Tulips of Northern Holland
8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Amsterdam
Vacation overview
Explore the well-known sites of Holland, plus some off the beaten path, for a unique and fascinating river cruise vacation! In Northern Holland, you may opt to see the colorful fields of tulips which make this part of the country so beautiful. Alternatively, in Enkhuizen, you may prefer to visit the Zuiderzee Museum to experience the local culture and history. Also, there’s an opportunity to meet some of the locals before continuing your river cruise through the area of Friesland. Here, you’ll visit the Royal Planetarium, nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
You’ll visit Lelystad’s the Batavia shipyard and board an exact replica of the Batavia ship itself. Get a true taste of the culture with an introduction to local cheese and Genever! Cruise through the modern harbor of Rotterdam and go on a guided excursion to Gouda, famous for its cheese of the same name. For garden enthusiasts, you may, instead, choose to see the breathtaking colors of Keukenhof, also known as the “Garden of Europe.” With over 70 acres of parkland and lakes, it’s one of the world’s largest flower gardens.
A river cruise through Holland would not be complete without some time in Holland’s popular, modern capital of Amsterdam. The city combines its historical 17th-century buildings, sculptures, and museums with a modern feel. See the most fascinating areas of the city on a canal cruise along the elegant Grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Sail into new worlds to discover the stunning beauty, ancient history, and welcoming traditions that await you!
Itinerary
Day 1 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)
Welcome to Amsterdam. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 3:30 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
You may join a Guided Optional Excursion to beautiful Zaanse Schans, where you’ll see a wonderful collection of well-preserved historic windmills and Dutch houses.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO HOORN
Day 2 HOORN
The Trading Port‘s Heyday Still Lives in Hoorn’s History
ACTIVE Join your Avalon Adventure Host for a Morning Walk.
Take advantage of the free time left to take a bike ride, or a walk through the historic North Sea trading port of Hoorn.
AFTERNOON CRUISE TO ENKHUIZEN
ENKHUIZEN
A Harbor Town’s History of Tulips, Trading, and the Zuiderzee
CLASSIC Take a guided tour of Zuiderzee Museum to discover cultural traditions and maritime history, OR:
DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour of local tulip fields and Dutch flower farms.
Spend the rest of the afternoon walking or biking through Enkhuizen. Later, enjoy onboard live entertainment.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN ENKHUIZEN
Day 3 ENKHUIZEN
Dutch Delicacies with New Friends—in an Old Harbor Town
CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Enkhuizen to get better acquainted with the charm and beauty of this historic harbor village, OR:
DISCOVERY Join us at the home of a Dutch family for authentic samples of local specialties and conversation, for a true Dutch experience.
Enjoy a brief afternoon cruise to Friesland.
SNEEK, FRIESLAND
Planets and Stars, Famous Cows, and Black Horses of Friesland
CLASSIC Take a Guided Excursion to visit the Royal Eise Eisinga Planetarium—the oldest planetarium still working in the world. Watch for the world-famous black-and-white cattle and black Friesian horses.
Re-join your ship in Sneek. There is time for a stroll before dinner. This evening enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN SNEEK
Day 4 KAMPEN
The Golden Age of Ship-Building, the National Liquor, and Cheese
DISCOVERY Take a Guided Tour of Lelystad’s Batavia Shipyard and board the hand-built replica of the historic Batavia.
DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Cheese Tasting with Genever—the national and traditional liquor of the Netherlands.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN KAMPEN
Day 5 GELDERSE IJSSEL–ARNHEM
Spiced Honey Cake, WWII Valor, and Van Gogh
DISCOVERY This morning, attend an Onboard Lecture about Holland and a tasting of the authentic Dutch Deventer Koek Cake.
CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem, OR:
CLASSIC Take a Guided Tour of Arnhem’s Kröller-Müller Museum with the world’s second largest Van Gogh collection.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ROTTERDAM
Day 6 ROTTERDAM
Windmills and Skyscrapers in Holland’s Modern Maritime Marvel
CLASSIC Join a full- or half-day Guided Tour of breathtaking Keukenhof—the world’s largest flower gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths as well as other bulbs each year.
CLASSIC Enjoy an afternoon Guided Tour of Gouda-famous for its Dutch yellow cheese, stroopwafels (syrup waffles), and Gouda candles.
Sample artisan beer, a slice of appeltart (Dutch apple pie), or a koffie verkeerd. Take a bike from your ship to explore Rotterdam and the surrounding area. Before dinner, enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbor. Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.
EVENING CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM
Day 7 AMSTERDAM
Colorful Amsterdam—with Canals, Crooked Houses, and Dutch Specialties
CLASSIC Take a Guided Canal Cruise to explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam. Float along the Grachten past Amsterdam’s stately homes of the Golden Age.
Join an Optional Culinary Walk through Amsterdam to sample savory and sweet Dutch specialties, or choose an Optional City Biking Tour to discover the countryside. Alternatively take an Optional Excursion to Holland’s beautiful medieval Muiderslot Castle.
Explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM
Day 8 AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.