You'll arrive in Dordrecht, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, this morning. Once an important trade city for wood, grain, and wine, it's made up of an historical city center with buildings dating to the Middle Ages, as well as merchant houses and warehouses along the harbor. From here, you will explore surrounding cities and villages. Freechoice: Explore your way with one of today's Scenic Freechoice activities: Excursion to Delft: Take an excursion to Delft, a pretty town whose center is a maze of narrow canal-lined streets. It has a historic association with the Dutch Royal Family and is the origin of the globally regarded Delft Blue Pottery, created here from the 16th century. Enjoy a guided tour of the charming city of Delft before a visit to a pottery factory and museum. Excursion to Kinderdijk: Picturesque Kinderdijk is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its 19 historic windmills that are recognized as a Dutch icon throughout the world. See these authentic windmills on today's tour while learning about how their hydraulic works have been used to drain the land for agriculture and settlement for centuries. Gouda Cheese Markets: A local guide will show you around the beautiful historic city of Gouda, known for its namesake cheese. Explore the city including the small alleyways, tree-lined canals, and the main square where a traditional cheese market that was first initiated in 1395 is still operating. (Note: the cheese market is open every Thursday morning; tours that fall on a different day will still visit Gouda but not the market.) Walking tour of Dordrecht: Discover the city of Dordrecht during a walking tour with your local guide. The city of Dordrecht is located next to the most picturesque nature reserve in the Netherlands, De Biesbosch National Park. Surrounded by beautiful landscapes, including the river and wetlands, Dordrecht started out as an important merchant city, trading in wood, grain, and wine and the subsequent history, wealth, and culture remains today and will be evident during this walking tour. Among the highlights will be Groothoofd quay, the Grote Kerk (Great Church), and the Old Water Tower as well as the many merchant houses and warehouses that line the harbor. Your Scenic Space-Ship will depart Dordrecht after dinner so you have ample time to explore the lovely town of Dordrecht at leisure this afternoon. Inclusions: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. ...
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