Lake IJssel and Keukenhof Gardens 2025

After a coach journey of approximately one hour with a talk from your local guide along the way, you will arrive in the peaceful car-free village of Giethoorn. With no roads to continue on and many waterways to admire, you will step on board the canal cruiser for a tour by water of this little town known as the 'Venice if the North' due to its unique network of canals.

As you cruise gently along, you will enjoy sights of pretty 18th and 19th-century farmhouses hidden between the trees and wooden bridges. You will also learn about the culture, history and daily life in Giethoorn as you are guided by a local skipper. Afterwards, there will be time to relax and take in the charming scenery with some refreshments before you return by coach to the ship.

Walking Grade 2

Please note: Standing and walking on this tour is at your discretion, except for the distance between the canal boat to the coach parking and the coach to your ship on your return which could be up to 150 yards in total. There are several steps to embark and disembark the canal boat. This excursion may sometimes run in reverse with the refreshments before your cruise.

4 hours

After a coach transfer of approximately 50 minutes from your ship you will arrive at Keukenhof Gardens. Regarded by many as 'the most beautiful spring garden in the world', Keukenhof is in bloom from late March to early May, as every autumn a dedicated team plants over seven million spring flowering bulbs to create a striking display for visitors.

As you wander at your leisure following paths lined with flowers, you will discover tranquil waterways and surprise bursts of colour at every turn. Also look out for the various sculptures and statues which create an interesting contrast against the floral backdrop.

Take the opportunity to explore the themed pavilions, each showcasing different types of flowers including orchids, lilies and roses with stunning floral arrangements and exhibits. As well as numerous cafes serving hot and cold food, there are also various gift shops are dotted around the gardens offering the perfect opportunity to purchase some souvenirs to commemorate your visit. At the end of your tour you will return to your ship by coach.

Walking Grade 3

Please note: As exploration of Keukenhof Gardens is independent, walking is at your discretion but we suggest you should expect to walk approximately one mile to maximise your experience in the gardens. The venue comprises of a combination of flat, accessible paths and more uneven ground/grass. There are benches at regular intervals around the gardens. As Keukenhof Gardens is a popular attraction, traffic delays are possible during your coach transfers. Cafes and shops within the gardens only accept credit or debit card and do not accept cash. Manual wheelchairs are available to rent from the ticket shop (subject to availability). A light packed lunch will be provided from your ship.

7 hours

Travel from your ship by coach to the tram Station in Medemblik, where you will board the train and journey towards the pretty town of Hoorn. Enjoy the scenery as you travel aboard a real steam locomotive, with plenty of time to sit back and relax in the historic carriages as you make your way at a leisurely pace through the Dutch countryside.

En route you will pass eight of the ten original station buildings which were used when the route opened in 1887 and are still standing today. On arrival in Hoorn, you will have some time to explore independently. Perhaps browse the station's new exhibition detailing the history of the railway or seek out a cafe to sample a traditional Dutch Stroopwafel. From Hoorn there will be a short coach transfer back to the ship.

Walking Grade 3

Please Note: Expect to walk a total of approximately 550 yards over flat ground with several steps required to enter the train. There is a total compulsory standing and/or walking time of approximately 30 minutes. Walking and/or during your free time is at your discretion.

3½ hours

Depart your ship by coach for the short journey to the Zuiderzee Museum, where over 200 years of history come alive. As you explore both the indoor and outdoor exhibitions, you'll get to know both the former and current residents of the Zuiderzee region, learn about their daily lives, work, clothing, houses and leisure activities. Discover their customs and celebrations from the past and present, and about their eternal battle against the water.

You will also learn about the construction of the dike that changed everything: the Afsluitdijk. Here you will also find the largest museum collection of ships in the Netherlands. These ships once sailed across the former Zuiderzee, and are now on display for you to view up close. At the of your tour you will reboard the coach for the short trip back to your waiting ship.

Walking Grade 4

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately one-and-a-quarter miles in total, some of which, in the outdoor area of the museum, will be over uneven or cobbled ground or grass with frequent steps. During this excursion there is a total standing and/or walking time of approximately two hours. Due to it's exposed location on the edge of the IJsselmeer Lake the Zuiderzee Museum can experience windy conditions which may occasionally result in limited access to some areas of the outdoor museum for visitor safety.

4 hours

Spread out over 70 islands, the cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam has 60 miles of canals and 1000 bridges. As early as the 13th century, tiny ships sailed from this port into the challenging Zuider Sea. Amsterdam gained renown in the 15th century when it became a major trading centre, steadily assuming commercial leadership and thus controlling the country’s finances, a trend that remains to this day.

On this tour you will be accompanied by an expert local guide as you discover the city via one of its popular glass-topped canal boats. Sit back and relax as you sail gently past some of Amsterdam’s oldest buildings, from narrow-fronted gabled houses to much larger properties still displaying the riches of Holland’s famous Golden Age. You will also hear a little about the poignant life of one of the city's most well-known former inhabitants, Anne Frank, as you pass by the house where she and her family spent two years hiding from Nazi persecution. 

You will also pass the wooden double drawbridge known locally as the "Skinny Bridge" before returning to your ship.

Walking Grade 2

Please note: Expect to walk approximately 550 yards in total over flat ground with the possibility of cobblestones. During this excursion there is a total standing and/or walking time of approximately 15 minutes. There is also a small number of steps to access the pontoon to board the canal cruise boat and several steps on and off the boat itself. The sights passed on this tour, including Anne Frank's House, may vary depending on the traffic on the canals and the route taken by the Captain. Depending on your ship's mooring, you may have a short coach transfer before and after joining the canal cruise.

1½ hours

On this tour you will firstly set off by coach for the short transfer to the Dutch National Maritime Museum. On arrival you will be joined by your expert local guide to begin the dive into the Netherlands' rich maritime history.

Set in a stunning, historic naval warehouse, the museum showcases impressive exhibits on Dutch naval exploration, trade, and life at sea. Highlights include the replica of the Amsterdam, an 18th-century East India Company ship, and interactive displays that bring maritime stories to life for all ages. The museum provides a fascinating perspective on how the sea shaped Dutch culture, economy, and global connections over centuries.

After a guided tour of approximately one hour, you will then have some free time to explore your chosen exhibits further independently before your return transfer to the ship.

Walking Grade 3

Please Note: You should expect to walk approximately one mile at a gentle pace over level ground. There are frequent steps within the museum, however a lift is available to all levels if required. There is a total walking and/or standing time of approximately two hours.

3½ hours

Travel by coach from your ship to Zaanse Schans, an open-air museum and quaint windmill village which has been recreated to resemble an 18th-century Zaan community. As you stroll with your guide through the streets, watching the craftsmen perform the trades of yesteryear, you will get a real glimpse of how Dutch life once was. There were over 600 windmills in the Zaanstreek, but now only a handful have been preserved.

Enjoy a guided tour of the mill 'Het Jonge Schaap', a working example of a 17th-century sawmill. After your tour you will have some free time when you can take the opportunity to see the old Dutch craft of clog making, sample traditional local cheeses or simply relax in an outdoor cafe.

Walking Grade 4

Please note: Expect to walk between one-and-a-quarter and two miles in total, some of which will be over uneven or cobbled ground. Up to 15 steps up and down are required to access the Het Jonge saw mill. During this excursion there is a total standing and/or walking time of approximately two hours.

4 hours

Spread out over 70 islands, the cosmopolitan city of Amsterdam has 60 miles of canals and 1000 bridges. As early as the 13th century, tiny ships sailed from this port into the challenging Zuider Sea. Amsterdam gained renown in the 15th century when it became a major trading centre, steadily assuming commercial leadership and thus controlling the country’s finances, a trend that remains to this day.

On this tour you will be accompanied by an expert local guide depart your ship by coach for the short transfer from into Amsterdam to meet your glass-topped canal boat. Sit back and relax as you sail gently past some of Amsterdam’s oldest buildings, from narrow-fronted gabled houses to much larger properties still displaying the riches of Holland’s famous Golden Age.

You will also hear a little about the poignant life of one of the city's most well-known former inhabitants, Anne Frank, as you pass by the house where she and her family spent two years hiding from Nazi persecution. You will also pass the wooden double drawbridge known locally as the ""Skinny Bridge"".

After your canal cruise you will have approximately one hour of free time before your return transfer to the ship. Alternatively, if you wish to spend longer in the city a second return transfer will operating later in the afternoon. Exact times will be confirmed on board.

Walking Grade 3

Please Note: Expect to walk approximately 550 yards in total over flat ground with the possibility of cobblestones. During this excursion there is a total standing and/or walking time of approximately 15 minutes. There is also a small number of steps to access the pontoon to board the canal cruise boat and several steps on and off the boat itself. The sights passed on this tour, including Anne Frank's House, may vary depending on the traffic on the canals and the route taken by the Captain. Walking and/or standing during your free time is at your discretion.

3½ hours