River Cruising

🚢 Tulips, Windmills & Belgian Waffles: Cruising into May 2025 on the Amadeus Cara. I went on a fabulous river cruise, not just any cruise — this was the Tulip Serenade aboard the beautiful Amadeus Cara, drifting through the Netherlands and Belgium in May 2025. It wasn’t what I expected at all! It was history, chocolate, windmills, and more! Let me take you back through my incredible memories of this wonderful trip:



🚢 The Ship: My Floating Boutique Hotel The Amadeus Cara felt like an upscale hotel on water — sleek interiors, floor-to-ceiling windows, a friendly crew who somehow always knew if I wanted cappuccino or wine, always on hand to carry my plate to my desired table and ensure I had everything I needed. Service is key onboard, nothing is too much trouble, the staff take their time to engage about your day and ensure you are happy. My gorgeous cabin/stateroom had floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows, which I sat at religiously for morning coffee and to take photo shoots of sleepy villages drifting by.



🌷 Amsterdam We flew into Amsterdam with Easyjet from Manchester and connected by rail to Central Station, approx. 20 minutes away. On arrival at the central station, a mere 10 minutes walk awaited the beauty of the Amadeus Cara in all her delight. A quick stop to drop luggage before a whistle stop afternoon enjoying the pretty streets of Amsterdam. Sailing was at 1800, so just enough time to appreciate the city's highlights and have lunch. I would recommend having a pre-night stay in this magnificent city. Nijmegen for Arnhem: A fabulous and unique guided tour arranged by Amadeus to the WWII Air War Museum just outside of Arnhem. Just over an hour away and tucked inside a former hangar, the experience was intimate, hands-on, and unexpectedly emotional. They had recovered aircraft parts, uniforms, even love letters — the kind of museum that makes history feel personal, just a pleasure to wander around the museum, soaking in the stories. A must-visit. Gorgeous grounds to relax and tea rooms facilities as well as a gift shop.



🛩️ Middelburg - A real fairy tale town. One of my favourite stops was Middelburg, a charming Dutch town I knew almost nothing about before this cruise. Just a short walk from where the Cara docked awaited pretty cobblestone streets, quiet canals, and cosy cafés, it felt like a Dutch fairy tale. I climbed up to the tower with over 200 narrow steps to enjoy the fascinating views of the town! Brilliant for shopping!!



🏰 Ghent: Gritty, Gorgeous, and Full of Beer! Next up was charming Ghent. Castles, incredible architecture and medieval buildings. We wandered through Gravensteen Castle, checked out the quirky design shops, and yes, sampled local brews at a hidden-away bar recommended by our cruise concierge. A walk through graffiti street is, as it is, a street with walls covered in graffiti!



🥨 Bruges: Like a picture Postcard … with Chocolate. Then came Bruges, and wow. Just… wow. It was like the entire town had been pristinely made up from a fairy tale book I read years ago! With cobblestones, swans in the canals, medieval buildings that somehow smelled like waffles, which I tried, of course! Beers of all types can be found in the many distilleries, and the strongest beer is brewed in Bruges! The chocolate in Bruges is a must-try and buy!



💎 Antwerp: Diamonds, Cathedrals, and Design. Our final major stop was Antwerp, a stylish finish to the trip. We toured the Cathedral of Our Lady (home to some serious Rubens masterpieces), wandered through fashion boutiques, and even stumbled into a street jazz performance outside a café. Antwerp feels like old Europe with a cool modern twist — think baroque churches mixed with galleries and coffee. It’s also the diamond capital of the world, which explains why I saw more sparkles than a Real Housewives reunion. I went through the most fascinating train station in Antwerp to board our train back to Amsterdam.



🍽️ Evenings Onboard the Amadeus Cara: Sunset, Sips & Soundtracks Every night aboard the Cara felt like a little celebration. We’d sail into sunset with a cocktail in hand, the pianist gently playing something jazzy while the scenery morphed into glowing silhouettes. Fun Quizzes and a talk about our next day port of call. Canopies are available for late-night nibbles, and the drinks onboard are similar to bar prices in the UK, and all cocktails were wonderfully created. Dinner? Always a treat. A la carte style. From North Sea shrimp to creamy Gouda-infused risotto, it was local, elegant, and surprisingly unpretentious. The food was incredible, and any dietary requirements were looked after superbly. Local beer, wine and soft drinks are served bottomless with all lunch and dinner. There is an option to have all meals al fresco or experience a more informal setting, buffet style. And the people? A mix of curious travellers, river cruise rookies (like me), and a few who’d done seven of these already.



📝 Final Thoughts: Would I Do It Again? In a heartbeat. The Tulip Serenade wasn’t just tulips — it was a full-blown sensory buffet: history, food, architecture, and a little bit of magic floating along every bend of the river. From quiet mornings sipping espresso while windmills drifted by, to standing in the middle of Bruges with melted chocolate on my fingers and zero shame, this trip was everything I didn’t know I needed. If you ever get the chance to hop aboard the Amadeus Cara, take it. Wear comfy shoes, bring your curiosity, and maybe, just maybe, start believing in river cruise magic.