8 Days • 7 Nights
Dutch Waterways Cruise: Tulips, Windmills & Golden Age Cities
Tour Includes
About the Trip
Trip Highlights
- Enchanting Amsterdam and the dazzling tulips of Keukenhof are a glorious start to this cruise. Your ship begins in Amsterdam, one of the most enchanting cities in the world, where you glide the UNESCO canals past tilting gabled houses and visit the world-class Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum. In spring you make the short trip to Keukenhof, the 'Garden of Europe', where seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths flower in dazzling, perfumed displays, and pass the blazing bulb fields of the Bollenstreek. The beauty and colour are overwhelming. Beginning in enchanting Amsterdam, gliding its UNESCO canals and, in spring.
- Cruising the historic Zuiderzee to Hoorn and Enkhuizen is a charming highlight of this journey. Your ship sails the old Zuiderzee, the great inland sea that made the Dutch Golden Age, to the beautifully preserved old harbour towns of Hoorn and Enkhuizen. Once mighty ports of the Dutch East India Company, they charm today with their historic harbours, gabled merchant houses, ornate weigh-houses and atmospheric lanes, and Enkhuizen's wonderful open-air Zuiderzee Museum brings the seafaring past vividly to life. The history and charm are captivating. Cruising the historic Zuiderzee to the beautifully preserved old harbour towns of Hoorn and Enkhuizen.
- Drifting past the great windmills of Kinderdijk from your ship is an iconic highlight. No image says the Netherlands like a windmill, and there is no finer way to see them than from the water. Your ship drifts past Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where nineteen stately eighteenth-century windmills stand in a long row along the polders and canals, their great sails turning against the vast sky, and you go ashore to stroll the dykes and step inside a working mill. The heritage and beauty are captivating. Drifting past the great row of nineteen turning windmills at UNESCO-listed Kinderdijk from your ship.
- Bold Rotterdam and the Golden Age art of Delft and The Hague are a rich highlight. From the water you reach two very different faces of the Netherlands. In bold, modern Rotterdam, rebuilt daringly after the war, you take in the tumbling Cube Houses, the vast Markthal and the swan-like Erasmus Bridge above Europe's biggest port. Nearby you explore serene, blue-tiled Delft, with its Vermeer connections and hand-painted pottery, and The Hague's jewel-box Mauritshuis, home to Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'. The contrast and art are captivating. Discovering bold, modern Rotterdam and, close by, the Golden Age art of blue-tiled Delft and The Hague's Mauritshuis.
- The Hoge Veluwe and the Van Gogh treasures of the Kroller-Muller Museum are a beautiful highlight. Sailing inland towards Arnhem, you reach a different, greener Netherlands. In the Hoge Veluwe National Park, a vast landscape of heath, forest and drifting sand dunes, you can explore on the park's free white bicycles, then visit the wonderful Kroller-Muller Museum, hidden among the trees, home to the second-largest Van Gogh collection in the world and a magnificent sculpture garden. The nature and art are captivating. Exploring the Hoge Veluwe National Park by bicycle and discovering the Van Gogh treasures and sculpture garden of the Kroller-Muller Museum.
- Above all, this cruise offers an effortless, beautiful journey through the waterways that shaped the Netherlands. There is no more relaxing way to discover Holland than by ship, unpacking once as the country drifts by. Over eight days you take in enchanting Amsterdam and the tulips of Keukenhof, the historic Zuiderzee towns of Hoorn and Enkhuizen, the windmills of Kinderdijk, bold Rotterdam and the art of Delft and The Hague, and the Hoge Veluwe and Kroller-Muller Museum, with expert-guided excursions and comfortable cabins, fine dining and easy conviviality aboard. The combination of tulips, windmills, Golden Age cities and effortless comfort makes this cruise utterly captivating.
Day by Day
A detailed day-by-day plan for this 8-day journey.
Your Dutch waterways cruise begins as you arrive at Schiphol Airport and are transferred to your river ship, moored in the heart of enchanting Amsterdam. You settle into your comfortable cabin, meet the crew and fellow guests, and enjoy a first stroll along a nearby canal in this most beautiful of capitals, with its glittering water, tilting gabled houses and easygoing charm. This evening, as your ship makes its home port, you enjoy a welcome dinner aboard and a briefing on the wonderful days ahead, from tulips and windmills to Golden Age cities. The comfort and gentle rhythm of ship life begin at once. As Amsterdam glitters around you, rest well in your cabin, ready to explore the canals and, in spring, the dazzling tulips of Keukenhof tomorrow.
Today you explore enchanting Amsterdam and, in spring, the dazzling tulips. In the morning you take a classic canal cruise along the UNESCO ring, gliding past tilting merchant houses, houseboats and countless bridges, with a guided visit to the world-class Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum. In spring, you make the short trip to Keukenhof, the 'Garden of Europe', wandering among seven million tulips, daffodils and hyacinths in dazzling, perfumed displays, and pass the blazing bulb fields of the Bollenstreek (outside season, you enjoy more of Amsterdam and its flower market instead). The beauty and colour are overwhelming. As the day ends, you return to your ship for dinner as it prepares to sail. This evening, enjoy the conviviality aboard. Rest well as your cruise begins in earnest.
Today you cruise the historic Zuiderzee to the charming old harbour town of Hoorn. As your ship glides across the great inland sea that made the Dutch Golden Age, you relax on deck, watching the flat, watery landscape drift by. Ashore in Hoorn, once a mighty port of the Dutch East India Company, an expert guide leads you through its beautifully preserved historic harbour, gabled merchant houses, ornate weigh-house and atmospheric lanes, rich with seafaring heritage. Nearby Enkhuizen, with its wonderful open-air Zuiderzee Museum, may also feature. The history and charm are captivating. As the day ends, you return aboard for dinner as the ship sails on. This evening, savour fine dining and easy conviviality. Rest well in your cabin, for tomorrow you drift past the great windmills of Kinderdijk.
Today brings one of the most iconic sights in the Netherlands. Your ship cruises the rivers of Holland to Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage site, drifting past its great row of nineteen stately eighteenth-century windmills, standing along the polders and canals with their sails turning against the vast sky, a quintessentially Dutch panorama seen at its best from the water. Going ashore, your guide leads you along the peaceful dykes and inside a working mill, revealing how these machines kept the low land dry and how a miller's family once lived. The heritage and beauty are captivating. As the day ends, you return aboard as the ship sails towards Rotterdam. This evening, enjoy dinner and the passing waterways. Rest well in your cabin, for tomorrow you explore bold Rotterdam and Golden Age Delft.
Today you discover the contrasting faces of the southern Netherlands. In bold, modern Rotterdam, your guide leads you past the tumbling yellow Cube Houses, the vast curving Markthal and the swan-like Erasmus Bridge above Europe's biggest port. You make an excursion to serene, blue-tiled Delft, with its tranquil canals, Vermeer connections and hand-painted pottery, and, for art lovers, to The Hague's jewel-box Mauritshuis, home to Vermeer's 'Girl with a Pearl Earring'. The contrast between daring modernity and Golden Age serenity is captivating. As the day ends, you return to your ship for dinner. This evening, enjoy the conviviality aboard as the ship prepares to sail inland. Rest well in your cabin, for tomorrow you reach the green Hoge Veluwe and its Van Gogh treasures near Arnhem.
Today you reach a greener, different Netherlands near Arnhem. Your ship cruises inland along the rivers, and you make an excursion to the Hoge Veluwe National Park, a vast and beautiful landscape of heath, forest and drifting sand dunes, which you can explore on the park's famous free white bicycles. Hidden among the trees, you visit the wonderful Kroller-Muller Museum, home to the second-largest Van Gogh collection in the world, with masterpieces such as 'Cafe Terrace at Night', and a magnificent open-air sculpture garden. The nature and art are captivating. As the day ends, you return to your ship for dinner as it turns back towards Amsterdam. This evening, enjoy a special dinner aboard. Rest well in your cabin, savouring the beautiful journey as the cruise draws towards its close.
Today you enjoy a final, relaxing day aboard as your ship cruises gently back towards Amsterdam through the classic Dutch waterways. You spend the day at leisure on deck, watching the polders, windmills, drawbridges and villages drift by, perhaps joining an onboard talk about Dutch history and art, or relaxing with a book as the beautiful, watery landscape unfolds. There may be time for a final short stop or a scenic passage as you approach the capital. The peace and beauty are captivating. As the ship returns to Amsterdam, you enjoy a farewell dinner aboard, celebrating the wonderful journey through tulips, windmills and Golden Age cities you have shared. This evening, toast your cruise as Amsterdam glitters around the ship. Rest well in your cabin ahead of disembarkation tomorrow.
After a final breakfast aboard your ship in enchanting Amsterdam, you disembark and are transferred to Schiphol Airport for your onward departure. You leave having discovered the very best of the Netherlands from the water, enchanting Amsterdam and the tulips of Keukenhof, the historic Zuiderzee towns of Hoorn and Enkhuizen, the great windmills of Kinderdijk, bold Rotterdam and the Golden Age art of Delft and The Hague, and the green Hoge Veluwe with its Van Gogh treasures, all in effortless comfort. The images stay vivid long after you land, the glittering canals, the dazzling tulips, the great row of turning windmills and the masterpieces of Vermeer and Van Gogh. A cruise through the waterways of the Netherlands offers beauty, culture and relaxation in abundance, and you depart already dreaming of a return.
Where You Will Travel
What's inside the package?
Inclusions
- 7 nights accommodation aboard your river ship, with full board (breakfast, lunch and dinner) while cruising
- Daily breakfast
- Transfers and touring by comfortable private vehicle, train or boat as per itinerary
- Sightseeing and experiences as per itinerary with expert local guides
- Entrance fees to museums, gardens and attractions as per itinerary
- comfortable river-cruise cabin, expert-guided shore excursions in each port, an Amsterdam canal cruise, a Keukenhof or bulb-fields visit in season, a Kinderdijk windmills visit, guided time in Rotterdam, Delft, The Hague and the Hoge Veluwe with the Kroller-Muller Museum, and all listed entrance fees
Exclusions
- International airfare
- Visa or tourist card fees where applicable
- Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
- Drinks packages and premium beverages aboard
- Optional excursions and tips for guides, drivers and ship crew
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary or inclusions
- Drinks unless specifically stated
- Optional excursions and experiences
- Personal expenses and gratuities
- Anything not specifically mentioned under Package Inclusions
Know when to go.
- Visa & entry: The Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area, so many nationalities (including UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand) enjoy visa-free short stays of up to 90 days, while others need a Schengen visa arranged in advance; a passport valid for at least three months beyond your stay is required. Requirements can change, so we confirm the exact process for your nationality and assist with the Schengen visa where needed
- Currency: The currency is the Euro (EUR); the Netherlands is largely a cashless society, and cards (especially contactless and debit) are accepted almost everywhere, from museums and restaurants to markets and canal cruises. Note that some smaller shops and market stalls prefer cards over cash, and a few even decline cash, so a travel card is invaluable; ATMs are widely available
- Best time to visit: April and May are magical, when the tulip fields bloom and Keukenhof gardens open in a riot of colour, while June to August brings warm, long summer days ideal for canals, cycling and terraces. Spring and early autumn are gloriously quieter; the Dutch climate is mild but changeable year-round, so pack layers and a waterproof whatever the season
- Language & etiquette: Dutch is the official language, but the Netherlands has some of the best English in the world and you will have no trouble at all; the Dutch are famously direct, friendly, tolerant and down-to-earth, and a straightforward, honest manner is appreciated. Tipping is modest, rounding up or around five to ten percent for good service, as service is included
- Getting around: The Netherlands is compact, flat and superbly connected, with fast, frequent, punctual trains linking Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Utrecht and Delft in minutes, plus trams, buses and canal boats; cycling is a way of life, with safe, dedicated bike lanes everywhere. Watch for bikes when crossing roads, as cyclists always have priority and move fast
- Health & safety: The Netherlands is one of the safest, cleanest and most orderly countries in the world, with excellent healthcare and very low crime; normal city precautions against pickpockets apply in busy tourist areas of Amsterdam. Tap water is excellent and safe to drink, pharmacies are widespread, and an EHIC/GHIC or travel insurance is recommended for European visitors
- Culture & customs: The Dutch value punctuality, honesty, equality and a relaxed live-and-let-live tolerance; the famous 'gezelligheid' (cosiness and conviviality) is central to life, best felt in a brown cafe or on a sunny terrace. Amsterdam's coffeeshops and red-light district are part of the city, but respect local rules, do not photograph people, and behave considerately
- Power & practicalities: Power is 230V with type C and F (round two-pin) plugs, so bring an adapter; the Netherlands is very flat, making walking and cycling easy, though canal-house stairs are famously steep and narrow. Many museums and Keukenhof benefit from advance booking, which we arrange, and the country is exceptionally welcoming to visitors of every kind
Frequently Asked Questions
What is life aboard the river ship like?
River-cruise ships in the Netherlands are comfortable, elegant and intimate, carrying far fewer guests than ocean liners, with en-suite cabins (many with river views or a French balcony), a restaurant serving fine regional cuisine, a lounge and bar, and a sun deck for watching the landscape glide by. Full board is included while cruising, along with expert-guided shore excursions in each port. The pace is relaxed and sociable, you unpack just once, and the ship becomes your floating hotel through the heart of the Dutch waterways.
Will I see the tulips on this cruise?
If you travel in spring, roughly late March to mid-May, yes, this cruise includes a visit to the dazzling Keukenhof gardens and passes the blazing bulb fields, the highlight of the Dutch spring. Spring sailings are the most popular for exactly this reason, and we advise on the best departure dates for the fullest bloom. Outside the tulip season, the itinerary focuses instead on Amsterdam's canals and flower market, the windmills, the Golden Age cities and the beautiful waterways, which are wonderful year-round.
What meals are included?
Daily breakfast is included, along with any meals named in the itinerary (such as a welcome dinner or a special tasting). Dutch food is hearty and characterful, from herring, cheese and bitterballen to stroopwafels, pancakes and the beloved 'rijsttafel' Indonesian feast that is a national institution, and the cafe and restaurant scene in the cities is superb and cosmopolitan. We usually leave lunches and most dinners free so you can explore, recommending the best spots at every stage.
Are the tours private or in a group?
Your journey is private by default, with your own expert local guide and comfortable private vehicle or boat where touring is included, giving you flexibility, depth and a pace tailored to you; small-group and seat-in-coach options can be arranged if you prefer. Because the Netherlands is so compact and superbly connected, we often combine private touring with easy, fast train journeys and scenic canal boats, and knowledgeable Dutch guides bring the art, canals, history and culture vividly to life.
Do I need a visa for the Netherlands?
The Netherlands is in the Schengen Area, so many nationalities enjoy visa-free stays of up to 90 days, while others need a Schengen visa arranged in advance. We confirm the exact, current requirements for your nationality, advise on the best option, and assist with the Schengen visa where needed, so entry is smooth. A passport valid for at least three months beyond your intended departure is required.
Is the Netherlands safe to visit?
The Netherlands is one of the safest, cleanest and most orderly countries in the world, with very low crime, excellent infrastructure and superb healthcare, and travel here is exceptionally smooth and easy. Normal city precautions against pickpockets apply in busy areas of Amsterdam, but visitors feel comfortable and welcome everywhere. English is spoken almost universally, making the Netherlands one of the easiest and most rewarding countries in Europe to travel.
When is the best time to visit?
April and May are magical, when the tulip fields bloom and Keukenhof gardens open, while June to August brings warm, long summer days ideal for canals, cycling and terraces. Spring and early autumn are gloriously atmospheric and quieter, and December brings festive lights and markets. The Dutch climate is mild but changeable, so we advise on the best timing for your interests, whether tulips, cities, cycling or cruising.
Can the itinerary be customised?
Absolutely. We can adjust the balance of Amsterdam, the tulip fields and Keukenhof, the windmills, Rotterdam, The Hague, Delft, Utrecht, the cheese markets and pretty Giethoorn, add a canal or river cruise, extend cycling in the countryside, include the Wadden Islands, and tailor the pace, comfort and focus to you. Every itinerary is a flexible starting point for your ideal journey through the beautiful, welcoming and endlessly charming Netherlands.
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