Amsterdam & Festival of Light Cruise

Every festive season the canal-side city of Amsterdam is illuminated by fascinating light sculptures, projections and installations created by artists, designers and architects from all over the world for Amsterdam's Light Festival. The beautiful buildings, historic cobbled streets and picturesque network of canals are transformed into a dazzling spectacle of colour, with each year taking on a new and exciting theme. During this weekend away we admire the unique display on a scenic canal cruise and have time to explore the Netherland's vibrant capital.What’s Included?
IncludesReturn coach travel & ferry crossings3 nights at a selected hotel (JG3 or JG4 ratings) in the Netherlands with breakfastExcursions to Amsterdam & VolendamLight Festival canal cruise in Amsterdam

Itinerary
Day 1 - Journey to HollandWe catch the ferry to Calais and continue on to the hotel, stopping en-route for an evening meal (not included).Day 2 - Amsterdam & Festival of Light canal cruiseWe visit Amsterdam, the city of canals, bridges, bicycles and café and have free time to explore this wonderful city. Next, we take to the water for a scenic canal cruise which takes in a selection of spectacular illuminated artworks from Amsterdam's Light Festival. There is then time to find somewhere for dinner before we return to our hotel.Day 3 - Volendam & AmsterdamOur first stop is the fishing village of Volendam, with its harbour and traditional Dutch costumes often featured on postcards. Afterwards we return to Amsterdam to spend some time at leisure and find a restaurant for an early dinner before boarding the coach back to our hotel.Day 4 - Journey homeWe check out of our hotel and head back to Calais for our return ferry home.

Amsterdam
Often referred to as the “Venice of the North” because of its beautiful canals that criss-cross the city, Amsterdam offers visitors an attractive mix of charming architecture, history, culture, and pavement cafés. Why not take a trip to Amsterdam and enjoy the laid back atmosphere?
Amsterdam's delightful architecture can be seen across the city but particularly in the canal district which dates from the 17th century, with a number of different boat tours available to take you around the many pretty tree-lined canals.


Volendam
Sitting pretty to the north of Amsterdam, the charming fishing village of Volendam is a delight to explore. Founded in the 14th century, its vistas inspired famous painters such as Renoir and Picasso, and it is now one of the most popular places to see in the Netherlands.
No visit is complete without a trip to one of the photography shops to try on traditional costumes and get your photo taken! Or you can find out more about Volendam's history in the fascinating museums and enjoy a stroll around the picturesque harbour, set against colourful timber houses and filled with historic Dutch ships. If you fancy trying some local delicacies, there are plenty of options, from kibbeling (deep-fired cod) and smoked eel to raw herring!Selected Hotel (JG3 or JG4 rating) Hotel
We'll stay at a comfortable hotel (JG3 or JG4 rating) within approximately one hour's drive of central Amsterdam, such as NH Zoetermeer or the Grand Hotel Amstelveen. All rooms are en suite and other facilities include a bar and restaurant.Hotel accessibility informationYour hotel will be confirmed approximately 3 weeks before departure, therefore we cannot guarantee that the hotel will have a lift and/or ground floor rooms and may be unsuitable for those with limited mobility.Hotel RatingsJG3 ratingHotels with a JG3 rating tend to be a more formal style of hotel, often part of a hotel chain, or are very-welcoming family-owned properties. Generally, they offer a greater range of facilities and services, and bedrooms tend to be a little more spacious with additional features. Public areas are larger and include lounge seating, bar and restaurant with good quality food served either buffet style or waiter service.JG4 ratingAccommodation in our JG4 category is of an even higher standard, typically offering a wide range of facilities and services. Bedrooms are designed to make your stay the most comfortable possible and the staff provide a service that reflects the detail and quality. You can also expect higher standards of food and beverages.