This week we are going to take a journey to celebrate spring in the Netherlands and Belgium. We will experience the colorful canals, the whimsical Kinderdijk windmills, the medieval architectural treasures of Belgium, and of course, the food–chocolate, waffles, and cheeses. Please enjoy this Tour of the Netherland and Belgium during Tulip Time.
Experience the Netherlands and Belgium through the Dutch and Belgian Waterways on an AmaWaterways River Cruise!
Each city on my tour is included on an AmaWaterways Tulip Time River Cruise. This cruise itinerary sails during March and April when the flowers are abundantly blooming.
River cruises are a wonderful way to see this area as you sail through the Dutch and Belgian waterways. Since you mostly sail at night and are in port all day long you have plenty of time to tour each city and town.
One of the cool things about AmaWaterways included excursions is that they have different activity levels for excursions. They have options for active guests like biking and slower ones for those want just be along for the ride. Sometimes they even have an option for those who want to sleep in. Of course, you can always tour all on your own!
The AmaSerena is one of the river cruise vessels that sail the Tulip Time itinerary. I have included some pictures below.
Now, sit back and enjoy the Tulip Time Tour!
Day 1–Keukenhof Gardens near Amsterdam
It’s Tulip Time!! Springtime in The Netherlands comes alive with gorgeous color from millions of vibrant crocus, daffodils, hyacinth, and of course, tulips. Most tulip farms are located in Noordoostpolder which is about an hour east of Amsterdam. Only 15 minutes from Amsterdam, the world’s largest flower exhibition, Keukenhof Gardens, which is only open 9 weeks a year is an absolute must-see. With 80 acres and around 7 million flowers, this is an amazing location to experience Tulip Mania!
Day 2–Middelburg, Netherlands
Middelburg, Netherlands is one of the oldest towns in the Netherlands. Visiting this town of canalside houses, twisty alleyways, gothic architecture, historic buildings, and shipyards will be a highlight of your visit to the Netherlands. If you leave Amsterdam on the train you will arrive in Middelburg in about 2 1/2 hours. Entering Middelburg you would never know that this little town had been ravaged by bombs in 1940. Much of the town was recreated in order to retain its quaint character and historic elements.
Adventures in Middelburg:
- Wander into the center of the old town to the 15th century gothic Town Hall. The interior was completely burnt during WWII and only but the exterior was left standing. The Town Hall has undergone a massive restoration to bring it back to its original beauty.
- Climb the 207-step Lange Jan abbey tower for fantastic views of Old Town
- Enjoy the town market on a Thursday
- Bike or walk through the alleyways past 1200 landmarked buildings and houses. Look out for house names from a time before houses had numbers.
- Peruse the two main shopping streets, Lange Delft and Langeviele
- Revisit the Golden Age of Holland and the Dutch East India Company at the Middelburg Abbey and Zeeuws Museum
- Visit Delta Works–The Netherlands’ flood defense system that has been called one of the seven wonders of the world
Day 3–Ghent, Belgium
A visit to Ghent can be done on a nice day trip and you will be able to see quite a bit of this charming town. But if you really want to take in the character and vibe, a few days will be so much better. Worth every minute!
Ghent, Belgium came into being in the 7th century and was considered one of the most important European cities from the 11th-16th centuries. This town is crammed full of history and character.
What could you do in Ghent?
- Visit Gravensteen Castle (it even has a moat!) to be transported back to life in the 10th century. Don’t miss out on the armory museum, former torture chamber, and gorgeous panoramic views of the old town.
- Go shopping at Korenmarkt which is the largest pedestrian shopping area in Europe.
- Climb the belfry in one of the many cathedrals and churches to overlook the town.
- Take a walk down Graslei or Korenlei on either side of the canal in the heart of the city which is arguably one of the prettiest parts of Ghent.
- Float down some of the canals that surround the city.
- Food and beer are not to be missed. The Belgian Waffles in Ghent are reportedly “to die for”!
Day 4–Bruges, Belgium
Bruges, Belgium is a breathtaking medieval fairytale town. Bruges historic center has been named as a UNESCO World Historic Site because of its preserved examples of a medieval European settlement. This is an absolute must-see! Walk the cobblestone streets enjoying the architecture, the shopping, and cafes in this charming square.
Things to do in Bruges:
- Climb to the top of the Belfry for awesome views.
- Wander through Burg Square and view the many neo-classical and gothic buildings. The Main Hall inside City Hall is jaw-dropping!
- Float down the canals of the town that is also called the “Venice of the North.” Don’t miss Rozenhoedkaai where the Groenerei and Dijver canals meet for a breathtaking, picture-perfect spot.
- Visit a museum. Some of your choices include a Frite Museum (fried potatoes), a Chocolate Museum, a Beer Museum, a Lamp Museum, and even a Torture Museum. I am sure you will find some fabulous art museums too.
- Visit the Basilica of the Holy Blood, a 12th century Roman Catholic basilica vibrant with history.
- And, since you are still in Belgium, indulge in some delicious Belgian waffles and beer
Day 5–Antwerp, Belgium
Antwerp, Belgium is the second-largest city in Belgium. This city is rooted in a deep history but is also embracing the future. On a trip to Antwerp, you can experience the old and the new like nowhere else!
Activities in Antwerp:
- Admire the Antwerp Central Train Station. A train station you say?! Yes! From the gothic architecture on the outside to the impressive Main Hall and multi-platform area this building is sure to take your breath away. It isn’t considered one of the world’s top 5 train stations for nothing!
- Visit Rubenshuis, the former home of painter Pieter Paul Rubens. Restoration began in 1937 and now the home is a gorgeous museum to both his paintings and also the furniture and accouterments of the period.
- Cathedral of Our Lady is an impressive building built in the 1100s and is the largest cathedral in Europe’s Low Countries.
- Want a little less history? The MAS Museum is sure to please your modern tastes!
- Go shopping at the Stadsfeestzaal Shopping Centre. While the building historic the fashion inside is definitely modern and edgy and the refreshment stand is a Champagne bar. This Centre is on Meir Street which is a one-mile-long pedestrian shopping district. OH MY!
- Shop for some 馃拵BLING馃拵. Antwerp is the Diamond Capital of the world!
Day 6–Rotterdam, Netherlands
Rotterdam, Netherlands is not like the other towns you have been to already. It is a rather large city with around 600,000 people. Since WWII mostly decimated this city it has been rebuilt as a vibrant, edgy, innovative, modern city. Only a couple of historic buildings even remain. From Rotterdam, you might want to take a short trip to Kinderdijk, a nearby village with A LOT of windmills or Delft, the home of Johannes Vermeer and the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum
So, what’s there to do in Rotterdam:
- Visit Markthal, a giant horseshoe-shaped building that contains a buzzing food market on the bottom couple floors and living/office space in the rest of the building.
- Just across the road is Piet Blom’s Cube Houses. Most are private residences but for a small fee, you can look around one of these extraordinary homes and see architectural creativity in action.
- Rotterdam’s Central Train Station is also not to be missed. Another architectural marvel inside and out.
- Climb the Euromast for panoramic views of the cityscape.
- Stroll by the Whitt Huis, the first high rise building in Europe, and the Church of St. Lawrence, a couple of the only remaining historic buildings in Rotterdam.
- Bike through the city. Since they decided to fill in a lot of the canals there is a lot of roadways to ride.
- Walk across the Erasmus Bridge, an engineering marvel that is lovingly nicknamed The Swan.
- Take a trip to the Rotterdam Zoo, voted the best in the Netherlands
- Find the Fenix Food Factory and gorge on your favorite Dutch foods and beers.
- Want to see what Rotterdam looked like before the destruction of WWII, take a tram to the nearby district of Delfshaven.
Day 7–Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam, Netherlands is the largest city in the Netherlands with about 800,000 people and a million bicycles. Yep, more bicycles than people! A bicycle is the perfect method of transportation for you to experience the sometimes charming, sometimes modern and innovative architecture, the relaxing canals, centuries of history, fabulous art, the infamous Red Light District, and the tranquil public parks.
Other things to do in Amsterdam:
- Visit the Ann Frank Museum and remember the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. Purchase tickets online to avoid long entrance lines.
- Explore Museumplein in the Oui-Zuid district–The Van Gogh Museum featuring Vincent Van Gogh and friends; Museum het Rembrandthuis shows off Rembrand’s home, paintings, and etchings; Rijksmuseum exhibits Vermeer, Rembrandt and other Golden Age artists; and the Stedelijk Museum presents the more modern Matisses and Mondrians.
- After visiting the museums walk a couple of blocks over to the Vondelpark, a beautiful respite from the busy city.
- Head to Dam Square and visit the Dutch Royal House, the National Monument of the Dead, and Madame Tussauds.
- Bike or boat the main canals surrounding the city center–the Herengracht, Keizersgracht, Prinsengracht and the posh Singel–enjoying the beautiful architecture.
- Stroll Monday-Saturday during the day down the open-air, street closing Albert Cuypmarkt on Albert Cuypstraat frequented by locals and tourists alike.
There are other River Cruises that visit this area too.
I truly hope you enjoyed this tour of the Netherlands and Belgium. They are two gorgeous countries. I did want to mention that other river cruise companies do cruise to these countries and while they don’t have the same itinerary they visit some of the same cities and towns. Viking River Cruises (only adults) has a 10-day itinerary, Avalon and Tauck have an 8-day trip.
You can book for 2021 itineraries!
While these trips are cancelled for this season, now is a great time to start planning for 2021. I would love to answer any questions you may have. Contact me today!
Happy travels to you…until we meet again!
Here are som other links you might be interested in:
- Is a river cruise right for my family?
- Consider a cruise when planning your next family reunion.
- AmaWaterways Triple Savings
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