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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Bid farewell to your fellow guests and journey home. Or spend more time exploring, perhaps joining one of our extensions.