Beautiful Blooming Bulbs Founded in 1949, Keukenhof Gardens is one of the world’s most splendid floral extravaganzas. Enjoy this beautiful park’s winding streams and tree-shaded paths, the garden covering more than 70 acres featuring seven million tulips and other captivating blooms. Both indoor and outdoor exhibits showcase the genius and elegance of Dutch gardening.
Waving Windmills
More than the country’s landmark structures, windmills have played a great role in Holland’s history. Often facing floods, the Dutch harnessed the power of the wind to drain and dry the land. The 19 historic windmills of Kinderdijk were built around 1740, and today they are classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While about one
thousand Dutch windmills remain, very few are in working order (a number of these at Kinderdijk); many of the mills remain merely as a constant reminder of Holland’s age-old battle with the sea. You will have the opportunity to tour inside a working windmill.
Amsterdam by Canal
Capital of the Netherlands, Amsterdam is renowned for its extensive arrangement of canals uniting the city. A canal ride in a glass-topped tour boat is great for viewing the city’s Golden Age architecture: see how houses are designed for water access and how graceful bridges facilitate pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Cruise out into the bustling harbor, where you can see historic ships and the ultramodern NEMO science museum.
x Keukenhof Gardens Flemish Golden Age
Belgium was one of Europe’s most important centers of manufacture and trade, making 17th-century Flanders one of the wealthiest and most cosmopolitan European cultures. Visit important Flemish capitals like Antwerp, Brugge and Ghent with their lovely waterways and charming courtyards and squares.
EXPLORE MORE P RE & P O S T P A C K AG ES
Amsterdam 2 NIGHTS—$499 PER PERSON
Visit world-renowned museums including the Van Gogh Museum or Rijksmuseum, featuring works by the Dutch Masters. Discover hidden gems, from the fascinating Maritime Museum to the Jewish Historical Museum. Soak up atmosphere at colorful flower markets or rent a bicycle and tour the town like a local. Two nights at the Mövenpick Hotel Amsterdam (or similar), daily breakfasts, a walking tour and hotel/ship transfers are included along with the services of a Viking host for this pre-cruise package.
Note: This is a pre-cruise program for Tulips & Windmills, but is a pre-cruise or post-cruise program for other itineraries to or from Amsterdam.
Floriade 2 NIGHTS—$599 PER PERSON
For those visiting the Netherlands in 2012, a special treat is in store. This once-in-a-decade event is an exhibition celebrating the art of nature with multimedia presentations showcasing flowers, bulbs, plants, trees, vegetables and fruits. Held in Venlo, the Floriade is only open from early April to early October. Two nights at the Beaumont Hotel (or similar), daily breakfasts, a full-day Floriade visit, a guided Maastricht walking tour and hotel/ship transfers are included along with the services of a Viking host.
Note: This is a post-cruise program for Tulips & Windmills but either a pre-cruise or post-cruise program for other itineraries to or from Amsterdam. Select departures; call for details.