Netherlands Tall Ships Steam Railway Holiday 2026

Tall Ships 2026 Harlingen

Maritime spectacle meets heritage steam in a superbly crafted European adventure.

Holiday date: Saturday, 4th July 2026

Europe

5 days for £1389 per person

£2778 for two people sharing

Single supplement £180

Tour reference: TS5/1

The Tall Ships aren’t visiting the British Isles in 2026, so we will go to Europe to find them and have put together a superbly crafted holiday that blends mainline speed, heritage charm, maritime spectacle, and a dash of the unexpected— history, variety and style! Join us as we explore the northern Netherlands, and a bit of Germany, this summer. What’s more we are doing it in style in Eurostar Plus class – a light meal and drinks are served to our seats.

Holiday Highlights

Witness the World-Famous Tall Ships Races

Travel in Luxury with Eurostar Plus

Explore the Island of Borkum

Discover Heritage Steam at Stadskanaal Rail

Holiday Itinerary

Day 1 - Saturday

We meet (not too) early morning at London St Pancras International and board our Eurostar to glide along the high-speed line to the Channel Tunnel and then beneath the Channel. Sit back and relax in first class seating as the scenery transforms. We emerge into continental Europe and sweep through the French, Belgian and Dutch countryside toward vibrant Rotterdam. Here, we transfer to the efficient Nederlandse Spoorwegen network, offering a taste of modern European rail travel at its best. A comfortable run takes us, via Utrecht and north to Assen, where our coach meets us and delivers us to our base for the days ahead at Brouwhotel Parkzicht for an included get together meal .

Meals: Lunch,Dinner

Day 2 - Sunday

Today, we stay relatively local and visit the Smalspoor Museum, where narrow gauge industrial railways once played a vital role in peat extraction. Here, we can explore authentic rolling stock, learn about the engineering challenges of working in bog landscapes, and enjoy the sights and sounds of preserved equipment in action. The afternoon is spent with the Stadskanaal Rail (STAR), where heritage trains bring the past to life. With lunch included at the railway, it’s a full-bodied experience—steam, stories, and the unmistakable atmosphere of living railway history.

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch

Day 3 - Monday

The Tall Ships Day! Flexibility is the key today, with a journey by train to Harlingen, one of the Netherlands’ most atmospheric port towns. Here, the world-famous Tall Ships Races take centre stage. You’ll have ample time to wander among these majestic vessels, admire their intricate rigging, and soak up the buzz of crews and visitors from around the globe. It’s a rare opportunity to experience maritime engineering on a grand scale—each ship a masterpiece of design and tradition. And today is the day the ships depart ( timings to be confirmed ) so we hope to witness the stirring spectacle of the fleet setting sail, a truly unforgettable moment as canvas meets wind and history comes alive. The whole town takes on a carnival atmosphere with food outlets and street performers adding to the spectacle.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 4 - Tuesday

Today is an “Inside Track” classic—an excursion to the German island of Borkum. The journey itself is part of the thrill, with a calm ferry crossing across the Wadden Sea. Once ashore, the island reveals its own transport treasures, including the charming Borkum Island Railway. Expect a delightful mix of local trains, characterful coaching stock, and perhaps a few vintage surprises along the way. This is transport exploration at its most enjoyable: relaxed, varied, and full of character, set against the backdrop of a unique coastal landscape. Our private arrangements will enhance a truly memorable day out.

Meals: Breakfast

Day 5 - Wednesday

The final day today, so we retrace our route south by road to Assen, reconnecting with the Dutch rail network for a smooth run back to Rotterdam. From there, the high-speed comfort of Eurostar Plus whisks us directly back to London, arriving at St Pancras International early evening with memories of an exceptional holiday.

Meals: Breakfast,Lunch

Railways

Coming soon!

Our Hotel(s)

3 STAR

The Parkzicht Hotel, Veendam

Situated in the middle of a very quiet town – Veendam. The hotel is family run (The Appies!) and is a very happy place to stay! It is unusual but then most of Northern Holland is. The hotel features very pleasant rooms with TV, telephone and private facilities, and a very good restaurant for meals and snacks. It also has its own brewery so one can enjoy the fantastic selection on offer. On a pleasant evening nothing could be finer than dining on the town square.

Features and Facilities

Bar / lounge

Free High Speed Internet (WiFi)

Bicycle rental

Air conditioning

Flatscreen TV

Room service

Non-smoking rooms

What's included

Transport

All heritage railway rides

All public transport journeys, in standard class accommodation (some First!)

Private coach transfers throughout the holiday

Entertainment

All entrances

Detailed itinerary/information pack

Services of courier throughout

Accommodation

Hotel accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis (1 Lunch & 1 Dinner included)

Treats

Get together meal on 1st evening

Lunch included at the railway on Sunday

What's not included

Travel to/from the holiday start point

Personal holiday insurance

Porterage

Other meals

Netherlands Tall Ships Steam Railway Holiday 2026

*Tall Ships 2026 Harlingen*

Maritime spectacle meets heritage steam in a superbly crafted European adventure.

Holiday Highlights

Holiday Itinerary

Railways

Our Hotel(s)

The Parkzicht Hotel, Veendam

Features and Facilities

What's included

Transport

Entertainment

Accommodation

Treats

What's not included

Need a Paper Brochure?

Site Links

Tall Ships 2026 Harlingen