Viking River Cruises

A Dutch Journey

Itinerary Overview

Springtime in Holland is a treat for the senses, with blooming bulbs, vibrant landscapes and a rich seafaring heritage. This seven-night journey will immerse you in Dutch culture with an in-depth exploration of the Netherlands. You’ll learn about the country’s age-old battle with the sea at the Zuiderzee and delight in the centuries-old windmills of Kinderdijk. You can walk the royal halls of Paleis Het Loo and discover the great Dutch Masters at the famed Rijksmuseum. And you’ll see how traditional cheese is made, admire beautiful porcelain at the Delftware factory and enjoy an unforgettable visit to the floral extravaganza of Keukenhof Gardens.

What's Included

• 7-night cruise with river-view, outside cabin onboard deluxe Viking Spirit or Viking Pride
• 7 tours with private, English-speaking guides: Amsterdam canal cruise/Rijksmuseum; Enkhuizen/Zuiderzee Museum; Edam & Marken; Arnhem/Paleis Het Loo; Kinderdijk windmills; Rotterdam; Delft; Keukenhof Gardens
• All meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners
• Private motorcoach for all coach excursions
• Welcome Cocktail & Farewell Dinner
• Old World Highlights: Port lectures by your knowledgeable Cruise Manager, wooden shoe carving demonstration and Dutch folkloric entertainment
• Individual port guides for on-your-own exploring
• Onboard currency exchange services
• All port charges included

Ship

Detailed Itinerary

Capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is renowned for its magnificent museums, colourful gardens, abundance of bicycles and endless lattice of canals. A scenic canal boat ride is an excellent way to enjoy views of the amazing architecture of Amsterdam's Golden Age. This 800-year-old city is also famous for the Rijksmuseum, which houses works by Rembrandt and other Dutch Masters. Other highlights include the famous Anne Frank's house where she penned her poignant Diary chronicling her days in hiding during World War II.

Enkhuizen, a medieval fishing and shipping center, maintains its ancient charm. Its cobblestone streets and traditional Dutch buildings are quaint reminders of the past history of this city. The soaring Drommedaris Tower and Zuiderkerk (South Church) featuring a carillon with 48 bells, overlook the harbor along the Ijsselmeer. Key city sights include the 16th century Weighhouse, 17th century Town Hall, and the Zuider Zee Museum featuring a reproduction of a typical mid 19th century Dutch harbor town.

Hoorn - Free time

Founded in 1300, Hoorn was named for its horn-shaped harbor along the Ijsselmeer. With a flourishing maritime history, Hoorn was the 17th century headquarters for the Dutch East India Company and a center of trade and exploration. It is the birthplace of Dutch navigator Willem Corneliszoon Schouten, who rounded the southern tip of mainland South America in 1616 and named it "Cape Horn" after the city of Hoorn.

Perched along the Ijsselmeer River, Edam was once an important fishing port and harbor. Today, it is world-famous for its savory, red wax-coated cheese. This charming city featuring wooden bridges straddling narrow canals is home to a variety of museums including an 18th century sea captain's house boasting an unusual floating cellar.

Marken - Coach & walking tour

The picturesque island fishing village of Marken is connected by a dike to the mainland. The town represents a living history, visible in many of the cafés and shops as well as in its handicrafts and the traditional dress of the locals. Marken is especially known for the manufacture of traditional wooden clogs.

Volendam - Free time

A charming Zuider Zee village, Volendam is an old fishing port. The city's rich heritage is preserved in its traditional shops and bakeries. Visitors and artists alike are attracted to Volendam for its quaint atmosphere. Some of the locals still dress in traditional costumes similar to those immortalized in paintings by Dutch Master Vermeer.

A lovely town nearly destroyed during World War II, Arnhem is now filled with a collection of beautiful parks and gardens. One of Arnhem's main attractions is the Netherlands Open Air Museum, an 18-acre park established in 1912 to maintain the country's architectural and cultural heritage. The grounds feature a collection of houses, windmills and workshops depicting the region's rich history and culture from the 18th and 19th centuries.

Founded in 1008 between two branches of the Rhine River, Dordrecht was one of the Netherlands' most prosperous ports. Because of its natural beauty, it inspired many 17th and 18th century artists. The city is centered on Voorstraats Haven, the main canal. The medieval houses, courtyards, gates and quays provide an interesting contrast to the more modern buildings. Dordrecht is also the starting point for excursions to nearby Kinderdijk, with its historic working windmills.

Delft - Delft Excursion

A major trade center in the 16th and 17th centuries, Delft is famous for its blue-patterned, tin-glazed earthenware. The city's beautiful medieval buildings and charming houses line its many canals and cobblestone streets, making it one of the country's best-preserved villages. Jan Vermeer, one of the famous Dutch Masters, was born here and based many of his paintings on scenes from his hometown.

Lying at the heart of a maze of rivers and artificial waterways, Rotterdam's historic harbor, combined with the dockland area of the Europoort, is considered the world's largest port. It is a major transshipment port for inland Europe, with tens of thousands of Rhine River barges using its facilities. Literally rising from the ashes after its devastation by World War II bombing, Rotterdam's spacious new inner city was laid out with a river orientation. Visitors can take in spectacular views from the top of the 600-foot-tall Euromast or visit the Lijnbaan shopping district, Europe's first pedestrian shopping precinct.

Cost of This Itinerary

The least expensive cabin costs:
$143 per person per night in low season and
$257 pp pn in high season

The most expensive stateroom costs:
$271 per person per night in low season and
$386 pp pn in high season