Featured Destination: Holland

Holland Set for Unforgettable 2013

A number of the country’s cultural icons and museums will mark milestone anniversaries with special exhibitions and events in Amsterdam's famed canal district.

• 400th year anniversary of the renowned canal ring in Amsterdam
• 40th anniversary of the Van Gogh Museum
• Reopening of the Rijksmuseum
• 125 years of the Concertgebouw and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
• 100 years of the Frans Hals Museum in Haarlem
• 100 years of The Peace Palace in The Hague
• 200 years of the Kingdom of The Netherlands
  
• 300th anniversary of the Treaty of Utrecht

7,000,000 Tulips

Keukenhof Gardens, one of the most impressive springtime public gardens in the world, plants  more than seven million tulip bulbs on its  70-acre site. Truly a springtime  garden, Keukenhof is only open from March 21-May 20, 2013 ( 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM with ticket office closing at 6:00 PM).

Definitely on the “bucket list” for flower lovers, you will see tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, lilies in rainbow colors as eye candy. Pavilions of exquisite flowers are exhibited by designers and provide shelter from the outdoor plots when the weather turns damp. Step inside and you will see thousands of orchid species surrounded by fountains, ponds, flowering trees, and educational exhibits. Be sure to check the garden calendar for the dates of your visit as the center offers 30 inspiring flower shows and dramatically integrates works of art throughout the garden displays.

Is Holland the Home of Tulips?

Although tulips are often associated with Amsterdam and Holland, they are native to central Asia and cultivated by the Turks. In the 16th century, the Habsburg ambassador in Istanbul brought bulbs to Vienna. The botanist, Carolus Clusius, propagated them and brought them to Leiden, in Holland when he was appointed director of its Botanical Garden. One of the best places to see tulips is in the Keukenhof Flower garden and another is in the city of Istanbul, Turkey where in April the  International Istanbul Tulip Festival is organized by the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Being a national symbol of Turkey, tulips have had a major role in Turkish arts and culture for centuries. Not to mention it is the current official tourism symbol.

Ultra-Luxury River Cruising
Uncompromising Value

There are many ways to travel, but none compare to the luxury, comfort, and convenience of a Uniworld Boutique River Cruise.

You'll glide over calm waters straight into the heart of imperial European capitals and Medieval towns and villages that are unreachable by big ships. You can unpack your bags once, and settle in. And wake up at your leisure to enjoy the glorious views from the comfort of your floating sanctuary.

With an average ship capacity of only 130 guests, the attention and personal touches provided on Uniworld's boutique ships is truly impressive. All that's left is for you to figure out how to fit in all the adventures you can.

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Springtime Tulips & the Rhine
8 Days from $2999**

Frankfurt to Amsterdam | Ship: River Ambassador
March 26, 2014 (Other dates available at varying prices.)

Itinerary includes Frankfurt, Cruising the romantic Rhine River and Main River, Koblenz, Rüdesheim, Cologne, Arnhem, and Amsterdam (reverse itinerery also available)

Burgundy & Provence
8 Days from $3249**

Lyon to Avignon | Ship: S.S. Catherine
March 30, 2014 (Other dates available at varying prices.)

Itinerary includes Lyon, Chalon sur Saône, Beaune, Tournon/Tain l’Hermitage, Viviers, Tarascon, Arles or Tarascon, and Avignon (reverse itinerery also available)

Paris & Normandy
8 Days from $3199**

Paris to Paris | Ship: River Baroness
March 16, 2014 (Other dates available at varying prices.)

Itinerary includes Paris, Vernon, Giverny, Les Andelys, Rouen, Normandy Beaches, Rouen, Caudebec-en-Caux, Honfleur, Mantes-la-Jolie, and Auvers-sur-Oise or Conflans-Sainte-Honorine)

Grand European Discovery
15 Days from $6199**

Vienna to Basel | Ship: River Ambassador
October 19, 2014 (Other dates available at varying prices.)

Itinerary includes Vienna, Melk, cruising the Wachau Valley, Passau, Deggendorf, Theresienthal, Regensburg, Roth, cruising the Main-Danube Canal, Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, Rothenburg, Cruising the Main River, Miltenberg, Nierstein or Heidelberg, Strasbourg, and Basel (reverse itinerery also available)