Holland & Belgium Antwerp to Amsterdam

Welcome to Antwerp, your gateway to Europe's rich history and culture. Upon arrival, you'll be transferred to your ship where you can relax or start exploring the city. If time permits, consider a visit to the Museum aan de Stroom, the oldest museum in Antwerp, to immerse yourself in the city's fascinating past.

Kickstart your day with a walking tour of Antwerp's historic quarter. Marvel at the Cathedral of Our Lady, adorned with monumental altarpieces by Peter Paul Rubens. Visit the Grote Markt, surrounded by the Renaissance Town Hall and guild halls, and Het Steen, the city's oldest building. In the afternoon, you have the option to sample Belgium's delightful cuisine or explore more of Antwerp at your leisure. As the day ends, we set sail for Maastricht.

Arrive in Maastricht and embark on a walking tour around this historic city. Wander through the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town, and visit the Gothic-style Sint Janskerk and the Romanesque Basilica of St. Servatius. In the afternoon, you can choose to join an optional excursion to Aachen to see Charlemagne’s chapel, a UNESCO Site, or pay your respects at the American Military Cemetery of Margraten.

Enjoy a morning of scenic cruising along the meandering Meuse River. After lunch, arrive in Nijmegen, where you'll step back in time to witness one of The Netherlands' most dramatic chapters. Learn about Operation Market Garden, the planned attack by the Allied forces in late summer 1944, and pay homage to the many soldiers who lost their lives during a visit to the touching National Liberation Museum in nearby Groesbeek.

Arrive in Wesel and embark on a walking tour of the city. Learn about the city's destruction during World War II and its subsequent rise from the ashes. In the afternoon, you can choose to visit Xanten Archaeological Park, one of the largest open-air museums in the world, or head to Essen and the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex, one of Europe's most important industrial heritage sites. As the day concludes, we set sail for Nijmegen.

After breakfast, explore the modern face of Holland, a city that has been extensively rebuilt after the destruction suffered during World War II. After lunch, you may take an optional tour to Delft to see how the famed porcelain is made. In the evening, your ship will set sail for a scenic dinner cruise around the harbor, offering stunning views of Europe's largest port.

Arrive in Kinderdijk and embark on a tour of this ingenious 18th-century community. Learn why the windmills were built and see how they work to control flooding. You'll also get a chance to tour a working windmill and see its pumping mechanism and living quarters. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a testament to Dutch ingenuity. Enjoy scenic afternoon cruising along the Lek and Waal Rivers and dinner on board your ship.

After breakfast, depart your ship and enjoy a guided walk through Hoorn's cobblestone streets. See the age-old cheese warehouses and the town's main square, which dates back to Hoorn's heyday. Enjoy a warm welcome during a home visit to a local family and get acquainted with daily life. You may choose to take an excursion through the Dutch countryside to see the country's famed windmills, or traverse the West Frisian countryside on a vintage train ride. As the day concludes, we set sail for Amsterdam.

After breakfast, disembark your ship and enjoy a full day in Amsterdam. Cruise the charming canals, passing under pretty bridges and enjoying streets lined with gabled houses of centuries past. In the afternoon, you can join an optional excursion to one of Amsterdam's world-class museums to explore the Dutch Golden Age, or uncover the city's fascinating Jewish history. Your Viking Program Director can help you plan your afternoon.

After breakfast, disembark and proceed to the airport for your return flight. Alternatively, you can choose to extend your stay in Amsterdam for two more nights to further explore this vibrant city. Ground transfers are included with Viking Air purchase.