Indagare Tours: Canal Cruises

For first-time visitors, a canal cruise is a must, since it’s easiest to understand the city’s fascinating layout from the deck of a boat. Some 200 vessels cruise the city’s intricate canal systems, and most of the large-boat tour operators begin near Central Station. A typical itinerary includes the Haarlemmersluis floodgates; the Golden Bend of the Herengracht, framed by glorious 17th-century canal houses; and numerous bridges, like the Magere Brug (Skinny Bridge) over the Amstel. For more personalized tours, several operators own classic saloon boats (smaller wooden vessels) that can be rented by the hour. Indagare members can the bookings team for suggestions on private boats ranging from beautifully refurbished ships that can hold between twelve and twenty-eight people and saloon boats available for private dinners.