VIVA
Dusseldorf to Dusseldorf -
5 night Dutch Rhine River Cruise

Your route takes you past windmills and tulip fields to Friesland, where innumerable migrating birds take a break on their long journeys each year. You are well advised to give your eyes a rest as they wander the flat, marshy landscapes – because there is still plenty more to see! The most eye-catching sights include the crow-stepped gables of Kampen, the canals of Amsterdam and the Roman remains in Nijmegen. After a day of drinking in wonderful scenery, discuss the highlights as you tuck into a plate of steaming poffertjes – yet another feast for the eyes!

 

 

DAY 1: DUSSELDORF - EMBARKATION

Ship departs around 4:00pm in the afternoon toward Emmerich.  Arriving around 9pm.

DAY 2: EMMERICH - DEVENTER - KAMPEN

Late night departure of the ship toward Deventer.

Arrive in Deventer during lunch with a short stop of about 3 hours.  You can explore on your own or join the optional tour.

Optional Tour:  Built along the banks of the Ijssel River, Deventer is one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands and was a member of the Hanseatic League. Today, after many years of restoration, many old buildings have become living quarters, shops, taverns, restaurants and offices. Finish the tour with a visit to the medieval district of Bergquartier where you can relive the Middle Ages with its beautiful and revitalized religious buildings.

Afternoon departure of the ship toward Kampen, arriving during dinner.  If time allows, Kampen is an interesting town with sites such as the Carillon tower -  Nieuwe Toren,  Bovenkerk, a large, Gothic church and the most striking element on the skyline of Kampen, medieval gates (Broederpoort, Cellebroederspoort and Koornmarktspoort) and tall masted sailing ships

DAY 3: KAMPEN - ENKHUIZEN - AMSTERDAM

Early departure of ship toward Enkhuizen, arriving around 9:00am.  There is plenty to explore on your own, or join the optional tour.

Optional Tour:  On the eastern tip of North Holland lies Enkhuizen, which owes its prosperity to the golden age. In the historical center there are still many features from the period of the Dutch United East India Company (V.O.C.) to discover. The knowledgeable guides will pick you up directly from the ship and accompany you on the tour through Enkhuizen. Discover the Drommedaris, a 16th century defense tower, vintage warehouses and storehouses, the beautiful town hall, the former Waaghaus at Käsemarkt and the Westerkirche with its 15th century wooden bell tower. This city has a lot to offer and it is worth taking the time to get to know it better on an extensive tour.

Late afternoon departure to Amsterdam, arriving about an hour later.         

Ship overnights in Amsterdam.

DAY 4: AMSTERDAM - NIJMEGEN

Full day in Amsterdam with an evening departure towards Nijmegen.

Optional Tour #1  Drink in the beauty of the “Venice of the North” on a canal boat tour—the ideal way to explore this charming, eccentric capital. Lined with charming gabled row houses and bobbing houseboats, Amsterdam's canals are listed as a World Heritage site. Located in very close proximity to your ship, this guided sightseeing canal tour offers magnificent views of the city, and comfortable, climate-controlled seating year-round.

Optional Tour #2  Explore De Jordann, one of the the oldest neighborhoods of Amsterdam. This fascinating district is particularly famous for the typical houses where the working class lived in the 17th century. At the end of the 20th century it was discovered by artists and intellectuals, which caused rents to explode and displaced the original inhabitants. During the tour you will see the Westerkirche (the largest Protestant church in the Netherlands) and the Noordermarkt, one of Amsterdam's best markets situated in front of the Noorderkerk, a 17th-century Protestant Church built by Hendrick de Keyser in the shape of a Greek Cross.

DAY 5: NIJMEGEN - REES

Free time in Nijmegen in the morning or join an optional tour.

Optional Tour:  Nijmegen is the oldest city in the Netherlands with a rich history which is reflected in magnificent medieval monuments. During the tour, as you walk through the historic city center, the glorious history of the city comes alive again with sights such as the Valkhof, the church tower St. Steventoren and the legendary Mariken.

Depart Nijmegen during lunch heading to Rees.

Rees, founded in 1228, and located just over the border in Germany, is the oldest town in the lower Rhine area.  Once a medieval fortress, the town has some of the city walls in good condition to explore. There are still several towers that were bombed during the war and rebuilt.  Other sites worth viewing are the sculpture park of Rees, founded in 2003. Pieces of art by German und Dutch artists are exhibited.   In Millingen, a former village which became a part of Rees in 1974, catholic Saint Quirin's Church dating from the 15th and 16th century is worth a visit.  In the town center, there are many carefully restored wells and water pumps that have become recognizable landmarks.  Rees has one of the most beautiful Rhine promenades in Germany with restaurants and cafes arranged along the riverbank.  From the  ancient city fortification, Several casemates have been restored and are open to the public. One of them (Bastei) was built in 1583 and transformed into a war memorial after 1945.

Late night departure of the ship toward Dusseldorf

DAY 6: DUSSELDORF

Ship arrive about 7am. Disembark after breakfast.

 

 

DUSSELDORF TO DUSSELDORF

- subject to changes -

**Please note that this is a bi-lingual ship with information provided in both English and German, and an international cruise host on board.**

 

REGULAR Rate includes: cruise and port taxes, GRATUITIES, all meals, wine, and a beverage package - Soft Drinks, as well as tea and coffee, Beer, wine, throughout the day and evening between 10am and midnight. Sightseeing excursions are not included and can be booked onboard.