Tulips & Windmills

Walk through Arnhem, passing the iconic John Frost Bridge and viewing the historic buildings of the city center. Set off with your guide to explore Arnhem, where its rich past and modern life blend seamlessly. Head to John Frost Bridge, constructed after World War II and named for the British commander who held a bridge during the Battle of Arnhem. Here, listen to an account of this battle and learn about its significance during WWII. Continue to the historic center, passing through one of Arnhem’s last remaining medieval city gates to the market square. See the Eusebius Church, a late-Gothic landmark dating back to the 15th century, and the Devil’s House, named for the satyr figures it is decorated with, where captured paratroopers were once held. Finally, walk through the Seven Streets shopping area and lively squares for a look at daily life in Arnhem.

See the sites of a crucial wartime operation, the basis for a 1977 Richard Attenborough film. On September 17, 1944, Allied paratroopers landed near Arnhem; the plan, called Operation Market Garden, was to take the main bridges at Arnhem, Nijmegen and Eindhoven, push into Germany and defeat Hitler. But the Germans were waiting and the operation failed, costing many lives, and Arnhem proved to be “A Bridge Too Far,” as in the epic war film. Join your guide for a ride along the fields where John Frost’s paratroopers landed. Then, visit the Airborne Museum to learn about the fateful events of 1944 and witness a reenactment of the Battle of Arnhem. You will also pay homage to the Allied soldiers from the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Poland, as well as Dutch civilians, buried at the Airborne Cemetery at Oosterbeek.

Tour the magnificent Paleis Het Loo, the summer residence of the Royal House of Orange from 1686 until 1962. The marriage of Willem of Orange and Mary, the daughter of James II of England, created an influential union and the palace became the center of power in Europe. Travel to Apeldoorn, where this Dutch baroque building sits regally amid beautifully manicured grounds. Enjoy a leisurely stroll as you admire the garden’s landscaping and perfect planting symmetry. Hear the story of King Willem III and Queen Mary II during an audio tour and gain a glimpse of this splendid residence; its many rooms contain the royal family’s original furniture and cherished objects and paintings. Each chamber provides enlightening insight into each period of the reign of the “Oranjes,” which has spanned centuries and the palace’s recent renovations restore the building to its former glory.

See the second-largest collection of paintings by Vincent van Gogh and a remarkable sculpture garden during a visit to one of The Netherlands’ most extraordinary museums. Drive to the small city of Otterlo, where the Kröller-Müller Museum rests tranquilly in Hoge Veluwe National Park. Once there, admire some of van Gogh’s most beloved paintings. You can also see the works of other impressionist and expressionist painters including Gauguin, Picasso, Seurat and Mondrian. Later, you will have time to stroll the impressive sculpture garden featuring a fine collection of modern and contemporary sculptures. The garden, more than 75 acres and one of Europe’s largest, was designed to express Helen Müller’s belief in the seamlessness of art, architecture and nature. Note: If you are in Arnhem on a Monday, the Kröller-Müller Museum & Sculpture Garden is closed. You will instead have an included Operation Market Garden: Arnhem visit.

Witness 200 years of Dutch life at this living museum of traditional villages, crafts and agriculture. Take a short drive just outside Arnhem, where more than windmills await you at the Netherlands Open Air Museum. Traditional farmhouses, linseed mills, bake houses, a drawbridge, sheep-fold, peat house and brewery are among the 80 historic structures you will admire. Collected from all regions of The Netherlands, these buildings provide the backdrop for a hands-on experience of Dutch history and everyday life. You can visit a working paper mill or learn the secrets of linseed production from costumed reenactors. Perhaps try your hand as a Dutch wheelwright, blacksmith or farmer. Ride through the museum on the GETA 76 tram, a replica of the trams that served Arnhem at the beginning of the 20th century. You will be entranced as two centuries unfold before you.