Join We are on a Boat for our closing summer, poetry boating event in the canals of Amsterdam! →

Lounging around on boats in the sun: relaxing.

Being read poetry on a Summer’s day: also very relaxing.

Combine the two and we’ve got ourselves a dreamscape of a day!

If you love poetry and the environment, join us on September 1st (Sunday), 4pm as we cruise the historic Amsterdam canals and read selected works of poetry spanning the last 200 years.

Poems being read will include works by: Shakespeare, Byron, Edgar Allen Poe, Carol Ann Duffy, Wiliam Blake, Walt Whitman, Oscar Wilde, Seamus Heaney, Sylvia Plath, and Maya Angelou.

This will all take place on an eco boat provided by weareonaboat.com. Reserve your ticket here.

Our poetry reader, Carmen Guillen, is a local writer and poet, originally from London. Having crossed the North sea on her houseboat four years ago, Carmen is fond of nautical works and poems that explore the natural world. Having worked for two national newspapers across three continents, she is interested in how literature is changing as globalisation blends cultures, languages, and geographical boundaries. In the daylight hours, Carmen is Editor in Chief for Unfold, an online magazine for professional communicators.

We look forward to seeing you there, poetry lovers!
For precise location and further details check We are on a Boat Facebook page.

And for a chance to win a free ride, get your inspiration juices going and show us your poems! You have until midnight on the 30th of August and you need to post them on the comments section of this promo post on the We are on a Boat Facebook page. The best two poems will get a free ticket!

Interested to list or book a sustainable boat? Please visit: www.weareonaboat.com

Amsterdam Light Festival

Brighten up the darkest days
Winter in Amsterdam. It probably makes you think of early sunsets and cold nights. The perfect time to stay inside and snuggle up on the couch. We hear you. But what a shame it would be to miss out on this year’s Amsterdam Light Festival! This event is the best reason to get out the house and into the city. Take our word for it. More than 35  breathtaking installations of light will illuminate the city for over 50 days in a row. This spectacle of art and light will put the entire city under a cozy spell once again. Come and see for yourself.

Get on a boat
The best way to enjoy the illuminated scenes is from the water. No doubt about it. All the mesmerizing lights are magnified by the water’s reflection. Float through the Amsterdam canals while gazing at the illuminated artworks all around you. The Water Colors Cruise allows  you to soak up  the sights from up close.

Water Colors Cruises
* The Water Colors Cruise, takes you past, underneath and even through numerous  works of art. An unforgettable experience for young and old!
* Don’t feel like waiting in line? Make a reservation for the Water Colors – Fast Track on your preferred date and time. You’ll enjoy the same beautiful cruise, without having to queue up!
* The Water Colors – Premium combines cruising through the Amsterdam Light Festival with a delicious wintery drink and a warm snack.
* Looking for a more intimate experience? Reserve a spot on the Water Colors - Open Boat. This tour also allows you to take the best pictures!

Festival dates
You can experience the Amsterdam Light Festival from December 1st to January 22nd. So save the date, order your tickets and get off the couch! There will be frequent cruise departures every day, with the exception of New Year’s Eve.