History, Culture, and a Splash of Colour!
Waterways of Holland & Belguim
April 14 – 22, 2025
By Donna Rombough, Journey Leader
At the end of winter and at our first sign of spring, it’s always a welcome sight to discover the first flowers peaking through the melting snow. Imagine what it’s like to step outside your cabin and see fields of flowers ablaze with every colour of the rainbow! I am very excited that I will have the pleasure to lead a group of travellers to Holland and Belgium to experience those spectacular fields, gardens and so much more next spring.
On April 14, we will fly to Amsterdam to set sail on the brand new ms Amadeus Riva, purpose-built to sail Europe’s scenic waters. With only 67 cabins, our intimate ship will sail from one exciting city after another, taking in the culture and history, and of course the splendid sites of the region’s spring flowers.
One highlight will be a visit to world-famous Keukenhof Gardens, one of the world’s largest gardens, covering 79 acres. Depending on the weather, tulip season starts around mid-April, but crocuses, daffodils, and hyacinths usually show themselves earlier. Having visited Keukenhof in the past, I assure you we are in for a treat!
Each port showcases the historic significance, cultural beauty and local highlights. There’s never a dull moment! In Arnhem’s historic streets, we are reminded of the dramatic events of WWII. A visit to the Kroller-Muller Museum offers the second largest collection of Van Gogh paintings, as well as works of Paul Gauguin and Picasso for our enjoyment. In Middleburg, a stroll through the historic streets takes us back to a time of old merchant houses and canal-side storefronts. In Ghent, the Flemish heritage is showcased. Bruges, a beautiful, romantic city, is affectionately known as the “Venice of the North”. The city’s medieval charm, cobblestone streets and meandering canals are ever so inviting! Brussels is the capital city of Belgium and with its many historical and cultural highlights, it’s a good thing we will experience the city on a city tour.
We will sail to Kinderdijk to view the largest collection of 18th century windmills. This is also the day you may choose to visit the famous Keukenhof Gardens. Next, Amsterdam awaits and this remarkable city never disappoints! A city tour and canal cruise is always fun and Amsterdam is the kind of city one can return to again and again and never tire of it. Then, on to Volendam, a charming city where a local cheese factory teaches us the Netherlands famous cheese-making process. Lastly, as our voyage comes to an end, we’ll have time to wander the charming village of Edam.
On our final evening onboard, I know that I will allow myself a moment of quiet reflection in all that I’ve experienced on this exciting, colourful voyage gliding along idyllic waterways. Come join me!
Quote from Robert Craig:
“A few highlights for this program, for me, were Keukenhof Gardens (always spectacular), Kinderdjik (18th century windmills), Ghent and Bruges. Kinderdjik is a fascinating experience and one of the only opportunities to see traditional windmills up close. This entire voyage is simply delightful and certainly not one to be missed!”
