Christmas on the Rhine

Discover the famous landmarks that dot the historic neighborhoods of Dordrecht, the oldest city in Holland. Granted city rights in 1220, Dordrecht played an important role in trade, politics and religion for many centuries. Meet your knowledgeable guide and set off on foot for the city’s older sections. Your leisurely walk will take you past many warehouses and mansions, as well as several notable buildings. See the Groothoofdspoort, the former city gate located at the confluence of three rivers, as well as “Het Hof”—a medieval monastery that showcases the history and culture of The Netherlands. Admire the Gothic Grote Kerk, with its unfinished tower, and the classical facades of the Augustijnenkerk church and Stadhuis (City Hall). Afterward, you may choose to spend more time in the city exploring at your leisure or walk back to your awaiting ship.

Try your hand at making Holland’s famous stroopwafel during a culinary workshop and enjoy your own creation. Embark on a scenic drive to Gouda, a city steeped in history dating back to the 12th century. During a walking tour, view St. John’s Church and admire its 16th-century stained-glass windows that, against all odds, have survived several wars. You will also stop to see the Gothic Town Hall building; if there are no events taking place, visitors are invited to step inside and admire the grand mayor’s office. Though Gouda is perhaps better known for its cheese, one of its best kept secrets is the stroopwafel—two wafer cookies bound together with a layer of toffee syrup. During a workshop, you will learn how to make these sweet treats and enjoy a taste of your creation before returning to your awaiting ship.

See the picturesque Dutch countryside and the original technological feats of historic Kinderdijk. Board your motor coach and drive through the serene polder lands of South Holland. Upon arrival, settle into your seat on a heated boat and set off towards the windmills. As you travel along the waterways, glimpse these impressive constructions, noticing that they sit lower than the waterway you travel along. Built in the mid-18th century, these 19 windmills—the largest concentration in The Netherlands—stand like sentinels on a hushed landscape. Learn how they were built and see how they work as you sip on a hot drink and taste traditional floor bread and cheese. Step inside one of the mills, where you will be warmly welcomed by a miller. As you explore, hear about the families who lived in these mills in the 1950s and how they kept them in working order.