Netherlands`s New Year

Rhenish lifestyle between tradition and modernity - Düsseldorf inspires with diversity! Here art and culture lovers get just as enthusiastic as shopping enthusiasts, here the Media Harbor impresses with contemporary architecture as well as the historic Old Town. The old town makes Düsseldorf with more than 250 cozy pubs to the "longest bar in the world". The traditional Altbier is not the only tasty thing here! A stroll along the Königsallee, the world-famous strolling mile, is something one does not want to miss - or rather a visit to one of the numerous sympathetic flea markets? And in the middle of it all: lots of Green and the Rhine with its riverside promenade to breathe easy . No wonder the VIVA Cruises family feels right at home here!

Rhenish lifestyle between tradition and modernity - Düsseldorf inspires with diversity! Here art and culture lovers get just as enthusiastic as shopping enthusiasts, here the Media Harbor impresses with contemporary architecture as well as the historic Old Town. The old town makes Düsseldorf with more than 250 cozy pubs to the "longest bar in the world". The traditional Altbier is not the only tasty thing here! A stroll along the Königsallee, the world-famous strolling mile, is something one does not want to miss - or rather a visit to one of the numerous sympathetic flea markets? And in the middle of it all: lots of Green and the Rhine with its riverside promenade to breathe easy . No wonder the VIVA Cruises family feels right at home here!

Amsterdam is one of those cities that every traveler should have visited at least once in his life. No wonder, millions and millions of tourists flock to the city on the canals every year to enjoy the flood of sights and cultural offerings. The best way to discover Amsterdam is by taking a boat ride along the canals or a walk along the unique canals. Art lovers will be immediately drawn to one of the world-famous museums, such as the Rijksmuseum, the Stedelijk Museum or the Van Gogh Museum. Party people will find their happiness in the nightlife and red light district De Wallen. And beer drinkers should by no means miss the Heineken Experience.

Amsterdam combines the unrivaled beauty of the 17th-century Golden Age city center with plenty of museums and art of the highest order, not to mention a remarkably laid-back atmosphere. It all comes together to make this one of the world's most appealing and offbeat metropolises in the world. Built on a latticework of concentric canals like an aquatic rainbow, Amsterdam is known as the City of Canals—but it's no Venice, content to live on moonlight serenades and former glory. Quite the contrary: on nearly every street here you'll find old and new side by side—quiet corners where time seems to be holding its breath next to streets like neon-lit Kalverstraat, and Red Light ladies strutting by the city's oldest church. Indeed, Amsterdam has as many lovely facets as a 40-carat diamond polished by one of the city's gem cutters. It's certainly a metropolis, but a rather small and very accessible one. Locals tend to refer to it as a big village, albeit one that happens to pack the cultural wallop of a major world destination. There are scores of concerts every day, numerous museums, summertime festivals, and, of course, a legendary year-round party scene. It's pretty much impossible to resist Amsterdam's charms. With 7,000 registered monuments, most of which began as the residences and warehouses of humble merchants, set on 160 man-made canals, and traversed by 1,500 or so bridges, Amsterdam has the largest historical inner city in Europe. Its famous circle of waterways, the grachtengordel, was a 17th-century urban expansion plan for the rich and is a lasting testament to the city’s Golden Age. This town is endearing because of its kinder, gentler nature—but a reputation for championing sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll does not alone account for Amsterdam's being one of the most popular destinations in Europe: consider that within a single square mile the city harbors some of the greatest achievements in Western art, from Rembrandt to Van Gogh. Not to mention that this is one of Europe's great walking cities, with so many of its treasures in the untouted details: tiny alleyways barely visible on the map, hidden garden courtyards, shop windows, floating houseboats, hidden hofjes(courtyards with almshouses), sudden vistas of church spires, and gabled roofs that look like so many unframed paintings. And don’t forget that the joy lies in details: elaborate gables and witty gable stones denoting the trade of a previous owner. Keep in mind that those XXX symbols you see all over town are not a mark of the city's triple-X reputation. They're part of Amsterdam's official coat of arms—three St. Andrew's crosses, believed to represent the three dangers that have traditionally plagued the city: flood, fire, and pestilence. The coat's motto ("Valiant, determined, compassionate") was introduced in 1947 by Queen Wilhelmina in remembrance of the 1941 February Strike in Amsterdam—the first time in Europe that non-Jewish people protested against the persecution of Jews by the Nazi regime.

Whether you visit the famous Centraal Museum for ancient and modern art or prefer to discover the provincial capital on a leisurely canal tour from the water - the historic architecture and the many lovingly restored houses will inspire you.In the center of the landmark unmistakably watches over the city, the 112 m high Utrecht Cathedral. It was built between 1321 and 1382 and is considered the oldest and highest church tower in the Netherlands. If you climb the 465 steps, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view.If you like it more contemplative, just take a nice stroll through the alleys and typical Nierderland courtyards, for which Utrecht is known. Or how about a visit to the colorful flower market? Utrecht is always worth a visit.

Whether you visit the famous Centraal Museum for ancient and modern art or prefer to discover the provincial capital on a leisurely canal tour from the water - the historic architecture and the many lovingly restored houses will inspire you.In the center of the landmark unmistakably watches over the city, the 112 m high Utrecht Cathedral. It was built between 1321 and 1382 and is considered the oldest and highest church tower in the Netherlands. If you climb the 465 steps, you will be rewarded with a fantastic view.If you like it more contemplative, just take a nice stroll through the alleys and typical Nierderland courtyards, for which Utrecht is known. Or how about a visit to the colorful flower market? Utrecht is always worth a visit.

The heart of Flanders beats in Antwerp, the internationallen center of the diamond trade. And when it comes to finest chocolaterie and the lively cultural scene, it beats thateven a little faster. The home of numerous fashioncreators, painters and musicians was 400 years ago the largest city in Europe and testifies with its historic city center of a magnificent past: a look into the hall of the Main Station or to the luxury department store "Stadsfeestzaal" well worth it! In addition to thirteen UNESCO World Heritage Sites provide more As 50 baroque Rubens works in various museums picture-perfect for looking up.

Explore Antwerp, Belgium's second city. Known for its diamond cutting industry, fashion and the many great artists that lived in its vicinity, Antwerp is a city focused on art and culture.

The port city of Rotterdam is located in the Netherlands and is one of the most interesting places in the world. The modern architecture plays a significant role in this. Among the impressive sights is the horseshoe-shaped market hall with the huge range of goods and the colorful hustle and bustle. In the old harbor with the striking white house, historic ships can be marveled at. For strolling, shopping and partying, the shopping mile Witte de Withstraat is an attraction. The futuristic-looking central station, the bag, also invites you to pub crawl and shop.

Rotterdam is a city that's a long way removed from most people's stereotypical notion of the Netherlands. There are few, if any, canals to be found here nor are there any quaint windmills. There is, however, a thriving modern city which is one of the busiest ports in the entire world.

Gorinchem is an absolute bastion city. Walking around the city, you will discover the many fortified ramparts, which have been preserved to this day and are excellent to view from the footpath. Although many historical constructions have been preserved, of the four city gates that were once built, only one still exists - the Dalempoort. In addition to the surviving fortifications Gorinchem offers with the wine and tasting room La Caponnière, the Tolhuis (in German: Zollhaus) or  the windmill De Hoop many other attractions that make a visit to Gorinchem worthwhile. .

Gorinchem is an absolute bastion city. Walking around the city, you will discover the many fortified ramparts, which have been preserved to this day and are excellent to view from the footpath. Although many historical constructions have been preserved, of the four city gates that were once built, only one still exists - the Dalempoort. In addition to the surviving fortifications Gorinchem offers with the wine and tasting room La Caponnière, the Tolhuis (in German: Zollhaus) or  the windmill De Hoop many other attractions that make a visit to Gorinchem worthwhile. .

The oldest city in the Netherlands exudes a quaint Dutch flair with its gabled houses, small cheese shops and delicacies on the "Grote Markt". In the narrow streets, yesterday and today go hand in hand. Therefore, a visit to the Gothic St. Stevenskerk, including the burial cellar, as well as a stroll along the shopping street "Lange Hezelstraat" should be on the sightseeing plan. With freshly fried Kibbelingen in the wintry Kronenburgerpark can be perfectly paused afterwards..

The oldest city in the Netherlands exudes a quaint Dutch flair with its gabled houses, small cheese shops and delicacies on the "Grote Markt". In the narrow streets, yesterday and today go hand in hand. Therefore, a visit to the Gothic St. Stevenskerk, including the burial cellar, as well as a stroll along the shopping street "Lange Hezelstraat" should be on the sightseeing plan. With freshly fried Kibbelingen in the wintry Kronenburgerpark can be perfectly paused afterwards..

Rhenish lifestyle between tradition and modernity - Düsseldorf inspires with diversity! Here art and culture lovers get just as enthusiastic as shopping enthusiasts, here the Media Harbor impresses with contemporary architecture as well as the historic Old Town. The old town makes Düsseldorf with more than 250 cozy pubs to the "longest bar in the world". The traditional Altbier is not the only tasty thing here! A stroll along the Königsallee, the world-famous strolling mile, is something one does not want to miss - or rather a visit to one of the numerous sympathetic flea markets? And in the middle of it all: lots of Green and the Rhine with its riverside promenade to breathe easy . No wonder the VIVA Cruises family feels right at home here!