We have always believed that when you get the chance to check something off your bucket list, you take it. That moment came last spring, when we finally returned to the place that captured Doug's imagination decades ago: the tulip fields of the Netherlands.

About 35 years ago, Doug was on a business trip and had the chance to visit Keukenhof Gardens in full bloom. He never forgot those acres of color, the perfectly arranged beds of tulips, hyacinths, and daffodils. Ever since, we have talked about going back together.

When we first started thinking seriously about a river cruise, it was more of a long-term plan—maybe 2026. But after hearing a neighbor rave about how wonderful Ginny Maurer was to work with, we called her for advice. We'll never forget when Ginny said, “I’m actually going to Holland in April myself. That’s when everything will be in full bloom.” She happened to be holding a room for that exact trip in 2025. The fact that Ginny could go anywhere in the world but had chosen this cruise told us it must be something special.

We had done big ocean cruises before but never a river cruise. The idea of a smaller, more intimate ship was appealing. We were ready to try something different.

Our itinerary started and ended in Amsterdam and took us into Belgium and back. We spent eight days visiting Amsterdam, Dordrecht, Ghent, Antwerp, Nijmegen, Hoorn, and Bruinisse. At every stop, we were immersed in culture, history, and scenery.

A highlight was Keukenhof Gardens. Before we even set foot there, a 20-year veteran gardener came aboard to give a fascinating presentation. We learned that each year, the entire 79-acre garden is newly designed, with seven million bulbs planted at staggered depths to extend the blooming season. Even though Doug had been there before, seeing it again was like stepping into a living painting.

We also toured Kinderdijk, a UNESCO site filled with working windmills dating back to the 1600s. Climbing inside an operating windmill and watching the old technology in motion was another experience we’ll never forget.

Another highlight was the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam. It was humbling to stand in the spaces we had only read about.

Jodi loves to stay active, so we took advantage of the opportunity to cycle through the countryside. One day, she and a new friend from the United Kingdom even got special permission from the captain to stay ashore in Hoorn and bike all the way to Amsterdam while the ship sailed on.

River cruising was unlike any vacation we’d ever taken. On a big ship, you meet someone at dinner and never see them again. On this trip, with only 123 guests, we saw the same faces every day, and real friendships grew. In fact, we still keep in touch with several people we met onboard.

Another surprise was the crew. By the second day, they knew our names. The entire experience felt personal and welcoming in a way we never expected.

Having Ginny plan the trip was one of the best decisions we made. She took care of every detail, large and small. Once we committed, she and her team were “all in.” All we had to do was show up. You could tell she sees her business as relational rather than transactional, and that made a difference.

If you are thinking about a river cruise, our advice is simple: just do it. After this trip, we would rather travel less often and enjoy a luxury experience than take more trips that don’t measure up. We came home with full hearts, new friends, and memories we’ll never forget.