Wedding boat

Are you getting on the Wedding Boat? (This is the Dutch expression for getting married).

Stichting De Leidse Rederij specializes in boat trips supporting wedding parties and for your wedding day our credo is: Nothing is too crazy for us!

Would you simply like to sail to your wedding location? Are you looking for an original way of transport for your guests at your wedding party? Would you like to cut the wedding cake on board? Or at the end of the party sail romantically to a hotel, in the dark, just the two of you?

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Young Rembrandt Sail

During the boat tour through the picturesque canals of Leiden you will follow Rembrandt throughout his younger years. Your captain will provide you with stories about the ups-and-downs of his youth as well as his apprenticeship as a painter. From the boat you can see a replica of the typical Dutch mill that Rembrandt’s father owned at the Galgewater. Next to mill there is an old wooden drawbridge that was named after Rembrandt since the bridge was built during his childhood years.

After about an hour you will disembark at the historical city center of Leiden, where a guide will walk you further through the story of young Rembrandt. See the authentic streets and alleys around the Pieterskerk, where Rembrandt grew up and attended school. Although his parents signed him up for the University of Leiden, he soon realized that he would rather become a painter. At the ‘Young Rembrandt Studio’ at Langebrug 89 you can experience his transformation from a young boy into a painter. (Open Wed. – Sun. 12.00 – 17.00) lees meer read more

Pilgrims boat cruise and walking tour

As part of the Mayflower 400 event, the Foundation De Leidse Rederij offers a combination boat cruise and walking tour following the footsteps of the Pilgrims in Leiden.

In 2020 we commemorate the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower from England to America with more than 100 pilgrims and adventurers on board. The Pilgrims later came to be known as the ‘founding fathers’ of the United States.
As many as 50 passengers of the Mayflower came from Leiden. Today, roughly 25 million Americans claim descent from these Leiden Pilgrims, among whom are nine former US Presidents, such as President George H.W. Bush, President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.

Prior to the daring voyage to America in 1620, the Pilgrims lived for many years in exile in Leiden. In 1609 they left their country, fleeing persecution by King James I, seeking a place where they could practice their religion in peace and freedom. They gathered in the Netherlands, in the liberal university city of Leiden, where they mainly settled around the Pieterskerkplein.
In Leiden, the newcomers were exposed to ideas of freedom of thought and expression, to the creation of legislation and to new developments in science and religion. These ideas formed the foundation for their plans for a new society in America. Their influence can be seen in US laws to this day. lees meer read more

Beer Variation

Get on board and join us on a surprising boat trip through the old city of Leiden.
Sail along with us through our city, where the dark water of the canals and moats reflects a past of beautiful buildings and facades.
While on the boat, you’ll be treated on ‘bites and beer’, which remind us of a time when Leiden was a city of strangers. lees meer read more

Photoboot(h)

Get on board; put on a flashing outfit, grab a crazy wig and sail along with us for the most amazing photoshoot ever. During 1 or 1.5 hours we will drive the boat through the moats and canals of Leiden which will make for the best and most photogenic background ever. On board you will find many crazy, hysterical accessories to take the funniest, most ridiculous Polaroid photos of yourself, the group and/or the sights. Connect the mobile printer to your phone and print them within seconds, after a quick photoshop session.

Get on board of the ‘Photoboot(h)’ and make amazing memories! lees meer read more

Culinary Boat Trip

Would you like a boat trip through Leiden and surrounding waterways while enjoying (extensive) dinner with your group? Our Culinary Boat Trip provides this perfect combination. You can choose from a number of unique restaurants at the waterfront in Leiden or its surroundings, such as in a historical city gate or in an original flour mill. Between courses we can sail you through ‘Old Leyden’ from one restaurant to the next and if you wish, we'll tell you good old stories about Leiden.

Please contact us to discuss your wishes.

Get to know Leiden ...on foot and by boat!

The old waterways of Leiden offer you a unique chance to discover a historical city in all her splendor and beauty. The skipper will sail you along the old canals and green-fringed moats of our ‘Key-City’ and will tell you about life in the old days from Leiden’s rich history.

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Ice cream trip

In summer time you can find refreshment on the water! In about 1,5 hours you sail through 'Old Leyden', along many beautiful monuments, special views and nice parks. Of course we will tell you the stories about this special city along the way! In collaboration with Gelateria Maxims we make a stop on our way to supply you with delicious Italian ice cream.

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Course in Leiden’s Dialect

In this arrangement you can learn some dialect and slang typical to Leiden. It is only possible to participate in this trip if you are fluent in spoken and written Dutch. Please check out the Dutch version of this article for more details.

Pushing ahead with the ‘Doordouwer’

Get on board the Doordouwer, an old sea-going lifeboat that allows you to do-it-yourself. The name Doordouwer means ‘stayer’ or ‘pushy one’.

This ship contains its original manual propelling system with eight handles, which are operated by opposite pairs with an alternating push-and-pull movement. As a result of this movement, the propeller is powered and the boat starts to move. In the old days, this was a reliable way for the crew to quickly move away from a sinking ship.

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Rural Trips

To tour past the farmers along the canals of a cow-rich polder landscape.
We sail from Leiden to the lake area of the Kaag. On our way we get to see the green heart of Holland with meadows, wind, water, windmills and old farmhouses. Half-way we will moor at the characteristic ‘Kaagsocieteit’ or at the cosy ‘Kom Eten’ in Hoogmade for drinks and snacks.

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Wine tasting on board

What could be more fun than to enjoy the world of wine and the canals of Leiden at the same time?
The wine tasting on board is the most laid-back tasting event in Leiden. Wine is a fantastic product full of craftsmanship and love. The world of wine is getting more and more fascinating. It seems as if there are new wine regions added every day. Strange names and grape species appear on pretty and promising labels.

But is wine complicated? No it isn't!

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Birding trip

In early spring, there is an option to make a special ‘birding trip’ in the green heart of Holland. An experienced guide will inform you during the breeding season about the meadow birds and will select nice places in the polders for you to take pictures from the water. Don’t forget your camera and binoculars! Please contact us to discuss options.

Please contact us to discuss your wishes.

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