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Tulips & Windmills

10 days | amsterdam to antwerp.

4.6/5 231 reviews

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Zaanse Schans windmills park and fields landscape in Zaandam near Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands, aerial view in sunrise light

2 countries

Enjoy Belgium and the Netherlands at their most colorful on this journey during the season of rebirth.

From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you’ll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands’ extraordinary connection to these blooms. Wander through the picture-perfect villages of Veere, Hoorn and Enkhuizen, and the enchanting outdoor Zuiderzee Museum. “Do as the locals do” with an immersive tour in Antwerp and drift along the canals of Bruges. All along the way, you’ll savor Dutch delights and Belgian treats as you sail the aquatic highways and byways of two amazing countries shaped by water.

This cruise is for those who wish to step back in time to visit historic villages and medieval city centers. Art lovers will enjoy guided museum visits, while garden lovers will find a host of wonders with springtime blossoms.

Embark/Disembark
Amsterdam to Antwerp
Antwerp to Amsterdam

Amsterdam (Embark)

Arrive at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

The Netherlands’ largest city, Amsterdam, has been an international port and financial center for 400 years. Your day begins with a morning visit to the Fabrique des Lumières. Later, see the sites by canal boat.

A special Captain’s Welcome Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Featured Excursions

A morning at the fabrique des lumières.

Start your day with a visit to Westergasfabriek, a 19 th -century gas factory that has long since been abandoned, reclaimed, and transformed into a thriving cultural space. Many festivals and galleries are hosted here, including the stunning Fabrique des Lumières. The “Factory of Lights,” as it translates, is an immersive digital art experience. A complex system of projectors covers every surface of the factory’s interior with larger-than-life displays of art. For 2024, the theme is Dutch Masters, so expect to stroll amongst the masterpieces of Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, and more.

Nights Out: Lookout Tower Amsterdam

How does an after-dinner nightcap with a view sound? Step off the ship and into the rooftop bar of A’DAM, which offers an unparalleled 360° panoramic view of Amsterdam and its surroundings. Sip your drink while you take in the city from above and admire the evening sky.

Choose between...

Amsterdam canal cruise.

It’s called the “Venice of the North” for a reason: Canals crisscross the heart of the old city, and bridges link some 90 islands. As the principal city in a newly independent Holland, Amsterdam was a boom town in the early 17th century, rapidly outgrowing its medieval walls. The city’s fathers responded by demolishing most of the old city and building anew, creating Europe’s first planned city. That “new” district is now 400 years old, and as you glide along the main canals, you’ll pass stately merchants’ houses built centuries ago (some of them are now house museums you can visit on your own). But the canals are not merely scenic; they are essential thoroughfares— people take water buses to work and live in houseboats along the banks—so a canal cruise gives you a look at the busy modern city too.

Refugee Canal Cruise

Amsterdam has always been a deeply international city. In fact, over half of today’s population identifies as belonging to two or more cultures. Hop aboard a colorful wooden boat—which once ferried refugees across the Mediterranean—and settle into the cushions laid along the floor of the ship for a unique take on the popular canal cruise. During your 90 minute ride, you’ll listen to stories from your refugee guide that highlight the remarkable contribution of immigrants to Amsterdam over the centuries.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 4: Quality Education; and Global Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences support sustainable tourism, offering our guests opportunities to directly impact the communities we explore in a positive way.

MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences Our MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experiences support sustainable tourism, offering our guests opportunities to directly impact the communities we explore in a positive way.

Masterpiece Collection Providing the most all-inclusive luxury to our guests is the heart and soul of our brand and that will never change. Yet sometimes our guests want something that goes even "above and beyond" our included experiences. In light of this, we now offer guests a curated selection of optional excursions, available for an additional charge.

Anne frank house visit.

The story of Anne Frank is well known. She was born in Frankfurt 1929 to parents Otto and Edith Frank, who fled Germany with their family a few years later in the hopes of finding safety in the Netherlands. When Amsterdam failed to provide protection from the Nazis, the Franks planned to emigrate once again. This plan ultimately failed, and the Franks went into hiding in a secret household annex. It was in this annex that Anne Frank hid with her family for more than two years during World War II and wrote her diary. Seeing the annex for oneself is another story entirely. The Secret Annex had become a museum, giving context to Anne’s plight and that of many families like hers in WWII. Today, you’ll follow a local guide via public transportation to arrive at the museum and get a firsthand look at this poignant piece of history.

*Masterpiece Collection are optional experiences that go above and beyond our daily selection of included excursions and can be booked for an additional fee. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences can be pre-booked. Please note that requests to pre-book must be made by calling our Reservations Team no later than 6 days prior to departure and are subject to availability. Some venues are limited in the number of guests they can accommodate. Guests can book onboard (space permitting) and pay in Euros. Pre-booked Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are refundable up to 5 days prior to the cruise/tour start date; if inside of 5 days they are non-refundable. Select Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences require a minimum number of participants and are subject to cancellation (with full refund) if minimum is not met. Masterpiece Collection Optional Experiences are non-commissionable. Prices are subject to change. Masterpiece Collection excursions may not operate if they occur on a holiday or if they require a minimum number of participants and that minimum is not met.

Spend half a day among millions of brilliantly colored flowers in Keukenhof, then mix it up a bit with a visit to and exploration of Haarlem’s art, history and Dutch lifestyle.

Featured Excursion

Keukenhof gardens.

Rivers of blue hyacinths curve through the trees, and great drifts of brilliantly hued tulips and daffodils carpet Keukenhof’s 70-plus acres (32 hectares). It’s probably the most spectacular flower garden in the world, and it’s only open for a few weeks each spring. Gardeners plant some seven million bulbs on these grounds, making it a showcase for the Netherlands’ legendary flower industry. There’s more to see than just flowers, of course: There are intriguing exhibits in pavilions scattered throughout the estate, as well as concerts and activities for kids.

Note: If you’re thinking about buying bulbs from Keukenhof or perhaps having items shipped home, make sure the vendor provides the documentation necessary for the import of bulbs or plants into your home country. Rules for importing flower bulbs and plants vary from country to country.

Haarlem - Art, History, and Dutch lifestyle

Dubbed one of Europe’s best-kept secret destinations, Haarlem is as quintessentially Dutch as they come. On today’s leisurely walk around the city, you’ll discover an abundance of Dutch charm, quaint streets, authentic windmills and charming local hot spots. You’ll walk past the Teylers Museum, the oldest museum in the country and former home of merchant and banker Pieter Teyler. You'll also visit St. Bavo’s Church where some of the region's most noteworthy citizens were laid to rest. St. Bavo's Church is also home to the famous Christian Müller organ. Mozart once played this massive organ on a trip to Haarlem when he was 10. As you continue to stroll past the church, you’ll see Vleeshal (Meat Hall), recognizable by the intricately embellished, crow-stepped gable. From the 1600s to the 1800s, this was the only place where fresh meat was allowed to be sold.

Tulip Farm & Windmills

Today encapsulates everything there is to love about our springtime Tulips & Windmills itinerary. On this tour, you’ll take a scenic trip out to a local tulip farm to learn about the country’s most colorful export. On the way, pass by some charming windmills, enter one for a private tour, and hop aboard a small boat for a cruise (a popular Dutch weekend activity). At the farm, you’ll walk with the farmer to their flower fields and get a lesson on how they grow and maintain such perfect blooms. Take the opportunity to snap some beautiful pictures amongst the flowers while you’re there!

Enkhuizen, Hoorn

Spend some time exploring the picture-perfect town of Enkhuizen and leave the modern world far behind as you visit a recreated 19th-century Dutch village. Later, you’ll discover the town of Hoorn’s seafaring past, where the swashbuckling derring-do of Dutch explorers will come to life on a guided walking tour of this historic locale.

Hoorn Walking Tour

Did you ever wonder why the tip of South America is called Cape Horn? It's a misspelling of Hoorn, the home port of Dutch explorer Willem Schouten, who named it after his hometown when he arrived there in 1616. In the 17th century, Hoorn was a booming center of international trade, rivaling Amsterdam, and an important home base for the Dutch East India Company. Uncover Hoorn's rich seafaring history on a guided walking tour. Nowadays, charming shops and houses line the lanes, and pleasure boats bob in the harbor. The town's lovely 17th-century gabled houses bear witness to the wealth brought by trade. The ornate façade of the 17th-century Statencollege, now the Westfries Museum, is a colorful reminder of past glories: It shows the coats of arms of seven cities that were administered here. Though the harbor silted up and access to the North Sea was lost in 1932, Hoorn continues to thrive as a market town for farms and dairies in West Friesland.

Dutch Maritime Traditions of the Zuiderzee

Characteristic buildings—houses, cottages, warehouses and churches—were collected from all over the region to re-create an authentic 19th-century Dutch village: the Zuiderzee Outdoor Museum. It truly feels as though you have left the 21st century behind and entered an extraordinarily charming past as you walk through this village. Women in period costume (complete with traditional pointed caps and wooden shoes) do needlework, children play with hoops, and men make rope or barrels. Stop by the smoke-house to see racks of herring being preserved, or visit the cheesemaker. Given Enkhuizen's long history as a seaport (it was once a base for the East India Company) and fishing hub, it’s only natural that you can spot tall wooden sailing ships docked next to meadows where sheep graze.

Dutch Cheese Trail

The Netherlands is a major world producer of cheese, making nearly a billion kilograms yearly. Nowadays, most of this cheese is made industrially in factories, which not only produces significantly more waste, but also eschews the more traditional processes that make Dutch cheeses unique.

Embark on ...

Embark on a trip through the scenic countryside outside Hoorn on a visit to one of the country’s remaining authentic dairy farms, where Dutch cheese making traditions are being kept alive. The farmer here will tell you all about their sustainable cheese making practices and life on their farm.

This MAKE TRAVEL MATTER® Experience supports Global Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; and Global Goal 15: Life on Land.

For your choice of excursions today, visit the Kröller-Müller Museum, which is home to 97 works by native son Vincent van Gogh as well as other notable artists and sculptors. Or opt for a walking tour of Nijmegen.

Nijmegen Walking Tour

As you join a local guide on a walk through the streets of Nijmegen, you might be surprised by the youthful energy you find in the Netherlands’ oldest city. Discover a history that stretches back to the Romans and learn how this town recovered from World War II devastation to become the lively center it is today. End your visit in Nijmegen’s best shopping district, where you can branch out on your own to browse the small boutiques, popular chains and local restaurants available there.

Kröller-Müller Museum Visit

Helene Kröller-Müller bought seven Van Goghs in a single day in 1912, valuing the painter’s then-little-appreciated work for his “great and novel humanity.” She went on to purchase many more of his paintings, and in the process, she almost single-handedly rescued him from obscurity and established his modern-day reputation. The Kröller-Müller Museum, which she founded in the 1930s on a family estate, features some 97 works by the master, including The Bridge at Arles . But Kröller-Müller didn’t stop with Van Gogh; her goal was to found the first museum in the Netherlands devoted to modern art, so the collection also boasts exceptional works by Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian and Auguste Rodin, among many other late-19th- and 20th-century artists. Join an expert guide for a one-hour tour, then revisit the galleries for a closer look or go out into the extensive sculpture gardens on your own. The museum has commissioned a sculpture a year for decades, so the collection is unusual, contemporary and diverse.

Freedom Museum

Travel from Nijmegen, the first city to fall when the Germans invaded the Netherlands, through history on an outing to the Dutch Freedom Museum in Groesbeek. Pass the rolling green landscapes of the surrounding town to arrive at the museum, where you'll find an experience that is both educational and inspiring. Inside, you'll learn about Germany's oppressive occupation of Holland and it's hard-won freedom. Operations Market Garden and Veritable were central to the country's successful overthrow of the invading Nazi government, and you'll learn about both of these fascinating missions today. Take note of the unique, parachute-inspired design of the Memorial Building. It was crafted to honor the soldiers who dropped down from the sky to move back the German offensive line during Operation Market Garden, the largest airborne operation in history at its time. As you walk around the museum, you'll encounter guides at a multitude of informational stations, many interactive, that will give you a lively and immersive explanation about what it was like to live through the period preceding the war, the Nazi occupation, the liberation, and the rebuilding of the Netherlands and Europe after the war. At the end of the tour, we'll stop for coffee and a slice of liberation cake.

Rotterdam (Kinderdijk), Dordrecht

Rotterdam is thoroughly modern—you’ll soon understand why it’s sometimes called “Manhattan on the Meuse”: The Maas Tower, the Montevideo, the Millennium Tower and the spectacular Erasmus Bridge make for a dazzling skyline. Begin your day by exploring this modern city on a Dutch culinary stroll, with a stop at the architectural milestone, Market Hall. Erected in 2014, it’s known for its futuristic look and unique culinary offerings. Later, head to Kinderdijk to discover why windmills are such an iconic symbol of Holland; marvel at their engineering and learn about their role in changing the course of Dutch history.

Dutch Culinary Stroll to Rotterdam’s Market Hall

Get a taste for Rotterdam’s culinary prowess and architectural achievements on a walk to Market Hall. Built in 2014, this extraordinary building is known for its futuristic look and unique culinary offerings—from bars and food stands to full-service restaurants. Market Hall is just one example of Rotterdam's captivating mix of 17th-century canals, gabled façades and modern architecture. Here you'll sample some of the local fare. You’ll also enjoy a look at the UNESCO-designated Witte Huis, an Art Nouveau masterpiece adorned with mosaics and statues. When it was built in 1898, it was Europe’s first skyscraper and the tallest office building in Rotterdam.

Rotterdam, City of the Future

With water levels rising in a country where much of the land is below sea level already, the Netherlands has a particularly vested interest in combating climate change. Learn how the country’s most modern city is also amongst its greenest as you get around town via electric city tram and sustainably-powered water taxis. Along the way, you’ll visit a floating farm, the circular beer brewery that helps feed its cows, and more.

Kinderdijk Windmills

At one time 10,000 windmills operated in the Netherlands, pumping water away from low-lying lands (much of the country is below sea level) and creating what are known as polders—arable land reclaimed from the water. Though the mighty windmill has been replaced by newer technology, you can see how effective the system was in Kinderdijk, where a group of 19 windmills erected in the 18th century still function. Most are ground-sail windmills (meaning their sails nearly touch the ground as they whirl) and each one was carefully situated to make sure one did not block another’s wind. Each windmill moves the water a little farther, pumping it from field to canal, from canal to river. Climb the steep stairs of a mill and look out over the quiet fields that would be underwater were it not for the ingenuity of the Dutch. (Of course, you can simply admire it from the outside. But if you do that, you won’t see how the mill keeper’s family lived.) These mills are kept in working order partly as a backup in case modern technology fails, and they were used as recently as WWII, when there was no fuel to keep newer pumping stations working.

Note: If docking in Kinderdijk is not possible, the excursion will be arranged by motorcoach from Rotterdam.

Let’s Go: Biking the Dams and Windmills

Set out from Rotterdam to the town of Alblasserdam, where you'll begin an invigorating bike ride through quintessential Dutch scenery. Pedal through the countryside to pass the windmills of Groot-Ammers and Streefkerk.

Visit Famous Delft

Delft is noteworthy for several reasons: it's the birthplace of world-renowned painter Johannes Vermeer, home to the famous blue Delft pottery and burial place of Dutch royalty. Explore picturesque Old Delft, with its tiny foot-bridges arching over peaceful, water-lily-filled canals, and visit the Royal Delft pottery to see the blue-and-white porcelain being made. Note: Lunch will be on your own today.

Your ship docks this morning in the quaint Zeeland village of Veere, which will be your base for explorations of this charming town. A harbor village on the shores of the Western Scheldt, Veere may be a small town now, but its stately 15th-century town hall tells of a grander past. For three centuries it was the bustling center of the wool trade with Scotland; the wealth from this trade built the splendid church with its tall and ornate steeple that dominates the village, as well as the handsome mansions on its main street.

Stroll into the Artists’ Village of Veere

Wander with the Cruise Manager through Veere’s central marketplace, where you will spot the well-known Scottish Houses, so called because Scottish wool merchants built them early in the 16th century when Veere was the primary port for Scottish trade goods. The Scots maintained a community in Veere, complete with their own church and laws, until Napoleon took over the region and eliminated their privileges. In 1896 an English art collector named Albert Lionel Ochs bought one of the two Scottish Houses and welcomed an enthusiastic group of international artists who were drawn to the scenic harbor and its fishing boats. For years painters set up their easels and painted the gentle seaside views, but after a dam closed off the harbor from the sea, the fishing boats left—and so did the artists. Today, the Scottish Houses serve as a lovely museum displaying the regional antiquities, folklore and life of the Zeeland province. And, interestingly enough, artists are once again painting in Veere, so perhaps a new colony will take root and flourish.

Delta Works Drive

The Dutch have been protecting their lowlands from the sea for 2,000 years. Back in 1953, a particularly bad storm flooded the countryside and killed almost 2,000 people, so they began a series of massive engineering projects called the Delta Works. Learn about the storm-surge barrier, a massive set of gates and piers that allow seawater to flow with the tides in and out of the estuary during normal weather. During a major storm, however, the gates can be closed to keep out the surging water. Then board our coach with your lecturer to drive by the barrier. This incredible feat of engineering is a fascinating sight—but the Dutch will tell you that it is just one more front in their ongoing battle with the sea, which many coastal cities around the world may be studying.

Ghent (Bruges)

Your first day in Belgium offers you the chance to visit one of two national gems: beautiful Bruges, the capital of West Flanders and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, or fascinating Ghent, the capital city of East Flanders, whose long history does not weigh on its vibrant present. Belgium’s second largest city, Ghent abounds in medieval architecture, but there’s nothing museum-like about the city. It’s lively and brims with cutting-edge boutiques and galleries.

Bruges Walking Tour with Canal Cruise

See why Bruges gives Amsterdam a run for its money as the “Venice of the North” as you cruise through the UNESCO-designated city center. The town grew up around a fort built by the first Count of Flanders as a defense against Viking invaders. By the 14th century, Bruges had become the center of the international cloth trade. Merchants and traders from around the world came to Bruges for Flemish cloth, and the town’s bounty of beautiful churches and mansions testify to its prosperity. The city also became a center of financial services, offering banking, money-changing and maritime insurance. Your local guide will take you past the Begijnhof and the Church of Our Lady to the canal cruise terminal, where you’ll board boats for a cruise through Bruges’s picturesque canals. Swans share the quiet back waters of some canals; others are lined with tall brick townhouses and open up to splendid views of historic churches. After taking a close-up look at the city, see it from above: the Belfry Tower, looming over Market Square, offers an incredible view of the city.

A canal cruise is the perfect way to experience Bruges; however, please be aware that the canal boats are neither covered nor heated.

*Note: Lunch is not included with today's excursions.

Ghent Walking Tour

Since cars are completely banned in Ghent’s historic center, it’s a particularly pedestrian-friendly area. Stroll with your guide from the Church of Saint James, with its two Romanesque towers, to the Friday Market square, which, as its name suggests, was the site of a huge market every Friday in the Middle Ages. You’ll pass the magnificent 15th-century Great Butchers’ Hall and the elegant medieval trading houses that line Graslei and Korenlei streets. Your last stop is the Belfort, the great bell tower that rises above the Old Town. You’ll have time to explore and savor lunch on your own following your tour.

It may be the diamond capital of the world, but Antwerp is also known for a number of other sought-after cultural gems, including Golden Age art and Belgian beer, waffles and fries. Visit Antwerp’s striking Cathedral of Our Lady, with its UNESCO-designated belfry and its historic surroundings, or, if you’re feeling adventurous, hop on the metro and experience the city like a local.

A special Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner will be prepared for you this evening.

Antwerp Historic Downtown Highlights

Wisdom and Justice await you in Antwerp’s Market Square—handsome statues of these virtues overlook the triangular plaza, the historic heart of the medieval city. It’s an easy walk from the ship, and you’ll stop at the glorious Cathedral of Our Lady on the way. Considered one of the most beautiful structures in Belgium, the Gothic cathedral houses four masterworks by the golden age artist Peter Paul Rubens, who lived in Antwerp most of his life. Once you reach the Market Square, you’ll spot the lofty Renaissance-era city hall, topped with those statues (at one time a statue of Brabo joined them, but Counter-Reformation priests replaced the putative founder of Antwerp with a statue of Mary). Next to it are ornately adorned guild houses, which testify to the enormous wealth and economic dominance of Antwerp in the 16th and 17th centuries.

At the end of the tour, you may decide Antwerp is so inviting that you want to see more. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure. Your local guide can provide some excellent insights: where to buy diamonds, the names of the best Belgian ales and the best places to find Belgian fries and waffles. You might check out the unusual boutiques in the pedestrian-only zone; Antwerp is a hub of avant-garde fashion, so these shops are full of unique clothing. The city was home to an astounding number of artistic geniuses in the 16th and 17th centuries, among them Brueghel, Van Dyck and Rubens. You can explore exquisite museums devoted to their work on your own.

Note: Tours cannot take place at the Cathedral of Our Lady during religious services. If a religious service prevents a tour, you may return later to see this beautiful structure on your own. Be sure to get a ticket from your guide.

Do as the Locals Do: Antwerp Walking Tour

Residents of Antwerp are called Antwerpenaars, and you’ll feel like one during your guided tour of this bustling multicultural city. Hop on the metro for a quick ride to the beautiful Central Station, then stroll down the Meir, the main shopping street, where you’ll discover a wonderful array of architectural styles. Past and present collide at the Chocolate Line, chocolatier Dominique Persoone’s sinfully good sweets shop on the first floor of the 18th-century Royal Palace. In keeping with the regal setting, Persoone’s wife adorned the shop with 33 million Swarovski crystals. Stand amid the sparkle and glamour and watch as master chocolatiers work their magic, then taste the results. Having met your chocolate quota for the day (if such a thing is possible!), head for Farmers’ Tower, a building from the art deco era that many call the first skyscraper in Europe. And no tour of the city would be complete without a stop at a stand devoted solely to french fries, which, despite the name, are a Belgian invention. Sample these double-fried delicacies with all kinds of dressings (the house-made mayonnaise is essential) and you’ll understand why they’re a national obsession. From there you can take a short walk back to the ship or stay in town and keep exploring.

Brussels European Capital

How can you pass up the chance to explore Belgium's capital city? Brussels is simultaneously an economic powerhouse, a treasure trove of historic architecture and a vibrant culinary capital. A panoramic tour gives you a glimpse of some of the city's extraordinary buildings and monuments: royal palaces, the church of Laken, the Chinese Pavilion and Japanese Tower; the modern architecture in Quartier Leopold, where a host of pan-European institutions are concentrated; and the glorious Art Nouveau heritage bequeathed to Brussels by Horta and Paul Cauchie, among others. Once you begin your exploration of the city center on foot with your guide, you'll spot the impudent little Manneken Pis fountain, a cherished symbol of Brussels' independence and free spirit, and head down a narrow alley to the Grand Place. Called Brussels' "living room," the square will open up before you, dominated by the splendid Gothic city hall and ornately gilded Baroque guildhalls. You have some free time to explore this historic-and delicious-neighborhood: Divine aromas from irresistible chocolate shops and delightful cafes will lure you to participate in Belgium's obsession with fine food and peerless desserts.

Antwerp (Disembark)

Disembark the ship in Antwerp. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Brussels International Airport for your flight home.

Antwerp (Embark)

Arrive at Brussels International Airport. If your cruise package includes a group arrival transfer or if you have purchased a private arrival transfer, you will be greeted by a Uniworld representative and transferred to the ship.

Residents of Antwerp are called Antwerpenaars, and you’ll feel like one during your guided tour of this bustling multicultural city. Hop on the metro for a quick ride to the beautiful Central Station, then stroll down the Meir, the main shopping street, where you’ll discover a wonderful array of architectural styles. Past and present collide at the Chocolate Line, chocolatier Dominique Persoone’s sinfully good sweets shop on the first floor of the 18th-century Royal Palace. In keeping with the regal setting, Persoone’s wife adorned the shop with 33 million Swarovski crystals. Stand amid the sparkle and glamour and watch as master chocolatiers work their magic, then taste the results. Having met your chocolate quota for the day (if such a thing is possible!), head for Farmers’ Tower, an art deco–era building that many call the first skyscraper in Europe. And no tour of the city would be complete without a stop at a stand devoted solely to french fries, which, despite the name, are a Belgian invention. Sample these double-fried delicacies with all kinds of dressings (the house-made mayonnaise is essential) and you’ll understand why they’re a national obsession. From there you can take a short walk back to the ship or stay in town and keep exploring.

Your next day in Belgium offers you the chance to visit one of two national gems: beautiful Bruges, the capital of West Flanders and one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe, or fascinating Ghent, the capital city of East Flanders, whose long history does not weigh on its vibrant present. Belgium’s second largest city, Ghent abounds in medieval architecture, but there’s nothing museum-like about the city. It’s lively and brims with cutting-edge boutiques and galleries.

Today, your ship docks in the Zeeland village of Veere. A harbor village on the shores of the Western Scheldt, Veere may be a small town now, but its stately 15th-century town hall tells of a grander past. For three centuries it was the bustling center of the wool trade with Scotland; the wealth from this trade built the splendid church with its tall and ornate steeple that dominates the village, as well as the handsome mansions on its main street.

Rotterdam (Kinderdijk)

Hoorn, Enkhuizen

Haarlem - Art, History, and Dutch Lifestyle

Amsterdam (Disembark)

Disembark the ship. If your cruise package includes a group departure transfer or if you have purchased a private departure transfer, you will be transferred to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol for your flight home.

What's Included

All meals onboard, prepared using the finest and freshest ingredients
9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 9 dinners
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
Welcome and Farewell Gala Dinners
Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks and mineral water

8 days of excursions, including “Choice Is Yours” options, all fully hosted by English-speaking local experts
Guided “Do as the Locals Do” and "Let's Go" programs
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
Use of bicycles and Nordic walking sticks

Accommodations

9-night cruise in a riverview stateroom on the imperial River Princess or stunning River Queen
Lavishly appointed riverview staterooms and suites have handcrafted Savoir® Beds of England, high thread count 100% Egyptian cotton sheets and European duvets, and a menu of pillow options
Free Internet and Wi-Fi access

Experiences

2 countries: Belgium, the Netherlands
4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Services of an experienced Uniworld Cruise Manager
Group Transfers are included on arrival and departure days (please see terms and conditions for transfer guidelines)
Gratuities for onboard personnel (ship staff, crew, Cruise/Tour Manager) are included during the cruise/tour
Captivating onboard local entertainment
Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture

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A Springtime Cruise through the Netherlands and Belgium aboard a Premier River Vessel

Belgium, Netherlands

From $2,999

Call 1-800-368-2794 or contact us for any questions

Celebrate spring in the Netherlands and Belgium when the Keukenhof Gardens and Floralia come alive. Experience Amsterdam's colorful canals, the whimsical Kinderdijk windmills and the art of Rubens and Michelangelo. Discover the timeless traditions of Delft porcelain and revel in the medieval architectural treasures of Bruges, Middelburg and Ghent. Throughout your journey indulge in Belgian chocolates, warm waffles and delicious cheeses—all while savoring the storybook atmosphere of the region.

Arrive: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Depart: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Experience spring in full bloom as you explore the Netherlands and Belgium
Enjoy the ship's wonderful on-board amenities
Savor local specialties including delicious cheeses, warm waffles, and Belgian chocolates

Note: This trip is not exclusive to, nor operated by, Wilderness Travel, who acts solely as an agent in booking your reservation with the operator. Please download the Rate Sheet in the Dates & Pricing section to see the full pricing details and contact our Cruise Collection Specialists to check availability.

Dates & Pricing

Payment & cancel schedule.

At time of reservation: $400 100 days prior to departure: Balance Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

Cancellation & Transfer Schedule

Minimum fee: $200 per person 90-120 days prior to departure: $400 per person 60-89 days prior to departure: 35% of trip cost 30-59 days prior to departure: 50% of trip cost 7-29 days prior to departure: 80% of trip cost 6 days or less: 100% of trip cost

Please note that this differs from our standard policy.

7 nights deluxe cruise accommodation in an outside stateroom
Most staterooms offer French balconies or revolutionary Twin Balconies
State-of-the-art Infotainment System in all staterooms featuring free high-speed Internet access, hit Hollywood movies, extensive music library and English language TV stations
Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
Terry cloth bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding in all staterooms
Gourmet dining with all meals included during your cruise
Every lunch and dinner on board includes free-flowing regional wines as well as complimentary beer and soft drinks. In Europe, complimentary sparkling wine is also served with breakfast. Bottled water, specialty teas and coffees are always available free of charge
Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner and Captain's Gala Dinner
Special highlights including onboard music performances and piano music
Bicycles to explore on your own and guided bicycle tours
Services of professional Cruise Manager

Not Included

Travel to and from the arrival and departure location as indicated in Detailed Itinerary
Additional hotel nights outside the trip's scheduled dates
Optional gratuities to guides or staff
Optional travel insurance
Other expenses of a personal nature such as laundry
Any activity described as an upgrade or optional

Accommodations

Scroll through our signature accommodations for this trip below. Although it is highly unlikely, we may make substitutions when necessary.

Days 1-8 (8 nights)

What the Trip is Like

This cruise is rated Level 1, Easiest, and is appropriate for anyone in good health who is physically active. Daily shore excursions require a moderate amount of walking, often along uneven cobblestone streets and up and down stairs. To better accommodate guests and their individual fitness levels, AMA Waterways programs provide several levels of walking tours whenever possible: "Gentle Walkers" are designed for slower walkers to enjoy the tour in a relaxed manner, "Active Walkers" enjoy the tours at a normal pace, and there is also a "Late Starters" group offered to guests who prefer to sleep in.

Staterooms range from 160-350 square feet (depending on category), and typical hotel room amenities include hair dryer, bathrobe, television, and mini-safe. Every stateroom has individually controlled air conditioning, internet access, wi-fi (free throughout the ship!) and a movie-on-demand system that offers a variety of English language channels, films and music options. Most staterooms have balconies, either walk-on or French, but lower categories just have fixed windows or portholes.

AMA is known for its efforts to bring in regional cuisine, which is always fun as you explore new countries and cultures. Breakfast and lunch are served buffet-style with made-to-order specialties. Dinner is multi-course. Every lunch and dinner includes free-flowing regional wines as well as complimentary beer and soft drinks. Bottled water, specialty teas, and coffees are always available free of charge. All ships have an open seating policy in the main restaurant to encourage you to meet your fellow travelers.

On Board AMA Riverboats

AMA Waterways specializes in high-end river journeys that navigate some of Europe's most famous waterways. Their ships accommodate approximately 150 passengers in comfortable staterooms, all with scenic views. While this might sound like a lot of travelers compared to Wilderness Travel's traditional small group trips, it's a modest number of passengers in the cruise ship world and there are a number of comfortable lounges, dining rooms, bars, and sitting areas on board for you to find a perfect spot to socialize or quietly relax, depending on your mood.

There is a warm and welcoming feel to all AMA cruises. From the moment you step onboard, you will be welcomed by crew, staff, and leaders who are friendly, professional and English speaking. There is a high staff to guest ratio (1:3) that assures a feeling of being well-taken-care-of at all times. Your fellow passengers will come from a variety of English-speaking countries and guests tend to mingle freely. No need to bring fancy clothes as the atmosphere onboard is casual, although guests do tend to dress up for the Captain's dinner.

Daily shore excursions are included in the cost of the cruise, along with free time to explore on your own. Each tour is led by a qualified, local guide. At many stops, you'll be free to choose from one of several options. Complimentary headset systems ensure that you hear every word of your tour. AMA ships carry more than two dozen bicycles and helmets, free of charge, for your use should you want to venture into the countryside.

There is a reception desk onboard that is open 24 hours a day with somebody available to help you, should you need it. All announcements and lectures will be presented in English as the clientele is mainly North American, Australian, and European. All AMA cruises prohibit smoking inside their ships. Smoking is only permitted outside on the sun deck.

Electricity on board all ships is 220v, with 2-pin power outlets. You will need an adapter, and/or converter depending on which electrical appliances you bring with you. There are no medical facilities on board although if medical services are needed, they can easily be called from shore. Laundry services are available for a fee.

All ships are equipped with either a whirlpool or a small, heated swimming pool. If you think you might want to use this, be sure to pack a swimsuit!

Tips are not included in the price of the cruise, and are entirely at your discretion. The recommended rate suggested is 3 Euros per passenger per day to the Cruise Manager and 12 Euros per passenger per day to the crew, which will be divided up and distributed. You can use your credit card for this expense. It is also customary to acknowledge a particularly good performance of a local guide by leaving a tip of 1-2 Euros per tour.

Wilderness Travel enjoys partnering with AMA Waterways because they offer a high quality product with thoughtfully planned itineraries, allowing travelers to experience Europe's most glorious architecture, medieval castles, historic villages, and idyllic countryside with minimal effort. Since these trips are relatively short, you may consider this as part of a longer, European adventure!

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Book your trip today

Our Area Specialists know every detail about our tours. They will be happy to answer any questions and help you choose the journey that’s right for you. Contact us to learn more or book your trip today!

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Trip Levels

With more than 200 different adventures to choose from, we want to help you find the trip that’s right for you. Our Trip Level system ranks each trip in two ways: a number rating from 1 to 6 according to the activity, and general travel rigors. 1 is the easiest and 6+ the most difficult—see descriptions below for explanations of each number. A plus (+) sign means the trip is a bit more strenuous than other trips of that level. The detailed explanation of each trip—below the bar with the number rating—is perhaps more important, specifying activities, altitudes, hiking, and travel conditions. The Detailed Itinerary, available by download or mail, gives further information. Our Area Managers can also answer questions and guide you to the trip that best suits your interests.

Level 1 – Easiest

Non-camping journeys, optional walks, little elevation gain or loss.

Royal Rajasthan and Villages of India
Small ship cruises

Level 2 – Easy to Moderate

Hotel nights and/or safari-style camping, hikes of two to four hours on some days. Other physical activities are sometimes included, such as optional sea kayaking.

Our African safaris
Costa Rica Wildlife

Level 3 – Moderate

Half- to full-day hikes (3-6 hours) over rolling countryside on most days, occasional steep trails. Many of our hotel-based walking tours are in this category, as are our snorkeling adventures.

Tuscany & the Cinque Terre
Argentina: Hikes and Estancias of Patagonia
Palau Snorkeling & Sea Kayaking
Some trips with minimal hiking but rugged travel conditions or long drives, such as Tribal Ghana, Togo & Benin, are Trip Level 3.

Level 4 – Moderate to Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-6 hours), mountainous terrain, significant elevation gains and losses (hiking up or down as much as 3,000 feet) on many days. Altitudes no greater than about 10,000 feet.

Ultimate Patagonia
Hiking the Spanish Pyrenees

Level 5 – Strenuous

Full-day hikes (4-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Trips with hiking at average altitudes of 10,000 to 12,000 feet are in this category.

Inca Trail to Machu Picchu
Everest Lodge to Lodge

Level 6 – Very Strenuous

Full-day hikes (5-8 hours), mountainous, steep terrain (hiking up or down as much as 3,500 feet) on many days. Most hikes take place at altitudes above 10,000 feet, with some days ascending as high as 18,000 feet.

Everest Base Camp
Climb Kilimanjaro!

Tulips & Windmills

Get inspired by the possibilities.
Build your ideal trip.
Take in the dazzling skyline of Rotterdam
Savor Dutch delights and Belgian treats
Marvel at 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites
Visit Keukenhof, the most spectacular flower garden in the world
Discover an abundance of Haarlem’s art, history and Dutch lifestyle
River Cruises
Village Visits
Archaeological Site Visits
Land & Sea Exploration
Netherlands
European Union

Full Itinerary

Day 1: amsterdam | embark, day 2: amsterdam.

1 Breakfast, 1 Lunch, 1 Dinner

Day 3: Haarlem

Day 4: enkhuizen | hoorn, day 5: nijmegen, day 6: rotterdam (kinderdijk) | dordrecht, day 7: veere, day 8: ghent (bruges), day 9: antwerp, day 10: antwerp | disembark.

1 Breakfast

River Duchess

Dates & prices, my preferred start date.

Initial deposit is 15% of cruise fare plus any additional port charges, and most travelers will call our office and pay the deposit with a credit card.

Final payment is due 130 days prior to departure by Check or credit card. All final payments by credit card may be subject to a surcharge and maximum of $20,000 charge

See our general terms and conditions:

Adventure Life Terms & Conditions

We are an agent for one or more providers on this trip with specific cancellation policies and terms:

Uniworld - Terms & Conditions 2022 - Uniworld
Uniworld - Terms & Conditions 2023 - Uniworld

For full cancellation policy details, please contact us for a quote.

9 Breakfasts, 8 Lunches, 9 Dinners
9 Nights Accommodations
Accommodations as listed
Ground transportation as listed
Activities as listed
Meals as listed
Access to a 24-7 Emergency line while traveling
Bilingual English-speaking guide
Unlimited Wifi
All gratuities, shipboard and shoreside
Bicycles & Hiking Sticks equipment if needed
Captain’s Welcome and Farewell Receptions
Unlimited beverages onboard, including fine wine, beer, spirits, specialty coffee and tea, soft drinks, and mineral water
Guided “Do as the Locals Do” and “Let's Go” programs
State-of-the-art Quietvox portable audio-headset system on all excursions
Cultural enrichment, including a Signature Lecture
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Flight costs (please request a quote)
Additional excursions during free time
Fuel and transportation surcharges (when applicable)
Airport Tax
Excess baggage charges
Passport or Visa fees

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Timeless Tulips River Cruise with Amsterdam

The netherlands & belgium.

Tour Itinerary

Dates & Pricing
Enhance Your Trip

Home › All Tours › Europe › Western Europe › Netherlands › Timeless Tulips River Cruise with Amsterdam

AMSTERDAM, GHENT, BRUSSELS, AND ANTWERP

Join us on this extra special cruise to see sprawling tulip fields, and beautiful Dutch architecture as we sail through the Netherlands to Belgium. We’ll be in total awe of the colorful tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as we walk among millions of them at Keukenhof Gardens. With vibrant flowers budding all around us, we’ll take a walking tour around Amsterdam to visit Dam Square, see Anne Frank’s House, and shop at the Flower Market. In Rotterdam, we’ll discover and admire modern buildings, including the Cube Houses. Plus, spend time in Belgium exploring the old-world architecture and charming culture of Ghent, Brussels, and Antwerp. We’ll end our journey with a stop at the quaint city of Dordrecht before departing from Amsterdam.

Itinerary at a Glance

Tour Itinerary:

1 night at Amsterdam hotel
7-night cruise through the Netherlands & Belgium:
Amsterdam (Netherlands)
Rotterdam (Netherlands)
Ghent (Belgium)
Brussels (Belgium)
Antwerp (Belgium)
Dordrecht (Netherlands)

Tour Highlights

Keukenhof Tulips Gardens
Amsterdam walking tour
Cruise through Amsterdam’s fabled canals
Rotterdam walking tour
Walking tour of Ghent, a historic Flanders port
City & walking tour of Brussels, capital city of Belgium
Antwerp city & walking tour
Walking tour of Dordrecht, an island city and historic trading port

Your Tour Includes

Optional round-trip airfare from the New York area (EWR) including taxes, fees & fuel surcharges
Ground transportation in air-conditioned motor coach
7-night cruise aboard the MS Crucevita
20 meals: 7 buffet breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners. Unlimited wine & beer with dinners.
All on board activities, themed dinners, and special services including early riser breakfast, afternoon cakes & tea, 24/7 coffee station, late night snacks and live music each evening
Comprehensive sightseeing tours and entry fees as per itinerary
Professional English-speaking Cruise Manager and local English-speaking guides throughout

Is this tour right for you? Find out What to Expect

Note: Flights may not be available on all departures.

You can find more details on the Before You Depart page.

Day 1: Arrive in Amsterdam (Netherlands)

Welcome to the Netherlands! Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive program will be met and transferred to our centrally located hotel. The balance of the day is free to relax after traveling or to explore Amsterdam independently.

Day 2: Amsterdam

After breakfast, we'll check out of our hotel and depart on our half-day tour of the magnificent Keukenhof Gardens, home to more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths spread across 79 acres. After enjoying lunch on our own, we'll transfer back to the port to board our superior river cruise ship. We'll check into our cabins and have time to explore our floating hotel prior to an information briefing followed by dinner.

Day 3: Amsterdam

After breakfast, our sightseeing tour of Amsterdam begins with a one-hour canal cruise followed by a walking tour introducing us to all the major highlights of Amsterdam including a visit to Dam Square, a stroll past Anne Frank's house (outside), Museum Square and a stop at the Flower Market. We'll return to our ship for lunch and then enjoy free time for the rest of the day to further explore this unique city at our own pace. Tonight, we'll enjoy a welcome cocktail and crew introduction before dinner.

Day 4: Rotterdam (Netherlands)

This morning, we'll explore one of the largest harbors and commercial ports in the world! Our walking tour includes the harbor front, the whimsical architecture including the hanging Cube Houses, and the steamship “Rotterdam” once the flagship of Holland America Line. This afternoon is free for optional pursuits.

Day 5: Ghent (Belgium)

Today, we'll delight in exploring Ghent, Belgium's hidden treasure! With its unique mix of ancient cultures combined with a lively modern student scene, bustling shops and gastronomic restaurants, Ghent will impress us with its winding canals, the famous three tower row featuring the Belfry, St. Bavo's Cathedral, and St. Nicholas' Church; its art, and architecture! The rest of the day is free to explore on our own. We might consider an optional excursion offered by the ship.

Day 6: Brussels (Belgium)

Our guided city bus and walking tour of Belgium’s capital will highlight all the major attractions including St. Michael’s Cathedral, the Chinese Pavilion, Japanese Tower, King’s Square, Royal Palace and of course, the imposing offices of the European Parliament building. We'll end the tour with a walk through the beautiful Grote Markt. The balance of the day is free for us to explore at our own pace.

Day 7: Antwerp (Belgium)

This morning, we'll enjoy a tour of Belgium’s second largest city, home to famous painter Pieter Paul Rubens. The tour will include the city's medieval heart with café-filled cobblestone lanes, a riverside fortress, and the impressive Cathedral of our Lady featuring original paintings of Antwerp’s famous “son”.

Day 8: Dordrecht (Netherlands)

Located on an island surrounded by wide rivers, Dordrecht is the oldest city in Holland. Our guided walking tour will include views of beautiful inner city harbors, quaint canals, wooden bridges and typical Dutch houses. Back on board, we'll enjoy a farewell cocktail followed by the Captain's Farewell Dinner.

Day 9: Depart Amsterdam

As all good things must come to an end, after breakfast, bid your crew goodbye and disembark by 9:00 am. Travelers who purchased our air-inclusive package will transfer to the airport for our return flight to the U.S.

Guided Tour Pricing

We are working diligently to secure future tour dates and pricing for this itinerary. Please fill out the "Request a Future Date" form linked below, and we will notify you once dates are available.

Featured Accommodations

Mövenpick hotel amsterdam city centre.

Located in the heart of Amsterdam, the Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam City Centre offers lovely views, complimentary WiFi internet, and a health club featuring a gym with cardio fitness equipment. Consider enjoying a meal at the hotel's Silk Road restaurant or explore the nearby historical centre. Rooms feature a laptop safe, mini fridge, and a hairdryer in the bathroom.

Piet Heinkade 11, 1019 BR Amsterdam, Netherlands

MS Crucevita

This elegant, luxurious, boutique-style vessel was designed in an old-world grand yacht style with a maximum capacity of 110 passengers. All cabins are approximately 150 sq feet with modern amenities including beds that can be stowed away during the day to create extra space to relax, air-conditioning/heating which can be regulated individually, a mini safety deposit box, a telephone, and a hair dryer. Cabins on the main deck have panorama windows while cabins on the upper Promenade deck will have new french balconies. The superb public areas include a panorama restaurant, cozy bar and lounge, a fireplace, a gym, sauna, library, and sun deck! The decks are interconnected by a regular elevator suitable to carry up to 4 persons. The currency on board the ship is the Euro.

View Cabins and Deck Plans

Optional Tours

Enhance your trip with these optional tours. Indicated optional tours are available to pre-book when you reserve your trip and can be added to your reservation up to final payment. This is the best option to guarantee your spot on your preferred optional tour! Optional tours require a minimum number of participants. Optional tours are non-refundable unless they do not operate.

Some optional tours can be purchased in-destination and may cost extra. The payment methods and currency information to purchase tours in-destination will be provided on final documentation.

Delft & the Hague Tour

$78 per person

Day 4 Afternoon Tour Delft is a city well known for its ties to the royal family and to Dutch master Johannes Vermeer (Girl with the Pearl Earring), and for its blue and white pottery. You'll see the incredible historical monuments the city has to offer including the Hague, the seat of the Dutch government, and home to the royal family. The city center is easily accessible by foot and features architecture from the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods. You may also see Scheveningen, a fishing village and resort suburb featuring the magnificent building at the Kurhaus and a picturesque strip of sandy beach.

AVAILABLE TO PRE-BOOK!

Half Day Bruges Bus & Walking Tour

$85 per person

Day 5 Afternoon Tour The beautiful city of Bruges is one of the best-preserved medieval cities of Europe and its whole city center has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has played an integral role in western trade as well as in Europe's artistic and architectural evolution, and has become one stop in Belgium you simply can't miss! With this excursion, we will discover one of the pearls of the Low Countries. Learn about the city's history and tradition during your bus ride to Bruges. Upon arrival, you will start your walking tour and discover all the highlights of the city including Saint John's Hospital, Our Lady Church, the Market Square with the Belfry, the old City Hall, the Holy Blood Chapel, and much more. After some time to explore independently, return to the ship.

Chocolate Tour

$75 per person

Day 8 Afternoon Tour Join this sweet tour in Antwerp, Belgium for a taste of Belgium’s world renowned chocolate! You’ll have the opportunity to visit 3 different but equally talented chocolatiers create lifelike forms of the Cathedral, a hand (the logo of the city of Antwerp), and a cookie in the form of a hand. During the guided tour, guests will learn all there is to know about chocolate, the different kinds of chocolate, and what makes chocolate so amazing! And of course – free tasting included!

What to Expect

Max group size: 30 travelers, activity level: level 1.

Expect most included touring to require walking and standing periods up to 3 hours at a time (up to 2 times per day) on easy terrain with some light stairs. Learn More

Pacing Level: Balanced

Expect either half-day or full-day tours most days with a free day or free half-day to explore independently in most cities. There may be a few early mornings or long travel days by bus (don’t worry—there are always comfort stops!), and you may expect to stay in most accommodations for 3+ nights. Learn More

New in 2025: ETIAS Visa Waiver Required for U.S. Passport Holders

A valid passport is required for international tours. Effective for travel in 2025, U.S. passport holders are required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver. Please visit our Passports & Visas page to learn more about any required actions, next steps, and additional costs.

Travelers may encounter some uneven surfaces, stairs, steps and significent slopes on the shore excursions.

For more detailed information about this tour and destination, visit our Before You Depart section.

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Holland & Belgium Springtime River Cruise

About this tour.

Savor springtime in Holland and Belgium with a cruise that features blooming tulip fields and iconic windmills. Enjoy a canal cruise in the heart of Amsterdam. Stop in Arnhem, the favorite summer retreat of the Dutch royal family. Step into medieval times during a Bruges walking tour. Explore Kinderdijk and see Holland’s iconic windmills. Relax as you make your way along picturesque scenery and visit beloved cities such as Amsterdam and Bruges. Visit Keukenhof Gardens, home to more than 7 million tulips.

Your Tour Includes

1 Handpicked Accommodations
2 Choice on Tour Options

Included Highlights

7-Night River Cruise
Keukenhof Gardens

Your Tour at a Glance

7 Breakfasts

2 - Moderate

Travel Style

Customize your tour.

Optional Excursions

Starting at $90.00

Activity Level

Level This Tour

For specific details about this tour's activity level and other info to know before you book your trip, click here.

Extension Style

Travel styles, highlights and inclusions.

Must-See Inclusions:

Float under picturesque bridges on a canal tour of Amsterdam.

Enjoy a scenic sail along Belgium waterways.

Explore the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens, spanning across 70 acres.

Cultural Experiences:

Stand in awe before the iconic windmills of Kinderdijk, the largest collection in all of Holland.

Step back in time on a guided walking tour of medieval Bruges, then embark on a canal cruise.

Relax as you’re transported through Holland and Belgium on a 7-night cruise.

Culinary Inclusions:

Enjoy unlimited wine every evening with dinner.

Begin your journey with a welcome reception and dinner in Amsterdam.

Kinderdijk Windmills

Book with Confidence

* With Insurance Purchased

*No Hassle Refunds
Traveling Well Safety
No booking fee, *no change fees
Top Rated Travel Protection

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Looking to add your itinerary for friends and family? Share your Itinerary

Getting Prepared

Know before you go, travel tips, enhance your tour, upgrade your room.

Cruise Upgrade

Choice On Tour

Pre and Post Night Stay

Unique Experience

Cultural Experiences

Room Upgrade

Cruise-MS Amadeus Brilliant

Cabins are available on Lower ( Haydn),Middle (Strauss) and Upper (Mozart) decks. Please note that river cruises are smaller ships and only have finite number of each cabin category available. Specific categories are available on a first come first basis. Every effort will be made to accomodate your cabin choice at time of booking, however if that cabin category is o longer available, the closest available category will be offered. Please inquire through our Client care center for any upgrade fees which will apply for different cabin category. Suites (Amadeus suites) and singles are very limited and available on a first come first basis.

*Total for all passengers

Enhance Your Trip

Tour Extensions

This afternoon, it’s your choice! Discover the charming canals, medieval architecture, rich history of Delft on a walking tour, and afterwards, enjoy free time to explore on your own. -OR- Take a walking tour of the Hague and see the historic Binnenhof, the Peace Palace, and more before enjoying free time in this iconic city.

Hotel-Maritim Hotel Amsterdam

Make your way from Middelburg across the storm surge barrier where a guide will stop to share the history about The Floods of 1953. Here, you’ll take time to immerse yourself in a pre-museum lesson about the Deltawerken and how each part makes up Netherland’s largest flood defense system. Arrive at the Watersnoodmuseum (Flood Museum) for a guided tour where you’ll see in-depth before and after photos of the events. End your visit with some free time to walk the museum while reflecting on your new knowledge of the past.

Art lovers will find a wide range of works to peruse at the Kröller Müller Museum. Boasting the world’s second largest Van Gogh collection, you’ll see famous works like Café Terrace at Night among many others. In addition to Van Gogh artwork, the museum also features works by contemporaries of his time like Claude Monet, Georges-Pierre Seurat, and Pablo Picasso; as well as a modern sculpture garden with a seasonal art rotation on its sprawling 60-acre grounds.

Drive through the city of Arnhem, best known for the WWII operation "Market Garden." The British First Airborne Division was given the task of securing the main bridge in Arnhem in order to help Allied troops advance into Northern Germany. Drive past the landmarks from this famous battle, continuing on to the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek. The museum contains numerous displays and exhibits, which recount in detail the events of the battle including an impressive collection of weapons, uniforms and documents from the battle and the period.

Accommodations

Arrive earlier.

Pre Night: Maritim Hotel Amsterdam From $260 per night

MS Amadeus Brilliant

Stay longer.

Post Night: Maritim Hotel Amsterdam From $260 per night

Need More Information?

Call us toll free at 800.340.5158

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Spotlight on Paris

Exploring the Alpine Countries Austria - Germany - Switzerland

Magical Christmas Markets of Austria and Germany

Discover Switzerland, Austria & Bavaria

London & Paris

Alpine Lakes & Scenic Trains featuring a cruise on Lake Maggiore and scenic trains in Switzerland & Italy

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Tulip-Time Cruises in Holland and Belgium

Holland in springtime is a riot of colour with bright tulip fields set amongst windmills and canals.

Discover the spring tulips of Holland and visit fascinating Dutch cities, famous for cheese and pottery. Itineraries to Belgium also explore medieval Bruges and Antwerp , the diamond capital of the world.

Cruise Collection

About Tulip Time Cruises

Holland and belgium river highlights, tulip-time ports, customer reviews, cruise collection 2024/ 2025/ 2026.

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The work of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters can be seen at the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam, whilst the Van Gogh museum has some of the artist's best-known paintings. A trip along the famous canals and to the red light district is a unique experience. An excursion to the Keukenhof Gardens, 70 acres with seven million flowers, may be included.

Longer itineraries may go north from Amsterdam to the Ijselmeer, the inland sea extending from Amsterdam to a dam built across the North Sea. Visit the seafaring towns of Volendam and Hoorn, and perhaps Edam with its famous round red cheeses. Going south from Amsterdam take the waterways of central Holland to Gouda and on to Rotterdam, perhaps with an excursion to Delft, home of the well-known blue pottery.

Some routes may include the Belgian port of Antwerp, the diamond capital of the world, and birthplace of the painter Rubens. A highlight is a canal boat trip around Bruges, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Europe and a World Heritage site.

Here are a few highlights of a cruise around Holland:

Keukenhof Gardens, one of the most famous gardens in the world with more than 7 million flowers
Dutch capital of Amsterdam, renowned for its architecture and museums
UNESCO-listed windmills of Kinderdijk
Arnhem, home to the Airborne Museum which documents the Battle of Arnhem
Belgian city of Ghent, overlooked by Saint Bavo’s Cathedral
UNESCO-listed Cathedral of Our Lady in the ‘Diamond Capital’ of Antwerp
Impressive architecture of Rotterdam, one of the largest ports in the world
Pretty town of Veere, gateway to the Delta Works Project
Cobbled lanes and picturesque canals of medieval Bruges
Golden Age buildings of Hoorn on Ijsselmeer Lake

Day One A direct flight from Leeds/Bradford to Amsterdam took 50 minutes. Once I collected my luggage I was met at the meeting point in the airport (very clear to find). I was shown to the transfer bus where I was taken to the Movenpick hotel at Amsterdam Cruise Terminal. The afternoon was either at leisure (the hotel is very close to walk into Amsterdam) or an optional excursion (extra 34) to visit the tradition Dutch village of Zaanse Schans which was a short coach transfer from Amsterdam - I chose this option. In this charming village I visited a functioning windmill, watched a cheese demonstration and a wooden shoe demonstration.

Around 5pm we arrive at the Avalon Visionary. Wow - what a fantastic looking ship - very clean and crisp with a beautiful modern/contemporary feel about it. My P grade cabin offered spacious accommodation with a wonderful French balcony. I particularly liked the fact the beds faced the balcony so whilst lying in bed you could watch the scenery go by. There is plenty of room in the cabin to invite friends around for a pre-dinner drinks in the cabin.

A welcome meeting and cocktails were held in the early part of the evening. At 7:15pm the Visionary set sail for Volendam whilst I enjoy my 5 course meal including salad, soup, Seabream, dessert and coffee.

Day Two This morning we woke up in Volendam, a picturesque fishing town with a unique open harbour and a small timbered church dating back to 1658. The guided excursion took me to Edam. Its cheese of the same name has become famous throughout the world and cheese markets are still held in the summer months. The Old Town centre, especially the Kwakelsteeg, still has lovely characteristic Waterland houses. On the way back to the ship we visited a windmill near Volendam. The guided tour was held in small groups of approximately 30 people and headsets were provided which is great. I could wander around looking at various things (mainly shops) whilst the tour guided talked about the history of the town. This was a very relaxing but informative way of learning about the towns. Just be careful for the locals on their bikes however as they dont like to stop for anyone!

During lunch we sailed on the Markermeer to Enkhuizen, situated at the most easterly point of North Holland. Enkhuizen owes its prosperity to the Zuider Zee (now known as the Ijsselmeer). This afternoon we visited the Zuiderzee Museum, dedicated to the culture and history of this area. The museum focuses on the past and present of the Ijsselmeer, and features living history, heritage, and crafts. Alternatively if you didnt wish to take part in the museum trip you could take part in the Dutch Experience - Home hosted coffee tea with the locals of Enkhuizen. Groups of 6 people are invited to spend the afternoon at a Dutch home, which the locals are proud to have you as their guest.

Upon returning back to the ship after the excursion I headed for the Port Talk with the cruise director followed by the pre-dinner entertainment of trying Dutch Genever cheese. Welcome Gala Dinner this evening (7 courses) was followed by the pianist playing quietly in the lounge for after dinner drinks.

Day Three After breakfast you could choose your excursion: a trip along the Tulip Road or visit the town of Alkmaar. I choose to visit Alkmaar. On reaching this charming town we learnt it was the Friday cheese market. I joined a Certified Local Guide (Adam) who took us on a short walking tour (with headsets) to some of the most beautiful spots of the city. We then had a little free time to look around the cheese market and purchase products if we wished.

We rejoined the ship and sailed during lunch across the Ijsselmeer to southwest Friesland. Mid afternoon we docked in Lemmer from where the Friesland excursion departs. Friesland is primarily an agricultural region with a long history, doubtlessly best known internationally for its famous black and white Friesian cattle, and the well-known black Friesian horse. This province is also rich in history and legends, such as the tale of The Lady of Stavoren. This afternoon excursion takes approximately 5 hours but shows you some amazing scenery on-route and mainly completed by coach.

We rejoined our ship in Sneek late afternoon and I looked forward to the Panorama Bistrot Tapas Dinner, which I had signed up for the night before. This is a NEW concept for 2013 and allows 20 guests to participate in a wonderful Tapas evening. After the Tapas had finished we enjoy an evening of Traditional Frisian Folk Dancers.

Day Four Today I enjoyed a peaceful morning of cruising through this delightful area of Friesland. After docking in Lelystad we visit the unique shipyard, home of the Batavia. This is where they are building the 17th Century tall ships. The visit started with a movie and then a guide will take you in small groups through the wharf. After the tour we made our way back to the coach to transfer us from Lelystad to Kampen to rejoin the ship.

This evening we had a guest chef onboard preparing dinner for us. After dinner The Avalon Visionary Crew Show was held for our evening entertainment. This was great light-hearted entertainment and a great way to get to know the crew better.

Day 1 - 24th April

Following our short hop over to Amsterdam by direct flight from Leeds Bradford with KLM, we were greeted by an Avalon representative and shown to our coach which would take us to the Movenpick Hotel. Here we had use of the hospitality room including free tea, coffee and soft drinks and also met our cruise director, a lovely lady named Nynke, who would accompany us for the duration of the cruise.

With time to spare in Amsterdam we took the optional excursion to the charming village of Zaanse Schans, a quaint village showcasing Dutch traditions such as a visit to a working windmill, cheese making demonstration followed by a wooden shoe demonstration; complete with shopping in the fabulous wooden shoe shop offering every size and colour imaginable, great souvenir opportunity!

Back to the coach for a short transfer to Haarlem to meet Avalon Visionary, cant wait to step aboard!....and I was not disappointed; our accommodation was a spacious category P stateroom offering fantastic views from the wall to wall panoramic sliding glass doors with comfortable seating area. Our twin beds even faced the sliding doors, perfect for watching the world go by! A very nice bathroom with shower and premium products - ideal for two ladies sharing a cabin and flat screen TV with entertainment system.

Once the mandatory safety exercise was over we had a welcome meeting with cocktail including an introduction of the staff and crew, hosted by Nynke. We then set sail for Volendam whilst enjoying our first dinner onboard. The modern dining room offers open seating allowing you to talk amongst your fellow travellers with tables of various sizes. The 5 course A La Carte menu offers a tempting choice! Bon Apetit!

After dinner we enjoy a cocktail or two in the lounge which offers panoramic views all around and outside seating area, whilst Stefan the onboard musician plays live music for us.

Day 2 - 25th April

We awake today in the port of Volendam after a wonderful nights sleep in the very comfortable beds and head down for buffet breakfast which offers a wide choice of continental options and cooked breakfast including omelette station prepared there and then by the chef.

Our first excursion of the day is a visit to Edam, a beautiful village which strangely has the largest church in the whole of the Netherlands! Felt almost as though we had gone back in time with the beautiful small houses and quiet way of life, very much enjoyed meandering through the streets listening to our guide tell us many a fascinating tale about the history of Edam.

Then back to Volendam and some free time to visit the souvenir shops including a huge cheese shop and various kiosks offering local speciality fish.

Time for lunch onboard the ship whilst we sail onto Enkhuizen, a tasty array awaits us at the buffet including some amazing waffles - not sure my waistline can take much more!

We then depart for our afternoon excursion to the open air Zuiderzee museum which shows the traditional way of life in the 1800s and early 1900s. The staff dressed up and even played out a typical day in the fishing village and we looked around a typical family home which were very small box houses. A very interesting excursion!

An alternative excursion offered included The Dutch Experience which was home hosted coffee and tea with the locals in Enkhuizen. Small groups invited to spend the afternoon at a Dutch home. The locals are proud to have you as their guests.

Back to the ship and time to get ready for the welcome gala dinner - seven courses tonight!

Day 3 - 26th April

The ship stayed moored in Enkhuizen last night so following our buffet breakfast we enjoyed a short excursion to Alkmaar with cheese market and souvenir stalls.

Then back to the ship and all aboard for sailing to Lemmer in Friesland. Lunch onboard with a choice of A La Carte menu or light lunch in the lounge. I decided to try the light lunch today which offered a simple choice of sandwiches and soup.

This afternoon a longer Friesland excursion, mostly by coach to the planetarium and a working windmill; meanwhile the ship moves to Sneek where we re-join after our excursion ends.

Tonight dinner with a difference - optional Tapas night (as well as the usual A La Carte option in the main restaurant) I signed up for this and very pleased I did, a welcome change and delightful food!

This evenings onboard entertainment includes traditional Frisian folk dancers; much to my embarrassment I was picked out of the audience to try this!

Day 4 - 27th April

This morning the ship sails early for our next stop which is Lelystad. We enjoyed a later buffet breakfast whilst sailing and some time for relaxation in the Club Lounge enjoying a coffee and a good book. On arrival in Lelystad we briefly visited the unique Batavia Shipyard where they are building 17th century tall ships.

Then it is time for us to bid a fond farewell to Avalon Visionary and head back to the airport for our journey back to Leeds Bradford with KLM.

Short Break Cruise from Amsterdam on Modigliani with CroisiEurope

Other than my wife and I all the passenger were French. All were friendly and, with our school French, we were able pass the normal pleasantries.

As I was told beforehand, the ship had definite French style furnishings and decoration. It was attractive and a little different to other river cruise boats we have been on.

The Cruise Director and Purser, in fact the whole crew from deck staff to cabin staff and waiters could not have been kinder. All were cheerful and enthusiastic which cannot be easy as their work is very repetitive. The food presented was absolutely fabulous. We even found an English copy of the daily newssheet on our breakfast table every morning! The food was absolutely first rate and the free wine helped it go down. The evening entertainment was quite adequate with a couple of simple games and music for live dancing. The cabins were well serviced and maintained. Also the cashless system in the bar worked very well - a card was purchased for 30 with money being crossed off when buying drinks. Any outstanding credit was refunded at the end of the cruise.

It was the best river cruise boat we have experienced having holidayed with at least 3 other companies.

While booking the cruise we were advised that a problem with travelling to Amsterdam by road would be car parking. No trouble whatsoever! I unloaded our luggage at the ship then a 10 minute drive to the Zeeburg Park and Ride where I registered and received complimentary tram tickets to and from the city centre. The parking charge 56 (47.64). The tram stop is conveniently close to where the ship moors. Dependent on where youre travelling from I would thoroughly recommend the journey by private car. From Norfolk and return the cost was 112 cross channel ferry and 2 tanks of petrol. I can enlarge upon this information if anyone is interested.

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Tulips & Windmills

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*All prices are per person based on double occupancy and reflect our Special Cruise Fare.

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One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

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Visits to UNESCO Sites

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Your Stateroom Includes:

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Queen-size Viking Explorer Bed (optional twin-bed configuration) with luxury linens & pillows

Private bathroom with shower, heated floor & anti-fog mirror

Premium Freyja® toiletries

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40" or 42" flat-screen Sony® TV with infotainment system featuring Movies On Demand, plus CNBC, CNN, FOX & more

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*All amenities on board Viking Longships; amenities vary on other ships.

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2024-2026 RIVER CRUISE AND AIR FARES: Offer applies to bookings made from April 1-30, 2024. Terms & conditions for select promotions may vary. $25 deposit is applicable to all River itineraries. Special fares plus up to FREE International airfare valid on select departures of Grand European Tour , Lyon Provence & the Rhineland , European Sojourn and Capitals of Eastern Europe . Airfares may vary on other gateways & departures. Airfare does not have to be purchased to get cruise\cruisetour offer. All prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Additional restrictions may apply. 2024 : Pay in full by May 31, 2024 or at time of booking if within 120 days of departure. 2025 : Pay in full by July 31, 2024. 2026 : Pay in full by February 15, 2025. Offers expires April 30, 2024.

$25 DEPOSIT: For itineraries 35 days or less, a $25 deposit applies to September 2024 & onward departures; for itineraries greater than 35 days, a $25 deposit applies to November 2024 & onward departures; World Cruise products excluded; call for details."

AIR UPGRADE: Upgrade to Premium Economy air from $799 per person or Business Class air from $3,499 per person based on select gateways and dates. Additional airline-imposed baggage charges may apply; for more information visit Airline Luggage Restrictions . Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received. For more information about customized air services and US gateways, visit the Viking Air Plus page.

GENERAL RESTRICTIONS: Cruise fares listed are cruise only in US dollars, per person, based on double occupancy and for US residents only. Cruise ship fuel surcharge may apply. All fares and offers are for new bookings made April 1—April 30, 2024, are subject to availability; may not combinable with other offers except Viking Explorer Society Credit and Viking Referral Rewards. Special cruise fares are based upon published full cruise fares; cruise fares do not include prepaid charges, optional facilities and service fees, and personal charges, as defined in the terms and conditions of the Passenger Ticket Contract which may be viewed elsewhere on this website. Full cruise fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all stateroom categories and may not have been in effect during the last 90 days. Promotional fares may remain in effect after the expiration date. Air promotion applies to economy, roundtrip flights only from select Viking River Cruises US gateways and includes airport-to-ship or hotel transfers, air taxes and air fuel surcharges. Viking reserves the right to correct errors or omissions and to change any and all fares, fees and surcharges at any time. For up-to-date prices, please call Viking or your Travel Agent. The cruise ship fuel surcharge is additional revenue to Viking Cruises, as are any additional charges relating to currency fluctuation other than for fully paid cruise fares and full fares, which fluctuations are beyond our control. All fares include cruise taxes, port taxes and fees. Additional terms and conditions may apply. Complete terms and conditions may be found in the Passenger Ticket Contract .

AIR OFFER RESTRICTIONS: Offer expires April 30, 2024. Note: U.S. flights depart one day prior to check-in date. Paid Business or Premium Economy Class may require travel in economy on flights within North America or Europe. Premium economy is limited to specific airlines and we may not be able to accommodate based on aircraft type and availability. Roundtrip airport transfers are included when air is purchased with a cruise or cruisetour package; if air is not purchased from Viking, transfers may be purchased separately. All transfers must be in conjunction with a Viking-purchased cruise, cruisetour, land extension or extra hotel nights. Air prices are per person based on cruise/cruisetour check-in date and include transfers plus all government taxes/fees of approximately $160 and air fuel surcharges. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received.

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River Cruise

Dutch Delight (2024) (Amsterdam to Amsterdam, 2024)

Through authentic Holland (port-to-port cruise)

We had a wonderful time on this enjoyable cruise in The Netherlands. The itinerary was perfect for our family. The ship's crew were all fantastic: efficient, friendly, welcoming and helpful. And even the weather cooperated. My only (minor) concern was that the information about where and when we could board the ship was not particularly clear, especially as we were traveling independently i.e. we were not met on arrival and escorted to the boat). Fortunately, the public transportation systems in Netherlands are so efficient that this was not a big problem.

Landscapes of Holland Dutch Symphony Main

Landscapes of Holland Dutch Symphony Intermediate Deluxe

Tulip Time Cruise 2024

A wonderful experience for our first cruise. The service personnel were first class. The tours were highly organized and loved the guides.

Tulip Time Highlights 2024

Holland & Belgium Tulip River Cruise (Amsterdam - Brussels - Amsterdam)

Crucemundo people and food were great. Ship was clean and comfortable. We loved having the freedom to go on and off the boat when the boat was docked in port. Would have liked more time in Delft. Sunday and Monday the museums and shops were closed in Rotterdam. Having Tulip in the cruise name is a bit misleading since we don’t see any. Tour radar should not be so strict about the meals as we were brought back to the ship because they had to feed us on board. Transportation should be both to and from Amsterdam, considering you are advertising that the crew starts and ends in Amsterdam. No, Zaandam is NOT part of Amsterdam. We should be offered the optional excursions for purchase at the beginning of the cruise. There should be some minimal criteria for tour guides. Most were great, but a couple were not up to par.

North Holland, Lake IJssel and Wadden Sea

Frisia and Groningen

Springtime in Holland (port-to-port cruise)

Professional, helpful staff, great food.

Tulip Time 2024 Start Amsterdam, End Amsterdam

Tulip Serenade - AMADEUS Queen (Amsterdam - Amsterdam)

Windmills, Tulips and Belgian Delights

Wine tasting

Tulip Serenade - AMADEUS Imperial (Amsterdam - Amsterdam)

Rhine City Experiences 2024

River cruises in netherlands reviews.

We had a wonderful time on this enjoyable cruise in The Netherlands. The itinerary was perfect for our family. The ship's crew were all fantastic: efficient, friendly, welcoming and helpful. And even the weather cooperated. My only (minor) concern was that the information about where and when we could board the ship was not particularly clear, especially as we were traveling independently i.e. we were not met on arrival and escorted to the boat). Fortunately, the public transportation systems in Netherlands are so efficient that this was not a big problem.

Regions in Netherlands

North Holland (6)

Popular Cruise Ships

Avalon Tranquility II from Avalon Waterways
Avalon Imagery II from Avalon Waterways
Avalon Panorama from Avalon Waterways
DCS Amethyst Classic from DCS Touristik
AMADEUS Riva from Lueftner Cruises
River Duchess from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
S.S. Victoria from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
River Princess from Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
AmaCerto from AmaWaterways
A-ROSA BRAVA from A-ROSA
Scenic Jewel from Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours
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Travel Styles

10 Best River Cruise Companies (with Reviews)
Best 7 Day Netherlands Itineraries 2024/2025 (with Reviews)

CRUISE ITINERARY

Board AmaWaterways AmaSerena in Amsterdam for your 7-night cruise. (D)

Enjoy a scenic cruise through the IJsselmeer to Kampen. Venture to the charming, canal-laden village of Giethoorn, nicknamed the “Dutch Venice.” Capture wonderful photos of the picturesque thatched-roof farmhouses, which are seemingly lifted straight from the pages of a fairytale. In the afternoon, go for a guided bike ride through the Dutch countryside or visit Noordoostpolder’s vibrant tulip fields. (B, L, D)

After enjoying a scenic cruise through the Delta, join a guided tour to the medieval harbor town of Zierikzee, brimming with delights, from its 16th-century stone-built Gravesteen to its lovely harborside shops and cafes. This excursion includes a photo stop at the Oosterschelde Kering, the largest storm surge barrier of the Delta Works. Alternatively, focus your tour on the history of the Delta Works at the Flood Museum. More than half of the Netherlands lies below sea level and the Delta Works were built to prevent a recurrence of the 1953 flood disaster.

Prefer discovering Bruinisse on two wheels? Join our guide for an exhilarating bike tour. (B, L, D)

Admire Ghent’s canal-side architecture and some of its famous sights, including the Castle of the Counts and St. Bavo’s Cathedral and its Adoration of the Mystic Lamb. Those with a sweet tooth can visit a chocolate maker’s shop. After being greeted with a glass of champagne, a master chocolatier will brief you on the history of chocolate. You will also have the opportunity to taste different types of pralines—and try your hand at making your own. Alternatively, take a full-day tour of Bruges, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stroll through Grote Markt and Burg Square, and visit the centuries-old Church of Our Lady with its prominent spire. If you choose, sample some of the local specialties, from Belgian fries to waffles to chocolate, before returning to the ship. (B, L, D)

Explore this trendy city on a walking tour where you’ll see Antwerp’s Steen Castle, Grote Markt and Brabo Fountain, along with the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady.

For a more active exploration of the area, join a guided bike tour. Later in the afternoon, you have a choice of two excursions. Foodies will want to go on a culinary tour to indulge in chocolate, waffles and beer. Flower lovers and gardeners can roam through the Floralia, an annual spring flower show featuring approximately one million bulbs that are hand-planted each year by the castle staff. (B, L, D)

During the morning, you can go on a walking tour of Rotterdam, nicknamed the “Gateway to Europe,” and taste local specialties. Alternatively, go on an excursion to Delft, known as the home of the painter Johannes Vermeer, Delft Blue earthenware and the Royal House. While here, you’ll visit the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum. If you prefer a more active adventure, then go on a bike ride through Rotterdam and past some of its famous landmarks and architecture. In the afternoon, venture to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. Visit a private windmill via electric boat. You may also pedal past the windmills from the seat of a bike. Or, if you wish to explore the history of US immigration, join us on an excursion that visits Delfshaven, where, on August 1, 1620, the Pilgrim fathers departed on their epic journey aboard the Speedwell. Additionally, tour the FENIX Museum of Migration, a former harbor warehouse currently being transformed into a unique educational experience. (B, L, D)

Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising before venturing out in the afternoon on a smaller boat specially designed to glide beneath the many bridges of Amsterdam. Admire the city’s historic harbor and canals, where you’ll see beautiful homes lining the water and the fabled Skinny Bridge. Alternatively, marvel at one of the most impressive public gardens in the world, Keukenhof, which presents a spectacular display of millions of flowering tulips spread out over 70 acres. Spend time ambling through this legendary garden, open only nine weeks a year and sometimes referred to as the “Garden of Europe.” (B, L, D)

Disembark the ship in Amsterdam and bid farewell to the city before preparing for your return flight home. (B)

Roundtrip airport to ship transfers including meet and greet and luggage handling
Seven nights cruise cabin accommodations on the AmaWaterways AmaSerena
Gourmet dining for all meals onboard the ship throughout the cruise — (B, L, D) indicates included breakfasts, lunches, and dinners throughout itinerary
Wine and beer with lunch and dinner
Daily happy hour
All shore excursions in each port
Onboard entertainment and lectures
Ship-wide Internet and Wi-Fi access
All onboard gratuities for ship staff
Taxes, fees and port charges

CRUISE ONLY PRICING

(*) Pricing based on credit card payment. All other pricing based on cash or check payment. All prices listed are per person, based on stated occupancy. Airfare is not included in listed prices.

AMAWATERWAYS' AMASERENA

AmaSerena is a regal river ship accommodating both guests who wish to socialize with kindred cruisers and those seeking private rejuvenation. Twin-balcony staterooms maximize scenic views with amenities that include Entertainment-On-Demand, unlimited Wi-Fi, movies, music and more. Vivid brush strokes on the duvets give local color new life, while sophisticated white marbled bathrooms offer a clean canvas. When it’s time to step out, guests can choose a quiet respite in the inviting library or head to the Main Lounge for cocktails and conversation. Both venues are designed with fabrics in rich reds that call to mind full-bodied Merlots. For a bit of whimsy, the Sun Deck boasts a giant chess set, or you can take a dip in the refreshing pool. As a member of La Chaîne des Rôtisseurs , the exclusive international culinary society, AmaSerena also offers exquisite, locally sourced cuisine in the Main Restaurant or at The Chef’s Table.

Window Cabin (D/E)

tulip-time-river-cruise-french-balcony-cabin

French Balcony Cabin (C)

Twin Balcony Cabin (BB)

Twin Balcony Cabin (AA)

Keukenhof Garden: Dazzling Spring Flowers in The Netherlands

C elebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, the Keukenhof spring garden exhibit draws nearly 1.5 million visitors over its 8-week run. It’s a wondrous display of Dutch tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and other rainbow-hued seasonal flowers.

It’s a must-visit if you’re in the Netherlands from mid-March to mid-May and totally doable, even if you have limited time in your itinerary, thanks to express bus transportation from Schiphol airport and Amsterdam’s Central Station.

Here’s SheBuysTravel’s guide to the annual Keukenhof flower festival including its history, getting there and how to make the most of your day.

Read More: Best Countries to Visit with Kids

Celebrating 75 Years of Flower Power

The Keukenhof grounds were fertile foraging land for Countess Jacoba van Beireren back in the 1400s who gathered food in the “kitchen dunes”, the origin of the name Keukenhof. Later, a wealthy Amsterdam merchant built The Kasteel Keukenhof on the property in 1641. The estate’s English-style gardens were designed in 1857 by father and son landscape architects Jan David and Louis Paul Zocher who also created Amsterdam’s gorgeous Vondelpark .

In 1949, a group of bulb growers in Holland’s Bollenstreek (bulb region) decided that an annual public exhibition of their spring flowers would be a great way to promote their industry. The first Keukenhof festival was held in 1950 and drew over 200,000 visitors.

SheBuysTravel Tip: The current Keukenhof exhibit draws 1.5 million guests. It was a zoo during my visit on a rainy, windy April Friday. If you can, arrive when it opens at 8 am or closer to closing at 7:30 pm, you might encounter fewer people.

Keukenhof Must-Sees

With nearly 80 acres and 7 million flower bulbs, Keukenhof might feel overwhelming. Think of it as a floral Disney World. Don’t expect to see it all in one visit.

Download the park map to help you navigate and check the weekly flower report to see what’s currently in bloom.

Two tour options are available in the tulip garden. You can book a guided 60-minute walking tour for a fee that includes your park admission. Or take a 45-minute whisper boat cruise through the growers’ fields. Both of these tours are given in Dutch, English, German and French.

The garden paths wind through shady woodlands and themed inspirational gardens. The 2024 exhibition features five gardens: Hilltop Heaven, Beach Garden, Mediterranean Garden, Sounds of Spring and Romantic Mystery. Be sure your phone is fully charged so you can snap selfies. Just when you think you’ve found your favorite tulip, you’ll round a corner and find another that steals your heart.

Be sure to dress your littles in tulip colors and plant them in front of the flower beds for the cutest photos. Then reward them by visiting the maze, animal meadow and playground.

Want to go full Dutch? Rent a bicycle to tour the garden.

The private growing fields surrounding Keukenhof are off-limits. Photograph them from the road or from the whisper boat cruise.

SheBuysTravel Tip: Keep to the paths that wind through the garden to preserve the beauty of the tulip festival displays. Someone decided they needed a selfie lying down in the muscari walk and crushed hundreds of flowers. Not cool .

Practical Tips: Making the Most of Your Visit

Keukenhof is located in the flower bulb region of The Netherlands, approximately 40 kilometers southwest of Amsterdam. Entry tickets to the garden are timed, so build in some extra transportation time in case you run into delays in transit.

The festival runs from mid-March through mid-May. The weather can vary dramatically. Dressing in light layers is recommended. And pack rain gear just in case. You will be walking. A lot. So comfortable shoes are a must.

Keukenhof is cashless so be sure to bring a credit or debit card you’ve used in The Netherlands for your purchases. You’re probably wondering if you can buy bulbs at Keukenhof. Several vendors sell US-approved bulbs in kiosks. I resisted the urge to purchase a bunch, knowing that I’d need to hold onto them at home for months – the time to plant spring-flowering bulbs is late autumn. You can order them from home at QFB Gardening .

There are plenty of food kiosks with indoor and outdoor seating scattered throughout the grounds. The menus feature cafe cuisine – soups, salads and sammies – as well as traditional Dutch snacks like bitterballen. Keukenhof’s newest restaurant. Jacoba’s Kitchen, is a fully vegetarian option, located in the Oranje Nassau Pavillion where you’ll also find informational exhibits and more flower displays.

Additional info:

Leashed dogs are permitted in the garden’s outdoor areas
Personal electric wheelchairs are permitted; manual wheelchairs are available for rent
Free lockers are located near the main entrance
Need wifi? It’s available for free near the garden pavilions.
The lost and found inventory is posted online, just in case.

Getting to Keukenhof

The easiest way to get to the garden is via public transportation. Keukenhof offers a combo ticket that includes your park admission and round-trip bus transportation to/from the following hubs: Amsterdam RAI, Schiphol Airport, Leiden Central Station, and Haarlem Central Station.

The garden has paid parking if you’re arriving by car, motorbike or camper van.

Tours are another great option and many leave from the Amsterdam city center. Some include stops in the Dutch countryside so, if your time in the Netherlands is limited and you HAVE to see windmills, consider a tour.

We hired a driver for the day from the Taylor Travel Management Group for our trip to the garden since we were traveling with my infant granddaughter. Outings are a new adventure and babies have stuff: car seats, diaper bags, strollers. Having a car made the schlep much easier and provided a quiet spot for feeding baby throughout our fun, but long, day. It’s a splurge, but definitely worth it if you have special needs.

Read More: New York Botanical Garden Orchid Show is a Great Girlfriend Getaway

What to Do Near Keukenhof

Express buses (see info above) run to Keukenhof in Lisse from Amsterdam, Leiden and Haarlem so they are excellent options to consider when planning your visit.

If you have a car, consider including the following stops on your flower-filled day.

Tulip Farm De Tulperij in Voorhout

This family-owned farm has a lovely cafe and gift shop and a small show garden you can visit for free. If you’d like to walk through the growing fields, book a time with owners Dan and Anja to learn about their flower farm. I’d like to visit in late summer when the farm’s dahlias are in bloom – they’re my favorite flower (don’t tell the tulips!).

SheBuysTravel Tip: Use the restrooms here before heading to Keukenhof to avoid long lines.

Lunch by the Sea

Beach Club O is a delightful alternative to the Keukenhof food kiosks. It’s located about 20 minutes from the garden in Noordwijk, a charming coastal community. The sea raged outside the restaurant windows while we stayed snug inside sampling fresh sole, Iberico ham and tuna tacos. You may think you don’t want the bread. Trust me. You do.

Zaanse Schans

This residential neighborhood north of Amsterdam retains the feel of a historic Dutch village. You can wander in and out of the small shops and museums devoted to traditional crafts like clog making and the iconic foods of The Netherlands like cocoa powder and cheese. It’s worth a stop simply to view the classic windmills of the Zaanse Schans .

The post Keukenhof Garden: Dazzling Spring Flowers in The Netherlands appeared first on She Buys Travel .

Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, the Keukenhof spring garden exhibit draws nearly 1.5 million visitors over its 8-week run. It’s a wondrous display of Dutch tulips, daffodils, hyacinths and...

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Amsterdam’s Latest Effort to Fight Excessive Tourism: No New Hotels

The city wants no more than 20 million hotel stays annually. The measure is one of multiple efforts to control the flow of visitors.

A brick hotel with a neon sign and people on the sidewalk in front of it in Amsterdam.

By Claire Moses

Amsterdam has been searching for any way to rein in the number of tourists that visit the city every year.

In March of last year, the city launched an ad campaign specifically targeted at British men between 18 and 35, urging them to “stay away.”

In July, the Dutch capital announced it would bar cruise ships from docking in the city center .

The city has also long tried to control the crowds in its red-light district, where rowdy groups of tourists often cause disruptions to local residents. It has added stricter rules about smoking marijuana . It has banned new tourist shops. And still, the people keep coming.

Now, the city — which is as well known for its canals and 17th century art as for its legal sex industry and easy access to marijuana — has taken one more step to further restrict the explosive growth of tourists: It is banning hotels from being built.

“Amsterdam is saying ‘no’ to new hotels,” the City Council said in a statement. “We want to make and keep the city livable for residents and visitors,” it added.

Amsterdam, which added that it was seeking to keep hotel stays by tourists to under 20 million per year, saw its highest number of visitors before the pandemic in 2019, when there were 25.2 million hotel stays, according to the city’s data.

Last year, that number was exceeded by tourists staying over in Amsterdam, not including stays in short-term rentals like Airbnbs and cruise ships. And the measure also does not take into account daily visitors who do not stay the night.

The ban on new hotels, while sending a clear message about the city’s aim to reduce the number of visitors, is also largely symbolic. The city’s policy on hotel construction was already strict, and there had been only three proposals since 2017 that met Amsterdam’s requirements, according to the city. New hotels that had been approved or were in development — 26 in total — would be allowed to proceed for now.

Under the new rules, a new hotel can only open if another one closes. It also isn’t allowed to add more rooms than were available, according to the city.

“The effect won’t be very big,” said Ko Koens, a professor of new urban tourism at Inholland University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He also said that in the long run, the capping of hotels could make them more expensive to stay at.

While this ban alone would not make a huge dent in the number of visitors to the city, Mr. Koens said, taken together with other initiatives it could make Amsterdam a less appealing place to visit. But, he said, “For now, visitors don’t seem to mind.”

In total, Amsterdam has nearly 42,000 hotel rooms that can accommodate more than 92,000 people, according to Statistics Netherlands, a governmental institution that compiles data about the country. (In total, the Netherlands has more than 150,000 hotel rooms.)

Amsterdam’s initiatives to rein in tourism have been largely focused on its crowded city center. But as long as Amsterdam’s airport, Schiphol, continues to be a major European hub, it won’t be easy to keep visitors away from the city.

“There are no simple solutions,” Mr. Koens said. “It’s super complex.”

Amsterdam also announced this week it would start cutting the number of river cruises allowed to dock in its waters. In 2023, that number was 2,125. In 2028, the city wants it to be halved, with no more than 1,150. The city predicts that effort could reduce the number of visitors that come into town by 271,000. This proposal, the city said, is to improve the quality of life for residents and to reduce emissions and crowds.

“The balance in the city needs to improve,” Hester van Buren, a deputy mayor who focuses on the city’s port, said in a statement.

Amsterdam isn’t the only major European destination that has been struggling to get a grip on the growing number of tourists. Venice announced it would charge day-tripping visitors 5 euros ($5.33) to enter the iconic streets of its city center on weekends and some holidays from April 25 through mid-July, its busiest season.

Amsterdam, currently in a busy touristic time because of its famous blooming tulips, has not announced a similar measure, but it is likely there will be more efforts and experiments designed to limit visitors — like the hotel ban.

“Without such a stop, Amsterdam’s center would become one big hotel,” Mr. Koens said. “You don’t want that either.”

Claire Moses is a Times reporter in London, focused on coverage of breaking and trending news. More about Claire Moses

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COMMENTS

Tulip River Cruise Tips
Best Time for Tulip River Cruises. Dutch Waterways itineraries are most typically found in the spring, from the end of March through early May, as that's when tulips are most typically in bloom.
Tulips & Windmills
Admire the genius of the Dutch Masters at Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum. Explore Enkhuizen's seafaring heritage, Dutch World War II history and Antwerp's Renaissance splendor. See colorful tulips in bloom, and sample Belgian beers and chocolates. View well-preserved medieval buildings in Middelburg. Roam Keukenhof Gardens, the world's largest floral park. The best time to see the Low ...
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What better city to visit on a river cruise than stunning Amsterdam? AmaWaterways® 2023 Tulip Time Cruise - Embark from Amsterdam for a 7-night cruise of Dutch and Belgian waterways, along the way celebrating springtime, when places such as the storied Keukenhof Gardens bloom to life. Optional pre/post extensions available.
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Highlights of Tulip Season. The best time to see the Low Countries is spring, and the best way to see them is with Viking. Departures during spring tulip season complement your itinerary's regular highlights. Here is a preview of all you will enjoy sailing inland waterways during the spring: More than 7 million flowers in bloom at Keukenhof ...
2024
Stay up to date on all things Uniworld. We'll keep you up-to-date with our latest news, travel inspiration and special promotions. 2024: Experience the best of the Netherlands and Belgium - including such iconic sights as canals, windmills, tulips, and old-world treasures - on this colorful springtime river cruise.
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About the tour. Lose yourself in scents and colours on this flower-filled cruise through scenic Belgium and the Netherlands. Walk among floral displays at Keukenhof Gardens, visit poignant war sites, and explore the quaint streets of Amsterdam, Bruges, and Ghent. Cruising aboard our luxurious ship, we step ashore at ports along the way to visit ...
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Holland & Belgium: Tulip Season River Cruise. Adventure blooms as you walk amongst the iconic symbols of Holland and Belgium—tulips and windmills! 8 Days. from $8,399. View Rates & Dates. Trip Type. Small Ship Adventures. 20 Meals. 7 Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners.
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Celebrate spring in the Netherlands and Belgium when the Keukenhof Gardens and Floralia come alive. Experience Amsterdam's colorful canals, the whimsical Kinderdijk windmills and the art of Rubens and Michelangelo. Discover the timeless traditions of Delft porcelain and revel in the medieval architectural treasures of Bruges, Middelburg and Ghent. Throughout your journey indulge in Belgian ...
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Call 1.406.541.2677. Start Planning My Trip. From the canals of Amsterdam to the belfry of Bruges, you'll discover the best of the Netherlands and Belgium on this 10-day river cruise aboard River Duchess. Stroll through colorful acres of tulips at Keukenhof Gardens to get a sense of the Netherlands' extraordinary connection to these blooms.
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With the River Cruise tour Holland & Belgium Tulip River Cruise (Amsterdam - Brussels - Amsterdam), you have a 8 days tour package taking you through Amsterdam, Netherlands and 5 other destinations in Europe. Holland & Belgium Tulip River Cruise (Amsterdam - Brussels - Amsterdam) includes accommodation in a hotel as well as an expert guide ...
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Join us on this extra special cruise to see sprawling tulip fields, and beautiful Dutch architecture as we sail through the Netherlands to Belgium. We'll be in total awe of the colorful tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as we walk among millions of them at Keukenhof Gardens. With vibrant flowers budding all around us, we'll take a walking ...
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Windmills and Tulips of Holland
Discover the iconic sights of the Netherlands…. Begin your all-inclusive river cruise aboard Spirit of the Rhine in Amsterdam. Visit Enkhuizen and Lelystad, set along the Markermeer lake. See the colourful displays at Keukenhof Gardens, join an included tour of Rotterdam and get up close to the Kinderdijk Windmills.
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Your cruise through Holland and Belgium returns to Amsterdam for a guided canal cruise through the iconic city. 15 days. 2 countries. countries. from. (USD) $10,696 $10,196*. see dates & prices Save $1,000 per couple on select 2024 Avalon Waterways Europe river cruises (combinable with $599 Air)** *prices per person, based on double occupancy ...
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Choice of Ships. 7 Nights Cruise Only from £2258pp Amsterdam, Amsterdam - Zaanse Schans, Rotterdam, The Hague, Antwerp, Arnhem, Amsterdam. View Full Details. See acres of colourful tulips and sail past traditional Dutch windmills on this journey along the canals of Holland and Belgium.
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CRUISE ITINERARY. DAY 1 Thursday, April 24, 2025: Amsterdam, Netherlands. Board AmaWaterways AmaSerena in Amsterdam for your 7-night cruise. (D) DAY 2 Friday, April 25, 2025: Amsterdam + Kampen, Netherlands.
Keukenhof Garden: Dazzling Spring Flowers in The Netherlands
Celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2024, the Keukenhof spring garden exhibit draws nearly 1.5 million visitors over its 8-week run. It's a wondrous display of Dutch tulips, daffodils, hyacinths ...
Amsterdam's Latest Effort to Fight Excessive Tourism: No New Hotels
Amsterdam also announced this week it would start cutting the number of river cruises allowed to dock in its waters. In 2023, that number was 2,125. In 2028, the city wants it to be halved, with ...