Kosher River Cruise of Netherlands & Belgium

About

The kosher river cruise in the Netherlands and Belgium offers a unique 8-day experience, during which you will enjoy full-board accommodation on the luxurious Amadeus Star riverboat. The journey begins and ends in Amsterdam, featuring visits to historic cities, picturesque canals, fascinating museums, and scenic landscapes. Highlights include a visit to Bruges, known as the "Venice of the North," and the Kröller-Müller Museum, home to one of the world's finest Van Gogh collections.

A river cruise through the numerous and diverse waterways of the Low Countries, Belgium, and the Netherlands, there is nothing more beautiful. The ship glides smoothly over the tranquil river, weaving through canals, dams, and bridges"”both fixed and those that rise to let vessels pass. Vast green meadows, like endless velvet carpets, stretch to the horizon. White swans and ducks float gracefully on the water, while windmills turn their mighty blades like towering giants.

A river cruise is a wonderful and comfortable way to experience the pastoral landscapes, charming villages, and picturesque towns along the river"”all from a "floating hotel" that offers the perfect blend of travel and relaxation. 

Day 1 (Tuesday) Amsterdam "“ Boarding the River Cruise
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and one of the world's top tourist destinations. The city's charming streets, fascinating contrast between old and new, and vibrant cosmopolitan atmosphere make it a thriving metropolis with a distinctly Dutch character.

Check-in will be at 15:00.

Overnight stay on the riverboat.

Day 2 (Wednesday) "“ Arnhem Open-Air Museum "“ Kröller-Müller Museum 

In the morning, the ship will arrive in Rhenen, from where we will head to the Arnhem Open-Air Museum, beautifully located on the outskirts of the city. We will explore over 80 historic houses, farms, and windmills from across the Netherlands and learn about village and town life in the 18th and 19th centuries. We will return to the ship for lunch and then depart for the Kröller-Müller Museum, located within a unique nature reserve. The museum contains one of the world's finest collections of works by Vincent van Gogh, along with masterpieces by modern artists such as Claude Monet, Georges Seurat, Pablo Picasso, and Piet Mondrian. The sculpture garden features works by Aristide Maillol, Jean Dubuffet, Marta Pan, and others. Its forest setting and blend of art and nature make the Kröller-Müller Museum a relaxing and inspiring destination. After our visit, we will return to the ship for dinner and continue sailing toward Ghent. Overnight stay on the riverboat. 

Day 3 (Thursday) "“ Ghent "“ Bruges
In the morning, we will gather for a group meeting and a lecture by our tour guide. Around noon, we will dock in Ghent, the historical capital of Flanders, located at the confluence of the Scheldt and Lys rivers. In medieval times, Ghent was one of the largest and most important cities in Europe. After lunch, we will travel to Bruges, one of Belgium's most beautiful cities, known as the "Venice of the North". We will stroll through picturesque streets, cross charming bridges over canals, and visit the market square, surrounded by ornately gabled guild houses. We will continue to Burg Square to see Belgium's oldest town hall with its sculpted facade. We will walk along Minnewater (the "Lake of Love") and explore the serene Beguinage courtyard. The cobblestone alleys are lined with inviting chocolate shops and cafés. After our tour, we will return to the ship for dinner and continue our voyage toward Middelburg. Overnight stay on the riverboat.

Day 4 (Friday) "“ Middelburg "“ Delta Expo "“ Shabbat Songs and Celebrations
Early in the morning, the ship will dock in Middelburg, the capital of Zeeland province. This historic city was heavily damaged during World War II but has since been restored. Its center features a 55-meter-high bell tower that once belonged to the medieval town hall. We will visit one of the most remarkable engineering projects in the world"”the Delta project, built after the devastating 1953 North Sea flood that claimed hundreds of lives in the Netherlands. These massive flood defenses, consisting of dams, storm surge barriers, and dikes, were recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World by the American Society of Civil Engineers. We will tour the Delta Expo visitor center and see the impressive 3.2 km-long storm surge barrier. Upon returning to the ship, we will prepare for Shabbat. Later, we will gather in the Panorama Bar for a traditional Kabbalat Shabbat service with songs and prayers, followed by a festive Shabbat dinner in the ship's restaurant.

Overnight stay on the riverboat. 

Day 5 (Saturday) "“ Middelburg "“ Shabbat Prayers and Walking Tour
After Shacharit prayers, we will enjoy breakfast in the ship's restaurant. A traditional Torah lecture will be given at a scheduled time during the day. We will take a leisurely walking tour to soak in Middelburg's medieval atmosphere, admire the historic weighing house, and see the impressive town hall and beautifully preserved merchant houses. After our tour, we will return to the ship for a relaxing Shabbat afternoon.

Overnight stay on the riverboat.

Day 6: (Sunday) "“ Rotterdam "“ The Hague "“ Panorama Mesdag
In the morning, the ship will dock in Rotterdam, from where we will depart for a tour of The Hague, the administrative capital of the Netherlands. The city is home to the royal palace, the Dutch parliament, numerous embassies, and the Peace Palace, which houses the International Court of Justice. We will visit the unique Panorama Mesdag museum, which features a massive panoramic painting of Scheveningen Beach as it appeared in the 19th century, created using a special artistic technique. We will also stop for a viewpoint and briefing about the Peace Palace. After returning to the ship for lunch, we will continue our tour of Zeeland province, visiting the visitor center of the massive storm surge barrier in the Keringhuis near Hoek van Holland. Overnight stay on the riverboat. 

Day 7 (Monday) "“ Amsterdam "“ Portuguese Synagogue "“ Jewish History Museum
In the morning, we will dock in Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands and a top global tourist destination. The city's historic buildings from the 17th and 18th centuries, its many bicycles, scenic canals, and lush parks all contribute to its unique charm. Jewish history in Amsterdam dates back to the 15th century, when Jews fleeing persecution in Spain and Portugal found refuge here. Later, in the 17th and 18th centuries, Ashkenazi Jews arrived from Eastern Europe, attracted by the country's religious tolerance. We will visit the Portuguese Synagogue, built in 1675. This synagogue was the site of the ceremony lifting the excommunication of philosopher Uriel da Costa after he recanted his criticisms of Orthodox rabbinic authority. We will also visit the Jewish History Museum, housed within four former synagogues that were damaged during World War II. The museum offers a fascinating glimpse into the life, traditions, and artistic heritage of Amsterdam's Jewish community. Overnight stay on the riverboat.

Day 8 (Tuesday) "“ Amsterdam "“
After breakfast, we will disembark from the river cruise .

Rooms & accommodation

Kashrut & dining

Strictly kosher cuisine with certification under the supervision of Rabbi Oren Duvdevani, head of the kashrut organization.

• Full-board dining throughout the cruise, including unlimited water with meals and a glass of wine at dinner.
•  Fresh meals cooked onboard under the supervision of a dedicated kosher supervisor.
• Israeli chef. Buffet breakfast, lunch, afternoon coffee and tea, dinner.
• 24/7 coffee, tea, and water station for guests.

Religious life & Shabbat

• Daily prayers,
• Sefer Torah on the ship
• electronic Shabbat candles.

Activities & entertainment

Location

Address: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Tags

Contact

• Organizer: Bishvil Hazahav
• Location: Amsterdam, Netherlands
• Phone: +97235651152
• WhatsApp: +972525643664
• Email: [email protected]

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