Explore and book Holland America Line 16 Day Voyage Of The Vikings on the Zaandam departing from Boston, Massachusetts on Jul 9, 2022 and ending in Boston, Massachusetts on Jul 25, 2022 Sail to Red Bay, Canada, Reykjavik, Iceland, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, Bar Harbor, Maine, Djupivogur, Iceland, Alesund, Norway, Bergen, Norway, Qaqortoq, Greenland, Boston, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts

Boston, Massachusetts, Us Boarding Time To Be Assigned

Steeped in American history, Boston offers cruisers a journey through the nation's early days, from the Freedom Trail to colonial landmarks. Beyond history, the city's vibrant neighborhoods and waterfront provide a modern charm.

Bar Harbor, Maine, Us Tender Required Wheelchair Access Limited

Bar Harbor, Maine

Situated on Mount Desert Island, Bar Harbor is the gateway to Acadia National Park. Cruisers can experience New England's rugged beauty, from rocky coastlines to forested peaks, all while enjoying Maine's famous seafood.

Red Bay, Labrador, Canada Tender Required Wheelchair Access Limited Route Subject To Weather/ice

Red Bay, Canada

Qaqortoq, Greenland Tender Required Wheelchair Access Limited Times Subject To Weather Cond

Qaqortoq, Greenland

Greenland's southernmost town, Qaqortoq is known for its colorful houses, Norse ruins, and the Stone & Man art project. It's a blend of Greenlandic tradition and contemporary culture.

Cruising Prince Christian Sound Cruising Only Route Subject To Weather/ice

Reykjavik, Iceland

Countless Craters - A Helicopter Tour
Action and Icelandic Lobsters
The Golden Circle & White Water Rafting
Glacier Safari
Accessible Blue Lagoon Experience
Museum of Northern Lights & Icelandic Lobster Feast
Whale Watching Experience
Ring of Fire
Haunted Walk of Reykjavik

Djupivogur, Iceland Tender Required Wheelchair Access Limited

Djupivogur, Iceland

Scenic Cruising Berufjordur Cruising Only

Alesund, Norway

Fishing Tour - Small Group
Wildlife RIB Safari
Hjorundfjord Cruise by Bus & Boat
Strandafjell
The Path of the Trolls
Sea Kayaking
Atlantic Ocean Park & City Sightseeing
Alesund Highlights
Easy Alesund
On Foot in the Art Nouveau Town

Bergen, Norway

Framed by seven hills and fjords, Bergen is Norway's charming coastal city known for its colorful wooden houses, maritime history, and vibrant arts scene. Discover its UNESCO-listed Bryggen wharf, explore its fish market, or embark on fjord adventures. Cruising to Bergen promises a taste of Norwegian culture and natural beauty.

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Rotterdam is a bustling port city renowned for its modern architecture and vibrant cultural scene. Visitors can marvel at the innovative design of the Cube Houses, explore the extensive art collections at the Boijmans Van Beuningen Museum, and take in panoramic views from the Euromast Tower. The city's dynamic waterfront, bustling markets, and diverse culinary offerings make it a lively and exciting destination. Rotterdam showcases the cutting-edge side of Dutch urban life.

16 Day Voyage Of The Vikings

Scandinavia

North America

Europe

Unleash your competitive spirit at High Score!, our new family game room — on Oosterdam. By day, it’s a secret hideaway for kids and teens, where they can engage in a fast-paced flurry of four-person air hockey or contend for bragging rights in the video arcade. At night, the entire family is welcome to bond over board games, skee-ball, a tilting labyrinth and family activities.

High Score!

Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The Casino is only open at sea.

Casino Action

Explorations Central™ (EXC®), Holland America Line’s exclusive destination programming, is designed to deepen your understanding of the places you visit. Its indispensable travel resources and opportunities to engage with experts and local insiders, make exploring each port of call more vivid and meaningful. Enjoy the programs listed below and visit our Explorations Central discovery center on board. *

Explorations Central

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping in such signature shops as The Vault, Diamonds and Gemstones by Merabella, which offers the best diamonds at sea, brought to you by Effy.

Onboard Shopping

Each voyage brings a guest chef on board to guide you through the culinary traditions of your destinations. Try local flavors at a food & wine tasting, add a new recipe to your repertoire at a live cooking demonstration or indulge your senses at a fine dining event.For those looking to continue their epicurean immersion on shore, guest chefs lead select shore excursions*, exploring local cuisines while sharing their gastronomic expertise in the field.

Port to Table

Enjoy a game of pickleball on top-deck courts with stunning ocean views. Play casually anytime or join a tournament, with beginner lessons available for newcomers. Complimentary equipment provided, weather permitting.



Pickleball At Sea

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges on board. In the Piano Bar, gather around and sing along as our pianist plays your favorites.

Piano Bar

Which is more delightful: the apple-pear saketini in your chilled glass or views of the sun going down in a crimson blaze? Enjoy both in this stylish hideaway – your destination for panoramic views and exotic cocktails, and just one of the wide selection of lounges and gathering places on board.

Tamarind Bar

Enjoy live music in this popular bar perfect for pre-dinner cocktails.

Ocean Bar

For aficionados, this is truly your whisk(e)y wonderland. At NOTES, a dedicated whisk(e)y bar guests can gaze in awe at the more than 120 labels on display — and sample some of the rarest whisk(e)y selections in the world. An interactive menu board and multiple tasting options are designed to identify uniquely personalized flavor profiles for every guest.

Notes

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges onboard. The panoramic view takes center stage in The Crow's Nest at the top of the ship, where you can relax just about any time of day and enjoy your favorite drink.

Crow's Nest

The Explorer’s Lounge is an elegant and refined space to enjoy a glass of wine, a cocktail, or your favorite liqueur.

Explorer's Lounge

This sophisticated venue is adorned with an eclectic and whimsical mix of artwork including portraits, landscapes, still life and abstract pieces. Order your favorite cocktail or try one from our signature cocktail menu created in partnership with our Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff, a James Beard “Who’s Who” inductee.

Gallery Bar

Holland America Line offers you a wide selection of lounges and gathering places onboard. Explore Mix for Champagne, Martinis, and Spirits and Ales.

Sip on a cool cocktail while basking in the sun and savoring stunning ocean views from the deck lounge chairs. A laid-back vibe with unbeatable scenery.



Sea View Bar

In Italy, there’s nothing more important than coming together to celebrate the joy of great food. This is the inspiration for our onboard Italian restaurant, Canaletto. Enjoy amazing Italian classics like braised chicken cacciatore al forno, branzino ai ferri or garlic shrimp ravioli. And for dessert: tiramisù, cannoli alla Siciliana, gelato, and more. Including pasta made fresh daily. Buon Appetito!

Canaletto

At Explorations Café, relax in a comfortable, coffee house environment where you can browse through one of the most extensive libraries at sea, view a wide array of audio and video programming, or simply read the morning paper. Guests can also enjoy fresh pastries and their favorite espresso drink.

Explorations Café

Dive-In offers a variety of casual culinary classics, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted brioche with our own trade-marked secret sauce. Savor a succulent Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog with golden French fries. Or choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich or juicy portabella mushroom stack. Dive-In is the perfect spot to dine poolside on the best burgers at sea.

Dive-In

Explore a world of intriguing culinary possibilities in the Lido Market. Steps from the Lido pool, this modern marketplace includes a curated selection of delicious options that you can grab on the go or have made to order: Breadboard, with freshly baked breads and pastries; Wild Harvest, offering a bountiful selection of hearty salads; Homestead, serving up comfort classics; Distant Lands, featuring global cuisine; Sweet Spot, for ice cream creations and desserts; Roasting Pan, hand-carved meats, fish and other hearty entrees; Perk, freshly brewed beverages and chilled juices; Quench, premium coffee, beer, wine, and soda available for purchase; Rise, savory quiches, croissants and sandwiches, and more.

Lido Market

For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable multi-course dinner, The Dining Room is your destination. Behind the scenes, our Culinary Council,® an elite team of seven world-renowned chefs,  and our talented onboard executive chefs have worked to bring each dish to perfection. For dinner, choose from classics such as Boneless Lamb Loin en Croute, Rosemary Roasted Chicken, as well as regionally inspired cuisine and artfully prepared vegetarian dishes. Enrich your journey with an extensive selection of wines, carefully selected by our Wine Curator, world-renowned wine critic James Suckling.

The Dining Room

Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have. The refined menu features a selection of 28-day wet-aged USDA Prime steaks — meticulously chosen to guarantee the finest quality — as well as classic steakhouse dishes and innovative recipes from James Beard Award-winning chef and Culinary Council® member, David Burke. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines. Here, your meal is an event unto itself, a celebration of fine dining and a triumph of flavor.

Pinnacle Grill

We have partnered with BBC Earth to bring you unforgettable new ways to experience the world's natural wonders. Through the innovative and breathtaking programming, guests will be taken closer to the ocean and the natural world through groundbreaking concerts and films.

BBC Earth in Concert

Screening nightly in the movie theatre (on select ships) are recent-release films and perennially popular classics. You can also watch movies any time in your stateroom or suite. And aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam, watch your favorite stars light up the night on a giant outdoor LED movie screen by the Lido Pool.

Movies On Board

Experience world-class entertainment at World Stage, featuring captivating lectures by local experts and thrilling performances from top acts like Step One Dance Company and Cantaré. On select ships, a two-story LED screen enhances the immersive experience.

World Stage

Highlights for kids ages 3 to 6 include “Painting Picassos,” and “Sing-Along Storytime,” as well as theme parties, such as “Dino-Mite Night” and “Ships Ahoy Pirate Treasure Hunt Adventure.”

Kids Programs (Ages 3-6)

From ice-cream eating contests to gaming tournaments and theme parties, tweens will have plenty to enjoy.

Tweens Programs (Ages 7-12)

Teen cruisers enjoy mocktail parties, karaoke and trivia contests, jewelry making, video games, staff vs. teens volleyball tournaments, themed events and more.

Teens Programs (Ages 13-17)

Club HAL activities are available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on port days. Lunch is available for participants between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Children must be registered and signed into and out of programming by a parent or guardian.

Port Day Activities

Children with special needs are invited to attend Club HAL activities based on their chronological age; our staff is trained to work with special needs children. Please let us know when booking your reservation.

Special Needs

Holland America Line's youth activities program, Club HAL, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They'll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties.

Club Hal

Designed to carry fewer guests while offering greater space, Zaandam is elegant and comfortable. Her décor is inspired by music and features musical instruments including signed guitars from Queen, Iggy Pop, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones and a Baroque-style pipe organ. While on-board, enjoy regional cooking demonstrations and food and wine tastings with EXC Port to Table. Rejuvenate at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon. Indulge at any of our fine dining venues.

Each voyage brings a guest chef on board to guide you through the culinary traditions of your destinations. Try local flavors at a food & wine tasting, add a new recipe to your repertoire at a live cooking demonstration or indulge your senses at a fine dining event. For those looking to continue their epicurean immersion on shore, guest chefs lead select shore excursions*, exploring local cuisines while sharing their gastronomic expertise in the field.*Shore excursions and fine dining events require an additional cost.

Port To Table

BBC Earth In Concert

Watch music shows and other entertainment like you never have before at World Stage. Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam bring the World Stage experience to the next level with a two-story, 270-degree wraparound LED screen. A perfect panorama of sight and sound.

Club HAL

Holland America Line

Zaandam

Discover the spectacular natural beauty and fascinating history of one of the most gorgeous islands in America. As waves crash against granite, you’ll learn about the powerful glacial activity that gave the Maine coast its unique identity, the variety of wildlife that abounds, and the flora and fauna that make Mount Desert Island such a paradise.

Journey along the 27-mile Park Loop Road, which will take you along the ocean’s edge past Sand Beach, Schooner Head Overlook, and the High Seas mansion built by a wealthy gentleman whose wife perished on the Titanic.

This tour combines the highlights of the Acadia National Park tour with a true Downeast lobster bake. You will pass through the quaint town of Bar Harbor and drive by opulent summer ‘cottages’ before entering Acadia National Park.

This panoramic drive begins by passing the Village Green, where you will see Bar Harbor’s clock and the village bandstand -- a focal point on summer evenings when locals gathered to hear the marches of John Philip Sousa and other popular music.

Experience the famed carriage roads of Acadia by crisscrossing some of the most scenic areas of the park. The trails were constructed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. beginning in 1913; they have been recently refurbished and are in excellent condition, still closed to all motorized traffic.

See why the waters surrounding Mount Desert Island are considered the premier sea kayaking destination on the East Coast as you go paddling with New England’s top outfitter. Sea kayaking is easy to learn, and this tour is suitable for beginners. Anyone in good physical condition can participate. Using stable tandem kayaks (two people to a kayak), you’ll discover how easy it is to develop a fluid stroke that will propel you efficiently through the waters of Frenchman Bay.

On this tour you will visit two of America's national treasures -- the John F. Kennedy Library (perhaps the nation's most popular presidential library) and Peacefield, home and library of John Adams and John Quincy Adams.

Take in the best of Boston and the surrounding area as this tour encompasses the highlights of the city, a visit to Harvard Yard as well as a drive to the historic battlefields of Lexington and Concord. A panoramic tour over the Charles River brings you to Cambridge -- home of the prestigious Harvard University.

Enjoy the highlights of Boston from both land and sea on this unique panoramic sightseeing tour of the city's most important and scenic sites via a replica World War II amphibious vehicle called the Boston Duck.

On the city side, your coach will pass some of the scenic highlights of Boston’s Freedom Trail -- Trinity Church, the Boston Public Library, Back Bay, Newbury Street, the Public Garden, the Boston Common, Beacon Hill and the Massachusetts State House. Time permitting, you will stop to take a few photos at Copley Square.

One of the city’s most attractive spots is Copley Square bordered by the architectural wonders of Trinity Church and the Boston Public Library.

Meet your guide at the pier and walk to the heliport in Qaqortoq. Listen to brief safety instructions and step aboard the helicopter; then, you'll take off towards the glacier, seeing Arctic mountains, fjords and fields from above.

Meet your guide at the pier and walk across town to where the real adventures begins. You'll set out on the trail that leads around the large lake behind the town. Your guide will tell you all about the Greenland's natural environment -- the vegetation, native and endemic animals, and how the lake is made by the Inland Ice Sheet.

Eric the Red visited Greenland for the first time in AD 982. Your visit today includes much of the scenery that he would have seen a thousand years ago. Board a boat at the Qaqortoq marina and motor across the fjord the surrounds the town. Your destination is the church in Hvalsø, built in AD 1300. Hvalsø was the last place in Greenland to be inhabited by the Norse. When the Medieval Warming Period came to an end, the Vikings returned to Norway. Evidence of their time here remains in the physical form of stone ruins, and in written form in the magnificent Sagas. Visit the church, which was the site of the last Viking wedding in Greenland. It is still one of the best-preserved churches in all of Greenland. Take the time to sit close to the walls and imagine Arctic life back in the 14th century, when Greenland really was green.

Set off from the pier on a guided walk through the town of Qaqortoq. You will pass the museum and the town's famous fountain en route to the Old Town area Watch for the church and for local shops selling everything from household items to reindeer skins and hand-made souvenirs. You'll also see Qaqortoq's school. As you walk, your guide will tell you all about life in the Arctic. You'll gain some insights into the life and times of the largest village in South Greenland with an impressive 3,500 inhabitants.

You've done hot springs before, but not like this. Hot springs normally come from volcanic activity, but here in Greenland, the springs are so deep that the heat comes from under the earth's mantle. Relaxing in these very special pools comes complete with a view towards the icebergs floating in the fjord beside you.

The Blue Lagoon is located southeast of Reykjavík, near the fishing village of Grindavík, on the Reykjanes peninsula. A high-temperature geothermal field supplies the Reykjanes district with hot water and steam to run a power plant, and it is the mineral-rich overflow water from this operation that fills the bathing lagoon. The geothermal water is pumped up from 6,000 feet below the earth's surface. High levels of silica, minerals and algae give the Blue Lagoon its rich, blue color and also form a light natural sediment on the bottom.

From Reykjavík you will drive over the Mosfellsheidi Heath to beautiful Thingvellir National Park -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a primary site of Iceland's geological and historic heritage.

From Reykjavík, you will drive across the Mosfellsheidi Heath to beautiful Thingvellir National Park -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a primary site of Iceland's geological and historic heritage. Walk through a massive geological fault to the place where Europe's oldest national legislative assembly, the Icelandic Althing, was established in AD 930. Astonishingly, it convened here in grandiose surroundings every summer for nearly eight centuries.

The Reykjavík capital area consists of seven municipalities with approximately 190,000 inhabitants. With plenty of space, clean air and natural green energy, Reykjavík clearly revels in its reputation as being one of the most modern, forward-thinking societies in Europe. The city's 'Pure Energy' slogan says it all.

This is a predominantly green-focused tour that circles the active 2,635-foot Hengill Volcano, located just a couple of miles from Reykjavík. Hengill last erupted approximately 2,000 years ago, but its numerous natural hot springs, colorful steam vents and fumaroles still dot the surrounding landscape. Hengill produces hydro and geothermal power, which provide the capital with plentiful hot water and electricity.

This is an excellent opportunity for horse experts and novices alike to enjoy horseback riding in the Icelandic countryside on the famous breed of Icelandic pony. It is a purebred descendent of the horses brought to Iceland by the Vikings more than 1,000 years ago. Hardy, sure-footed and friendly by nature, Icelandic horses are extremely pleasant to ride.

Ålesund is one of the few Art Nouveau towns left in the world. This lovely and unique coastal city can best be enjoyed on foot.

The coastal city of Ålesund, with a population of 41,000, is the commercial capital of the More-Romsdal District. The city boasts one of Norway's largest fishing harbors, with a rich and lively history behind it, including a devastating fire in 1904 which gave rise to a popular expression of surprise in Norway, "I haven't heard anything like that since Ålesund burned down." The fire left 10,000 people homeless and destroyed the whole city center. Ålesund was rebuilt in Art Nouveau style with building materials from all over Europe. It is now one of very few Art Nouveau towns in the world, and inhabitants and visitors alike value its atmosphere and distinctive character.

Then, head out of town to the Atlantic Sea Park situated along the oceanfront at Tueneset. The park occupies 1½ acres of coastal scenery with fishing spots, hiking trails, swimming sites and outstanding diving venues. The Atlantic Sea Park contains exhibition space and is the largest aquarium in Scandinavia. It is uniquely built into coastal surroundings and adapted to modern exhibition principles. Large landscape aquariums teem with life direct from the ocean, with an emphasis on the western regions. you can see what the marine life is like under the ferry quay, in the ocean current, between islets and skerries, and in the depths of Storfjord. Enjoy watching the huge fish and discover the 'silver of the sea'.

A Dutch-speaking guide leads this tour (or a guide with a Dutch interpreter). A limited number of Dutch guides and interpreters are available in this port; book early to avoid disappointment. This is not a bilingual tour; please see Romsdal & the Troll Path for the same tour guided in English.

The island of Giske is known as the birthplace of the famous Viking King Gangerolv, or Rollo, who conquered Normandy in AD 911 and was the antecedent of William the Conqueror. With its powerful families, the island was a seat of power in the Viking Age. Watch for the Giske Chapel -- a very simple and starkly beautiful Roman marble church dating from 1135. The church was built as a private place of worship for the famous Giske Viking family and its interior was restored in 1756. It is surrounded by old headstones and a manicured lawn.

Your tour starts with a drive along the German pier with its wooden buildings with pointed gables, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. See how the people of Bergen live today with a brief city tour including Nordnes Peninsula, which bisects the harbor.

Your panoramic excursion starts with a drive through Sandvika or Sandy Bay, full of charming white wooden buildings built in traditional Bergen style. Watch for beautiful St Mary's Church -- the oldest building in Bergen and one of the few Romanesque buildings in Norway. You will see the well-known fish market as well.

Begin with a short transfer to the charming town of Sandviken. Meet your pilot and step aboard a four-seater Cessna seaplane aircraft to experience the thrill of taking off from the water.

Walk with your guide along the Bryggen pier, where the German office of the Hanseatic League of Merchants was once located, and the wooden warehouses from that era still stand, impervious to the passage of time. You will also pass the famous Fish & Flower Market.

Hardangerfjord is without doubt one of Norway's favorite fjords. It is framed by mountains that peer into the water to catch a glimpse of their own beautiful reflection.

Your tour starts from the pier with a panoramic drive past some of the city's most famous sights, including the gabled warehouses from the Hanseatic period and the famous fish market.

This tour takes you off the beaten track, venturing into stunning mountain scenery, amazing canyons and green valleys, and past small waterfalls hidden in the midst of it all.

Iceland's scenery is unlike anyplace else and the small village of Djupivogur is surrounded by mountains, glaciers, lava formations, moss-covered cliffs and deep valleys. This outing offers an introduction to this stunning visual feast. It starts at the pier and is ideal for those interested in nature, local culture and history, and learning about the bird life in the area.

Head to Audun's Stone & Mineral Museum. Audun -- a local man -- used to collect rocks and stones as a hobby. Now, it could more aptly be described as an obsession. When his collection grew to gargantuan proportions, he invested in a rock cutter and polishing equipment. The next step was to open a stone and mineral museum so that he could store, and of course share, his very interesting geode collection. During your visit, you'll gain a whole new perspective on the hidden dimensions of everyday rocks. What is very plain and uninteresting on the outside can be dazzlingly beautiful on the inside, once the rock is cut and polished. All the rocks and minerals on display here were found locally. The east coast of Iceland abounds with agate, quartz crystal, zeolyte and many other minerals.

Travel by bus from Djúpivogur to the glacier lagoon known to the locals as Jökulsárlón. Here you will find Vatnajökull -- the largest glacier in all of Europe. You will see magnificent landscapes and touch the ice.

You'll set off in a comfortable Econoliner van to experience the East Fjords' amazing natural wonders in the Valley of Waterfalls -- the Fossardalur Valley. Enjoy the view of the impressive Berufjordur Fjord with its towering mountains and incredible rock formations. Explore the magnificent landscape, numerous waterfalls, mountainsides and rocks where sedimentary layers are easily seen. This is also reindeer territory, so keep your eyes peeled.

You'll leave the tiny fishing village of Djúpivogur and stop at the town of Höfn. From there, continue through the picturesque mountainous region to the outlet of the Hoffellsjökull Glacier. Hoffellsjökull was at its largest around 1890, and for the next 50 years it reached all the way to the moraine ridge that now envelops the lake in front of the glacier. Back then, trucks were driven up to this ridge and filled with ice, which they transported to the town of Höfn. The ice was used for chilling fish, both at sea aboard fishing boats and on shore. Due to climate changes, Hoffellsjökull Glacier has now retreated a considerable distance, leaving a deep glacial lagoon in its wake. The area around the glacier is the habitat of several rare Icelandic plants and a great variety of birds.

Set off from the pier on a guided walk through the town of Qaqortoq. You will pass the museum and the town's famous fountain en route to the Old Town area. Watch for the church and for local shops selling everything from household items to reindeer skins and hand-made souvenirs. You'll also see Qaqortoq's school. As you walk, your guide will tell you all about life in the Arctic. You'll gain some insights into the life and times of the largest village in South Greenland with an impressive 3,500 inhabitants.

From Reykjavík you will drive over the Mosfellsheidi Heath to beautiful Thingvellir National Park -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a primary site of Iceland's geological and historic heritage. It was here in AD 930 that the Vikings formed the Althingi -- the oldest parliament in the world still in existence today.

Your yellow 'bus' starts out on land and takes you on a panoramic drive through the Netherlands' second city. Watch for the highlights, including the modern architecture of the Weena building situated in the business district. This is a splendid example of art-meets-commerce -- a common theme in Rotterdam. View the Café Rotterdam, Schouwburgplein, Kop van Zuid, and Coolsingel with the Town Hall and central Post Office,

Head out on a scenic journey along the IJssel and enjoy the typical Dutch landscape. Your first stop will be as a 17th century Cheese farm in the countryside. Here you will see firsthand how cheese is made and how you can recognize a 'real Gouda cheese'. You will also have an opportunity to sample some of the cheeses.

Discover Rotterdam's cultural and culinary delights on a guided tour of the city by bicycle.

The tulip has become a revered symbol of the Netherlands. Keukenhof town is the middle of the most important bulb-growing area in Holland. Originally, the area surrounding Keukenhof was used for hunting and for collecting herbs for the castle -- hence the name Keukenhof, meaning 'the kitchen garden'.

The windmills of Kinderdijk, built in the 1700s, are collectively a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 19 windmills that remain intact today are lined up along the riverfront, and were used to pump rising water to the canal and thus keep the village dry. Incidentally, the name of this charming village comes from the time of the St Elisabeth flood in 1421, when the villagers found a baby (kind) on the dike (dijk).

Meet your guide and walk with him/her from the ship to Bryggen. This is the wharf that was built by the Hanseatic League of the German merchants back in the Middle Ages. They were very powerful -- an early example of collective bargaining -- and did a great deal of trade with the fishermen of northern Norway. At the peak of their power (1350-1550) the Hanseatic merchants held a monopoly on the fishing industry and wielded significant political power in Bergen. They built some lovely warehouses here, and you'll see these today.

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16 Day Voyage Of The Vikings