This spring, I embarked on a breathtaking tulip time cruise aboard the Avalon Expression, sailing through vibrant tulip fields, historic cities, and charming villages. My journey began in Amsterdam and took me through Rotterdam, Antwerp, Ghent, Middelburg, Veere, and Willemstad. Each stop was filled with unforgettable experiences!
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My Travel Crew
I was fortunate to accompany a wonderful group of clients and friends from my agency, Journeys By Amanda. I had traveled with about half of them before and loved every moment. So, when they approached me about a tulip time cruise, I was all-in! We had enough people traveling to qualify for group amenities on Avalon Waterways which saved everyone a little money and made the trip just that much more fun.
Most of this group was over 60 and we even had a couple in their 80’s. But don’t let their ages fool you. They were up to the challenge of daily port calls and made the most of their time in each city.
Day 1: Pre-Cruise in Amsterdam
I always advise cruisers to arrive at least a day or two early to hedge their bets against flight delays interfering with embarkation. This is also a great time to explore the city as embarkation ports generally have a lot to offer. So, we arrived two days early to explore Amsterdam! Once we cleared immigration, Avalon Waterways took us to the Movenpick Amsterdam City Center for our pre-cruise stay. We stowed our luggage at the hotel and hit the streets!
Westermarkt
We had a little time to kill before our tour of the Anne Frank House and this was a wonderful area to explore. Check out Westerkerk and its iconic 85-meter-tall spire. This church dates to the 1600s. You can also take guided tours to the top of the historical church tower at Westertoren. Here you will find sweeping views of the city.
Be sure to stop by the Anne Frank Monument while you are in the area. You might also enjoy the Amsterdam Tulip Museum, Amsterdam’s Smallest Cheese Shop, and a host of souvenir shops in the area.
Amsterdam Pancake Westermarkt was a great place to grab a traditional Dutch pancake and stroopwaffel. And talk about filling! A yummy lunch here fortified us for the rest of the day.
Anne Frank House Museum
Tickets to the Anne Frank House go on sale each Tuesday morning for the following six-week period. You need to log on quickly to secure your desired time. Even then you may not get the slot you want. I set my alarm for 3:30 a.m. so I would be alert and logged on when they went on sale at 4:00 a.m. The website was swamped and it just kept buffering. I finally got tickets for a different day. It wasn’t ideal but as my Mother says, “if we can’t do what we plan, we plan what we can do!”
Beware of tours that claim admission to the House is included. You can only get tickets directly from the Anne Frank House Museum website. Admission included a nice audio guide of the house. It helps you understand what the family endured. You can linger in the house as long as you wish, but on average the visit takes an hour.
I have read Anne Frank’s Diary of a Young Girl many times in my lifetime. But, to actually see the small space in which she and her family, plus four others, hid from the Nazis for two years was moving. You can see the hidden door behind a bookcase and walk through the rooms where they lived. We had a couple of late arrivals and the tickets were non-refundable, so we adopted this sweet young woman from Brownsville to join us on our tour.
A Canal Cruise
I always say you need to power through that first day in Europe and stay up until at least 7:00 or 8:00 p.m. so you can get a handle on your jet lag. That sounds great but we didn’t have a whole lot of steps left in us, so we opted to take a canal cruise to get us through the remainder of the day. Don’t buy tickets for this in advance. You can walk up to any vendor and book a canal cruise for the same day – and more than often for the next departure.
We enjoyed a lovely 75-minute canal cruise that embarked just outside the Anne Franke House. It was a wonderful way for our very tired and jet-lagged bodies to see the city. It passed by many of the main sites including Centraal Station, St. Nicholas Basilica, the National Opera & Ballet House, the outer canals and bridges, and so much more. These cruises are particularly nice in tulip time as many of the boats are decorated wit tulips!
After this the only thing we were ready to explore were our rooms at the Movenpick Hotel. So, we hopped in a couple of Ubers, picked up our keys, and grabbed some much-needed Zzzzs.
Day 2: Pre-Cruise in Amsterdam
The next morning, we rose for an early van tour of the city. This was an easy way to see a few of the sites harder to reach on foot. We were all very excited to see the city from the point of view of a local.
Our guide took us to see De Gooyer is the city’s most famous windmill. Standing proud in the heart of Amsterdam, this striking wooden structure is the tallest of its kind in the Netherlands. While the windmill itself open to the public, you can admire its beauty while enjoying a locally brewed beer at Brouwerij ‘t IJ, the popular brewery next door. It was a little early for a drink so we settled for loads of photos.
He explained about how the city is actually built below sea level and, as a result of a little sinking, the buildings are quite a bit crooked. Some lean left, some right, and some lean forward! Notice the building behind him in the photo above! Would you feel comfortable spending much time on that street?
We saw interesting plant life and parks, memorials, and other sites harder to reach on foot. We enjoyed exploring the drawbridges, houseboats, and charming gabled facades lining the waterways. This was a wonderful orientation to Amsterdam!
Dam Square & the Royal Palace
The van tour ended at Dam Square. This is the main square in Amsterdam, dating from the 13th century. It was created when a dam was built on the Amstel river to prevent flooding. Street performers, vendors, people everywhere, and lots of restaurant choices can be found all around the square. We were quite hungry at this point and enjoyed a late lunch at the De Bijenkorf Department Store. They had a lovely cafeteria style restaurant on the 4th floor.
Next, we toured the Royal Palace! It was built in the 17th century as the city’s town hall. The building is gorgeous! Expect tons of marble, stone carvings, and fabulous paintings. It was transitioned into a palace in 1808 for King Louis Bonaparte (younger brother of Napoleon), and still contains the largest collection of Empire furniture in the world dating from his reign. The building is now an official reception palace. We spent a couple of hours admiring the stone carvings that decorated just about every surface!
Wandering Around Amsterdam
There are all sorts of things to keep you busy all evening long in the Dam Square area. Our group divided at this point to pursue individual interests. I have been to Amsterdam before and felt very comfortable walking the city streets. So, I left the Dam Square area and went toward the De Wallen area, or Red Light District.
The area is extremely safe but may not be suitable for all parties. I consider travel to be first and foremost educational. So, I wanted to learn more about the reasons why Amsterdam takes the approach it does to prostitution. But I didn’t want to walk around gawking at the ladies in their windows. So, I thought I might check out the Red-Light Secrets Museum for a more educational approach. Set in a former 17th century brothel, the museum tells the story of the world’s oldest profession. Unfortunately, time was not in my favor and I had to choose one experience over another. I really wanted to see an example of a house church. And that experience won out this trip.
Our Lord of the Attic Church is a unique and well-preserved 17th century canal house. Narrow stairs lead you up through the beautifully decorated living quarters to the attic. There you discover a complete Catholic church from 1663. It was forbidden to practice the Catholic faith in public at that time and Catholics celebrated mass in hidden house churches. This is a beautiful example of such a church.
My next stop was Centraal Station. This is a beautiful transit station. It is worth a little time to explore its neo-Renaissance architecture both inside and out. I walked around a bit and enjoyed people watching. I also enjoyed seeing all the pots filled with tulips along the sidewalks during this time of year. Then I hopped on a ride back to the hotel for a good night’s sleep!
Cruise Day 1: Embarkation in Amsterdam & Zaanse Schans
After a relaxing breakfast, we transferred to the beautiful Avalon Expression to begin our Tulip Time Cruise of Holland and Belgium. The ship was absolutely beautiful and the Panorama Staterooms are to die for – but I will talk about that later.
They fed us a lovely light lunch and then we set-off for an optional excursion to explore charming Zaanse Schans. Unfortunately, it rained this day, but we made the best of it and still had a lovely time. If you’re looking for the perfect Dutch experience, Zaanse Schans is the place to be! This historic 18th and 19th century village brings the Netherlands’ past to life. We explored the beautifully preserved windmills, each with its unique purpose, from grinding spices to sawing wood. We also checked out the artisans craft traditional goods.
Many windmills are still operational, and you can step inside to see them at work. It was a fascinating experience to see inside.
That evening we had a wonderful dinner and settled in to our home for the next several days.
Cruise Day 2: Keukenhof Gardens & Rotterdam
When we docked in Rotterdam, We all started the morning with an included Avalon excursion to Keukenhof Gardens. Known as the “Garden of Europe,” Keukenhof is an independent and international showcase of Dutch floriculture. The gardens feature over seven million tulips in bloom. It was a truly amazing way to kick off a tulip time cruise!
The garden spans 32 hectares. Its floral sculptures, pavilions, and tranquil ponds make it a top destination for nature lovers. But the real draw are the tulip beds. The gardens are only open eight weeks a year, but they really show-off in those eight weeks!
I elected the half day tour of the gardens because I wanted to see a bit of Rotterdam. I wish I could have enjoyed an hour or two more exploring the various areas of the gardens. Three hours just wasn’t enough! But I love history and culture so I also wouldn’t trade my time in Rotterdam.
Rotterdam
We explored Rotterdam on our own in the afternoon. The city’s innovative architecture wowed me as I marveled at the Cube Houses and crossed the Erasmus Bridge. Once a medieval city, Rotterdam was heavily bombed during World War II. But it rose again as a beacon of innovation.
We began our exploration at the Pencil House and Cube Houses. These things were absolutely crazy! I honestly don’t know how people live in them!
Next, we headed to the Markthal, a stunning horseshoe-shaped marketplace filled with international food stalls and Dutch delicacies. Stroll through the aisles, sampling stroopwafels, cheese, and fresh seafood while admiring the massive ceiling artwork known as the “Horn of Plenty.”
Before dinner, we watched as our ship sailed through and toured Rotterdam Harbor. I loved seeing the Erasmus Bridge and Euromast Tower up close but I really loved seeing the Original Holland America Cruise Line Headquarters and charter ship The Rotterdam, which now serves as a hotel. It was an amazing and beautiful day!
Cruise Day 3: Antwerp and Brussels
We awoke on day four to find ourselves in Antwerp, Belgium. I had to make a difficult choice here as I would have loved to explore Antwerp. But Brussels was calling me. So, I elected to take an optional excursion to the capital city.
Brussels – A Delightful Detour
Brussels is considered the “Unofficial Capital of Europe” due to being home to the European Union I loved seeing the Grand Place, one of Europe’s most dramatic medieval squares, the ornate guildhalls, and the 15th century Hotel de Ville. Oh, and let’s not forget the world-famous statue of Manneken Pis. The famous little boy was wearing clothes for my visit. There was a group of students celebrating the 50th anniversary of their school that day so they applied to dress him and were having quite the celebration.
We were given a bit of free time to shop, enjoy delicious Belgium cuisine, and check out a few chocolate shops. I limited my cuisine to the famous street food of Begium – frites with mayonnaise. I loved the frites. Who wouldn’t? They are just really good fries (but don’t say “French” fries). I hated eating them with mayonnaise. Particularly once I realized it cost me 1.5 euro extra! I won’t do that again.
Not wanting to shop much, I spent a nice chunk of time people watching in the main square. About every 15 minutes, a bride and groom would appear on the balcony. Everyone in the square would stop and cheer for them. I saw three different ethnicities wed that day and it was interesting to see the different clothing and customs they followed. This is probably my favorite thing about travel!
We did get to take a quick orientation tour of Antwerp on our way back to the ship. It was just a quick run through their city center and grote market area but I am really glad I got to see it.
Since the cruise was themed to garden lovers, the ship hosted a botany lecture onboard that evening. In all honestly, I have the blackest thumb in the world. I just like looking at tulips! So, I elected to sit on the sky deck with my book and admire the view as we sailed toward Ghent.
Day 4: Bruges and Ghent
This morning, we took an optional excursion to Bruges, a fairy-tale city of cobbled streets, serene canals, and medieval charm. I visited the Markt square, but I did not climb the 13th century Belfry.
We did, however, enjoy a canal cruise. The tranquil Begijnhof and delicious Belgian treats made this side trip unforgettable.
I particularly enjoyed hearing about and seeing the area where the Beguines lived. I had read some about this sisterhood who thrived in medieval Bruges and was curious to learn more. They chose a life of service, prayer, and independence without taking monastic vows and free from the Roman Catholic Church. They tended gardens, cared for the sick, and educated young girls. With quiet strength, they resisted societal norms, embraced spiritual freedom and mutual support. Their lives were a testament to resilience, charity, and shared faith in a world often hostile to women’s autonomy. You gotta love strong women!
Ghent
We still had a little time to explore Ghent, the Diamond of Flanders, in the afternoon. Ghent’s medieval architecture was beautiful. The Gravensteen Castle, St. Bavo’s Cathedral, and the scenic Graslei canal views made me fall in love with this city.
That said, I think my favorite thing was this totally out of place Stadshall (city pavilion) they erected just in front of St Bavo’s Cathedral. After several days of medieval architecture, it created a completely different talking point!
Day 5: Middleburg & Veere
Middelburg offered a peaceful escape with its winding streets, and beautiful town square. Lovely plants and flowers appeared at almost every turn though-out the town. The guided walk through the cobblestone streets took us to the 15th Century Gothic Town Hall to hear the bells. We also learned about the spice and slave trades and the Dutch East India Trading Company.
We were able to explore the beautiful medieval Middleburg Abbey where we found yet another beautiful garden! The Abbey served as the center of power in the area since the middle ages. Today, the Abbey serves as concert hall and event venue.
One thing I learned on this trip is that the people of the Netherlands, while extremely friendly, kind, hard-working, and honest, are not religious. Very few practice any form of religion today. However, they do appreciate the history and beauty of the old religious buildings.
After a short tour of Middleburg we returned to the ship for a wonderful lunch while we sailed to Veere. Some guests chose to bike the distance, but honestly, why bike when you can sail – and dine!
Veere
Veere’s picturesque harbor, cobbled streets, and historic buildings felt like stepping into a storybook as we toured with our expert local guide. A charming town on the coast of Zeeland, Veere pulses with maritime history.
Once a bustling port for Scottish wool traders, Veere is a fun little stop with loads of history, amazing architecture, and great shopping. We loved seeing the imposing Church of Our Lady, as well as the grand town hall.
But we equally loved our stop at a local pastry shop for a special treat, and time to shop in the lovely stores that lined the town center.
Day 6: Willemstad
Today we had a choice between exploring Willemstad on bike or on foot. I never seem to get as much from a bike tour. I am way too busy just making sure I stay on the bike and don’t get hit by a car, and I never hear a word the guide says. So I hoofed it!
Willemstad’s star-shaped fortifications and charming harbor was fantastic. It is one of 11 fortified towns along the waterline and is named for William of Orange. Walking through this historic town, visiting its old windmill, and viewing the beautifully restored 17th and 18th century buildings was enchanting.
All that said, it was the people of Willemstad that made it one of my favorite places on the cruise. Each guide led their group via a different path to their church where they treated us to a special organ concert.
Then, if that wasn’t enough, our guide took us to her home to show us her own beautiful garden. She also introduced us to her lovely mother and shared her personal life and experiences living in Willemstad. It was a delightful, and enlightening, experience.
Afternoon Sailing
After Willemstad, we started our journey back toward Amsterdam. We enjoyed tasting Dutch treats such as chesses and jenever. In the afternoon I enjoyed sitting on the Skydeck. It was so lovely and peaceful I found myself drifting off to sleep. But that had to wait! There were still sites to see on this tulip time sailing of Holland.
During our journey we passed Kinderdijk. The captain was kind enough to slow down so we could admire rows of 18th century windmills standing tall along the waterways. This UNESCO World Heritage site features 19 windmills. These windmills played a crucial role in water management, preventing flooding in the low-lying lands of the Netherlands. I didn’t know I was going to get to see them on this trip so this was a special surprise!
The garden lovers on our tour enjoyed a great botany lecture, but I used the time to reflect on the wonderful adventure I had touring Holland and Belgium during tulip time. This evening we all enjoyed the Gala Dinner. The nice thing about the Gala Dinner on Avalon is that those who wish to do so, will dress to the nines. But most people just wear their regular clothes.
Cruise Day 7: Amsterdam
This morning we had a choice of included Avalon excursions, including a walking tour, access to some of Amsterdam’s secret gardens, the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, or a guided canal cruise. I selected a trip to the flower auction. It is the largest in the world and about 20 million flowers are sold here every single day! It was an amazing behind the scenes view of the floriculture business.
I thought going to a flower auction would involve seeing wholesalers bidding on flowers in a cut-throat competition. But the actual bidding went online back when Covid hit and all those bidders are doing their job from home.
The Royal Flora Holland Visitor Center allows you to go behind the scenes in the most amazing warehouse distribution center imaginable. The building covers 999,000 square meters. It fills with flowers each afternoon/evening, and is empty by about noon each and every day. If you are ever in the area, you absolutely MUST tour the facility! This is not just a tulip time activity. The also distribute roses, orchids, and every other flower known to man!
I elected to use the rest of the day to wrap up a little shopping in Amsterdam, pack for my flight home, and spend a little more time enjoying my beautiful panorama suite. Plus, if you can’t tell in the selfie below – I’m tired!
Day 8: Disembark in Amsterdam
All good things must come to an end, and our tulip time cruise ended with a transfer to the airport just after an early breakfast. We were fortunate to all be on the same flight back to the states. As I write this post, I hope everyone enjoyed the tour as much as I did.
Why I Chose Avalon Waterways
There are several wonderful river cruise lines that utilize the same, or similar, tulip time itinerary. One line in particular, is much more well-known due to heavy advertising, particularly in the Southern USA. I even book clients on that cruise line when requested, and people almost always love it. So why did I choose Avalon Waterways?
My simple answer is value and quality. While all the major European cruise lines do a good job, I believe you get the best value and quality of service from Avalon Waterways. The staterooms are larger and better designed, there are fewer people on the same size ship, and their attention to detail is beyond compare.
At the same time their prices are comparable to their leading competitor (the one with the huge marketing budget). And, their deposit and final payment deadlines are much more client friendly. For these reasons, when a client requests a river cruise, I always introduce them to Avalon Waterways. I have never had a client return unhappy. And those clients who have sailed that other line are generally won over to Avalon in the end.
Avalon does not market directly to clients the way the leading competitor does. You will not get endless mailings, emails, and commercials on PBS from them. So, unless someone works with a Travel Agent who knows about Avalon, has been on an Avalon cruise themselves, or known someone who has, they typically request the other brand. I will book you on any cruise line you desire, but as your travel advisor, I will always recommend the product that I most believe in first.
The Avalon Expression
Life on the Avalon Expression was luxurious and relaxing. Panorama Suites with full wall windows and open-air balconies offered stunning views. Gourmet meals celebrated local flavors, and daily excursions brought each destination to life. The crew’s hospitality made every moment special.
The adventure host was always ready to lead us on a journey or loan us a bicycle, walking stick, or whatever else we might need along the way. We could even take a lunch packed especially for us if we requested one!
The cruise director was funny, informative, and had us ready for each port day. She went above and beyond to meet our needs – and there were many. I owe a special shout-out here to Karolein for the amazing job she did! The entertainment on ship was top-notch but I have to be honest, I am more of an early to bed sort of girl and skipped most of it. And even though I skipped the botany lectures, I heard they were absolutely wonderful for those who attended.
My favorite place on ship, outside of my stateroom, was the sky deck. After a long day of touring, I enjoy a little quiet time to sit and reflect. This was the perfect place to relax and enjoy a peaceful journey and beautiful views.
One issue with river cruising – no matter which line you are on – is double docking. Sometimes you have a ship parked on each side of you blocking the view from your rooms. It is what it is and nobody can control it. There are just too many people river cruising! When that happens, the sky deck is your best friend.
Final Thoughts
Cruising with Avalon Waterways during tulip season was a dream come true. From Amsterdam’s vibrant colors to the historic charm of Willemstad, each stop was a unique blend of culture, history, and beauty. This unforgettable journey left me with cherished memories and a deep appreciation for the Netherlands and Belgium.
I can’t wait to get back to my Avalon Panorama Suite when I sail the Danube in November!
Are You Ready to Go?
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One note: I need to thank my contributing photographers. At this point I don’t know who took which picture, but I know I got a lot of help from Beverly, Sylvia, Sharon, and Gail!
