Viking Rivers Cruises – Tulips & Windmills (The Netherlands, Belgium) 10 Days

Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. A city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums and abundant bicycles, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam is a delight to explore. Its patchwork of waterways forms about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. The legacy of the Dutch Golden Age lives on in gilded manses and in the lush paintings of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters that adorn the Rijksmuseum, The Netherlands’ grand repository of art and cultural history. Discovering Amsterdam is a pleasure best pursued on foot; visitors line the tranquil canals and linger over Dutch pancakes, or take a stroopwafel to go.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands
In Amsterdam, the bicycle is as much a cultural treasure as any museum. The city’s flat terrain makes it ideal for getting around on two wheels. Bikes first pedaled onto the city’s streets during the late 19th century; in the 1960s, the first bike-share program was invented here, founded by members of the anti-establishment Provo movement—short for “provocateur”—whose aim was to reduce air pollution created by cars. The program did not last, but the bicycle did, and cycle lanes were soon added to the street. Today, the city is home to hundreds of thousands of bikes.

Shore Excursions – Amsterdam Canal Cruise
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes   
Discover Amsterdam in the most leisurely manner, via one of its famous glass-topped canal boats. This famous Dutch city is home to 165 canals that wind their way through the cityscape, spanning a total of 31 miles; 1,281 different bridges cross over the canals. With a local guide, you will see some of Amsterdam’s oldest buildings, from narrow-fronted gabled houses to gilded manses adorned with riches during the height of Holland’s Golden Age. Take in some of the city’s interesting sights as you pass a variety of vessels, including charming houseboats moored canal side. Enjoy views from the Golden Bend to Overhoeks, the city’s newest quarter, and from the Music Building to the replica of the 18th-century ship Amsterdam moored outside the Maritime Museum. You will also pass the wooden double drawbridge known locally as the “Skinny Bridge” before returning to your ship.

Scenic Sailing: Ijsselmeer
Journey across the Ijsselmeer, once known as the Zuiderzee. This remarkable artificial body of water, one of the largest lakes in Western Europe, formed after the inland sea here was closed off from the North Sea by construction of the 20-mile-long Afsluitdijk dam in 1932. As you sail, you may see to the east the province of Flevoland, made up of three polders of land that were reclaimed when the Ijsselmeer formed. To the west, fertile Dutch farmland hugs the lake, despite the shores’ proximity to the major metropolitan city of Amsterdam.

Enkhuizen, The Netherlands
Originally a small fishing village, Enkhuizen grew into a prosperous harbor before joining the Hanseatic League. During the 17th century, the city flourished as a center of maritime trade and shipbuilding. The silting up of the Zuiderzee at the end of the century ended this golden era; the sea eventually became an inland lake, cut off from the North Sea, with the completion of a dike in 1932. The era’s wealth and prosperity remain evident in several impressive landmarks, including the Drommedaris, a former city gate and watchtower, and the striking Gothic-style Zuiderkerk.

Shore Excursions – Enkhuizen by Foot
Duration: 2 hours   
Explore the historic sights of Enkhuizen during an informative walking excursion. Enkhuizen is known as one of the most beautiful Dutch East India Company cities in the Netherlands and still exudes much of its Dutch Golden Age charm. Meet your guide, then set off on foot for your approximately 2-mile round-trip. Visit Snouck van Loosenpark, admiring this beautiful green space and learning its history as the site of the country’s first social housing project. Continue past the Dromedaris—a 16th-century gate and Enkhuizen’s most famous building—and stroll along the canal to the Zuiderkerk. A striking late Gothic hall-style church from the 15th century, its floor consists of old gravestones. Then, stop by the Westerstraat, once the main entrance to the city and part of the old fortifications, before returning on foot to your ship.

Arnhem, The Netherlands
A picturesque town nearly destroyed during World War II, Arnhem is graced with an array of beautiful parks and gardens. In 1443, Arnhem joined the Hanseatic League, the powerful merchant conglomerate that dominated Northern Europe’s medieval trade world. During the 19th century, it evolved into a more leisurely town, renowned for its scenic landscapes. Today, Arnhem’s Hoge Veluwe National Park is known for its natural beauty and diverse flora and fauna, as well as the Kröller-Müller Museum, which boasts the world’s second-largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh.

Shore Excursions – Arnhem on Foot
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes   
Explore historic sights from the Battle of Arnhem on foot and see its modern Modekwartier. Set off with your guide, pausing to see the Gothic Eusebius Church. Initially built during the 15th century, the church was heavily damaged during World War II’s Operation Market Garden and subsequently rebuilt. View the Devil’s House, named for the satyr figures that feature in its facade, and learn how it once served as a holding place for captured paratroopers. Pass the John Frost Bridge, which was featured in the film A Bridge Too Far, and listen as your guide shares the stories of the men who fought in the Battle of Arnhem. Next, immerse yourself in Arnhem’s present with a visit to the Modekwartier, the city’s vibrant fashion district. Stroll past boutiques, studios and street art before continuing through the lush Park Sonsbeek, a national monument.

Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
Kinderdijk is a village community in the Alblasserwaard province. This corner of South Holland, part of the scenic Waal and Merwede regions, has long been shaped by Rhine Delta waters. Kinderdijk is most known for its 19 remarkably preserved 18th-century windmills. The charming hamlet is located amid low-lying polders, tracts of land reclaimed from the sea by the power of the windmills and enclosed by embankments, or dikes. This legendary place calls to mind the 1865 novel Hans Brinker, in which a heroic boy plugs his finger into a ruptured dike.

Shore Excursions – Kinderdijk Windmills
Duration: 2 hours      
See the picturesque Dutch countryside and the original technological marvels of historic Kinderdijk. You will walk with your guide into the serene polder lands of South Holland. As you cross the dike to the windmills, you will notice that they in fact are at a lower elevation than your ship, as much of this part of The Netherlands is below sea level. Built in the mid-18th century, these 19 windmills, the largest concentration in The Netherlands, stand like sentinels on a hushed landscape. You will learn why they were built and see firsthand how they work, even stepping into a working windmill to observe its mechanics and living quarters. Families who live in these mills are required to keep them in working order. This excursion provides a revealing look at these marvelous buildings that helped shape the legendary Dutch landscape.

Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Rotterdam stretches across a maze of natural and artificial waterways. With its location at the mouth of the New Meuse River and easy link to the Rhine and Central Europe, it is Europe’s largest port, earning it the nickname “Gateway to Europe.” Much of it was destroyed during World War II, yet it stands today as one of the continent’s great cities of art, architecture and innovation, boasting a lively culture and many museums. With a pleasant river orientation, Rotterdam’s spacious new inner city is a pleasure to explore; its shop-lined Lijnbaan district was Europe’s first pedestrian shopping precinct.

Antwerp, Belgium
A cosmopolitan city, Antwerp is one of the world’s major seaports. Its unique atmosphere comes from the contrasts between old and new, commerce and art. The Old Town and the expansive Grote Markt are filled with narrow, winding streets and medieval guild houses. The Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, Belgium’s largest church, contains works by 17th-century painter Peter Paul Rubens; he lived in the city and is entombed in the Church of St. James. Antwerp is also renowned for diamonds and chocolate. Many diamond cutters can be found here alongside countless confectioners.

Shore Excursions – Antwerp Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours      
See Antwerp’s dazzling historic quarter up close as you explore by foot. Join your guide for a short walk to the Cathedral of Our Lady, a vision of Gothic beauty, the largest church in Belgium and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of its spires stands 404 feet high. Continue to the historic Old Town along crooked streets to Grote Markt, where the incredible Renaissance Town Hall stands. With both Flemish and Italian influences, it too is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby, you will see the medieval Het Steen castle, built after the Viking incursions as the city’s first stone fortress. At tour’s end, you may spend time pondering the famous Brabo fountain statue, commemorating the legend of how Antwerp got its name.

Middelburg, The Netherlands
The capital of Zeeland, Middelburg’s historical significance can be seen in its well-preserved medieval buildings. The magnificent 15th-century Gothic-style Town Hall stands as a testament to Middelburg’s past grandeur. The soaring abbey tower of Lange Jan offers panoramic views of the city, while the 800-year-old abbey complex showcases striking architecture. The city hosts various cultural events throughout the year, including the annual Middelburg Jazz Festival and the Mosselfeesten (Mussel Festival), where guests can enjoy a variety of Zeeland’s delicious delicacy.

Shore Excursions – Middelburg on Foot
Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes  
Stroll through the heart of Middelburg, gaining insight into important historic landmarks. Middelburg was a flourishing medieval town that traded in wine and cloth and that later prospered through the activities of the Dutch East India Company. Meet your guide at the pier, then set out on foot to Middelburg Abbey. Gaze upon what remains of this once-large monastic complex, including its famous 300-foot-tall tower, nicknamed Tall John. Pass the Zeeuws Museum en route to the Town Hall, one of the finest examples of 15th-century Gothic architecture in the Netherlands. Admire the historic gabled homes that line the Vlasmarkt before continuing to Market Square. From here, you may walk back with your guide to your ship or choose to stay in the city to enjoy free time to explore on your own.

Veere, The Netherlands
A picturesque town located in the province of Zeeland, Veere has a rich history dating back to the 13th century. A bustling port, the town grew in prominence during the Dutch Golden Age and became a hub for the wool and fishing industries. Veere remains deeply influenced by its maritime heritage. Pleasure yachts anchor in its harbor, which is lined with historic buildings and quaint shops. The annual Veere Regatta, one of the Netherlands’ oldest and most prestigious sailing competitions, highlights the town’s nautical traditions and draws enthusiasts from around the world.

Zeeland, The Netherlands
The tranquil region of Zeeland is a fascinating blend of natural and human-made landscapes. Here, large swaths of land have been shaped by the tendrils of the delta where the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt Rivers make their final sprint to the sea. Much of this land lies below sea level, protected from the tides of the North Sea by the vast Delta Works project and by the work of the classic windmills that grace the landscape. A number of islands dot this serene coastal region too. This archipelago of sorts gives this province its name: Zeeland, which means “sea land.” From September through April, restaurants in Zeeland offer oysters, farmed fresh from local waters. They are delicious served with a squeeze of lemon and paired with a crisp glass of wine.

Shore Excursions – Zierikzee & Watersnoodsmuseum
Duration: 5 hours 
Explore picturesque Zierikzee and learn about an important event in regional history at the Watersnoodsmuseum. Drive with your guide into the Walcheren region in the southwestern corner of The Netherlands. Once an island, the dam across the Oosterschelde helped connect it to the mainland. In Ouwerkerk, visit the Watersnoodsmuseum and browse the exhibits that tell the story of the last great flood, which occurred in 1953. The museum is housed in three Phoenix caissons that were used to close dike breeches during the disaster. Continue to Zierikzee for a walking tour of this timeless town with a rich history tied to the tides. After taking in its seaside charms, travel to the Delta Works, a massive storm surge barrier. This ingenious system protects the area from floods while still allowing the tide to ebb and flow through the Oosterschelde. After time for photos, return to your ship.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Amsterdam is admired for its charming brick canal houses, with their distinctive stepped gables and forward slant. A stroll along the city’s waterways showcases the beautiful architecture of these properties and their interesting features. The houses are traditionally narrow but deep and tend to tilt forward. The lean serves two purposes: it provides additional living space in a house’s upper quarters; and, in conjunction with the hoist beam protruding from the peak of the roof, it allows heavy items to be lifted by pulley to top floors without breaking any windows.
*Note: Due to the opening schedule of Keukenhof Gardens, the Day 2 program may be exchanged with the Day 9 program and vice versa on select departures.

Shore Excursions – Keukenhof Gardens
Duration: 5 hours     
Walk the flower-lined footpaths of one of the most renowned flower gardens in the world. Every spring, a vibrant, multihued carpet blankets the 70 acres at Keukenhof Gardens. Some 7 million flowers are said to bloom here: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, lilies, bluebells, crocuses and countless others form graceful ribbons along pathways and brooks and fill greenhouses and fields to bursting. Stroll among 100 varieties of tulips on these 15th-century hunting grounds. Breathe in glorious scents as you loop through Gerbrand’s circular garden and mingle among sculptures and statuary. Admire Keukenhof Castle, where a countess once sorted herbs in her “kitchen garden.” You can also step back in time in the historical garden, where old tulip varieties and 17th-century daffodils grace a castle’s garden.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.