If you’ve spent any time on our Premier River Cruises’ site, you know that when we talk about the many wonderful features of a river cruise vacation we mention the word "memories" often. I don’t know about you, but memories seem to become more important as we mature and move “north” of fifty… memories of our childhood, of life-changing events, of our parents, of our kids, and the memories ([and friends) we acquire if we’re fortunate enough to be able to travel. I think you know what I mean. You close your eyes and actually visualize specific memories as if they were snapshots of your life. For me, it’s a snapshot of my wife standing in front of the Eiffel Tower on a rainy spring day.
In this itinerary Spotlight, we’d like to recommend a sure-shot for creating those new memories.
You may have been thinking about taking a Springtime tulip time, garden-themed, or other river cruise through the Waterways of Holland & Belgium. The first thought that entered my mind is that anyone who has ever taken or thought about taking a Fall New England car trip to view the changing of the colors will love these itineraries; it’s like New England on steroids!
Following are a few itineraries from some of our favorite river cruise lines — check them out and give us a call if you need more information from one of our river cruise experts, a FREE quote, or to book.
• Tulip Time
• Tulips of Northern Holland
• Tulips and Windmills
• Tulips and the Rhine
• Windmills, Tulips and Belgian Delights
• Holland and Belgian Tulip Time
• Holland and Belgium in the Spring
There seems to be a photo-op around every corner!
Now, I'd like to give you just a glimpse of the incredible array of personal and photographic memories you’ll be able to capture if you’re ready to book and enjoy a springtime river cruise through the waterways of Holland and Belgium.
Take a look at the images on this page and imagine yourself standing amid the millions, yes, millions of tulips found along the banks of the waterways. The colors and excitement don’t stop there... you’ll also enjoy the unimaginable beauty and vivid rainbows of color to be found within the exquisite Keukenhof Gardens (open only nine weeks a year) with its 70 acres and almost 7 million tulips. You’ve never seen colors like that in any art form — they just cannot be replicated! You have to see it for yourself, and I guarantee the sights and colors will be indelibly etched into one of the most incredible travel memories you’ll ever have!
Tulip time and garden-themed cruises are absolutely NOT just for flower or nature lovers, they'll satisfy all your other special interests, too!
Those who are looking for that perfect, colorful picture to hang on the den wall. They’re also for art lovers, especially those who enjoy the Dutch Masters. It’s for WWII history buffs (like me) that go absolutely bonkers when they take the time to visit the Liberation Museum. This museum has so much memorabilia and unique war documents about WWII, you won’t believe it. Other than my first visit to the bluffs above the Normandy beaches and the museum at Arromanches, this is the best museum of its kind in the world.
If you're an art lover and particularly fond of the Dutch Masters, we need only to say: Rijksmuseum. You’ll be giddy with anticipation of your visit, because this museum not only has the best collection of the “Masters” — Rubens and Rembrandt — but an equally robust collection of Impressionists.
Next, imagine walking through one of the few remaining functioning 18th century windmills in Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and home to about 20 working windmills. You’ll enjoy a delightful guided tour that explains how important the windmills were in the history of the Netherlands low country, and their ongoing battle with the sea. You’ll also experience the ingenious modern solution to the low lands: the Delta Works.
There’s also a very enjoyable, separate Amsterdam canal cruise (not aboard your river ship) that provides a most interesting guided tour of many of the lesser known neighborhoods of this beautiful city. And yes… you’ll have plenty of time to visit Amsterdam’s fabled “red-light” district and we encourage you to do so as (other than for the Bangkok district), it may be one of the most interesting places to enjoy a leisurely walk in the evening — and yes, it is very safe!
Another very special place in this part of the world is Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands whose origination dates back to pre-Roman history. Today, this picturesque, cobbled-stoned medieval city will afford you many extraordinary evening photo opportunities along its river banks. And the many local eateries, bars and cheese shops will provide plenty of early evening enjoyment.
Springtime is also a perfect time to experience Belgium.
A tulip time river cruise will also take you briefly (2-3 days generally) into the beautiful country of Belgium, home to some of the best chocolate in the world — it’s on every corner and very affordable, not to mention tasty. Actually, our favorite item here was not the chocolate, but rather the Belgium waffles adorned with fresh homemade ice cream and fudge... yummy!!
And last, but certainly not least if you have the time, a stay in Bruges is distinctly in order. It is one of the best-preserved medieval cities in all of Europe. Many people have referred to Bruges and its canals as the "Venice of the North," and we think you’ll find it the most beautiful city you may have ever visited — especially at this time of the year. Your included sightseeing allows plenty of time in the really cool public gardens, and you’ll have time to roam around Market Square with its Belfry Tower — maybe the best-known site in town. Save plenty of space on your digital memory card, because you’ll soon see why Bruges is one of the most photographed cities in Europe.
For the best spot to take that perfect photo of Bruges, go to the bridge called Peerdenburg for views of the prettiest stretch of canal in the entire city. Actually, there’s practically a photo op at almost every turn in Bruges, that’s one of the reasons you’ll fall in love with it, and its people.
You’re thinking it sounds interesting, but you’re worried about the weather — don’t be.
Sure, there is a good chance of a shower or two, but we think you can manage that. Daytime temperatures average in the low to mid 60s, with evenings averaging in the mid-50s. An umbrella, some comfortable layerable clothing and good walking shoes will take care of anything and allow you to enjoy this wonderfully rewarding cruise vacation along the Waterways of Holland and Belgium.!
Tulip time and garden-themed river cruises are generally the best river cruise values of the year.
All the major lines including: AmaWaterways, Avalon Waterways, Emerald Waterways, Scenic, Tauck, Uniworld, and Viking offer exceptional early booking values on this and other European river cruises. Give us a call at 1-855-255-1200, toll free, to begin discussing your river or small ship cruise plans. No time to call right now? Use the cruisGENIE™ Cruise Search Tool to begin searching for your perfect cruise vacation.
