Discover the Netherlands and Belgium

A week-long river cruise sailing past farmland, ancient castles and into romantic European cities is my idea of an ideal vacation. And, I found out on a recent AmaWaterways cruise, that I was right: fantastic opportunities to see Europe at a peaceful pace, excellent food and accommodations, and relaxation.

Tulip Time is one European cruise AmaWaterways offers. Seven days of exploring The Netherlands and Belgium topped off with a visit to Holland’s tulip fields was simply perfect.

Amsterdam
As soon as I stepped out of airport customs, I was greeted by an AmaWaterways representative. She ushered me to a waiting van and off we went to the AmaCerto docked at a pier within walking distance of many of the city’s attractions. After settling into my stateroom, I was free to explore the city on my own. Being mindful of the bike lanes as I walked (there are an estimated one million bikes in Amsterdam), I strolled past centuries-old buildings, canals, shops and residences until it was time to return to the ship for a brief orientation.

The following day was also spent in the city with a guided bus tour, walking tour and cruise along some of the canals. Learning about the city’s history and seeing many of its famous landmarks — including the Anne Frank House, Royal Palace and floating flower market — the tours offered a vivid overview of the city dating to the 12th century.
Complimentary small group shore excursions are offered at each port and include ones for gentle-walkers and others for active-walkers. Local English-speaking tour guides are available to lead the excursions as well as answer questions.

In Volendam, the waterfront was busy with tourists queuing up to pay for souvenirs and entering restaurants. Residential streets were lined with cottages, many along narrow canals, and seeing the hotel where Picasso and Renoir spent time added to the immersive feeling of the city and its history.

Neighbouring Edam is much smaller than Volendam and is most famous for its cheese. Every street offered a glimpse of its history and the lives of its once wealthy inhabitants. Past 17th century architecture in residential neighbourhoods, as well as the commercial centre, it was easy to imagine this town as a bustling city during its heyday.

Het Loo Palace, built between 1684 and 1686 for stadtholder-king William III and Mary II of England, served as the residence of the House of Orange-Nassau until the death of Queen Wilhelmina in 1962. Its interior features original furniture, objects and paintings in lavishly decorated rooms.

Belgium
A popular shore excursion in Antwerp is the Chocolate, Waffles and Beer tour. The tour guide led us past Het Steen, a medieval fortress built after the Viking invasions in the early Middle Ages and along narrow streets until we arrived at D’aa Toert (The Tart) Tea Room.

Soon after being seated, waffles were served; delicious plate-sized squares with strawberries and whipped cream on top. Next stop: Grote Markt and G. Bastin – Chocolade for a taste of the confection, and finally ‘T Parlement, where everyone sampled Belgium Beer.

In Brussels, the capital of Belgium and the European Union, a brief bus tour of the city and a couple photo op exits from the bus brought our group to the centre of the city.

We left the bus and started to explore on foot. One of the city’s most famous landmarks is Manneken Pis, which means “little pee man” in Flemish. There was a crowd vying for a spot to photograph the 24-inch-high statue, this day dressed in green and yellow. The statue has a full-time dresser. His clothes are changed often to celebrate the season or special events.

Grand-Place, a UNESCO World Heritage site, was constructed beginning in the 15th century with market halls, trade guild houses and a town hall to establish the authority of this trading centre. Here we had two hours to explore.

Touring Ghent, I learned it was once a powerful centre of business and trade as the guide led us past beautiful gothic public buildings, towering churches, and well-kept homes and businesses. Ghent is one of Belgium’s oldest cities dating to the 7th century.

It was in the Middle Ages that Ghent became one of Europe’s wealthiest towns with the cloth industry. But, with prosperity came conflict between economic and state powers including the Hundred Years’ War and rebellions against the Duke of Burgundy. The city witnessed a revival in the 1800s when a port was opened and machinery was added to the factories.

Bruges was chartered in 1128. The city had a strategic location at the crossroads of the northern Hanseatic League and southern trade routes. In the 15th century, the population of Bruges grew to at least 125,000, but by the 16th century, the tidal inlet, which had given the city its prosperity, started naturally filling in making navigation difficult for ships. The success of Bruges as the economic flagship of the Low Countries then shifted to Antwerp.

The best way to see the city, also a UNESCO World Heritage, is on foot and by canal boat. In Market Square, there are fantastically-detailed and ornate public buildings. Shops selling Belgium chocolate, beer, lace and other souvenirs are located on the streets jutting off the square.

Burg Square is the second of Bruges’ medieval squares. Key landmarks on the square are Bishop’s Palace dating to the 17th century, the gothic Town Hall dating to the 14th century, the Old Civil Registry built between 1534 and 1537 in the Renaissance style, and the Holy Blood Basilica built in the 12th century.

The Netherlands
As the days pass, the AmaCerto was once again in the Netherlands. The first stop was Willemstad, a small historic town established in 1585 and surrounded by an old city wall in the shape of a seven-pointed star. One of the highlights was the oldest Protestant Dutch Reform church in the Netherlands where, in the octagon-shaped church, a short organ concert of classical music was performed.

Kinderdijk, with the largest concentration of old windmills in the Netherlands, is next on the day’s agenda. The windmills date as far back as the 1500s. Because this is UNESCO site, all the mills must be kept in their original state.

Twenty-five per cent of the Netherlands consists of land below sea level. To reclaim this land from the sea, a dike is built around a large piece of water. Then, the water is pumped out. These pieces of land are called polders and can be used for farming and industrial purposes.

On the last day of the cruise was Keukenhof, where more than seven million tulips and other bulb flowers blossom in breathtaking beautiful displays from mid-March to mid-May.

Almost 100 royal exhibitors supply 800 varieties of tulips to be planted in the fall for display in the park the following year. The park opened in 1950 and was an instant success, with 236,000 visitors in the first year alone. During the past 65 years, Keukenhof has grown into a world-famous attraction.

Zaanse Schans was another offered excursion. At first glance, it seemed like an elaborate theme park celebrating Dutch history, but in actuality, this is a historic community with an interesting and significant past. Some 250 years ago, more than 600 windmills were located in this small area along the Zaan river; the first industrial site in the world. The windmills were used to make shelves, paint, mustard, oil and paper.
What you find today are authentic Dutch windmills, barns, houses and museums, all built in the typically Dutch wooden architectural style, and all moved to this central location over the past 50 years. Costumed interpreters demonstrate clog making, milling and other activities for tourists, offering a living history lesson.

The week was over: photos captured, tours taken, memories made. Will I take another river cruise? You bet; the first chance I get!

IF YOU GO:
AmaWaterways features all-inclusive river cruises in Europe, Africa and Asia including Cambodia, Vietnam and Myanmar. Small group excursions are offered daily with knowledgeable guides and state-of-the-art headsets that allow guests to hear everything the guide is saying. For more information, see your travel agent, call 1-800-626-0126 or check the website www.amawaterways.com.