7-Day ~ Tulip Time Knitting Cruise (April 2025)

7-Day Tulip Time Knitting Cruise
April 16-23, 2025

A river cruise during the tulip season is a popular way to experience the beauty of spring in Holland and Belgium. The weather is mild, and the fields of tulips and flowering trees are bursting with color. The variety of flowers, windmills, medieval villages, delicious food, amazing people, and rolling hills make this itinerary unique. Arrive early to experience Amsterdam's distinctive architecture, world-class museums, and vibrant fiber scene.

Embark on a journey of beauty and history on this fabulous knitting cruise. Immerse yourself in picturesque views of vibrant tulip fields, historic windmills, charming villages, and iconic cities. This itinerary promises to take you to such famous destinations as Amsterdam, Ghent, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Kinderdijk (known for its windmills), Keukenhof Gardens (renowned for its tulip displays), and other scenic spots along the way.

AmaWaterways includes a mix of guided shore excursions and leisurely cruising, allowing everyone to immerse themselves in the rich culture, history, and natural beauty of the Netherlands and Belgium. Onboard, embark on a unique journey of creativity and camaraderie with our knit-along project. As the Danish and Flemish countryside unfolds along the way, we invite you to pack up your needles and join us for a truly memorable experience.

• Arrive early and shop for yarn at Amsterdam's three most popular yarn stores.


• Meet Stephen West at Stephen & Penelope Fine Yarns.


• Venture to the charming, canal-laden village of Giethoorn, nicknamed the "Dutch Venice." Capture photos of the picturesque thatched-roof farmhouses, which seem right out of the pages of a fairytale.


• Learn about the crucial role the extensive network of waterways plays in this region at the Delta Works Flood Museum.


• Admire Ghent's canal-side architecture as well as the Castle of the Counts and St. Bavo's Cathedral.


• Visit a chocolate maker's shop and sample local specialties, including Belgian waffles, fries, chocolate, and beer.


• Take a tour of Bruges, one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


• Pop into one of the lace shops dotted around the city of Bruges to buy a lace souvenir, or visit the Lace Centre to learn more about the history of lace in Bruges.


• Explore the trendy city of Antwerp on a walking tour. You'll see Steen Castle, Grote Market, Brabo Fountain, and the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady.


• Flower lovers and gardeners can roam through the Floralia, an annual spring flower show featuring approximately one million bulbs hand-planted by the castle staff each year.


• Visit Delft, known as the home of the painter Johannes Vermeer, Delft Blue earthenware, and the Royal House. While here, you'll visit the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum.


• Venture to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country's greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century.


• Marvel at one of the most impressive public gardens in the world, Keukenhof, which presents a spectacular display of millions of flowering tulips spread out over 70 acres. This legendary garden, open only nine weeks a year, is often called the "Garden of Europe."


• Participate in the Knit-a-long cruise project and take home a memorable souvenir of your trip.


• Take a canal cruise in Amsterdam, where you'll glide beneath many bridges while admiring the city's historic canals and beautiful homes.


• Shop for yarn in ports along the way.