3/30/27-4/11/27: Tulips & Windmills Escorted Trip

Day 1 – Amsterdam Arrive in Amsterdam and transfer to the Pulitzer Hotel. The rest of your day is at leisure to explore charming neighborhoods, stroll along the canals, or sample Dutch treats. Your Viking Host will be available to help you make the most of your stay.

Day 2 – Amsterdam After breakfast, enjoy a guided walking tour through Amsterdam’s historic streets. The afternoon and evening are free for you to explore world-class art museums, sip coffee in a grand café, or discover the city’s lively culinary scene — from Dutch specialties to renowned Indonesian cuisine.

Day 3 – Amsterdam & Embarkation Enjoy a leisurely morning for shopping or sightseeing. Later in the day, transfer to your ship to embark on your Tulips & Windmills river cruise. Dinner is served on board. ?? Highlights & Tips Visit nearby landmarks such as the Westerkerk and the Anne Frank House. Note: The Anne Frank House is extremely popular — we strongly recommend purchasing tickets well in advance directly through the museum’s website. Your Viking Host can suggest insider tips for dining, cultural experiences, and hidden gems. Optional excursions may be available to enhance your stay; details will be shared in your Viking account closer to departure.

In Amsterdam, the bicycle is as much a cultural treasure as any museum. The city’s flat terrain makes it ideal for getting around on two wheels. Bikes first pedaled onto the city’s streets during the late 19th century; in the 1960s, the first bike-share program was invented here, founded by members of the anti-establishment Provo movement—short for “provocateur”—whose aim was to reduce air pollution created by cars. 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.

Enkhuizen, The Netherlands Originally a small fishing village, Enkhuizen grew into a prosperous harbor before joining the Hanseatic League. During the 17th century, the city flourished as a center of maritime trade and shipbuilding. The silting up of the Zuiderzee at the end of the century ended this golden era; the sea eventually became an inland lake, cut off from the North Sea, with the completion of a dike in 1932. The era’s wealth and prosperity remain evident in several impressive landmarks, including the Drommedaris, a former city gate and watchtower, and the striking Gothic-style Zuiderkerk.

Arnhem, The Netherlands A picturesque town nearly destroyed during World War II, Arnhem is graced with an array of beautiful parks and gardens. In 1443, Arnhem joined the Hanseatic League, the powerful merchant conglomerate that dominated Northern Europe’s medieval trade world. During the 19th century, it evolved into a more leisurely town, renowned for its scenic landscapes. Today, Arnhem’s Hoge Veluwe National Park is known for its natural beauty and diverse flora and fauna, as well as the Kröller-Müller Museum, which boasts the world’s second-largest collection of works by Vincent van Gogh.

Kinderdijk is a village community in the Alblasserwaard province. This corner of South Holland, part of the scenic Waal and Merwede regions, has long been shaped by Rhine Delta waters. Kinderdijk is most known for its 19 remarkably preserved 18th-century windmills. The charming hamlet is located amid low-lying polders, tracts of land reclaimed from the sea by the power of the windmills and enclosed by embankments, or dikes. This legendary place calls to mind the 1865 novel Hans Brinker, in which a heroic boy plugs his finger into a ruptured dike.

Antwerp, Belgium A cosmopolitan city, Antwerp is one of the world’s major seaports. Its unique atmosphere comes from the contrasts between old and new, commerce and art. The Old Town and the expansive Grote Markt are filled with narrow, winding streets and medieval guild houses. The Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, Belgium’s largest church, contains works by 17th-century painter Peter Paul Rubens; he lived in the city and is entombed in the Church of St. James. Antwerp is also renowned for diamonds and chocolate. Many diamond cutters can be found here alongside countless confectioners.

Middelburg, The Netherlands The capital of Zeeland, Middelburg’s historical significance can be seen in its well-preserved medieval buildings. The magnificent 15th-century Gothic-style Town Hall stands as a testament to Middelburg’s past grandeur. The soaring abbey tower of Lange Jan offers panoramic views of the city, while the 800-year-old abbey complex showcases striking architecture. The city hosts various cultural events throughout the year, including the annual Middelburg Jazz Festival and the Mosselfeesten (Mussel Festival), where guests can enjoy a variety of Zeeland’s delicious delicacy.

Zeeland, The Netherlands The tranquil region of Zeeland is a fascinating blend of natural and human-made landscapes. Here, large swaths of land have been shaped by the tendrils of the delta where the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt Rivers make their final sprint to the sea. Much of this land lies below sea level, protected from the tides of the North Sea by the vast Delta Works project and by the work of the classic windmills that grace the landscape. A number of islands dot this serene coastal region too. This archipelago of sorts gives this province its name: Zeeland, which means “sea land.” From September through April, restaurants in Zeeland offer oysters, farmed fresh from local waters. They are delicious served with a squeeze of lemon and paired with a crisp glass of wine.

The Greatest Flower Show on Earth 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.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.