Netherlands Waterway Cruise

Topic: Tour CalendarSOLD OUT - Waitlist Accepted April 18 - 26, 2008

The M.P.S. Salvinia

Our "floating hotel" in the Netherlands is a cozy Dutch river cruiser. The M.P.S. Salvinia can accommodate 123 passengers, all in outside cabins with private facilities. Each cabin is equipped with a telephone, television, and individually-controlled air-conditioning. The ship's public areas, divided over three decks, include a whirlpool, sauna, and fitness room on the Main Deck; a lovely restaurant and reception area on the Promenade Deck; and a large panorama lounge and a sun deck on the Salon Deck. Passenger cabins are located on the Main and Promenade Decks. The decks are connected by an elevator and stairs. One of the best things about the Salvinia isn't a thing at all-it's the ship's wonderful, friendly crew. And let's don't forget the great food-from early-morning coffee, buffet-style breakfast and lunch, to afternoon tea and sweets, and delicious full-course dinner. For more information online, visit: www.feenstrarijnlijn.nl/en_algemeen/home.php.

Day 1 ~ Friday, April 18 - Departure

Check in at your airport for the overnight flight across the Atlantic!

Day 2 ~ Saturday, April 19 - Amsterdam, Arnhem, Doesberg

Welcome to the Netherlands! We'll be met at Amsterdam's bustling Schiphol Airport and transferred to Gelderland, the largest of the Netherlands' 12 provinces. We'll find our ship waiting for us in Arnhem, a city whose name recalls the brave Allied troops who landed here in the famed World War II Operation Market Garden. While we enjoy our first dinner on board, we'll cruise to Doesburg, another charming Gelderland town.

Day 3 ~ Sunday, April 20 - Deventer, Kampen

While we cruise into Overijssel this morning, an ecumenical worship service will be offered in the Panorama lounge. We'll enjoy a short stop in Deventer-Be sure to sample the delicious gingerbread known as Deventer Koek. Then we'll continue on to Kampen. A late-afternoon walking tour will acquaint us with this old Hanseatic town. After dinner, we'll be treated to an organ concert in one of Kampen's historic churches. Optional afternoon excursion to Palace Het Loo.

Day 4 ~ Monday, April 21 - Sneek

A full-day cruise takes us along the shores of the Noordoostpolder-North East Polder, land the industrious Dutch have reclaimed from the sea-and into the province of Friesland and on to Sneek. Called Snits by its inhabitants, this busy, popular town is the gateway to the Frisian lake district. After we drop anchor, we'll be invited on a walking tour. Optional full-day excursion through Overijssel and Southern Friesland.

Day 5 ~ Tuesday, April 22 - Franeker

Today we're cruising the lush Frisian countryside and through the van Harinxma Kanal to reach Franeker. Enjoy a late-afternoon walking tour or do some exploring on your own. After dinner, we'll be entertained by a Frisian folklore group. Optional full-day excursion through Northern Friesland.

Day 6 ~ Wednesday, April 23 - Texel Island, Den Helder

This will be fun! A morning cruise takes us across the Marsdiep Channel to Texel, the largest of the Wadden Islands. With more than 300 species of birds, rolling dunes and beautiful freshwater lakes, Texel-pronounced Tessel-is a nature lover's paradise. Lace up your Nikes, grab your camera and head out along one of the nature trails-or rent a bicycle and go for a spin. In the late afternoon, we'll cruise back to the mainland and tie up for the night in Den Helder. Optional afternoon Texel Island excursion.

Day 7 ~ Thursday, April 24 - Alkmaar, Amsterdam

We're cruising through the province of North Holland this morning, enjoying spectacular views of the tulip fields on either side of our ship. We'll drop anchor in Alkmaar. A get-acquainted walking tour of this well-preserved old town includes a visit to the Kaasmuseum-Cheese Museum-and Sint-Laurenskerk. Then we'll have some time to shop and explore independently. In the late afternoon, we'll continue to the Dutch capital city … It's Amsterdam, of course!

Day 8 ~ Friday, April 25 - Amsterdam

The entire day is yours to take in the sights and sounds of "A'dam." Enjoy a canal boat ride. Browse in the fabulous Rijksmuseum or Anne Frank House. Shop on the pedestrians'-only Kalverstraat. Visit a diamond-cutting workshop. Have a great time! Optional morning excursion to Keukenhof. Sign up for the cruise by November 16 and this excursion is FREE!

Day 9 ~ Saturday, April 26 - Return

It's time to say tot ziens-good-bye-to the Salvinia and its crew! If you're ready to head for home, we'll transfer you back to Schiphol Airport to check in for your return flight. Or if you'd like to see more of Europe, come with us for a six-night Holiday in Germany and Switzerland!

Optional shore excursions

Sunday, April 20 ~ Afternoon excursion to the Palace Het Loo-$48

Taking off from Deventer, we'll travel to the lovely Palace Het Loo, last occupied by Queen Wilhelmina. After time to walk through the palace and its marvelous gardens, we'll rejoin the Salvinia, now docked in Kampen.

Monday, April 21 ~ Full-day excursion through Overijssel and Southern Friesland-$63

First off, we'll head for Rouveen and Staphorst whose very conservative inhabitants are often seen in the traditional dress of the "olden days." You'll be delighted with views of the thatched-roof houses that line the roads-and it's okay to take pictures of them; but don't photograph the people without asking their permission. Our next stop is at Giethoorn where you can enjoy a boat ride through the canals of this peaceful, picture-postcard village, or do some shopping. Then it's on to once-prosperous Blokzijl where wealthy Amsterdam merchants of the Middle Ages went to escape the hectic pace of city life. We'll continue on to the Salvinia in Sneek in time for dinner.

Tuesday, April 22 ~ Full-day excursion through Northern Friesland-$63

The first stop on our drive through the beautiful Frisian countryside is the fortified town of Sloten, which seems to have been built on a reduced scale. Enjoy a stroll and snap a few pictures of the tiny 17th- and 18th-century houses and the lovely canal. Then we'll continue to Hindeloopen. Once an important trading center, it is now a quiet, peaceful place bypassed by the main roads. We'll have time to shop for Hindeloopen's unique handpainted household and decorative items and for the wonderful pottery made in nearby Makkum. At day's end, we'll find the Salvinia in Franeker.

Wednesday, April 23 ~ Afternoon excursion of Texel Island-$48

A truly memorable afternoon includes Texel's capital-Den Burg-and a few of the intriguing island villages. We'll see some of the dunes and the lighthouse at De Cocksdorp and we'll visit the Eco Mare, a center devoted to the Wadden Islands and the North Sea.

Friday, April 24 ~ Morning excursion to Keukenhof-$48

Top off your cruise tour with a visit to the fabulous Keukenhof National Flower Exhibition! Millions of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths create a breathtaking sea of flowers. This vast floralscape, which stretches over some 70 acres, also includes themed gardens, fountains, lakes, greenhouses, pavilions with changing flower shows, and a permanent orchid display. A sign-up form to select your excursions will be sent to you a few weeks before departure.

Your optional extension

Holiday in Germany and Switzerland ~ April 26 - May 2, 2008
$998 per person