, to the flower market and the beguinage.
 Lunch: Free to explore local restaurants.
 Afternoon: This afternoon you'll have time to visit a museum or see the Anne Frank House. Amsterdam has many terraces where you can watch the locals (and tourists) go about their business while you enjoy a Heineken or a cup of coffee.
 Dinner: Farewell Dinner
   
Accommodations: Lena Maria Barge
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Day 9: Departure
(Saturday, September 29)
   
 Breakfast: Aboard the barge.
 Morning: Transfer to the airport for departure.
   
Meals Included: Breakfast
Important information about your itinerary: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the information featured on this website. Itineraries are based on our best information at this time. Circumstances beyond our control may require us to adjust itineraries or other details. We regret any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding. Information will be sent to you from your Program Provider approximately three weeks prior to the program start date. The prices listed for commercial services and facilities that are not included in the program cost, such as airport shuttles or extra nights lodging, are subject to change without notice. Since Road Scholar cannot guarantee the accuracy of these prices, we strongly suggest contacting the companies directly for the most up-to-date information.

Suggested Reading List


A Worldly Art


Author: Mariet Westermann


Description: This appreciative analysis of Dutch art in its Golden Age (1585-1718) features 100 exemplary illustrations by Rembrandt, Vermeer, Pieter de Hooch, Frans Hals and other masters.



Amsterdam Map


Author: Borch Maps


Description: A laminated, folded map of the city center, at a scale of 1:11,000.



Amsterdam, A Traveler's Literary Companion


Author: Manfred Wolf (Editor)


Description: Organized by district, these 17 contemporary short stories by modern Dutch writers, including Cees Nooteboom and Geert Mak, are set among the canals, cafes and neighborhoods of Amsterdam.



Birds of Europe


Author: Lars Svensson


Description: Featuring 3,500 glorious paintings by Killian Mullarney and Dan Zetterstrom, the second revised edition of this exquisite guide has been brought up to date with revised text and maps.



Dutch Painting (World of Art)


Author: Rudolf Herman Fuchs


Description: Starting with Van Eyck and his 15th-century contemporaries, this volume in the "World of Art" series surveys nearly 500 years of painting in the Netherlands, ending with a discussion of late 20th-century artists. Featuring almost 200 illustrations.



Eyewitness Guide Amsterdam


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: A wonderful guide to Amsterdam, filled with detailed drawings, photographs and thumbnail sketches. Slim and attractive, it also includes detailed maps and cutaway drawings of landmarks. Includes The Hague, Rotterdam and Delft.



Eyewitness Guide The Netherlands


Author: Eyewitness Guides


Description: Gorgeously illustrated and filled with excellent maps, this compact book covers Holland, its history, traditions, cultures and sights. With hundreds of color photographs and illustrations.



Fodor's Amsterdam's 25 Best


Author: Fodor's


Description: This slim guide to essential highlights includes an excellent map of the city center and can easily be slipped in your pocket.



Murder in Amsterdam, Liberal Europe, Islam, and the Limits of Tolerance


Author: Ian Buruma


Description: Buruma, a Dutch expat who spent years in Japan, turns crime reporter as he travels back to Holland to examine the murder of filmmaker Theo Van Gogh by an Islamic extremist.



Netherlands Map


Author: Hallwag


Description: A detailed map of the Netherlands at a very nice scale of 1:200,000.



Rembrandt, Master of the Portrait


Author: Pascal Bonafoux


Description: With over 200 illustrations, this pocket-size encyclopedia traces the life and career of Rembrandt. It offers insight into his influence on the art of the portrait -- an illuminating companion for any visit to Amsterdam and its museums.



The Autumn of the Middle Ages


Author: Johan Huizinga


Description: A pioneering work of social and cultural history, this well-translated classic is a richly detailed portrait of life, thought and art in 14th- and 15th-century France and the Netherlands.



The Diary of a Young Girl, The Definitive Edition


Author: Anne Frank


Description: The classic story of an adolescent Jewish girl's life and thoughts while in hiding with her family in Nazi-occupied Holland. A new edition with added material.



The Embarrassment of Riches


Author: Simon Schama


Description: An engaging cultural history and much more, this book is a study of the Dutch in the 17th century and their surprising challenge to Spanish rule.



The Undutchables


Author: Colin White


Description: A laugh-out-loud, irreverent guide to Dutch character and habits, including how to drink coffee and why you shouldn't even think about haggling over prices.



Tulip Fever


Author: Deborah Moggach


Description: A surprise bestseller, set in 1630s Amsterdam; in this gripping novel, a man contracts the talented painter Jan Van Loos to paint a portrait of him and his beautiful wife, Sophia. A vivid drama unfolds as a mutual attraction develops between Van Loos and Sophia.



Tulipomania


Author: Mike Dash


Description: The story of the world's most coveted flower and the extraordinary passion it aroused, this vivid history traces the story of the tulip from its origins on the Turkish steppes to an absurdly coveted object in Europe and its key role in the financial follies of 17th-century Holland.



Vermeer, Rembrandt and the Golden Age of Dutch Art


Author: Rudd Priam


Description: This handsome book reproduces highlights from the astounding collection of 17th-century masterpieces at the Rijksmuseum.



Walking


Author: Henry David Thoreau


Description: Slip this pocket edition of Thoreau's meditations on the spiritual benefits of this most civilized form of travel in your daypack for inspiration.





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