VIVA
Dusseldorf to Dusseldorf -
7 night Dutch Rhine River Cruise

Did you know that there are around 22,000 miles of cycle paths and 1,000 working windmills in the Netherlands? This delightful country is full of fascinating contrasts, with each day of your cruise offering an entirely new perspective from Dutch history in Kampen and the Old Masters in Amsterdam to modern architecture in Rotterdam and the small brick houses of Dordrecht. What do they all have in common? They all blend in perfectly with their charming natural surroundings.

 

 

 

DAY 1: DUSSELDORF - EMBARKATION

Ship departs in the afternoon toward Deventer. 

DAY 2: DEVENTER - KAMPEN

Early morning arrival in Deventer. Early afternoon departure of the ship toward Kampen.

Arrive in Deventer in the morning with a short stop of about 4 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 late afternoon and departing late evening.
 
A short visit in Kampen to explore this 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. Along Ousestraat, is the Stadhuis, dating from the 14th century with a decorated facade and many notable pieces of art inside. Definitely worth a look. A visit to the Stedelijk Museum is also worth a visit featuring lots of exhibits and history of the town

DAY 3: ENKHUIZEN - HOORN

Wake up in Enkhuizen. 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 Kasemarkt 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.

Mid afternoon departure departure to Hoorn, arriving early evening. Late evening departure toward Amsterdam

Day 4 - HOORN - AMSTERDAM

Wake up in Amsterdam. Optional excursions available or you can explore on your own.

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 - AMSTERDAM - ROTTERDAM

Early morning departure towards Rotterdam.

Discover this fascinating city by coach in the company of an expert local guide. Known as Manhatten an der Maas (Manhatten on the Meuse), Rotterdam is one of the most modern cities in the Netherlands. In terms of urban development, Rotterdam has gained worldwide recognition for the way in which it was rebuilt after the Second World War.

Next, experience Rotterdam Harbor, one of the world's largest ports, from the water. Visit different parts of the harbor onboard a ship and witness the busy traffic of sea-going and inland ships and admire Rotterdam's impressive skyline. Get a glimpse into the city’s history, as well as its modern innovations and the city center’s internationally renowned architecture. Return to the ship by bus.

Day 6 DORDRECHT

Arrive early morning in Dordrecht.

Day to explore on your own or join the optional excursion.

Optional excursion - The history of Dordrecht can be seen in the more than 800 monuments of the city. The St. Elizabeth flood in 1421 devoured dozens of villages, but Dordrecht's city walls survived. The city remained like an island in an inland lake. All large medieval monuments such as the courtyard, the city gate, the town hall and the large church have been restored in recent years. Most of the other historical buildings, such as warehouses and patrician houses, have also been restored to their former glory. The maritime past goes back 700 years and even today Dordrecht is an important inland navigation center. The surprising beauty of this city entices many visitors and the old seaport and the small historical harbors filled with pleasure yachts and nostalgic boats as well as the waterways contribute to the charm of this ancient city.

Evening departure cruising toward Nijmegen

DAY 7: NIJMEGEN

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.

Afternoon departure of the ship toward Dusseldorf

DAY 8: DUSSELDORF

Ship arrive about 3am. 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.