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Savor springtime in Holland and
Belgium on a cruise/land tour that is sure to
leave lasting impressions of colorful tulip
fields, canals and numerous windmills. Winding
waterways lead you to such well-known cities as
Ghent and Antwerp. Your tour begins in
Amsterdam, the 700-year old thriving capital of
Holland and where you'll have time to absorb its
most important sights on a city tour. Unpack
just once on your relaxing 7-night river cruise
aboard the MS Amadeus Princess and enjoy
excellent cuisine and outstanding service.
Explore the quaint town of Edam, known for the
delicious cheese that bears its name and later
cruise to Arnhem, the location of the favorite
summer retreat of the Dutch royal family. From
Holland, it's on to Belgium where your first
port of call is Antwerp, best known for diamonds
and Peter Paul Rubens. A local expert will make
sure you see all the historic sights and still
leave time for independent exploration or
shopping. Visit Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World
Heritage Site, and where you'll find the largest
concentration of Holland's windmills. Here,
dinner, music and dancing by a local Dutch
folklore group are included. Near the end of
your tour, see a kaleidoscope of color at the
world-famous Keukenhof Gardens where more than
seven million tulips and flowers are on exhibit. |
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Day 1: Overnight Flight
Savor springtime in Holland and Belgium with
a cruise that is sure to leave truly memorable
impressions. Admire the colorful glory of the
blooming Dutch tulip fields and be astonished by
the number of windmills. Winding waterways lead
you to such well-known Belgian cities as Ghent
and Antwerp. Your tulip time cruise begins with
an overnight flight to Amsterdam, a city filled
with classic architecture, cafes, restaurants
and canals.
Day 2: Amsterdam, Netherlands - Board Ship -
Tour Begins
Your tour begins today in Amsterdam, the
800-year-old thriving capital of Holland. All
aboard as you unpack once for a relaxing 7-night
river cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Princess.
This beautiful ship offers the newest
technology, 81 cabins, panoramic deck, terrace
café, panorama salon and bar, fitness center,
excellent cuisine including regional wines with
every dinner, and outstanding service. Tonight,
a cocktail is served in the Panorama Bar
offering you a chance to meet your fellow
travelers before a lovely welcome dinner. Enjoy
an overnight stay on the ship in Amsterdam.
Today dinner is included.
Day 3: Amsterdam - Volendam - Enkhuizen
After breakfast, absorb Amsterdam’s most
important sights and diverse architecture on a
morning city tour. In celebration of Rembrandt’s
genius, a special stop is made at the
world-renowned Rijksmuseum for a tour of the
Dutch master painter’s famous collection, "The
Masterpieces". Mid-day, you cruise to the little
fishing town of Volendam, where you can still
find fishermen dressed in traditional caps and
baggy-legged trousers. Small brick houses with
green wooden siding and traditional Dutch doors
give this town a unique flair. Next, explore the
quaint town of Edam, renowned for the delicious
round cheese that bears its name. Later, travel
between fields of colorful tulips to the
beautifully preserved town of Enkhuizen, a
charming port with a rich maritime past and
buildings dating back to the 15th century.
During dinner, the ship resumes its cruise to
the river Ijssel. Today breakfast, lunch and
dinner are included.
Day 4: Arnhem
Early this morning, you arrive in Arnhem,
location of the favorite summer retreat of the
Dutch royal family. An optional excursion
provides an opportunity to see the town and
follow the course of the battle that took place
here in September 1944, one of the major
tragedies of World War II. Also, in the open-air
museum, gain insight into the daily life of
Arnhem’s people from 1700 to 1970. This
afternoon your journey continues through the
lovely Dutch scenery into Belgium. Today
breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 5: Antwerp, Belgium
Today the ship docks in Antwerp, Belgium’s
second-largest city, boasting beautiful Gothic
and Baroque architecture and lively cafes.
Antwerp is best known for its diamonds and also
as the city of Peter Paul Rubens, who spent the
best part of his life here. Join a local expert
exploring Antwerp’s historical sights including
the "Liebfrauenkirche", Belgium’s largest Gothic
church, the legendary "Brabo" fountains, and
Rubens’ house. The afternoon is at leisure for
shopping, independent exploration or an optional
excursion to the Belgian capital of Brussels.
This evening, your ship sets sail for Ghent.
Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 6: Ghent - Bruges
The Imperial city of Ghent is lined with
typical patrician houses in its city center,
conveying the splendor of by-gone days. A
sightseeing tour includes St. Bavo Cathedral
with its world-famous painting of the altar of
the citizens of Ghent and the "Belfried" with
its bell tower. This afternoon, allow yourself
to be transported back into medieval times with
a leisurely-paced walking tour of Bruges, one of
Europe’s most perfectly preserved medieval
cities. There is time this evening to explore
Ghent on your own, before the ship sails again.
Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 7: Zierikzee - Dordrecht
Early this morning you arrive in charming
Zierikzee. A walk through this interesting
little Dutch town includes its preserved
medieval center, 14th century city gates, the
Gothic "Burgerweershuis", the fish market and
the 16th century town jail. Enjoy scenic Dutch
landscapes as you cruise to historic Dordrecht,
with its 17th century city gate and the Gothic "Grote
Kerk" church. Next, visit Kinderdijk, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site. Here you encounter
Holland’s largest concentration of windmills,
many still operating, and get a revealing
glimpse into Holland’s age-old battle with the
sea. Tonight, after dinner, you will enjoy music
and dancing by a local Dutch folklore group.
Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 8: Dordrecht - Schoonhoven - Utrecht -
Amsterdam
A morning stop in Schoonhoven allows you to
explore this scenic little town before cruising
to charming Utrecht. Visit the world-famous
Keukenhof Gardens, spanning more than 70 acres
within a beautiful park of tranquil ponds and
tree-shaded paths. With more than seven million
tulips and other flowers on exhibit, Keukenhof
is a kaleidoscope of color in bloom. Your day
concludes with a memorable farewell dinner
celebrating the end of an unforgettable river
cruise through Holland and Belgium.
Today breakfast, lunch and dinner are included.
Day 9: Amsterdam - Tour Ends
Your tour ends today, leaving you with many
pleasant memories of a wonderful vacation. Today
breakfast is included. |
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