Tulip Time Cruise

Cruise through Holland & Belgium in the Spring
9 Days, fly roundtrip Amsterdam

Discover the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian waterways in springtime. Admire the colorful tulip carpets and flower displays; stroll amidst Kinderdijks’ lush green countryside dotted with world-famous windmills. Taste the famous local cheeses and learn about the traditions of the friendly Dutch and Flemish people. In Belgium, admire the great medieval cities of Antwerp and Ghent.

Itinerary

Day 1          DEPART USA/CANADA

Board your international flight to Amsterdam, Holland. 

Day 2          ARRIVE IN AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND - EMBARKATION

Welcome to Amsterdam, a modern city with a rich and fascinating history. Explore the 700-year-old European capital with its elegant and classic architecture, cafés, lively marketplaces and exciting nightlife. This evening meet your fellow passengers on board for the Welcome Reception and Dinner. (D) 

Day 3          AMSTERDAM - VOLENDAM - EDAM

After breakfast, enjoy a comprehensive and scenic morning cruise through the historic harbor and canals of Amsterdam. See the beautiful homes that line the water, the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous Anne Frank House. Then, enjoy a panoramic city tour, where you will see the Rembrandt Windmill and other great landmarks of Amsterdam. Return to the ship for a scenic lunch, while you cruise the Ijsselmeer towards Volendam. Enjoy a late afternoon tour of Volendam Harbor to see the fish auction building, Old Quarter and famous churches. Continue by motor coach to the Village of Edam where you will sample some of its famous cheese. Another afternoon option is to enjoy a scenic bicycle ride through North Holland. (B,L,D) 

Day 4          ARNHEM - NIJMEGEN

Arrive in beautiful Arnhem early this morning and see the site of the Battle of Arnhem Bridge featured in the classic film “A Bridge Too Far” during Operation Market Garden in World War II. Then visit the Airborne Museum, which shows the course of events during the Battle of Arnhem. Enjoy scenic cruising this evening as you sail through Holland, and on to Belgium. (B,L,D) 

Day 5          ANTWERP, BELGIUM

This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Antwerp. See the Antwerp Castle, Grote Market, Brabo Fountain and city's superb architecture. In the alternative, visit the Rubens House, former home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens, the famous 17th-century Flemish Baroque Painter. Afterwards, you will visit the Antwerp Cathedral which features two of Rubens’ most important works, the Elevation of the Cross and the Descent from the Cross. The afternoon is free to explore Antwerp on your own or take an optional excursion to nearby Brussels. During dinner, your cruise departs for Ghent. (B,L,D) 

Day 6          GHENT

After breakfast take a guided sightseeing tour of Ghent, the fourth largest city of Belgium. Begin your walking tour from the Belfry Tower and see picturesque highlights such as the Koornlei, the Graslei, and the Castle of the Counts. The afternoon is yours to explore Ghent at leisure or to take an optional excursion to Brugge, which is one of Europe's most perfectly preserved medieval cities. Brugge’s historical city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. (B,L,D) 

Day 7          KINDERDIJK - SCHOONHOVEN

This morning sail through the Dutch region of Zeeland. This region is home to one of the world's most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works, which took more than 30 years to complete. Visit Kinderdijk this morning, which features the greatest concentration of windmills in the country. Cruise during lunch to Schoonhoven and visit Gouda and Delft this afternoon. Tonight, enjoy a special music performance on the ship. (B,L,D) 

Day 8          UTRECHT - KEUKENHOF - AMSTERDAM

During breakfast, enjoy some scenic cruising along the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal to Utrecht. Admire the spectacular display of bulb flowers in bloom during your morning excursion to the famous Keukenhof Gardens where you will be delighted to find millions of flowering tulips all over the 70-acre park. The rest of the day is for you to enjoy at your leisure. (B,L,D) 

Day 9          DISEMBARKATION - DEPART AMSTERDAM

Disembark for your transfer to the airport. (B)

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Daily Program Features

2012

DAY		DESTINATION		ACTIVITIES
1				Overnight flight to Holland
2		Amsterdam		EMBARKATION
				Welcome Cocktail & Dinner
3		Amsterdam		Canal cruise & city tour
		Volendam		Walking tour
		Edam		Walking tour & cheese tasting
				OR guided bicycle tour
4		Arnhem		Airborne Museum
		Venlo		Floriade Expo*
		Nijmegen		Free time
5		Antwerp		Walking tour
				OR Rubens Tour
				Optional tour to Brussels
6		Ghent		City tour
		Brugges		Optional tour to Brugges
7		Willemstad		Private organ recital
				OR guided bicycle tour
		Kinderdijk		Kinderdijk windmills
8		Utrecht		Keukenhof Gardens
9		Amsterdam		DISEMBARKATION

* Floriade Expo takes place from early April through mid-October, 2012.

Note: Guided bicycle tours are capacity controlled.

2013

DAY		DESTINATION		ACTIVITIES
1				Overnight flight to Holland
2		Amsterdam		EMBARKATION
				Welcome Cocktail & Dinner
3		Amsterdam		Canal cruise & city tour
		Volendam		Walking tour
		Edam		Walking tour & cheese tasting
				OR guided bicycle tour
4		Arnhem		Airborne Museum
		Nijmegen		Free time
5		Antwerp		Walking tour
				OR Rubens Tour
				Optional tour to Brussels
6		Ghent		City tour
		Brugges		Optional tour to Brugges
7		Kinderdijk		Kinderdijk windmills
		Schoonhoven		Visit Gouda & Delft
8		Utrecht		Keukenhof Garden Tour
9		Amsterdam		DISEMBARKATION

Note: Guided bicycle tours are capacity controlled.

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