"What’s the big picture here? Slick, slick, slick. As VIP canal cruises go, captain Reinhard Spronk’s historic saloon boat tours (aboard 1932 teak beauty “Welmoed,” or 1908’s smaller “Farahilde”) are really the business. He and his partner Miloe run the show, taking private groups (reservations necessary) on bespoke tours of Amsterdam ’s legendary canals. Pick-up is from your waterside hotel or Cafe Van Puffelen, by their office. Tell us about your fellow tourees. No hoi polloi here—just you, your party, and Captain Reinhard. Hire the boat for four friends or the whole extended family (a dozen guests is the maximum); it’s also fine to bring your 90-something grandmother along. How are the guides, then? Captain Reinhard (aka “Ryan”), a Jordaan local once elected the best beer drinker of the millennium by the BBC, has a bottomless supply of anecdotes, while actress co-host Miloe is an amazing singer (ask her to perform a number). The globe-trotting couple (112 countries pinned and counting) are charisma personified. Anything you’ll be remembering weeks or months or years from now? This is going to be the highlight of your European tour, combining an utterly beautiful vintage boat, the most sophisticated company in town, and (for a supplement) red roses, gourmet finger food, and bottomless champagne. In short, you’ll be dancing on the tables by the end. That, or you’ll be married. So: who is it best for? Jet-set couples, history lovers, and champagne cruisers, but also start-ups looking for a super-sophisticated away day. Just don’t bring your pampered pooch, chinchilla etc., as they’re a bit of a hazard with those ecru leather seats." - Clodagh Kinsella
