Robyn from Newell’s Travel, Saltash, recently set sail on the stunning Avalon Vista and saw Amsterdam in a whole new way! With panoramic views, floating luxury, and easy access to the city’s iconic canals and culture, this river cruise was the perfect mix of comfort and adventure.
A Flying Visit to the Venice of the North
“I recently had the amazing opportunity to spend one action-packed night in Amsterdam, thanks to Avalon. The trip included a guided tour of the Avalon Vista river ship, a city walking tour, a canal cruise, and just enough free time to soak in the vibes of this iconic European city.
If you’re thinking about a river cruise or a short city break, this trip gave me some great insights to share with customers and a few handy tips too!
🚢 Avalon Vista: A Floating Boutique Hotel
Our first stop was a guided visit aboard Avalon Vista, and wow what a ship! From the moment we stepped on board, the staff made us feel like VIPs.
Cruise Director personally led the tour (on an arrival day!)
We explored all cabin categories yes, we took pics and videos!
Toured the full guest journey from embarkation to disembarkation
Visited the bridge thanks to the captain himself
Saw the guest bikes available for cycling off-ship
Enjoyed a delicious buffet lunch on board
Now I can confidently walk clients through the entire Avalon experience from start to finish.
Guided City Walking Tour
The next day, we met Julia, one of Avalon’s local guides. She was fantastic full of passion, history, and insider tips.
Covered top landmarks, transport hacks, and neighbourhood highlights
Gave us a real feel for how easy it is to get around Amsterdam
Pro tip: Tickets for the Anne Frank House sell out fast usually available 6 weeks ahead, so plan early!
This tour gave me better insight into hotel locations and how long it takes to get around super useful when helping clients plan their itinerary.
⛴️ Canal River Cruise
No trip to Amsterdam is complete without a canal cruise and ours didn’t disappoint!
One-hour guided boat ride with audio commentary
Friendly local crew shared fun facts and hidden gems
A brilliant way to see the city from a new perspective
Now I can fully recommend this excursion to customers and explain the experience firsthand.
🕒 Free Time to Explore
We squeezed in some free time before heading home ideal for exploring like a real tourist.
Walked around the city solo
Noted restaurants and cafes I’d happily recommend
Found it very safe and easy to navigate
Food prices aren’t the cheapest, so advise clients to budget for meals out
Where I Stayed: Leonardo Hotel – Rembrandt Park
- This 4-star hotel is about 25 minutes from the airport and offers a clean, modern stay with some nice touches.
- The room was fresh and bright, featuring a modern shower and a complimentary coffee machine perfect for a quick pick-me-up.
- The hotel’s rooftop bar, 17, offers great views and a relaxed spot to unwind after a day exploring.
- Breakfast was buffet-style and straightforward nothing fancy, but enough to start the day.
- A couple of things to keep in mind: the twin beds were quite close together, and the hotel is a little outside the city centre with fewer nearby transport options. But if you don’t mind a short commute, it’s a comfortable base for your stay.
🌟 Final Thoughts
Amsterdam is a brilliant city break destination clean, easy to get around, and packed with things to see and do. It’s ideal for first-timers and repeat visitors alike.
Whether you’re sailing with Avalon or spending a weekend exploring, there’s always something new to discover in this vibrant, history-rich city.
Thinking of Visiting Amsterdam or Booking a River Cruise?
📧 Robyn.montgomery@newellstravel.co.uk
📍 Newell’s Travel, Saltash
Let’s chat about your perfect trip. I’ve got the tips, tours, and cruise know how to help you make the most of it!”
