Den Bosch In Your Pocket - Binnendieze Canal Tour (Kring Vrienden 's-Hertogenbosch)

http://inyourpocket.com/Netherlands/s-Hertogenbosch
Amsterdam is famous for its canal tours, but the Dutch wouldn't be caught dead taking one. Instead locals head to the country's most beautiful canals in 's-Hertogenbosch. Den Boschers are quick to point out that it's one of the only places in Europe where boats cruise underneath buildings.
Canals and waterways are an intrinsic part of the Netherlands' history. They're also a vital part of the Dutch transportation and shipping industries. But where Amsterdam canals are filled with traffic and shipping boats, 's-Hertogenbosch canals are quiet and peaceful. Moreover, Amsterdam boat tours are commercialised and are little more than a glorified bus ride. 's-Hertogenbosch canals, or De Binnendieze as the locals call them, are exclusively reserved for one tour company: Kring Vrienden van 's-Hertogenbosch. These boats are small offering seating for a maximum of 12 people and have no roof, so definitely bring your rain gear.
The unique thing about De Binnendieze is that the canals also go underneath the city. On the water you'll notice markings and old bits and pieces hanging above that date back hundreds of years. Unfortunately, most of these happen to mark the spots where sewage was expelled from the buildings above, but you don't have to mention that when you write your postcards home.

When the guide turns on the flood light and shuts the engine off you're surrounded by pitch-black darkness and you can't help but wonder if these canals were used for illicit means like smuggling stolen goods or meeting forbidden lovers. When you come out into the daylight the canal is surrounded by high brick walls. This may not seem very appealing, but when you add the small docks, the lush overhanging plants, the blooming trees above and the uniqueness of the tour, you'll realise that this is a must do in 's-Hertogenbosch.
Sadly, the whole tour is in Dutch, but you can get a translated copy in English at the tour office. Binnendieze has come a long way since it was used as a sewer hundreds of years ago and today you can enjoy its unpleasant past without the unpleasant sights, sounds and smells that accompanied it in medieval times.
For more on Den Bosch go to 's-Hertogenbosch In Your Pocket http://www.inyourpocket.com/Netherlands/s-Hertogenbosch

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