Springtime in the Netherlands

UNIQUE EXPERIENCE

Giving you the chance to get under the skin of a destination by enjoying the local food and culture.

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

Please be advised that this excursion is PRE BOOKABLE ONLY up to 7 days before departure and has a minimum number of 7, if this is not reached then the excursion may be cancelled.

Three 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

Zaanse Schans Windmill Village

Step back in time as you wander around the enchanting village of Zaanse Schans, where authentic 17th, 18th and 19th-century buildings from across the Zaan area have been transported and restored. The result is an authentic replica of a living and working society as it existed several centuries ago. Enjoy a guided tour of the oil mill, De Zoeker, the last remaining one of its type still in everyday use. If the wind is sufficiently strong, salad oil is pressed out of nuts and seeds. There are four other mills, including the paint mill De Kat and the oil mill, De Bonte Hen. There is also a museum shop, clog maker’s workshop, tin foundry, baker, a cheese dairy and museum with period rooms.

Walking Grade 3

Three-and-a-half hours

Hoorn Walking Tour

Enjoy a guided walk around the attractive harbour town of Hoorn, once home to many an  adventurous mariner – including Abel Tasman and J P Coen, founders of the Dutch East India Company. As a result of its early seafaring wealth, Hoorn boasts many pretty historic buildings. Notably the State Council building, which houses the Westfries Museum and its fascinating collection of ceramic tiles, silver, china and model ships. Across the way you’ll find the charming Weigh House and beyond that a wealth of winding streets to explore. Perhaps spend some time in the market square or savour the views from the yachting harbour before returning to your ship.

Walking Grade 3

One-and-a-half hours

Zuiderzee Museum

Take a ferry straight from your ship to the Zuiderzee Museum and go back in time! With over 140 historic buildings from villages around the former Zuiderzee, it’s a village in itself. Meet the residents of Urk, visit the cheese warehouse for a tasting and have a look in the smithy during your guided tour of the Outdoor Museum. Continuing on to visit the Indoor Museum you can enjoy the Journey Around the Zuiderzee exhibition and experience what life around this former inland sea was like. The journey takes you from Enkhuizen along the Afsluitdijk (the great barrier dam) to Friesland and then you return to North-Holland again, where you visit Marken and Volendam. Don’t forget to admire the extensive collection of historic boats in the Ships’ Hall too!

Walking Grade 3

Two-and-a-half hours