Day 5 – Amsterdam

After settling into Viking Einar, I began my Tulips and Windmills cruise with a full day in Amsterdam. This cruise will take us on a roundtrip journey from Amsterdam, visiting the Low Countries of Holland and Belgium.

Tulips and Windmills Map

I began the morning with the included “Amsterdam Canal Cruise” for a relaxing overview of the City of Canals. This was the description:

Discover Amsterdam in the most leisurely manner, via one of its famous glass-topped canal boats. This famous Dutch city is home to 165 canals that wind their way through the cityscape, spanning a total of 31 miles; 1,281 different bridges cross over the canals. With a local guide, you will see some of Amsterdam’s oldest buildings, from narrow-fronted gabled houses to gilded manses adorned with riches during the height of Holland’s Golden Age. Take in some of the city’s interesting sights as you pass a variety of vessels, including charming houseboats moored canal side. Enjoy views from the Golden Bend to Overhoeks, the city’s newest quarter, and from the Music Building to the replica of the 18th-century ship Amsterdam moored outside the Maritime Museum. You will also pass the wooden double drawbridge known locally as the "Skinny Bridge" before returning to your ship.

The canal cruise took us through the Canal Ring Area of Amsterdam, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This concentric network of canals was an engineering and cultural masterpiece when it was built in the seventeenth century, and it transformed Amsterdam into a major port city during the Dutch Golden Age. The canals are lined with narrow canal houses with distinct gabled façades that are unique for every house. Owners added decorative gables, ornate doorcases, and varying window shapes to personalize their homes.

I was excited to sail along the canals and see the city’s historic buildings from the water, but that was simply not possible from the canal boat we were on. Yes, there was a glass roof, but a continuous wooden panel at eye level blocked the view. Very frustrating! After a while, I finally got up from my seat and walked to the back of the boat where I could stand and look out the rear door.

I reached the door just in time to see one of the most iconic locations on the canals, the Seven Bridges view. Here, seven bridges are perfectly aligned, and the arches of the bridges create a tunnel effect. I don’t think I saw all seven, but the view was still great.

Seven Bridges View

I had seen countless photographs of Amsterdam over the years, but viewing the elegant canal houses, arched bridges, and charming houseboats in person was such a treat.

Views from the Canal Boat

As we returned to the dock, we passed some of the larger civic buildings, both old and new, in the city’s newer quarter, including Renzo Piano’s copper-green science building.

Old and New Buildings of Amsterdam

Knowing that Viking Einar would be in Amsterdam for the entire day, I had booked an independent tour through Tripadvisor before leaving home. I was looking for a walking tour, but when I saw the “Amsterdam Food and Cultural Tour,” I figured this would be the perfect combination, and it was. This was the description:

Amsterdam is paradise for foodies, but knowing where to get started can feel overwhelming. Take out the guest work as you head to multiple eateries—each with their own delicious offering— on this award-winning, small-group tour of the city. Led by a local guide with insider knowledge to share, sample classic Dutch dishes, such as local cheese, Dutch-style fries, apple pie, stroopwafel (waffles held together with caramel), and so much more. As you explore, get to know the city through the eyes of a local, and listen to anecdotes you won't hear anywhere else.

After disembarking the canal boat, I walked to Amsterdam Central Station and caught a tram to the meeting place for the tour. We began our tastings at one of the best cheese shops in town, where multiple Gouda cheeses were laid out for us, including the limited edition one with asparagus.

We next tried a toastie, a grilled cheese sandwich filled with Gouda, mozzarella, and cheddar, with mustard and mayonnaise on the side. Delicious!

I was a little hesitant to sample the next item – herring, served with pickles and onions, but I was brave and loved it. The herring was cured in salt, not pickled, and the taste surprised me. Our guide also brought us crispy fried pollack with a yummy sauce. Next up were Dutch fries, another beloved street food, and bitterballen, a crispy meat-filled ball. What a perfect lunch!

Gouda Cheeses (top left), Herring (bottom left), Toastie (top right), Fried Pollack (middle right),
and Bitterballen and Dutch Fries (bottom right)

Yes, I Enjoyed My Fries

The tour wasn’t all about food, however, and we walked through beautiful neighborhoods as our guide recounted much of the history of the city.

Scenes of Amsterdam along Our Walk

Vehicles Are Small in Amsterdam

More Scenes of Amsterdam

My favorite stop (other than the ones for food!) was the Begijnhof of Amsterdam. Originally circled by water, it reminded me in many ways of the one in Bruges. One of only two wooden houses still existing in the center of Amsterdam still stands here.

Begijnhof of Amsterdam

As we continued our walking tour, it was soon time for sweet treats. When the shop selling stroopwafels was closed, our guide improvised and found what, for me, was an even better treat – little Dutch pancakes topped with powdered sugar. Yum! She also offered a chocolate chip cookie-croissant combination.

At our final stop, we dined on one of the best apple cakes I’ve ever tasted. A perfect ending to an excellent tour.

Dutch Pancakes (top), Cookie-Croissant (bottom left), and Apple Cake (bottom right)

I ended up taking a long walk back to Viking Einar when I couldn’t find the tram stop, but I was able to walk by the Anne Frank House on my way.

Anne Frank House

Tonight, Captain Lucian and Hotel Manager Frank welcomed us on board and introduced us to the officers. I have already fallen in love with Program Director Emilie who is known as the Energizer Bunny. She is so full of life, and it will be fun sailing with her and the rest of the crew.

Captain Lucien (left) and the Officer of Viking Einar