The boat ride down the Amstel River, from Uithoorn to Amsterdam, begins nationwide. The Amstel River winds through the peat landscape. These areas are slumped; as a result, you view the landscape from above. You will sail through the beautiful villages of Nes and Ouderkerk and across the Amstel River into Amsterdam: an overwhelming experience.
The route begins at the junction of the Amstel and Kromme Mijdrecht rivers. The Amstel River here is winding and beautiful. At this strategic spot lies one of the forts of the Defence Line of Amsterdam, Fort aan de Drecht. The fort houses our wine supplier Vinocerf. The maison is happy to organize a wine tasting for you in its tastefully decorated tasting room.
A kilometer outside the village is the old Thamerkerk, which is a popular wedding venue. The Dame van Amstel regularly docks there to take a boat ride on the Amstel River with a wedding couple and their guests.
There are numerous excellent restaurants in Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, including ‘t Jagershuis where we can moor at the terrace. Restaurant ‘t Jagershuis is part of our dinner cruise on the Amstel River. Other recommended venues are Restaurant Paardenburg, Loetje aan de Amstel, Ron Blauw and Restaurant Lute.
Continuing along the Amstel River toward Amsterdam, we come across café ‘t Kalfje on the outskirts of town. The spacious waterfront terrace is a popular destination for a Sunday afternoon visit. At the Omval, the water splits into the Amstel and the Weespertrekvaart, the waterway to the Vecht. We stay on the Amstel River and sail toward the center. Along the way we encounter many striking bridges and buildings, such as the 1928 Berlage Bridge and the famous Amstel Hotel. This is where our ships regularly dock to board guests or have dishes served on board.
A little further on we pass Royal Theater Carré – another favorite place to get on and off – and the Magere Brug, which is very popular for wedding photos. Of course, a kiss on board, under the bridge, is also part of it! Even further into the city we come to the Oosterdok, which includes the Maritime Museum, the Hilton Hotel and the Amrath Hotel. The covered courtyard of the Maritime Museum is suitable for events and dinners with large groups.
The last waterway of our trip is the IJ. The neglected warehouses and buildings that stood here have given way to (or have been turned into) beautiful buildings such as the EYE film museum, the Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ and the new Palace of Justice. Would you like to get an explanation of this architecture during your cruise, or learn more about the history of the Amstel River and Amsterdam? We provide a knowledgeable guide on board.
Rederij Belle
Naarderstraat 5-7
1389 XR Muiden
Phone: 0294 – 261433
Fax: 0294-262698
E-mail: info@rederijbelle.nl
