Windmills and Tulips of Holland

Travel to Amsterdam and embark Spirit of the Rhine.

Depart Amsterdam, 0700.
Arrive Enkhuizen, 1300. Depart 1900.
Arrive Lelystad, 2300.

Once known as Herring Town, Enkhuizen was one of the Dutch East India Company's main operational ports in the 17th century and rivalled Amsterdam in status.

The Zuiderzee Museum exhibits over 140 historic buildings from villages around the former Zuiderzee and there is also a quirky bottle ship museum – home to the world's largest collection of ships in bottles!

Depart Lelystad, 1300.
Arrive Zaandam, 1700.

Lelystad, located along the Markermeer lake, is built on reclaimed land. Founded in 1967, it was named after Cornelis Lely, who engineered the Afsluitdijk dam, making the reclamation possible.

Depart 2100.

Set off on an included excursion to spend the day at Keukenhof Gardens. Spread across 32 hectares, Keukenhof is described as ‘the most beautiful spring garden in the world’, and here you can admire a variety of colourful show gardens and horticultural displays featuring many floral species, including tulips and hyacinths.

Arrive 0800.

The city of Rotterdam was heavily restored following bombing during World War Two and is now home to an array of modern architecture including the Markthal, a combined indoor food market and apartment block, Erasmus Bridge – the philosopher Desiderius Erasmus was born here in Rotterdam – and the Cube Houses, built at an angle across a pedestrian bridge.

There are a number of sculptures in the city including works by Picasso, De Koning and Gabo. An included excursion will reveal some of the city’s main sights.

Depart Rotterdam, 0900.
Arrive Dordrecht, 1300. Depart 1900.

Continue your cruise to Dordrecht and join an included excursion to Kinderdijk, which is home to 19 UNESCO-listed windmills. Built between 1722 and 1761, they form the largest park of windmills still in use in the Netherlands, and during your excursion, you’ll see how a windmill works, learn why they were used and how they have been replaced by modern pump stations.

You’ll visit the former steam pump station, Wisboom, as well as the historic waterboard house, and walk along the flood wall.

Arrive 0800.

Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, started life as a fishing village in the 13th century.

Among the most interesting sights are the Royal Palace on Dam Square, the floating flower market, the Central Railway Station, which is built on thousands of wooden piles, and the grand 19th-century Rijksmuseum.

This morning, enjoy an included cruise along the city’s tree-shaded canals past historic bridges and gabled buildings.

Disembark Spirit of the Rhine and begin your return journey.