Dutch Countryside and Tulips

When you think of springtime in the Netherlands, of course you think of tulips! Take advantage of this wonderful opportunity, when traveling between April and May to see tulip fields as far as the eye can see. Receive exclusive access to certain fields that are not the typical tourist attractions. The picturesque, typical Dutch countryside will offer up sights such as polders, meadows, canals, cows, sheep and more. Discover scenic local villages plus the legendary Enclosing Dike as you travel with your local, knowledgeable and friendly guide, who is passionate about their home and will share everything you would want to know about the Netherlands.

A short, comfortable ride outside of Amsterdam will soon have you in the beautiful Dutch countryside where idyllic scenes of meadows, cows, ditches, windmills, horses, dikes and colorful tulip fields abound. The first stop of today is typical Dutch: reclaimed land. Walk over the former bottom of the lake as you admire the beautiful tulip fields. The Beemster Polder, dating from the early 17th century, is an exceptional example of reclaimed land in the Netherlands. It has preserved intact its well-ordered landscape of fields, roads, canals, dykes and settlements, laid out in accordance with classical and Renaissance planning principles.

View the Defence Line of Amsterdam, extending 135 km (84 miles) around the city of Amsterdam. This defense line (built between 1883 and 1920) is the only example of a fortification based on the principle of controlling the waters. Since the 16th century, the people of the Netherlands have used their expert knowledge of hydraulic engineering for defense purposes.

Next, make a stop at the world-famous Enclosing Dike. Your passionate local guide will give you the history of this marvel and tell you all about it. Arriving at the dike you have some free time in order to explore and visit the museum/restaurant, walk over to the Wadden Sea, climb the monument and take pictures.

Now it's time to enter the province of Friesland. Admire the beautiful countryside as you make your way to a picturesque museum village where time has stood still. Meet the villagers and travel back in time to explore the interior of an old Dutch farmhouse, walk across the grasslands and find out what happened to the lake. A typical Dutch Farmers delicious lunch will await you at a local restaurant.

Continue after lunch and pass many small villages, towns, locks and dikes as you arrive to a picturesque town where one of the locals awaits you for an exclusive tour. Stroll through the streets of this hidden gem in Friesland and marvel at her quaint beauty.

As you begin to make your way back towards Amsterdam, you will view more tulip fields. Make a stop and walk through the fields that are not the typical over-crowded tourist attractions. Have the chance to take endless Insta-worthy pictures of your time here, after all, this is exactly why you have traveled to the Netherlands.

Make your return to Amsterdam at the end of the day and be driven back to the pier area and your ship as you reminisce about the most amazing day you have had in the Dutch countryside and what possibly will be the highlight of your entire cruise!