Holland River Cruise

Willemstad, an enchanting Dutch town with a rich maritime heritage, is located in the South-West of the Netherlands. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Willemstad boasts captivating pastel-coloured buildings showcasing a unique Dutch colonial style. Alongside its stunning beauty, Willemstad is also renowned for its 17th-century fortifications such as the incredible Fort Amsterdam. 

Zaandam, famous for its iconic windmills, colourful wooden houses and charming canals, is a postcard-worthy town located just north of Amsterdam. With a blend of old-world charm and contemporary allure, Zaandam tells a story of Dutch heritage and tradition complemented by modern amenities, including shopping venues, cultural hotspots and culinary variety. 

Amsterdam combines the unrivaled beauty of the 17th-century Golden Age city center with plenty of museums and art of the highest order, not to mention a remarkably laid-back atmosphere. It all comes together to make this one of the world's most appealing and offbeat metropolises in the world. Built on a latticework of concentric canals like an aquatic rainbow, Amsterdam is known as the City of Canals—but it's no Venice, content to live on moonlight serenades and former glory. Quite the contrary: on nearly every street here you'll find old and new side by side—quiet corners where time seems to be holding its breath next to streets like neon-lit Kalverstraat, and Red Light ladies strutting by the city's oldest church. Indeed, Amsterdam has as many lovely facets as a 40-carat diamond polished by one of the city's gem cutters. It's certainly a metropolis, but a rather small and very accessible one. Locals tend to refer to it as a big village, albeit one that happens to pack the cultural wallop of a major world destination. There are scores of concerts every day, numerous museums, summertime festivals, and, of course, a legendary year-round party scene. It's pretty much impossible to resist Amsterdam's charms. With 7,000 registered monuments, most of which began as the residences and warehouses of humble merchants, set on 160 man-made canals, and traversed by 1,500 or so bridges, Amsterdam has the largest historical inner city in Europe. Its famous circle of waterways, the grachtengordel, was a 17th-century urban expansion plan for the rich and is a lasting testament to the city’s Golden Age. This town is endearing because of its kinder, gentler nature—but a reputation for championing sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll does not alone account for Amsterdam's being one of the most popular destinations in Europe: consider that within a single square mile the city harbors some of the greatest achievements in Western art, from Rembrandt to Van Gogh. Not to mention that this is one of Europe's great walking cities, with so many of its treasures in the untouted details: tiny alleyways barely visible on the map, hidden garden courtyards, shop windows, floating houseboats, hidden hofjes(courtyards with almshouses), sudden vistas of church spires, and gabled roofs that look like so many unframed paintings. And don’t forget that the joy lies in details: elaborate gables and witty gable stones denoting the trade of a previous owner. Keep in mind that those XXX symbols you see all over town are not a mark of the city's triple-X reputation. They're part of Amsterdam's official coat of arms—three St. Andrew's crosses, believed to represent the three dangers that have traditionally plagued the city: flood, fire, and pestilence. The coat's motto ("Valiant, determined, compassionate") was introduced in 1947 by Queen Wilhelmina in remembrance of the 1941 February Strike in Amsterdam—the first time in Europe that non-Jewish people protested against the persecution of Jews by the Nazi regime.

Utrecht is a city in the Netherlands, known for its medieval center. It has tree-lined canals, Christian monuments and a venerable university. The iconic Domtoren, a 14th-century bell tower with city views, stands opposite the Gothic Cathedral of St. Martin on central Domplein square. The Museum Catharijneconvent shows religious art and artifacts in a former monastery.

Cuijk, Netherlands, is a picturesque town on the banks of the Meuse River in North Brabant. Known for its rich history, Cuijk features the striking St. Martin's Church and remnants of Roman settlements. The town offers scenic views, lush parks, and charming streets. Cultural events, such as the annual Vierdaagse Nijmegen, highlight Cuijk's vibrant community spirit. With its blend of historical sites, natural beauty, and warm local hospitality, Cuijk provides a serene and inviting atmosphere for visitors.

Maastricht is a Dutch city with an allure that extends beyond its landmarks, renowned for cobblestone streets, medieval era churches and vibrant cuisine. Boasting a rich tapestry of architectural marvels spanning several centuries, such as the Saint Servatius Bridge, Maastricht exudes a blend of history, culture and modernity.

Hoorn was once a vital centre for trade and shipping during the Dutch Golden Age, thanks to its location on the shores of the IJsselmeer. A picturesque town with a rich maritime history, Hoorn's beautifully well-preserved architecture, including the imposing Hoofdtoren (Main Tower), reflect the town's cultural tapestry and the prosperity of the era. Visitors are invited to meander the cobblestone streets, take in the scenic harbour and take a trip to the Westfries Museum, immersing themselves in Hoorn's maritime history and old-world character.

North Holland’s ‘Gate to the North Sea’, IJmuiden has four harbours: the Vissershaven, Haringhaven, IJmondhaven and the Seaport Marina - the latter used by pleasure craft. It is the largest Dutch fishing port, but is a relatively young town: it grew up in the 1870s when the North Sea Canal was opened. During World War II, the German Navy demolished much of the town and built huge fortified concrete bunkers for their torpedo boats and submarines. After 1945, the town was rebuilt by the architect Willem Marinus Dudok. He designed IJmuiden’s most impressive building, the Stadhuis van Velsen, which houses local government offices. For cruise passengers IJmuiden is the gateway to Amsterdam, the Dutch capital and one of Europe’s truly great cities, where elegant canals are lined by old brick gabled houses, and superb art galleries and museums are home to some of the world’s best-known paintings. Please note that complimentary shuttle buses operate from the port to the centre of IJmuiden, not to Amsterdam.

Rotterdam is a city that's a long way removed from most people's stereotypical notion of the Netherlands. There are few, if any, canals to be found here nor are there any quaint windmills. There is, however, a thriving modern city which is one of the busiest ports in the entire world.

Situated in the province of Zeeland, in the Netherlands, Middleburg is a city famed for historic charm and maritime heritage. The captivating city centre is adorned with well-preserved medieval buildings, paved with cobblestone and home to notable landmarks such as the imposing abbey complex of Lange Jan (Long John) and the impressive Town Hall. Thanks to a rich history combined with cultural attractions, Middleburg delightfully blends Dutch tradition with scenic beauty.

Nijmegen, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands, boasts a rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, adorned with Roman ruins such as Valkhof Park, offering a glimpse into the city's ancient past. The bustling city centre is populated by quaint cafes, boutique shops and lively squares that burst with activity year-round.