Netherlands

Bountiful Holland: Tulips & Gardens by Riverboat

Program No. 22231RJ
The story of Dutch tulips is one of mystery, intrigue and a springtime symphony of more than 7 million bulbs in bloom. Voyage the rivers of Holland to experience this fascinating story.

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At a Glance

Imported from Turkey in 1593, tulips were once so prized that the Dutch used flower bulbs as currency. On this voyage through Holland, learn about the history of tulips while delighting in their vibrant splendor. Walk amid a vivid palette of colors in one of the world’s largest flower gardens, learn about tulips with a bulb farmer and explore the grounds where these now bountiful blooms first arrived in the Netherlands.
Activity Level
Keep the Pace
Walking up to two hours/two miles at a time, sometimes twice per day; cobblestones and many unavoidable stairs.

What You'll Learn

  • Experience the world-famous Keukenhof Garden, where more than 7 million bulbs bloom each spring.
  • Discover the collections of Amsterdam's Rijksmuseum.
  • Meet a tulip bulb farmer and explore a bustling flower auction.

General Notes

Please note that on this program, Road Scholar has the entire ship and welcomes a maximum of 90 Road Scholars which will be divided into smaller groups, each with their own Group Leader. The small groups may occasionally come together for lectures.
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All itineraries and excursions are subject to change. Weather and water conditions may affect the progress of the ship, and we may miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The operators reserve the right to change the content and duration of excursions without prior notice and so the cruise itinerary should always be regarded as provisional. Whenever possible, Road Scholar’s published daily schedule will indicate port arrival and departure times. Prior to departure, if there is a major change, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
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10 days
9 nights
17 meals
8 B 4 L 5 D
DAY
1
In Transit to Program
In Flight
DAY
2
Arrive Amsterdam, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Amsterdam
D
Hotel Park Plaza Victoria

Activity note: Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 15 miles, approximately 1/2 hour riding time. Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.

Afternoon: Hotel check-in is available at 3:00 p.m. We may store our luggage with the front desk while we explore the area on our own while we wait for our rooms to be ready. After checking in to the hotel and getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before our Orientation session. Orientation: 5:00 p.m. During orientation with your small group the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Adventures Afloat program. Port stops and field trips are subject to change as weather and river conditions could affect the progress of the ship, making it run late and possibly miss ports if it is not safe to dock. The cruise itinerary should therefore be regarded as provisional. The time available in each port is set by the cruise line, which may mean free time in port is limited. The cruise line reserves the right change the itinerary without prior notice. When possible, the Road Scholar daily schedule indicates port arrival and departure times. Road Scholar delivers a robust educational program regardless of limitations. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.

DAY
3
Tulip History, de Keukenhof Gardens, Embarkation
Amsterdam
B,D
CroisiEurope's Mona Lisa

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach, riding approx. 52 miles, about 1.5 hours; getting on/off ferry, riding about 10 minutes; Amount of walking at de Keukenhof Gardens dependent on personal interest; some uneven terrain in the gardens.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: This morning we will be joined by a historian for a lecture on the history of tulips and their cultural role in the region. We’ll then check out of the hotel and board a motorcoach for an all-day field trip at the Keukenhof, the Netherland’s most famous open-air flower park with about 6 million blooming bulbs. At your own pace, take time to explore the expansive grounds seeing many types of flora, stroll through greenhouses, and learn about the gorgeous flowers on site.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: We’ll continue our self-led morning field trip at the Keukenhof. At a predetermined time and place, we’ll meet for transfer to ship for embarkation. After we have completed embarkation processes and gotten our cabins, we will gather in the lounge for a safety briefing and an introduction to the ship’s crew.

Dinner: Aboard the riverboat.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
4
Amsterdam, Netherlands History
Amsterdam
B,L,D
CroisiEurope's Mona Lisa

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach, riding approx. 10.5 miles, about 30 minutes; getting on/off ferry, riding about 10 minutes; Walking up to 3 miles; cobblestones, pavement, occasional crowds.

Breakfast: Aboard the riverboat.

Morning: We’ll step off the riverboat and transfer to Amsterdam’s city center to a local dock to board our canal cruise through Amsterdam. We’ll learn about this fascinating city from a local expert on subjects such as aspects of history, water management practices, Amsterdam’s iconic architecture, and daily life. At the conclusion of the canal cruise, we will transfer back to the ship. The ship will depart Amsterdam at approximately 12:30 p.m.

Lunch: Aboard the riverboat.

Afternoon: We will gather with our Group Leader for a lecture on Dutch history. Then enjoy the passing scene as we glide through Dutch canals and waterways.

Dinner: Aboard the riverboat.

Evening: At leisure. The ship will arrive in Gouda at approximately 8:00 p.m. and remain there overnight.

DAY
5
Gouda, Free time
Gouda
B,L,D
CroisiEurope's Mona Lisa

Activity note: Walking about 3 miles, approximately 1.5 hours total, periods of standing; generally flat terrain, pavement and cobblestone sections. Extent/duration of walking and other free time activities according to personal choice.

Breakfast: Aboard the riverboat.

Morning: We’ll step off the riverboat for an expert-led walking field trip through this charming town, made famous for its cheese. This city was chartered in 1272 where the small rivers Gouwe and Holland Ijsell meet. It became a major trading hub in the 15th and 16th centuries. At the conclusion of the walk, take some time for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Gouda. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.

Lunch: On board, or you may choose to stay and dine on your own in Gouda.

Afternoon: In the late afternoon, we will meet our Group Leader for a wine and cheese tasting at a local establishment.

Dinner: On board, or you may choose to stay and dine on your own in Gouda.

Evening: At leisure. The ship will remain in Gouda overnight.

DAY
6
Rotterdam, Kinderdijk
Rotterdam
B,L,D
CroisiEurope's Mona Lisa

Activity note: Getting on/off motorcoach, riding approx. 34 miles, about 3 hours; Walking about 4 miles throughout the day, approximately 5 hours; cobblestones and pavement.

Breakfast: On board.

Morning: The ship will depart Gouda at approximately 5:00 a.m. Upon arrival at the dock in Rotterdam, we will board our motorcoach and set out on a field trip to Kinderdijk. The 19 windmills that are part of this UNESCO World Heritage site are only part of the story. Today we will learn about Dutch water management from a local expert as we explore the area. We will board our motorcoach and return to the ship.

Lunch: On board.

Afternoon: After lunch, we will board a smaller vessel for a sightseeing cruise in Rotterdam Harbor. We will take in the skyline of one of the largest harbors in the world while we learn about the architecture from a local expert.

Dinner: On board.

Evening: At leisure. Prepare for an early disembarkation in the morning. The ship will depart Rotterdam at approximately 10:00 p.m.

DAY
7
Disembarkation, Aalsmeer
Amsterdam
B,L
Hotel Park Plaza Victoria

Activity note: Disembarkation by 6:30 a.m. Luggage will be transferred to the hotel separately from the group; Getting on/off a motorcoach; driving about 30 miles throughout the day, approximately 1 total riding time hour. Walking and standing, approximately 3 hours, during field trip.

Breakfast: Early breakfast on board.

Morning: Early this morning, after completing disembarkation, we’ll board a motorcoach and ride to Aalsmeer for a field trip to enjoy the Royal Flora Holland flower auction. While here, we’ll learn from a local expert about the history of flower production in the Netherlands. We’ll then take a short drive to visit a Dutch greenhouse where we’ll learn from a local expert about the growing of plants and flowers in the Netherlands.

Lunch: At a local restaurant.

Afternoon: Next, we’ll take a field trip to a local farm and meet a bulb-farmer who will teach us about tulip-specific farming and what it takes to grow healthy flowers. We’ll board a motorcoach and ride back to Amsterdam. Upon arrival, we will walk to the hotel for check-in. After getting your room, take some time to freshen up and relax before we meet for dinner.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
8
Amsterdam City Walk
Amsterdam
B
Hotel Park Plaza Victoria

Activity note: Walking up to 3 miles throughout the day; cobblestones, pavement, occasional crowds; Extent and duration of wlaking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We’ll set off from the hotel on foot with our Group Leader for a walk through Amsterdam as we learn more about the city and its unique architecture. We’ll conclude in the center of Amsterdam before lunchtime. The remainder of the day will be free for independent exploration. If you are interested in visiting the Anne Frank House, this would be a good opportunity to do so, but you must book your tickets online for a specific time slot in advance. Please see the Program Notes section for further details.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Free time. This period of time has been set aside for your personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most in Amsterdam.

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
9
Dutch Art Lecture, Canal Cruise, Rijksmuseum, Free Time
Amsterdam
B
Hotel Park Plaza Victoria

Activity note: Getting on/off a canal vessel; riding about 1 hour depending on canal traffic. Walking approximately 2.5 hours throughout the day; standing up to 1 hour in museum. Extent and duration of walking and other activities during free time according to personal choice.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: We will gather in the hotel for a lecture by our Group Leader focused on the Golden Age of Dutch Art. We’ll set out on foot to a local dock to board our canal cruise through Amsterdam. We’ll learn about this fascinating city from a local expert on subjects such as aspects of history, water management practices, Amsterdam’s iconic architecture, and daily life. We’ll then walk to the Rijksmuseum for an expert-led field trip to see masterpieces by Rembrandt and Vermeer. Our group activity will conclude in the late morning, but tickets will be valid for the entire day. Re-entry is no longer permitted.

Lunch: On your own.

Afternoon: Free time. Take advantage of your all-day ticket to the Rijksmuseum and continue exploring on your own. There are more than 8,000 works on display at any given time. Or, you might like to visit the nearby Van Gogh Museum (see Program Notes).

Dinner: On your own.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY
10
Program Concludes, In Transit from Program
In Flight
B

Activity note: Hotel check-out 12:00 Noon. See your program’s “Getting There” information regarding transfers.

Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: If you are returning home, safe travels. If you are staying on independently, have a wonderful time. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!






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