Nijenhuis Castle and sculpture garden

The earliest records of the castle’s existence date from 1382 in the late Middle Ages. Various distinguished noble families, including the Van Ittersums and Bentincks, have occupied the castle through the years. After the estate was sold by the Van Pallandt family in 1934 it fell into disrepair, until its restoration and convertion into an architect-designed museum under the instruction of collector Dirk Hannema, whose own collection formed the museum. The castle was radically rebuilt again in 2003/2004 under the supervision of architect Gunnar Daan. Explore the castle and take a stroll through the well-kept gardens, home to sculptures such as Charlotte van Pallandt’s ‘Wilhelmina’ and the Hildebrand monument by Jan Bronner.

Walking Grade 3

Three hours

Noordoostpolder drive

Enjoy a drive through the colourful tulip fields of the Noordoostpolder – land reclaimed from the sea, which is now considered the foremost bulb region in the Netherlands. There will be plenty of photo stops along the way.

Walking Grade 1

Two-and-a-half hours

Giethoorn

Travel through the village of Staphorst to the lake town of Giethoorn – named after the large number of goat horns found here by 12th-century settlers. It was these men who built the canals on which you’ll cruise by motorised punt. Float beneath a series of narrow arched bridges to Giethoorn’s central island, now a nature reserve. Here a shallow lake is inhabited by many rare birds. There are no roads in the centre of the village, so locals use punts to get around and cars remain outside the village. After your punt excursion you can look forward to refreshments served with a slice of delicious Dutch apple cake. 

Walking Grade 1

Four hours

Amsterdam City & Canals

This cosmopolitan capital delights visitors with its pretty tree-lined canals – criss-crossed by over a thousand bridges – exquisite architecture and world-class art collections. Enjoy a canal cruise to view such treasures as the famous Skinny Bridge, the Montelbaanstoren tower and the Jewish Quarter. Highlights are subject to change. Walking Grade 3

Two-and-a-half hours

Amsterdam Culinary Walking Tour

After disembarking your ship and meeting your guide, take a tram to Central Station from where you will begin a walking tour of the Dutch capital. Along the way look forward to tasting local delicacies including herring, cheese and croquettes and rounding it off with a sweet treat from a bakery.

Walking Grade 4

Three hours

Volendam, Edam & Katwoude Cheese Farm

This excursion for cheese lovers takes you to a beautiful farmhouse in Katwoude, where cheese is still made. Here you’ll enjoy a practical demonstration of the craft, and taste various cheeses. Head for Edam, one of the Netherlands’ best-preserved towns, which grew wealthy as a trading town and became famous for its red-waxed cylindrical cheese. Enjoy a walking tour through the pretty streets and visit the famous Edam cheese weigh house. The final stop is in the nearby, picturesque village of Volendam, which lies on reclaimed land along the former Zuiderzee, now known as the Ijssel Lake. Keep an eye out for locals wearing traditional Dutch costume, and enjoy some free time in the harbour area. During the excursion a local guide will explain the fascinating history of man’s fight to reclaim this low-lying land from invasion by the sea.

Walking Grade 3

Three-and-a-half hours