Holland & Belgium

Discover Amsterdam in the most leisurely manner, via one of its famous glass-topped canal boats. This famous Dutch city is home to 165 canals that wind their way through the cityscape, spanning a total of 31 miles; 1,281 different bridges cross over the canals. 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. Take in some of the city’s interesting sights as you pass a variety of vessels, including charming houseboats moored canal side. Enjoy views from the Golden Bend to Overhoeks, the city’s newest quarter, and from the Music Building to the replica of the 18th-century ship Amsterdam moored outside the Maritime Museum. You will also pass the wooden double drawbridge known locally as the "Skinny Bridge" before returning to your ship.

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. Stroll among 100 varieties of tulips on these 15th-century hunting grounds. Breathe in glorious scents as you loop through Gerbrand’s circular garden and mingle among sculptures and statuary. Admire Keukenhof Castle, where a countess once sorted herbs in her “kitchen garden.” You can also step back in time in the historical garden, where old tulip varieties and 17th-century daffodils grace a castle’s garden.

Journey to historic Haarlem, revered for its many museums and its grand collection of paintings by Dutch masters. Meet your guide and  drive to Haarlem, nicknamed “Flower City” due to its ties the tulip bulb-growing industry. Upon arrival, have lunch at a local restaurant, then set out on a walking tour. You will pass some of the city’s hofjes (almshouses) provided by Dutch cities since the 14th century to house single elderly women who, in many cases, have nowhere else to live. Stroll past historic houses and the city’s famed square where five streets meet. Next, during a guided visit of the Frans Hals Museum, admire the work of Haarlem’s Old Masters of the Golden Age, including the world’s largest collection of paintings by Frans Hals. Later, enjoy free time at the eclectic Warmoesstraat shopping district before returning to your ship.

Peruse the work of the Dutch Masters, cruise Amsterdam’s charming waterways and visit a patrician museum. Meet your guide and drive to the city’s picturesque Museumplein, or Museum Square. Visit the galleries of the world-renowned Rijksmuseum, home of Rembrandt’s most famous masterpiece, The Night Watch. After time to explore the museum’s collection, some of it commissioned by the wealthy merchant class of the Dutch Golden Age, board a boat for a relaxing cruise through the city’s endless network of canals. After lunch, continue on foot to one of the city’s patrician canal house museums. Here, gain insight into the lives of Amsterdam’s 17th-century elite. View period furnishings, artwork and elegant rooms and gardens that look much as they did when the wealthy filled their coffers with profits from the burgeoning overseas spice trade. Note: This tour involves significant walking and may not be suitable for guests with mobility issues.

Uncover Amsterdam’s fascinating Jewish history during visits to several important landmarks. Until the Holocaust, Jews comprised 10% of Amsterdam’s population; the religious acceptance they enjoyed in the Dutch Republic was unequaled throughout Europe. To witness their rich legacy, drive to the Portuguese Synagogue, which served one of Europe’s largest and richest Jewish communities in the Dutch Golden Age. After a guided tour, walk into the heart of the former Jewish Quarter to the Jewish Historical Museum, occupying four Ashkenazi synagogues. Here, you will explore the only institution in The Netherlands dedicated solely to the religion and its history and culture. Next, take a stroll past the Hollandsche Schouwburg. This 19th-century theater was converted into a deportation center by the Nazis and today is an important monument to those who were lost.

Discover Holland’s love affair with cheese and make your own during a workshop at a working farm. Your journey will take you through the Beemster region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and The Netherlands’ first polder—a tract of land reclaimed from a body of water and surrounded by dikes. Stop at a family-run farm in Middenbeemster, where you will enjoy a cup of coffee or tea before beginning your cheese-making workshop. Learn the basics during this hands-on demonstration; at the workshop’s conclusion, you will be given a small cheese to take with you. En route to the farm, visit the charming town of Edam—world famous since the 17th century for its namesake cheese. At a local cheese shop, sample several cheeses and discover the different ingredients that influence the flavor of this traditional product.

Walk the footpaths of renowned Keukenhof Gardens and the streets of charming Haarlem. Every spring, a vibrant, multihued carpet blankets the 70 acres at Keukenhof Gardens. After a short orientation, enjoy free time to stroll among 100 varieties of tulips that are grown on these 15th-century hunting grounds. Afterward, drive to Haarlem, nicknamed “Flower City” due to its ties the tulip-bulb growing industry. Following lunch, set out on a walk, passing some of the city’s hofjes (almshouses), provided by Dutch cities since the 14th century to house single elderly women. See historic houses and the city’s famed square where five streets meet. During a guided visit of the Frans Hals Museum, admire the work of Haarlem’s Old Masters of the Golden Age. Finish with free time at the eclectic Warmoesstraat shopping district before returning to your ship.

Create your own itinerary and experience the sights of Amsterdam with the assistance of your own private guide. Once on board your ship, a member of Viking’s Guest Services team will be available to help you plan your time in Amsterdam so you can make the most of your visit. With a group of up to six guests, you may explore the city, strolling along some of its many canals to see its quintessential wooden boats and narrow homes. Perhaps enjoy a private look at the Old Town, seeing the Oude Kerk and the Royal Palace, or simply explore Amsterdam through the eyes of a local, seeking out the city’s hidden gems. At a specified time, you will meet your private guide, board your chauffeur-driven vehicle and set out to visit your chosen sights. Follow your own agenda, exploring more of the sights that you wish to see. After your half day of exploring, your driver will return you to your ship.

Create your own itinerary and experience the sights of Amsterdam with the assistance of your own private guide. Once on board your ship, a member of Viking’s Guest Services team will be available to help you plan your time in Amsterdam so you can make the most of your visit. With a group of up to six guests, you may explore several of the city’s sights. Alternatively, you may choose to venture far afield, perhaps heading to the countryside to view one of the country’s many windmills, including Zaanse Schans or Molen van Sloten. Or, head to Haarlem to see another historic Dutch city. At a specified time, you will meet your private guide at the pier, board your chauffeur-driven vehicle and set out to visit your chosen sights. Follow your own agenda, exploring more of the sights that you wish to see. After your full day exploring, your driver will return you to your awaiting ship.