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 meerread more
Concerning the Corona-virus
Stichting De Leidse Rederij is taking full responsibility during this time and will limit her activities until May 14, 2020. Our boats will stay in port and we won’t be doing our canal tours or our group tours. Our Shipping Office will also be closed until May 14, 2020 (we are, of course, available by phone or by e-mail).
Update Thursday May 7, 2020 1. If you have booked between 1 June - 31 July 2020, please contact the Port Office of the shipping company and we will discuss the options for your trip; 2. From Friday May 15 we will sail our regular 'Rondvaart Leiden' for two guests by boat. So from 10.30 am there is a departure every hour !; 3. From Monday 1 June we will be open again for group and regular trips with due observance of the one and a half meter protocol and the distribution measures from RIVM (on board, at the quay and in the Port Office).
We wish all (future) guests, collegues, suppliers, clients, skippers, restaurant businesses and fellow entrepreneurs in the Leiden area all of the strength and luck and would like to welcome everyone on board again from 1 June 2020.
Of course we follow the latest developments around the virus closely. If the government comes up with new measures, we will follow up on this.