Day 1: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. A city of charming canals, elegant gabled houses, splendid museums and abundant bicycles, the Dutch capital of Amsterdam is a delight to explore. Its patchwork of waterways forms about 90 islands connected by 1,500 bridges. The legacy of the Dutch Golden Age lives on in gilded manses and in the lush paintings of Rembrandt and other Dutch masters that adorn the Rijksmuseum, The Netherlands’ grand repository of art and cultural history. Discovering Amsterdam is a pleasure best pursued on foot; visitors line the tranquil canals and linger over Dutch pancakes, or take a stroopwafel to go.

Day 2: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

In Amsterdam, the bicycle is as much a cultural treasure as any museum. The city’s flat terrain makes it ideal for getting around on two wheels. Bikes first pedaled onto the city’s streets during the late 19th century; in the 1960s, the first bike-share program was invented here, founded by members of the anti-establishment Provo movement—short for “provocateur”—whose aim was to reduce air pollution created by cars. The program did not last, but the bicycle did, and cycle lanes were soon added to the street. Today, the city is home to hundreds of thousands of bikes.

Day 3: Scenic Sailing Ijsselmeer & Enkhuizen, The Netherlands

Journey across the Ijsselmeer, once known as the Zuiderzee. This remarkable artificial body of water, one of the largest lakes in Western Europe, formed after the inland sea here was closed off from the North Sea by construction of the 20-mile-long Afsluitdijk dam in 1932. As you sail, you may see to the east the province of Flevoland, made up of three polders of land that were reclaimed when the Ijsselmeer formed. To the west, fertile Dutch farmland hugs the lake, despite the shores’ proximity to the major metropolitan city of Amsterdam.

Originally a small fishing village, Enkhuizen grew into a prosperous harbor before joining the Hanseatic League. During the 17th century, the city flourished as a center of maritime trade and shipbuilding. The silting up of the Zuiderzee at the end of the century ended this golden era; the sea eventually became an inland lake, cut off from the North Sea, with the completion of a dike in 1932. The era’s wealth and prosperity remain evident in several impressive landmarks, including the Drommedaris, a former city gate and watchtower, and the striking Gothic-style Zuiderkerk.

Day 4: Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Perched on the south bank of the Waal River, vibrant Nijmegen is home to one of The Netherlands’ largest universities. Residents and students alike linger at sidewalk cafés and unique eateries and the city’s many shops offer items that reflect Nijmegen’s artistic sensibility. Nijmegen’s lower city is home to the charming Velorama, a bicycle museum, while the larger Valkhof Museum chronicles the city’s Roman and medieval past. Famously, Nijmegen was the site of a decisive three-day battle between Allied and German forces during World War II’s Operation Market Garden.

Day 5: Kinderdijk & Rotterdam, The Netherlands

Kinderdijk is a village community in the Alblasserwaard province. This corner of South Holland, part of the scenic Waal and Merwede regions, has long been shaped by Rhine Delta waters. Kinderdijk is most known for its 19 remarkably preserved 18th-century windmills. The charming hamlet is located amid low-lying polders, tracts of land reclaimed from the sea by the power of the windmills and enclosed by embankments, or dikes. This legendary place calls to mind the 1865 novel Hans Brinker, in which a heroic boy plugs his finger into a ruptured dike.

Rotterdam stretches across a maze of natural and artificial waterways. With its location at the mouth of the New Meuse River and easy link to the Rhine and Central Europe, it is Europe’s largest port, earning it the nickname “Gateway to Europe.” Much of it was destroyed during World War II, yet it stands today as one of the continent’s great cities of art, architecture and innovation, boasting a lively culture and many museums. With a pleasant river orientation, Rotterdam’s spacious new inner city is a pleasure to explore; its shop-lined Lijnbaan district was Europe’s first pedestrian shopping precinct.

Day 6: Antwerp, Belgium

A cosmopolitan city, Antwerp is one of the world’s major seaports. Its unique atmosphere comes from the contrasts between old and new, commerce and art. The Old Town and the expansive Grote Markt are filled with narrow, winding streets and medieval guild houses. The Gothic Cathedral of Our Lady, Belgium’s largest church, contains works by 17th-century painter Peter Paul Rubens; he lived in the city and is entombed in the Church of St. James. Antwerp is also renowned for diamonds and chocolate. Many diamond cutters can be found here alongside countless confectioners.

Day 7: Middelburg & Veere, The Netherlands

The capital of Zeeland, Middelburg’s historical significance can be seen in its well-preserved medieval buildings. The magnificent 15th-century Gothic-style Town Hall stands as a testament to Middelburg’s past grandeur. The soaring abbey tower of Lange Jan offers panoramic views of the city, while the 800-year-old abbey complex showcases striking architecture. The city hosts various cultural events throughout the year, including the annual Middelburg Jazz Festival and the Mosselfeesten (Mussel Festival), where guests can enjoy a variety of Zeeland’s delicious delicacy.

A picturesque town located in the province of Zeeland, Veere has a rich history dating back to the 13th century. A bustling port, the town grew in prominence during the Dutch Golden Age and became a hub for the wool and fishing industries. Veere remains deeply influenced by its maritime heritage. Pleasure yachts anchor in its harbor, which is lined with historic buildings and quaint shops. The annual Veere Regatta, one of the Netherlands’ oldest and most prestigious sailing competitions, highlights the town’s nautical traditions and draws enthusiasts from around the world.

Day 8: Zeeland, The Netherlands

The tranquil region of Zeeland is a fascinating blend of natural and human-made landscapes. Here, large swaths of land have been shaped by the tendrils of the delta where the Rhine, Meuse and Scheldt Rivers make their final sprint to the sea. Much of this land lies below sea level, protected from the tides of the North Sea by the vast Delta Works project and by the work of the classic windmills that grace the landscape. A number of islands dot this serene coastal region too. This archipelago of sorts gives this province its name: Zeeland, which means “sea land.” From September through April, restaurants in Zeeland offer oysters, farmed fresh from local waters. They are delicious served with a squeeze of lemon and paired with a crisp glass of wine.

Day 9: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is admired for its charming brick canal houses, with their distinctive stepped gables and forward slant. A stroll along the city’s waterways showcases the beautiful architecture of these properties and their interesting features. The houses are traditionally narrow but deep and tend to tilt forward. The lean serves two purposes: it provides additional living space in a house’s upper quarters; and, in conjunction with the hoist beam protruding from the peak of the roof, it allows heavy items to be lifted by pulley to top floors without breaking any windows.

*Note: Due to the opening schedule of Keukenhof Gardens, the Day 2 program may be exchanged with the Day 9 program and vice versa on select departures.

Day 10: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

After breakfast, disembark your ship and journey home.

Departures: Multiple departure dates available in March and April 2025 & 2026

*Advertised price is based on a Standard Stateroom (cat. F) departing 16 March 2025 and correct as at 18 November 2024. Other travel dates available at seasonal surcharge.

Prices are subject to availability and change. Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for availability and current pricing. 

6 nights European Highlights with Trafalgar 
Amsterdam to Paris

For full itinerary visit European Highlights Trafalgar

Prices & Dates 

*Advertised price is based on twin share and is based on 03 March 2025 departure. Other travel dates available at seasonal surcharge. Please enquire with your RAC travel consultant for current availability and pricing. 

March 2025

*Prices are per person, in Australian Dollars, based on double occupancy, subject to availability, includes all advertised discounts, and correct as at 18 November 2024. Advertised price is based on a Standard Stateroom (cat. F) departing 16 March 2025, other departures available at seasonal surcharge. Prices are subject to availability and change without notice. 

^Save $1600 per couple + get a free Silver Spirits Beverage Package: Save up to $1600 per couple (New to Viking) or $2000 per couple (Previous Viking guests), plus receive a free Silver Spirits Beverage package.

$800 per person New Guest discount:

• New Guests to Viking are eligible to receive a discount of AU$800 per person (pp) off the cruise fare at the time of booking.
• Applies to any new booking on a 2024/2025/2026/2027 Viking River voyage.
• Cannot be transferred towards any other booking or any other person or be combined with any other offer.
• Valid on new bookings made between 16 November 2024 – 18 December 2024.
• New Solo guests of Viking are eligible to receive a total discount of AU$1600 per booking off their cruise fare at the time of booking.

$1000 per person Past Guest discount:

• Past Guests to Viking are eligible to receive a total discount of AU$1000 per person (pp) off the cruise fare at the time of booking.
• The offer is not combinable with existing past guest discount offers during the offer period.
• Applies to any new booking on a 2024/2025/2026/2027 Viking River voyage.
• Cannot be transferred towards any other booking or any other person or be combined with any other offer.
• Valid on new bookings made between 16 November 2024 – 18 December 2024.
• Past Solo guests of Viking are eligible for a total discount of AU$2000 per booking off their cruise fare at the time of booking.
• Past Guests of Viking may be required to provide evidence of their past voyage. Confirmation of the booking number of recent cruises to the Viking reservation team may be requested for confirmation of offer validity.

Free Silver Spirits Beverage Package for all River bookings:

• All new bookings on a Viking River voyage will receive a complimentary Silver Spirits Beverage Package (SSBP).
• Service charges per person are included in the Silver Spirits Package offer.
• Cannot be transferred towards any other booking or any other person or be combined with any other offer.
• Guests must be 21 years of age or older to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages.
• The Silver Spirits Beverage Package may vary by itinerary due to local supply and import complexities in the regions of travel.
• The Silver Spirits Beverage Package is applied on a per stateroom basis and covers only the cruise component, excluding any hotel stays included in a cruise tour.
• The ‘Pharaohs & Pyramids’ and ‘Total Eclipse on the Nile’ itineraries are not eligible for the Silver Spirits Beverage Package offer.

Please enquire with your local RAC travel consultant for full terms & conditions, current pricing and availability. General RAC Travel terms and conditions apply.