Our River Cruise Adventure 2025: Holland to Belgium

Our journey from Amsterdam to Antwerp was more than a vacation. It was educational and inspirational. Here are the top 20 things I learned along the way: 1. The Netherlands and Holland aren’t the same thing.  Holland refers only to two provinces—North and South Holland—while the Netherlands includes 12 provinces in total. 2. The canals in Amsterdam rival those in Venice.  They’re carefully engineered, recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and every bit as picturesque. 3. Bicycles outnumber people in the Netherlands.  With more than 23 million bikes for 17 million people, cycling is truly a way of life. 4. The first Baptist church was formed in Amsterdam in 1609.  John Smyth and Thomas Helwys planted seeds of religious liberty here that still bear fruit today. (Actually, I knew this. However, I had forgotten the year.) 5. There are a large number of locks on the rivers and canals.  These ingenious systems manage water levels in the Netherlands, keeping ...

On Friday morning, our Viking River Cruise brought us to Antwerp , Belgium’s vibrant port city, where cobblestone streets, grand squares, and centuries of history greet you at every turn. We arrived to find the city moving at a slower pace because this  is a national holiday , which meant many shops were closed. Yet the quieter streets gave our walking tour a relaxed, unhurried charm, allowing us to notice details we might otherwise have missed. Our guide, Garen, is a native Bosnian who has resided in Belgium for many years. At age 35, Garen was our youngest guide of the week. He was very knowledgeable about the local area and Belgian history. Interestingly, however, he holds a PHD in Applied Economics. Our tour began at the Steen , also known as the Rock , a medieval fortress that once guarded the banks of the River Scheldt. Built in the 13th century and later used as a prison, the Steen is among the oldest surviving buildings in Antwerp. From its ramparts, we enjoyed sweeping vi...

During our day in Maastricht  we enjoyed one of the most memorable walking tours of our Viking River Cruise, an experience rich in history and . Nestled on the banks of the River Meuse, Maastricht blends Roman roots, medieval architecture, and modern significance in a way that few cities can match. We began in the city’s lively Markt Square , where fresh produce, flowers, and local delicacies were on full display. Among the most charming sights was the “Cabbage Lady,"  a statue of a vendor who has become something of a local icon. It was here that we learned a bit of unexpected culinary trivia: cole slaw, which is derived  from the Dutch koolsla , meaning “cabbage salad," traces its roots back to Dutch settlers who carried the recipe to America centuries ago. From the market, our walk led us to two of Maastricht’s most famous churches, standing side by side like contrasting chapters of a book. The Basilica of Saint Servatius , a Romanesque masterpiece dating back to the...

On Wednesday, we toured  Nijmegen , the oldest city in the Netherlands, a place where history and resilience meet at every turn. Founded over 2,000 years ago as a Roman military camp, Nijmegen has worn many hats: imperial outpost, medieval market town, and, in more recent history, a front-line city in World War II. Our walking tour took us from the bustling streets of the lower city to the heights where Charlemagne once reigned. We began in the lower city in the early morning , where the Grote Markt was slowly coming to life.  This lively square, framed by colorful gabled houses, has been the heart of trade for centuries. At its center stands the Waag , or weighing house, a 17th-century landmark where goods were once measured and taxed. Our guide brought the scene to life, describing merchants unloading barrels of beer, wheels of cheese, and exotic spices from distant ports. We also visited one of the alleys that had been lined with colorful birdhouses, which was like a smal...

Our tour brochure gives the name of our cruise as “Holland to Belgium.” Yet, our itinerary says we are visiting several towns and villages in the Netherlands. What is the difference between the two? It’s a question that comes up often, especially for travelers preparing to visit this charming corner of Europe: What’s the difference between the Netherlands and Holland? Are they the same thing? The short answer: all of Holland is in the Netherlands, but not all of the Netherlands is Holland. The Netherlands is the official name of the country—meaning “low lands”—a reference to the fact that much of the nation lies at or below sea level. The country is made up of twelve provinces, each with its own local identity, traditions, and dialects. The Netherlands is bordered by Germany to the east, Belgium to the south, and the North Sea to the west and north. It is famous for its windmills, canals, tulips, cycling culture, maritime history, and a spirit of innovation that has helped it re...

(Basilica of St. Nicholas in Amsterdam) As a student of all things related to church, religion, and spirituality, when we travel, I am eager to learn more about the faith and culture of the places we visit. I am especially interested in the Netherlands because of the role the Dutch played in our Baptist history. Our tours have taken us to several historic churches, but I'm inclined to probe a little deeper. What is the current religious landscape? The Netherlands has undergone a remarkable shift in recent decades. As of 2023, about 58% of Dutch adults claim no religious affiliation, while Catholics and Protestants account for roughly 17% and 13%, respectively; Islam also represents approximately 6% of the population. Though secularism is prominent, around 44% of people still identify with a faith tradition—a slight increase from previous lows. Religious attendance remains modest: about 12% attend services regularly, with Protestants attending most frequently and Catholics lea...

Today’s excursion took us to one of the Netherlands’ most iconic and enduring symbols—the windmills of Kinderdijk . Standing on the embankment, gazing across the flat polder landscape dotted with 18 towering windmills, it was easy to see why this site is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site . Our group had several questions: 1) What is the purpose of the windmills in an age of electricity? 2) How long have these windmills be here? 3) Who lives in the windmills, and how are the residents chosen? 4) What is required to become a miller? 5) How are these windmills maintained, especially considereing their age?  Our guide answered these questions and more as we proceeded on our tour. The story of Kinderdijk is one of ingenuity born from necessity. Much of the Netherlands lies below sea level, and for centuries, the Dutch have battled to keep the water at bay. In the 18th century, the people of this region built a network of windmills to pump excess water from the low-lying polder...

Today our Viking River cruise carried us to two remarkable Dutch cities— Dordrecht in the morning  and Rotterdam in the afternoon. Each city  offers its own distinct window into the Netherlands’ history and culture. Dordrecht , often called the oldest city in Holland, wears its history with quiet pride. Founded in the 11th century, it became a powerful trading port in the Middle Ages and played a pivotal role in the Protestant Reformation, hosting the Synod of Dordrecht in 1618–19. As we strolled its cobbled streets and historic harbors, we could hear the echo of church bells summoning the faithful to worship. The streets were almost silent because the majority of markets and businesses were closed on Sunday morning. Dordrecht feels like stepping into a living history book—its skyline dominated by the towering Grote Kerk, its charm framed by centuries-old waterways. We also visited the Grote Kerk (the big church), the Art Church (now a gallery), the iron bridge, the city cen...

Most Christian churches in the southeastern United States, especially in Alabama, where I was raised, have crosses on the steeples of their churches. During my sabbatical in 2012, prompted by the Celtic crosses on the campus of First Baptist Church of Pensacola, I engaged in a research project on the history of the Celtic cross and the influence of Celtic theology on Baptist faith and practice. As we traveled around the United Kingdom, I took dozens of photos of Celtic crosses at churches and cemeteries. This week as we travel through the Netherlands, one detail keeps catching my eye—perched atop many church steeples is not a cross or a weathervane shaped like an arrow, but a rooster. At first glance, it may seem like an unusual choice for such a sacred place. But in the Dutch tradition, the rooster holds deep meaning. Its roots reach back to the Gospels, where Jesus foretold that Peter would deny him three times “before the cock crows.” The rooster became a symbol of watchfuln...

 Here are a few photos from our brief visit to Lelystad where we boarded the Viking Kvasir and from Amsterdam where we enjoyed another canal tour. Certainly my catch of the day! Our ship: The Viking Kvasir We boarded our ship in Lelystad near a National Park and Resort site on the river. This replica is museum which is open year round. Several tall ships were docked in Lelystad preparing for an upcoming festival. This is the way to paint a tall ship. :) Here is the original Heineken Brewery, now a museum called the Heineken Experience. The Western Church The Van Gogh Museum Dutch Mini-Pancakes with Blueberries and Cream

  “All Aboard (Eventually!): Amsterdam Adventures & Cruise Beginnings” Posted August 7, 2025 After landing, our adventure officially launched in Amsterdam , where we checked in at the Park Plaza Victoria , a 4-star hotel directly across from Amsterdam Centraal Station and just a short walk from the Passenger Terminal . Normally, we gravitate toward quaint, locally-owned inns or charming 3-star accommodations, but this spot offered great views and unbeatable convenience, and it didn’t disappoint. Rather than partake in the hotel’s buffet breakfast, we followed our noses (and a few online reviews) to a local bakery just one block away , where flaky scones and crusty baguettes with strawberry jam made the perfect start to the day. Exploring Amsterdam Over the past two days, we’ve seen the city from just about every angle—by boat, train, foot, bus , and for Amanda, bicycle . She joined a two-hour guided ride through the city while I enjoyed a long walk around Old Town , abso...