Avalon Waterways Tulips of Northern Holland (WHA)
8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Amsterdam
Explore the legendary sites of Holland and some off-the-beaten-path locales as well on this springtime river cruise through Northern Holland. Embark from
Amsterdam and visit the famous fields of blooming tulips, or take a guided visit to the Zuiderzee Museum to experience the local culture and Dutch maritime history. There is 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. In
Lelystad, visit the Batavia shipyard and board an exact replica of the Batavia ship itself. Get a true taste of the culture with an onboard tasting of local cheese and Genever. Cruise through the modern harbor of
Rotterdam after a half- or full-day excursion 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 with nearly 7 million flowering bulbs bursting with color. A river cruise through Holland would not be complete without some time in Holland’s colorful capital of Amsterdam. The city combines its historical 17th-century buildings, sculptures, and museums with a modern feel. See the most fascinating views of the city on a canal cruise along the elegant grachten lined with homes dating back to the city’s “Golden Age.” Experience the amazing Floriade International Horticultural Expo with select departures on April 15 and 22.
Ships:
Tranquility II -
Artistry II
Avalon Highlights & Sightseeing
Day 1 Amsterdam (Embarkation): Onboard welcome reception
Day 2 Enkhuizen: Choice of visit to the famous tulip fields or guided visit to the Zuiderzee Museum in Enkhuizen
Day 3 Enkhuizen. Excursion to Friesland-Sneek: Guided walk of Enkhuizen; excursion to Friesland, visit the planetarium; free tim in Sneek
Day 4 Lelystad: Choice of guided tour of the Batavia shipyard or visit the Floriade International Horticultural Expo*; onboard cheese and Genever tasting
Day 5 Arnhem: Lecture and local specialties tasting on board; choice of visit to the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein or to the Kröller-Müller Museum
Day 6 Rotterdam: Choice of half or full-day visit to Keukenhof Gardens or
Rotterdam walking tour; harbor cruise in Rotterdam
Day 7 Amsterdam: Canal cruise
Day 8 Amsterdam (Disembarkation): Your cruise ends this morning
* April 15 & 22 departures only Special Interest Departures
03/25/2022 - Tulips of Northern Holland for Garden & Nature Lovers
04/03/2022 - Tulips of Northern Holland for Garden & Nature Lovers
Related Avalon Tours
WHA - Tulips of Northern Holland
WHAQ - With1 Night in Amsterdam
Itinerary (2022)
| Day 1 | AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION) |
| | Welcome to Holland. 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.Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure. 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. OVERNIGHT SAILING TO ENKHUIZEN(D) |
| Day 2 | ENKHUIZEN |
| | Tulips Fields, Flower Farms and the ZuiderzeeEnjoy a leisurely morning cruise 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(B,L,D) |
| Day 3 | ENKHUIZEN |
| | Home and Hearth in a Dutch Harbor Town.Visit the Adventure Center for today’s activities with your Adventure Host. CLASSIC Take a Guided Walking Tour of Enkhuizen to experience the charm and beauty of this historic harbor village.Enjoy a brief afternoon cruise to Friesland. SNEEK, FRIESLAND The Heavens, Holsteins, and 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.Take time for a stroll before dinner. OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN SNEEK (B,L,D) |
| Day 4 | LELYSTAD |
| | Maritime Marvels of 17th-Century Shipbuilding and Horticoltural ExpoEnjoy a leisurely morning cruise. DISCOVERY Learn all about the Netherlands’ shipbuilding and seafaring past on this exciting step into the Golden Age at the Batavia visitor’s center and museum, OR:DISCOVERY Visit the Floriade, International Horticoltural Expo, an international exhibition of flowers and gardening that is held every 10 years in the Netherlands*. DISCOVERY Enjoy an onboard Cheese Tasting with Genever—the national and traditional liquor of the Netherlands.OVERNIGHT SAILING TO ARNHEM*April 15 & 22 departures only (B,L,D) |
| Day 5 | 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 while cruising to Arnhem. 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(B,L,D) |
| Day 6 | ROTTERDAM |
| | Blooming Bulbs and Bold Bridge DesignJoin your Adventure Host for today’s special activities. 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, OR: CLASSIC Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam featuring innovative architecture, including the marvelous Erasmus Bridge.Sample artisan beer, a slice of appeltart (Dutch apple pie), or a koffie verkeerd. Take a bike from your ship to explore Rotterdam. Before dinner, enjoy a cruise through Rotterdam harbor.Later, enjoy live entertainment on board. EVENING CRUISE TO AMSTERDAM(B,L,D) |
| Day 7 | AMSTERDAM |
| | Canals of Colorful Amsterdam CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age”, OR: ACTIVE See the sights of Amsterdam from a unique perspective by joining our Guided Jogging Tour of the city—all at an easy pace with stops for commentary. This afternoon choose among the many Guided Optional Excursions available. Take some free time to explore Amsterdam’s colorful streets and canal houses, galleries, and shops.OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN AMSTERDAM(B,L,D) |
| Day 8 | AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION) |
| | Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning. (B) |
Avalon Pricing Details
Port charges:$196Gratuities to Local Guides & Excursion Drivers are included on Avalon portion only.Avalon offers the opportunity for solo travelers to sail with no single supplement (subject to availability).Please call for single accommodation price. Triples not available.
Avalon Notes
- In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
- Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
- Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.