Netherlands
Nordic Walking in the Netherlands: A Walk-and-Barge Adventure
Program No. 24047RJ
Sail from bustling Amsterdam to medieval towns and fishing villages as you explore the art, history and culture of the Netherlands on Nordic walking adventures with local experts.
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9 days
8 nights
16 meals
7B 2L 7D
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
5
Ecomare, Den Burg
Medemblik
6
West Friesland, Twisk, Chimneys
Enkhuizen
7
Hoorn, Barge to Amsterdam
Amsterdam
8
Amsterdam Canals, Free Time
Amsterdam
9
Program Concludes
In Flight
At a Glance
Originally designed as a summer training routine for cross-country skiers, Nordic walking is the newest exercise craze sweeping its way across the world. Different than traditional walking, this sport utilizes Nordic poles, similar to ski poles, to engage 80-90% of your muscles as you walk. Alongside experts, you’ll exercise both your mind and body on a Nordic walking adventure through the Netherlands’ picturesque landscapes. Learn about medieval architecture and local wildlife as you walk along bike paths to quaint villages and local farms. When you’re not on the road, learn about the people and landscapes of the Netherlands as your barge sails past wildflowers and windmills on the way to your next stunning classroom.
Activity Level
Outdoor: Spirited
Walking up to eight miles per day on flat terrain, primarily on dedicated paved paths, some beaches. Nordic poles will be provided.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
What You'll Learn
- Ride a barge through Amsterdam’s historic canals like a local as you explore this diverse city with experts.
- Study the Netherlands’ medieval architecture on Nordic walking adventures through the small villages, like beautiful Alkmaar.
- Discover the farms and homes of Twisk, where the wealthy once bought second homes, to learn about the unique history of this town.
Suggested Reading List
(16 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
Nordic Walking in the Netherlands: A Walk-and-Barge Adventure
Program Number: 24047
Amsterdam: A History of the World's Most Liberal City
Russell Shorto opens this delightful ode to an adopted city with his daily journey, by bike of course, through his neighborhood to drop off his toddler son. He spins a tale of a diverse city wrestled from the sea, its coffee shops, canals and its personalities and politics, with panache.
Girl With a Pearl Earring
Chevalier's richly drawn novel imagines the story behind Vermeer's mysterious portrait of a turbaned girl with a pearl earring.
Fodor's Amsterdam's 25 Best
This slim guide to essential highlights includes an excellent map of the city center and can easily be slipped in your pocket.
Anne Frank, The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography
This colorful graphic biography for ages 9-12 draws on the archives and expertise of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam.
The Embarrassment of Riches
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.
Lonely Planet Dutch Phrasebook
This handy pocket phrasebook includes pronunciation, basic grammar and essential vocabulary.
The Diary of a Young Girl, The Definitive Edition
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.
An Island in Time, The Biography of a Village
Mak returns to Jorwerd, the small Netherlands village of his childhood, to spend time with the villagers and learn both the pleasures and contemporary challenges of small town life.
The Anatomy Lesson
A fictionalized account of the events surrounding Rembrandt’s first commissioned piece, the Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp. Well-researched and vivid with period details that transport the reader back to 1600s Amsterdam at the height of Dutch artistic vigor.
The Netherlands in a Nutshell
With information on the Dutch East India Company, Huygens, Spinoza, Van Gogh, the Great Flood, the Dutch overseas colonies and much more, Van Oostrom's popular primer covers the essential highlights of Dutch history.
Amsterdam, A Traveler's Literary Companion
Organized by district, these 17 contemporary short stories by modern Dutch writers, including Cees Nooteboom and Geert Mak, are set amid the canals, cafes and neighborhoods of Amsterdam.
Insight Guide Netherlands
This lavishly illustrated Insight guide includes excellent color maps and thoughtful short essays on history, culture and attractions.
Netherlands Map
A detailed map of the Netherlands at a very nice scale of 1:200,000.
The Coffee Trader, A Novel
An entertaining, suspenseful work of historical fiction set in Amsterdam. It's 1659 and in the new, capricious world of stocks and investment, a desperate Portuguese-Jewish trader partners with a Dutchman. Their idea: import the first shipment of coffee to the country. What follows is a wild tale of ruthlessness, greed and fortune.
Amsterdam Map
A laminated, folded map of the city center, at a scale of 1:11,000.
Why the Dutch are Different
Mingling history with travelogue, Coates speaks to why the Netherlands is such a fascinating country. He explains their world-famous culture of tolerance, the significance of milk, beer and the color orange in the lives of the Dutch and much more.
Meals
16 Meals
7 Breakfasts
2 Lunches
7 Dinners
The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Gluten Free
Lodging
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Display
- Jun 19, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025
- Jun 21, 2024 - Jun 29, 2024
- Aug 09, 2024 - Aug 17, 2024
- Sep 27, 2024 - Oct 05, 2024
- May 08, 2025 - May 16, 2025
- May 22, 2025 - May 30, 2025
- Jun 05, 2025 - Jun 13, 2025
- Jun 19, 2025 - Jun 27, 2025
- Aug 07, 2025 - Aug 15, 2025
- Sep 11, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025
- Sep 25, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
7 nights
Amsterdam
After several years working on a ship, Eelke and his wife, Carlien took over the boutique canal barge the Lena Maria, which can carry a maximum of 24 passengers. “The Lena Maria is big enough to offer high-quality accommodations and small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere”, explains Eelke. “So, people connect with each other very quickly on board. Also, we have a crew of four people, which is a lot, considering the number of guests. This way we can best take care of everyone.”
7 nights
Amsterdam
After several years working on a ship, Eelke and his wife, Carlien took over the boutique canal barge the Lena Maria, which can carry a maximum of 24 passengers. “The Lena Maria is big enough to offer high-quality accommodations and small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere”, explains Eelke. “So, people connect with each other very quickly on board. Also, we have a crew of four people, which is a lot, considering the number of guests. This way we can best take care of everyone.”
7 nights
Amsterdam
After several years working on a ship, Eelke and his wife, Carlien took over the boutique canal barge the Lena Maria, which can carry a maximum of 24 passengers. “The Lena Maria is big enough to offer high-quality accommodations and small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere”, explains Eelke. “So, people connect with each other very quickly on board. Also, we have a crew of four people, which is a lot, considering the number of guests. This way we can best take care of everyone.”
7 nights
Amsterdam
After several years working on a ship, Eelke and his wife, Carlien took over the boutique canal barge the Lena Maria, which can carry a maximum of 24 passengers. “The Lena Maria is big enough to offer high-quality accommodations and small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere”, explains Eelke. “So, people connect with each other very quickly on board. Also, we have a crew of four people, which is a lot, considering the number of guests. This way we can best take care of everyone.”
7 nights
Amsterdam
After several years working on a ship, Eelke and his wife, Carlien took over the boutique canal barge the Lena Maria, which can carry a maximum of 24 passengers. “The Lena Maria is big enough to offer high-quality accommodations and small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere”, explains Eelke. “So, people connect with each other very quickly on board. Also, we have a crew of four people, which is a lot, considering the number of guests. This way we can best take care of everyone.”
7 nights
Amsterdam
After several years working on a ship, Eelke and his wife, Carlien took over the boutique canal barge the Lena Maria, which can carry a maximum of 24 passengers. “The Lena Maria is big enough to offer high-quality accommodations and small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere”, explains Eelke. “So, people connect with each other very quickly on board. Also, we have a crew of four people, which is a lot, considering the number of guests. This way we can best take care of everyone.”
7 nights
Amsterdam
After several years working on a ship, Eelke and his wife, Carlien took over the boutique canal barge the Lena Maria, which can carry a maximum of 24 passengers. “The Lena Maria is big enough to offer high-quality accommodations and small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere”, explains Eelke. “So, people connect with each other very quickly on board. Also, we have a crew of four people, which is a lot, considering the number of guests. This way we can best take care of everyone.”
7 nights
Amsterdam
After several years working on a ship, Eelke and his wife, Carlien took over the boutique canal barge the Lena Maria, which can carry a maximum of 24 passengers. “The Lena Maria is big enough to offer high-quality accommodations and small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere”, explains Eelke. “So, people connect with each other very quickly on board. Also, we have a crew of four people, which is a lot, considering the number of guests. This way we can best take care of everyone.”
7 nights
Amsterdam
After several years working on a ship, Eelke and his wife, Carlien took over the boutique canal barge the Lena Maria, which can carry a maximum of 24 passengers. “The Lena Maria is big enough to offer high-quality accommodations and small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere”, explains Eelke. “So, people connect with each other very quickly on board. Also, we have a crew of four people, which is a lot, considering the number of guests. This way we can best take care of everyone.”
7 nights
Amsterdam
After several years working on a ship, Eelke and his wife, Carlien took over the boutique canal barge the Lena Maria, which can carry a maximum of 24 passengers. “The Lena Maria is big enough to offer high-quality accommodations and small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere”, explains Eelke. “So, people connect with each other very quickly on board. Also, we have a crew of four people, which is a lot, considering the number of guests. This way we can best take care of everyone.”
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