I just returned from the Tulip Time river cruise aboard the Luminary. Since many travelers are not familiar with river cruising, I thought I would use the blog to share with you my Avalon Waterways review. First of all I want to comment that this is a great way to travel. There is so much history and beautiful countryside to see along the way, you wake up each day in a new place and you only have to unpack once.
The ship was built in 2009, and carries 138 passengers. Standard cabins are 172 sq. ft, I was in a junior suite which is 258 sq. ft. The ship had 2 lounges and you could dine outside in the Sky Grill or in the main restaurant whenever you’d like (no set dining time.) You could make your own cappuccino or latte in the Aft Lounge throughout the day, and wine is complimentary at dinner – you always had a choice of red or white. The service was impeccable and the shore excursions included in the price were amazing, with very knowledgeable local guides. For entertainment we had nightly piano music and one concert onboard by local musicians.
Keukenhof Gardens was amazing, with the beautifully landscaped beds of flowers within a wooded park covering about 70 acres and embracing a lake, fountains, formal gardens and a windmill. The majority of the plantings is made up of 700 varieties of tulips in a riot of colors.
God created the world, but the Dutch created Holland: this tongue-in-cheek saying contains more than a grain of truth, because about 50% of the Netherlands is reclaimed land. Pumping windmills played a crucial role in this land conquest, and Holland had no less than 9000 working mills. Less than a thousand now remain, but an idea of how things used to be can be gained by a visit to the 19 superbly preserved mills of KINDERDIJK, now a UNESCO World heritage Site.
Quaint cobbled streets, fussily restored brick houses, impeccably tidy gardens and a chocolate-box marina describes Veere. The impressive cloth-traders houses on its quayside, the ornate City Hall with its exquisite tower, the vast shell of the “Great Church” all reflect the leading role Veere once played in the European wool and cloth trade.
Middleburg, Zeeland’s Capital, is a great place for window-shopping, a relaxing drink and a little aimless strolling along some of its charming lanes that lead down to pretty quays flanked by beautifully restored historic houses. Impressive ancient buildings like the City Hall and Abbey further testify to the former importance of a town that later became a major base of activities of the Dutch East India Company.
The Capital of the Dutch province of Limburg, MAASTRICHT, has much to offer its visitors. Its historic buildings span a millennium of architecture, and its pretty pedestrianized streets, squares and lanes offer a wealth of details and curiosities.This town sandwiched between Belgium and Germany has become a shopping Mecca with international flair. Add several hundred cafes, bars and restaurants offering a broad range of Flemish cuisine and you have the recipe for a memorable destination.
Antwerp is named the Diamond City. It is the world’s third-largest port, a major center of finance, industry and the lucrative diamond trade. The city’s 40 museums beckon with reminders of Antwerp’s cultural heyday during the lifetimes of Rubens and van Dyck.
The Floriade, which is a horticultural expo, was the highlight of my trip. Nature speaks in a universal language at Floriade, held every 10 years, with exhibits from over 25 different countries.
I’m looking forward to my next river cruise with Avalon Waterways.
