Please Note: As you will get very close to the turbines, this excursion is not recommended for people with pace makers.

The congenial atmosphere of cozy, family-style traditional wine taverns, known as Heurigens, is perfectly complemented by hearty food, lively music — and locally produced vintages, of course. Many have accordion bands playing traditional Viennese songs. Although wine taverns have existed for many centuries, Emperor Joseph II gave them official status in 1784 when he decreed that wine growers within 10 kilometers of Vienna could sell their own wines. Heurigens traditionally have rustic decor, and many have open courtyards with outdoor seating. You’ll visit one of the oldest and most famous Heurigens, the “Wolff ” in Neustift, which opened in 1609. The restaurant is surrounded by vineyards, so in keeping with the theme of this evening’s tour, you’ll also learn about local wine-growing traditions and sample some local vintages while you’re here. This tour includes motorcoach transfer between the ship and the restaurant.

When Joseph Broz Tito became president of Yugoslavia, he had a special train constructed for his exclusive state use. Known in Serbian as the Plavi Voz, or Blue Train, this rolling presidential palace provided the charismatic Tito with a way to conduct meetings, carry on state business, and host visiting dignitaries while traveling among the member states of the Yugoslav federation and elsewhere within Europe. Over the years he traveled some 350,000 miles on the Blue Train, visiting France, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Russia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Greece. The train, which has interiors of mahogany, pear, and walnut, was refurbished in 1972 when Queen Elizabeth II came aboard to travel through Yugoslavia. Your ride on this piece of political and railroading history begins when you board the train just a few yards from your ship in Belgrade, and continues through the city to a small station in the countryside where Tito had a private waiting room. Here, you’ll have time to stroll and photograph the train as we enjoy light refreshments and a performance by local musicians, before the return trip to your ship.

This tour offers everything quintessentially Dutch: from canals, old farmhouses, and windmills ... to cheese and wooden clogs ... to idyllic rural settings, typical Dutch villages and the famous Aalsmeer Flower Auction. In the company of an English-speaking guide, you’ll pay an early morning visit to the auction house and see how flowers from 7,000 specialized growers from all over the world are sold off in smaller lots. You’ll see the great auction clock that displays the steadily dropping selling price until a lot is sold. In all, more than 20 million plants and flowers, valued at more than $5 million, go on the block each day. Before the day’s out, the flowers are flown to destinations around the globe, soon to appear in bridal bouquets, table centerpieces, store displays, and a multitude of other settings.
Then as the Dutch say, “if you only have one day to see Holland, then go to Zaanse Schans.” You’ll take a short scenic ride through the colorful countryside to this village, a special place as it’s a living museum. Admire the green wooden houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, hump-backed bridges, charming gardens, tradesmen’s workshops, and authentic, working windmills. You’ll get a lesson in making cheese, visit the inside of a windmill, and see how a clog maker crafts those unique shoes.
Next you’ll continue on by bus to the picturesque town of Edam, famous for the cheese named after it. Take a guided stroll through the flat, narrow main street to the bell tower and enjoy browsing for souvenirs. Before heading back to Amsterdam, you’ll get a typical Dutch treat — coffee and cookies at a town café and a chance to mix and mingle with locals!

Please note: Aalsmeer is not available on weekends.

*Please note: Your program manager will provide funds for lunch so that you may enjoy your time.