{"id":3356,"date":"2014-04-09T07:27:46","date_gmt":"2014-04-09T07:27:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/livevoyagereports.com\/?page_id=3356"},"modified":"2016-06-29T08:11:33","modified_gmt":"2016-06-29T14:11:33","slug":"day-2-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/rivercruiseadvisor.com\/live-voyage-reports\/taucks-ms-inspire-belgium-holland\/day-2-amsterdam\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 2 – Amsterdam"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rembrandt, Tulips and a Warm Welcome Aboard<\/h3>\n
\"The<\/a>

The canals of Amsterdam, as seen from our Tauck canal tour this morning. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Aaron Saunders, Live Voyage Reports<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It was an early wake-up call for many aboard Tauck<\/strong>\u2019s new ms Inspire<\/em><\/strong> this morning, with an impromptu excursion to the Tulip Auction here in the port of Amsterdam<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

A last-minute addition to the itinerary, guests were notified last night that they could take part in this unique experience to see tulips (and flowers of all kinds) bought and sold at auction here in the city. Departing at 6:15am, it was too early for yours truly to partake in owing to the late time (2:30a.m.) of yesterday\u2019s post.<\/p>\n

\"Tauck-branded<\/a>

Tauck-branded motorcoaches whisked us off to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam this morning, and to the Keukenhof Gardens just outside the city this afternoon. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

The reason I mention it, though, is because it was not on any brochure or itinerary published by Tauck. This was an event that the Tauck Directors recognized was happening when our schedule allowed for it, and they in turn offered it up \u2013 complimentary \u2013 to guests.<\/p>\n

From what I hear, it was time well spent. Nearly 70 percent of the ship got up at 5:00a.m., ate breakfast, and indulged in this unique experience. From what I understand, the thing was the equivalent of the New York Stock Exchange trading floor in terms of frenzy and fury \u2013 but for flowers, with bushels coming and going by the truck-full.<\/p>\n

\"To<\/a>

To start our morning in Amsterdam off, we took a canal cruise through the city.<\/p><\/div>\n

Before I talk about the day, I should mention a few things about the staterooms here aboard ms Inspire<\/em>. I discovered two things last night about my own Loft Stateroom: one, the bed is fantastic, and precisely what you\u2019d expect from a fine luxury hotel on land \u2013 yielding, but not without support. Two: the bathroom floor is heated. Both of those features make for a very nice wakeup call.<\/p>\n

My touring began at 8:00a.m. sharp, as we set off for a cruise along Amsterdam\u2019s legendary canals, followed by a remarkable visit to the legendary Rijksmuseum<\/strong> (rikes<\/em>-museum).<\/p>\n

\"Amsterdam's<\/a>

Amsterdam’s charming beauty is in evidence everywhere you look. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

This was the second canal cruise I\u2019ve been on in Amsterdam, and I have to admit: it\u2019s honestly not my favorite way to get around. Amsterdam\u2019s such a lovely city to walk through that I feel a bit guilty for not getting out and strolling its historic streets. But several sudden downpours throughout the morning would have made that an unpleasant option \u2013 not to mention the fact that fresh apple pie and hot coffee were served onboard.<\/p>\n

\"Closed<\/a>

Closed for over a decade for substantial renovations, the Rijksmuseum has only been open for a year now. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

The real winner this morning, though, was the Rijksmuseum, or National Museum. Designed by Pierre Cuypers, the Rijksmuseum first opened its doors on July 13, 1885, though apparently King Willem III never got the memo: he was notably absent from the opening ceremonies, and was famously negative about what he referred to as an \u2018archbishop\u2019s palace.\u2019<\/p>\n

The Dutch apparently didn\u2019t share their King\u2019s opinion of the new museum, which was an instant hit with locals and foreigners alike. But by the turn of this century, it had become apparent that the museum was long overdue for a facelift.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The stunning entrance courtyard in the Rijksmuseum is a modern work of art in and of itself. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

So, for the past decade, the Rijksmuseum has been closed to the public. It opened around this time last year, and the joke \u2013 in traditional Dutch humour \u2013 was that it now sits about a foot higher than it used to thanks to all the excess stone and masonry that architects Antonio Cruz and Antonio Ortiz discarded during the renovation process.<\/p>\n

Numerous works of art are present in the Rijksmuseum, and you could spend days \u2013 if not weeks \u2013 combing through its extensive collections ranging from 1100 up until present day. But, arguably, it is Rembrandt\u2019s massive 1642 Night Watch <\/em>that everyone is here to see.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>

A couple admires Aelbert Cuyp’s ‘River Landscapes with Riders (1653-57) Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Located on the 2nd<\/sup> Floor in its own room (Nachtwacht, <\/em>bordering the Gallery of Honour, or Eregalery)<\/em>, Night Watch<\/em> is a group portrait of Amsterdam\u2019s Arquebusiers Guild that serves as a sort of \u2018call-to-arms\u2019 frozen in time. In fact, it\u2019s hard to look at the painting for more than a few seconds without being completely mesmerised by it; the experience of looking at the figures in the painting is almost akin to looking that individual straight in the eyes in real life.<\/p>\n

\"Vermeer's<\/a>

Vermeer’s 1662 painting, ‘The Syndics.’ Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

There\u2019s also Frans Hall\u2019s suggestively playful (or is it erotic?) 1622 Portrait of a Couple<\/em> that broke traditional norms of the time by having the woman in the painting sit close to her husband and place her hand on his while displaying a coy smile. I can only assume this was the seventeenth century equivalent of \u2018twerking\u2019, as this interpretation of affection no doubt caused a stir at the time.<\/p>\n

\"One<\/a>

One of my favorite rooms in the entire museum is the ‘Power at Sea’ room. Shown here is a 1697 builder’s model of the ‘William Rex.’ Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Gallery of Honour. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"The<\/a>

The Rijksmuseum’s massive library reportedly houses over 300,000 titles. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Actually, sex \u2013 or thinly-veiled eroticism \u2013 is one of the recurring subjects in many paintings by the Dutch masters of the 1600\u2019s. That, and extraordinarily intoxicated, Merry Subjects \u2013 there\u2019s Ary de Vois\u2019 The Merry Fiddler; <\/em>Frans Hall\u2019s The Merry Drinker; <\/em>and my personal favorite \u2013 Jan Steen\u2019s The Merry Family<\/em>, where the older man with the chalice on the left hand of the table looks like he\u2019s about to keel over. Ah, to live in the age where the only safe beverage choices were beer and wine\u2026<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t I sound smart, rattling off all these names, dates and places? There\u2019s a trick to that \u2013 for \u20ac10, I purchased a fantastic 291-page guide to the museum from the Rijksmuseum gift shop. The size of a small pocket book, it\u2019s an unusually fascinating read, detailing nearly every work of art in the museum.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>

The suitably dark rooms devoted to Medieval works. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Following our tour of the Rijksmuseum, we returned to the ms Inspire<\/em> for a quick buffet lunch in The Restaurant before boarding the coaches for Keukenhof Gardens<\/strong>. Even with our quick one-hour turnaround between tours, service was friendly and personable. Food was better than I would have expected for a ship making its first run, with plenty of fish, meat, and vegetarian options available both from the buffet and as items ordered from your waiter. The soups are also quickly winning guests over, with a fabulous one made primarily of goat cheese being served up today.<\/p>\n

\"This<\/a>

This afternoon, Tauck guests indulged in one of the Netherland’s most beautiful exports – tulips – with a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Well fed, we piled back into three separate Tauck-branded motorcoaches for the 45-minute journey to Keukenhof. Our three Tauck Directors \u2013 one for each coach \u2013 passed out maps of the park, explained its history, and spent one-on-one time with guests answering any questions they might have had as we made our way out of the city, past Schiphol Airport, and on to Keukenhof.<\/p>\n

Once there, we were turned loose on our own in the gardens to explore at our own individual pace. No QuietVox audio systems, no staying with the group \u2013 just do as you please and as much as you want for two straight hours. Fantastic.<\/p>\n

\"At<\/a>

At Keukenhof, guests were invited to simply stroll and explore at their own pace; a wonderful treat! Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Let me just say this: even if you\u2019re not a flower buff (I\u2019m personally not), you\u2019ll love Keukenhof. The place is amazingly photogenic, and this is a very special time for them, as the tulips are typically only in bloom until the start of May.<\/p>\n

Interspersed throughout the park are small huts selling things like hot chocolate, smoked ham on a bun, and even beer \u2013 which you can indulge in while strolling the park, if you so choose. The Dutch are very practical when it comes to things like that.<\/p>\n

Some images from my afternoon at Keukenhof:<\/p>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Well,<\/a>

Well, what do we have here? Tauck’s very own Tulip, no less! Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"One<\/a>

One of the most scenic portions of the Keukenhof Gardens, situated within sight of the sky-blue KLM jets taking off at Schiphol. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Flowers,<\/a>

Flowers, flowers, everywhere. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Wooden<\/a>

Wooden Dutch shoes. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"At<\/a>

At every turn, Keukenhof offers up another picturesque sight. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

\"Photo<\/a>

Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Tonight, we had our Captain\u2019s Welcome Aboard Reception and Dinner aboard the ms Inspire <\/em>as she set sail for the pretty town of Hoorn, where we arrived just after 9:30p.m. I spent the first part of sail-away not on the top deck, as usual, but sitting in the loft portion of my stateroom. I opened the blinds and then the window, letting the crisp, fresh air swirl around the room. An unexpected hail storm meant I shut the window rather quickly, but I\u2019m becoming more and more convinced the best views on the ship are offered in these staterooms.<\/p>\n

Dinner was a spectacular affair, with foie gras<\/em>, Alaskan king crab rolls, soup (for which they kindly prepared a special one sans <\/em>peanuts to accommodate my allergies), and a choice of main courses.<\/p>\n

\"Foie<\/a>

Foie Gras, Tauck-style. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

This was also one of the only dinners onboard that occurs during a fixed time. Tauck offers the ability to dine in the dining room any time between 6p.m. and 8p.m. Having that flexibility is a real bonus, particularly if you\u2019d like to take in the fresh air out on deck or enjoy one more pre-dinner drink in The Lounge.<\/p>\n

Tauck\u2019s mantra, which they use to great effect in their marketing, is this: How You See the World Matters. In an age of gimmicky and often goofy slogans intended to make consumers more brand-aware, Tauck\u2019s slogan is one of the honest truisms about travel. How you see the world does <\/em>matter.<\/p>\n

\"Watching<\/a>

Watching departure from Amsterdam from my Loft Stateroom. Note the open window letting fresh air into the room. I think I actually prefer these rooms to the French Balcony staterooms. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Most importantly, I believe that <\/em>you see the world matters. We only get one shot at this thing we call life, and few things teach us more about the world \u2013 and ourselves \u2013 than travel. There are those who would disagree \u2013 naturally. But they\u2019re not here. Onboard the ms Inspire<\/em> are over 100 guests who do believe in the power of travel, and I watch with honest admiration as guests who are older than I am push harder than I do to explore and see all that Tauck has to offer.<\/p>\n

\"Our<\/a>

Our Captain welcomes us aboard. The smiles are genuine. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

That is part of what makes a Tauck river cruise so special \u2013 the passion for travel that guests share with each other and with the crew who, in turn, share back. I\u2019ve watched as guests have helped other guests, and our Tauck Directors have gone above and beyond for those who have had even the smallest question. And it\u2019s only Day Two.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s traveling in good company.<\/p>\n

\"Tauck's<\/a>

Tauck’s beautiful ms Inspire docked in Hoorn, Netherlands. Photo \u00a9 2014 Aaron Saunders<\/p><\/div>\n

Tauck's MS Inspire - Belgium & Holland<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
DAY<\/B><\/td>PORT<\/B><\/td>ACTIVITIES<\/B><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 7, 2014<\/a><\/td>Amsterdam, Netherlands<\/td>Arrive Amsterdam; Embark Tauck's new ms Inspire<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 8<\/a><\/td>Amsterdam, Netherlands<\/td>Private river cruise through Amsterdam's Canals; visit the Rijksmuseum; tour Keukenhof Gardens<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 9<\/a><\/td>Hoorn, Netherlands \/ Enkhuizen, Netherlands<\/td>Walking tour of Hoorn or visit to Alkmaar. Walking tour of Enkhuizen & open-air Zuiderzee Museum.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 10<\/a><\/td>Arnhem, Netherlands<\/td>Choice of tours - De Hoge Veluwe National Park exploration with Vincent Van Gogh at the Kroller-Muller Museum, or tour sites associated with the WWII airborne assault on Arnhem. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 11<\/a><\/td>Rotterdam, Netherlands<\/td>Tour of Rotterdam & its museums, or optional excursion to the historic city of Delft. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 12<\/a><\/td>Veere, Netherlands \/ Middleburg, Netherlands. <\/td>Exploration of Veere or excursion to Neeltje Jans Delta Works to learn about the country's storm surge barriers. In Middleburg, enjoy time exploring on own.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 13<\/a><\/td>Antwerp, Belgium \/ Ypres<\/td>Orientation walking tour through Antwerp's historic city center & visit the Red Star Line museum. After lunch, Tauck Exclusive tour to Flanders to observe the centennial of World War I with dinner and a private visit to the In Flanders Fields museum. <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 14<\/a><\/td>Antwerp, Belgium \/ Hasselt, Belgium \/ Maastricht, Netherlands<\/td>Drive to Margraten to see the Netherlands American Cemetery. Tauck Exclusive Lunch at Chateau Neercanne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Guided visit to Maastricht & free time in the Old Town.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 15<\/a><\/td>Brussels, Belgium<\/td>Disembark ms Inspire & travel to Brussels for a full day of sightseeing. Overnight at the Hotel Amigo.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
April 16<\/td>Brussels, Belgium<\/td>Onward journey home.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n