Description: This was a pretty bog-standard canal tour, complete with recorded commentary on the major sites passed. It starts near the Holland Casino, in between the MuseumPlein and Leidseplein, and then travels up Prinsegracht past Westerkerk and the Anne Frank Huis. Then it travels out into the Ij, the lake to the north of central Amsterdam, returning to pass the Maritime museum. Following that, the route passes city hall and meanders through a few other canals before returning to dock.
If I'd researched this better, this probably isn't the tour I would have taken. Like many of the tour boats going through the Amsterdam canals, this boat had a glass cover, making the inside of it a bit too hot for comfort. It wouldn't have been so bad, but some of the windows didn't open properly. Taking decent pictures from the inside wasn't easy. Going out on to the back wasn't much better, as the deck was very small, so it was hard to get a seat out there.
I must admit that I missed a lot of the commentary, as you couldn't hear it on the outside deck. However, I wasn't too bothered as it was only recorded commentary and seemed to be stuff I'd already read about in guidebooks.
There are quite a few other tour companies that do this sort of thing, so you have your pick. From some friends, I've heard the best thing to do is the Boom! Chicago boat tour. Apparently it's a small boat with a personal guide (no recorded commentary here!) and not too expensive. You can get more information from the entry on Boom! Chicago. Oh, and don't forget your sunscreen! My shoulders are killing me!
Lest you think the whole experience was a wash, I did enjoy seeing Amsterdam from the water. I'd definitely go on a canal cruise again, just perhaps with a different company.
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