DISCOVER HOLLAND & BELGIUM
Picture yourself gliding along scenic waterways as ribbons of color stretch across the Dutch countryside, with every stop offering a new layer of culture, history, and charm.
From the artistic treasures of Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum to the seafaring heritage of Hoorn and the powerful World War II history of Arnhem, each destination brings its own perspective to this beautifully curated journey. In Belgium, discover Antwerp’s Renaissance elegance, indulge in world-famous chocolates and beers, and step back in time along the medieval streets of Bruges.
A highlight of the journey is a visit to Keukenhof Gardens, where millions of tulips bloom in a breathtaking display—an experience that feels like walking through a living painting.
On board, settle into Viking’s elegantly designed staterooms, where Scandinavian simplicity meets refined comfort. Enjoy thoughtfully curated, regionally inspired cuisine and attentive service, all while the river carries you seamlessly from one remarkable destination to the next.
Spring sailings are limited and perfectly timed to capture tulip season at its peak. Secure your suite now for a journey that blends culture, color, and effortless luxury in one unforgettable experience.
The Itinerary
Embarkation - Amsterdam
Overnight docking in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Overnight docking in Amsterdam
Scenic sailing: IJsselmeer
Hoorn
Arnhem
Kinderdijk
Antwerp
Ghent
Zeeland
Amsterdam
Overnight docking in Amsterdam
Debarkation - Amsterdam
Trip Overview
TULIPS & WINDMILLS 10 DAYS • AMSTERDAM TO ANTWERP TO AMSTERDAM
April 23 - May 2, 2028
Day 1 – Sunday, April 23, 2028: Arrival in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. A city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums and abundant bicycles, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam is a delight to explore. Its patchwork of waterways forms about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. The legacy of the Dutch Golden Age lives on in gilded manses and in the lush paintings of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters that adorn the Rijksmuseum, The Netherlands’ grand repository of art and cultural history.
Day 2 – Monday, April 24, 2028: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Discover Amsterdam in the most leisurely manner, via one of its famous glass-topped canal boats. With a local guide, you will see some of Amsterdam’s oldest buildings, from narrow-fronted gabled houses to gilded manses adorned with riches during the height of Holland’s Golden Age.
Day 3 – Tuesday, April 25, 2028: Enkhuizen, The Netherlands
Explore the historic sights of Enkhuizen during an informative walking excursion. Enkhuizen is known as one of the most beautiful Dutch East India Company cities in the Netherlands and still exudes much of its Dutch Golden Age charm. Visit Snouck van Loosenpark, admiring this beautiful green space and learning its history as the site of the country’s first social housing project. Continue past the Dromedaris—a 16th-century gate and Enkhuizen’s most famous building—and stroll along the canal to the Zuiderkerk.
Day 4 – Wednesday, April 26, 2028: Arnhem, The Netherlands
Explore historic sights from the Battle of Arnhem on foot and see its modern Modekwartier. Set off with your guide, pausing to see the Gothic Eusebius Church. Initially built during the 15th century, the church was heavily damaged during World War II’s Operation Market Garden and subsequently rebuilt. View the Devil’s House, named for the satyr figures that feature in its facade, and learn how it once served as a holding place for captured paratroopers.
Day 5 – Thursday, Aril 27, 2028: Kinderdijk, The Netherlands
See the picturesque Dutch countryside and the original technological marvels of historic Kinderdijk. You will walk with your guide into the serene polder lands of South Holland. You will learn why they were built and see firsthand how they work, even stepping into a working windmill to observe its mechanics and living quarters.
Day 6 – Friday, April 28, 2028: Antwerp, Belgium
See Antwerp’s dazzling historic quarter up close as you explore by foot. Join your guide for a short walk to the Cathedral of Our Lady, a vision of Gothic beauty, the largest church in Belgium and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of its spires stands 404 feet high. Continue to the historic Old Town along crooked streets to Grote Markt, where the incredible Renaissance Town Hall stands.
Day 7 – Saturday, April 29, 2028: Middelburg, The Netherlands
Stroll through the heart of Middelburg, gaining insight into important historic landmarks. Middelburg was a flourishing medieval town that traded in wine and cloth and that later prospered through the activities of the Dutch East India Company. Set out on foot to Middelburg Abbey. Gaze upon what remains of this once-large monastic complex, including its famous 300-foot-tall tower, nicknamed Tall John. Pass the Zeeuws Museum en route to the Town Hall, one of the finest examples of 15th-century Gothic architecture in the Netherlands.
Day 8 – Sunday, April 30, 2028: Zeeland, The Netherlands
Explore picturesque Zierikzee and learn about an important event in regional history at the Watersnoodsmuseum. Drive with your guide into the Walcheren region in the southwestern corner of The Netherlands. Once an island, the dam across the Oosterschelde helped connect it to the mainland. In Ouwerkerk, visit the Watersnoodsmuseum and browse the exhibits that tell the story of the last great flood, which occurred in 1953.
Day 9 – Monday, May 1, 2028: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Walk the flower-lined footpaths of one of the most renowned flower gardens in the world. Every spring, a vibrant, multihued carpet blankets the 70 acres at Keukenhof Gardens. Some 7 million flowers are said to bloom here: tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, lilies, bluebells, crocuses and countless others form graceful ribbons along pathways and brooks and fill greenhouses and fields to bursting.
Day 10 – Tuesday, May 2, 2028: Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.
Included in the Group River Cruise Rates
-
10-day cruise visiting 2 countries with river-view stateroom
-
8 guided tours
-
Visit 3 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
-
All onboard meals including regional specialties
-
Culture Curriculum®: Learn how wooden shoes are made; find out how windmills work; attend lectures on Belgium’s political landscape and Holland’s 17th-century tulip craze; enjoy a folkloric performance; sample Dutch cheese and jenever
-
Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner
-
Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary)
-
Port taxes & fees
