Donna Hawkins
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Tulip Time River Cruise with Ama Waterways
Have you dreamed of seeing the Holland Tulips?
Have you dreamed of doing a European River Cruise?
In March 2024, I made the trip to Amsterdam, Netherlands for a 3 night pre-cruise experience before I boarded the AmaPrima Riverboat.
My favorite things about river cruising include the size of the ship and the options included. The ships only hold between 150 and 198 passengers, because the ships are small you get to meet and get to know the crew. The best part, you port in the middle of the cities near the city centers that make visiting the cities and they offer excursions in your cruise fare. They offer active, regular and easy going tours so it fits everyone. You also have time to explore on your own and it's easy to get around.
Once I boarded our ship, we had an overnight stay in port. Our first tour was the Tulip Experience. Here we saw tulip fields, learn about the growing process and how they prepare the bulbs for shipping world wide. The river cruise took us to Rudesheim known for the Rudesheim Coffee. If you are not a coffee drinker, you can have hot chocolate and it was so good. We cruised through the Rhine Gorge, featuring over 40 castles. Other stops were Kobletz, Cologne, and evening in Dusseldorf, and Chochem.
I have been to Amsterdam two other times, so I knew a few things I wanted to do that I had not done before. Top on my list was the Anne Frank Haus. The Anne Frank House is not just a museum but a poignant symbol of courage and the human spirit. This historic site offers an immersing glimpse into the life of Anne Frank and her family during the harrowing times of World War II. Seeing the attic, the bookcase that hid the family, hearing her fathers voice. It's a must when in Amsterdam.
Amsterdam has several museums, canal tours, great food, and tours to other small towns not far from the city that offer a glimspe of the life of the Dutch. Of course you can't forget about the Windmills.
I can't wait to do a Christmas Market River Cruise.