Exploring the Rivers and Canals of the Low Country

We have arrived safely in Amsterdam—on time, with luggage intact! We are looking forward to our Viking River Cruise from Holland to Belgium which begins on Thursday, and we’re excited to share reflections and photos along the way as we mark a very special milestone: our 40th wedding anniversary on September 7.

This journey is more than a vacation—it’s an adventure into the Low Countries of Europe. It’s also a long-awaited return to international travel: my first trip abroad since 2019, and Amanda’s second. Our journey will include medieval steeples, vibrant markets, towering windmills, renowned museums, storybook canals, and a few European bakeries.

First Stop: Amsterdam

We’re currently spending two nights at the Park Plaza Victoria, located just across from Amsterdam Centraal Station. It’s a perfect base for exploring the city’s treasures: the Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank House, iconic windmills, and—perhaps most Dutch of all—bicycle tours through the cobbled streets of local villages.

But this isn’t just sightseeing—it also gives us an opportunity to take a deeper dive into our faith tradition. Amsterdam holds a special place in Baptist history. In 1609, John Smyth, an English Separatist, baptized himself and a group of fellow believers here, forming what many regard as the first Baptist church. That bold act, born of conscience and conviction, planted seeds that would blossom into a global movement.

River Cruise Ahead

We board our Viking longship on August 7, setting sail from Amsterdam to Antwerp, with daily stops that promise charm, culture, and a deepened sense of place. This route will explore the windmill-dotted village of Kinderdijk, to the seasonal markets of Rotterdam, to the medieval magic of Ghent and Bruges.  If time permits, we will even take a side trip to Brussels at the end of the cruise before heading home.

A Deeper Meaning

As we begin this journey, I’m struck by how travel can mirror faith. A wise adventurer once said, “We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” 

We are grateful for our 40 years together. We have been blessed to explore 4 continents and 30 countries. Marriage, much like a river cruise, requires gentle navigation, trust in the current, and a shared sense of wonder.

Lastly, I think of the courage of those who went before us—like Thomas Helwys, who once wrote to King James I, “Let every man enjoy the same liberty in religion as another.” He died in prison for that belief. I hope to take a deeper dive into such legacies as we explore the landscapes that shaped them.

Over the next few days, we will enjoy the beauty, food, and history of this region together.

Here’s to the road ahead of us, the river beneath us, and the adventure that awaits us.

—Barry