An Insider’s Taste of Holland: Panache’s New Gouda Cheese Farm Visit

One of the greatest pleasures of cruising through Holland is discovering places that most travellers never see. 

Beyond the canals, windmills and tulip fields lies a quieter Dutch countryside of grazing cows and centuries-old farming traditions. Guests aboard Hotel Barge Panache can experience one of the most unique culinary visits in the Netherlands. A private Gouda cheese tasting at the remarkable Hoeve Waterrijk farm near Oude Wetering. 

This special experience takes place during Panache’s cruise from Haarlem through the beautiful Lisse polders, low-lying tracts of land reclaimed from a body of water, adding an authentic and deeply local flavour farm to the journey. 

An Unique Cheese Farm Visit Accessible Only by Boat

What makes this Gouda cheese tasting in Holland so unique is the location itself. Hoeve Waterrijk is situated on a private island in the Kagerplassen lakes of South Holland and cannot be reached by car or tour coach. Access is only possible by water, making it a truly rare experience reserved for a fortunate few. 

As Panache moors beside the farm’s small private pontoon, guests step directly into the heart of the Dutch countryside. Surrounded by waterways, open skies and peaceful pastureland, the setting feels wonderfully untouched and authentic. 

The farm welcomes only a select few visitors per week, purely for the pleasure of sharing its traditions and craftsmanship.

Discover Traditional Dutch Gouda Cheese Making

Hoeve Waterrijk is one of the last farms in the Netherlands still producing authentic Boeren Goudse Oplegkaas, a rare style of aged farmer’s Gouda made using traditional methods. 

Run by the Van der Poel family, third-generation cheesemakers, the farm has won multiple Dutch Champion awards for its cheeses, which are also served in Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe. 

During the visit, guests are welcomed by Marije, who guides you through the farm while explaining the history and craftsmanship behind traditional Gouda cheese making in Holland. 

Guests can meet the cows and calves, explore the working farm and learn how the cheeses are produced using raw milk from the farm’s own herd. 

Slow Food Traditions

Since 2003, the farm has worked alongside Slow Food to help preserve Boeren Goudse Oplegkaas, a traditional Dutch cheese considered part of the Netherlands’ culinary heritage. Slow Food supports artisanal products and traditional methods that are increasingly rare in today’s fast paced world, making Hoeve Waterrijk’s work especially meaningful. 

In many ways, the philosophy behind the cheese mirrors the experience of slow travel aboard Hotel Barge Panache itself. Canal cruising through Holland is about taking the time to connect with landscapes, local people and traditions that cannot be appreciated in haste. It is about discovering places that remain untouched by mass tourism and experiencing them at a gentler pace. 

Why This Artisanal Gouda Is So Special

The exclusive Gouda cheese tasting itself is a highlight for food lovers. Boeren Goudse Oplegkaas is aged for up to 24 months, developing a rich, complex flavour with notes of caramel, toasted nuts and subtle fruity sweetness. As the cheese matures, tiny flavour crystals form naturally, giving it a satisfying texture beloved by cheese connoisseurs. 

The character of the cheese comes directly from the landscape surrounding the farm. The cows graze freely on wild grasses, herbs and flowers growing naturally in the Dutch polders, creating seasonal variation and exceptional depth of flavour. 

Only a small number of producers in the Netherlands still create this style of artisanal Gouda, making the tasting a genuine insider experience. 

A Memorable Culinary Experience in the Dutch Countryside

Following the tour, guests enjoy a private tasting overlooking the peaceful countryside and waterways of South Holland. 

It is a simple yet unforgettable experience. Exceptional cheese, beautiful scenery and the chance to connect with a family who continue to preserve an important part of Dutch culinary heritage. 

For guests cruising aboard Panache, this Gouda cheese tasting in Holland offers far more than a traditional excursion. It is an opportunity to experience authentic local life in a place few visitors could ever reach independently. 

An Authentic Addition to the Panache Holland Cruise

This new visit complements the already rich programme of guided excursions included aboard Panache. Combined with Holland’s scenic waterways, historic towns and world-famous landscapes, it adds another layer of discovery to the cruise. One rooted in craftsmanship, gastronomy and genuine local hospitality. 

Because some of the most memorable moments in Holland are found far from the crowds, at the end of a quiet canal, beside a family cheese farm accessible only by boat. 

Book your spring cruise in Holland on board Panache today: Contact Us