Day 8

Viking Helvetia 2014 8-Day Rhine River Cruise Review
Day 8 November 9, 2014
Amsterdam, The Netherlands Arrival: 00:30am
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Disembarkation: Our luggage had to be outside our room by 6:00am for our 6:45am departure from the ship. The coaches were waiting to transfer us to the airport for our flight home. Disembarkation was organized and speedy.

Recommendation: If you are looking for a leisurely trip with many opportunities to visit several different countries and see beautiful scenery, historic places, experience different cultures and foods, then I would recommend that you check out a river cruise. It was a trip full of memories for me and I can mark it off my “bucket list” of places to travel!

Post Cruise Extension: The cruise could be extended for an extra 3 day stay in Amsterdam or an extra 4 day stay in Bruges, Belgium. Since we had spent time in both places in recent years, we did not extend our trip. However, I will share information and photos of some of the sights of Amsterdam and Bruges. Both are fascinating and picturesque places to visit.

Bikes are everywhere!

Tour boats on one of the canals

Westerkerk, a Protestant church, built from 1620-1631 and located next door to the Anne Frank House.

Amsterdam: The first thing you will notice when you arrive in Amsterdam is all the bicycles. They are everywhere and you must stay out of their way! There are many interesting things to see and do in Amsterdam. Go to the Anne Frank House first thing in the morning or even better get tickets in advance. It was here that she and her family lived in hiding during World War II. The house is located next door to the Westerkerk, a Protestant church, which was built from 1620-1631.

House boat on canal

Narrow 18th century houses. Hook at top of house was used to pull furniture up to the top floor.

Prinsengracht (canal) on which Anne Frank House is located

Nine bridges seen from canal boat cruise.

From canal boat.

If possible, arrange a side trip to either Keukenhof Gardens or a flower auction in Aalsmeer. Both are a few miles from Amsterdam.
Here some pictures taken at the Keukenhof Gardens:

Outdoor gardens in March. Too early for flowers to be in full bloom.

Outdoor gardens in March.

Indoor gardens were beautiful.

Outdoor gardens in March.

Here are some pictures taken at Aalsmeer's flower auction:

Motorized carts full of flowers are everywhere in warehouse

Carts of flowers move into auction room

Screens in front of buyers give details about flowers being auctioned

After purchase, flowers are quickly moved to trucks to be taken to airport and flown to florists all over the world

Bruges, Belgium: Bruges is a beautiful, small, medieval town whose city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its buildings were not destroyed during wars because it was considered an unimportant, out of the way place. One of the best ways to see Bruges is on a walking tour along its cobblestoned streets and bridges that cross the many canals. A few of the sights to see are the Beguinage, a courtyard surrounded by small dwellings used by Beguines; colorful buildings of different architectural styles; Church of Our Lady and its sculpture of Madonna & Child; Bascilica of the Holy Blood, a small but ornate building with golden statues; and the two squares, Burg and Grote Markt. You can also get a different perspective of Bruges by taking a canal boat cruise. Since you will have several days to visit Bruges, you will have many opportunities to fully explore the small town, take numerous photos, lunch in side-walk cafes and shop for delicious Belgium chocolates.

Small medieval town of Bruges

Minnewater Bridge, first look at one of the many canals

Beguinage - courtyard with small dwellings used by a group of religious women who serve God

One of the canals crossed on a walking tour

Abundant swans

Colorful buildings

One of many chocolate shops

Buildings were not destroyed in the wars

Most picturesque (and photographed) location in Bruges

Outside of Church of Our Lady

Most picturesque (and photographed) location in Bruges

Famous sculpture of Madonna & Child by Michelangelo is located inside church. It was taken by the Nazi Germans during WWII and returned to the church after the war by the Americans.

Seen along the walking tour

Burg Square is one of two squares in Bruges. Tall tower in background is the belfry in Grote Markt Square. Tourists can climb its 366 steps to see a magnificent view of all of Bruges.

Basilica of the Holy Blood

Grote Market Square

Provincial Court

Views from canal boat cruise

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