Tulip Time in Holland & Belgium

8 Day River Cruise Amsterdam to Brussels

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Overview

If you’ve dreamed of a view filled with windmills and blooming fields of color in Holland and Belgium, it all comes true on your European river cruise from Amsterdam to Brussels! Cruise on the Rhine River with a visit to Arnhem’s WWII Airborne Museum, and join your ship in Nijmegen and visit the lovely forest setting of ‘s-Hertogenbosch to sample decadent Dutch chocolate desserts. You may alternatively visit a fruit and flower farm to meet with the miller there to hear the history of a 15th-century windmill. A carriage ride takes you through the nearby nature reserve to watch for herons, storks, birds of prey, and wild horses. If you prefer, take a guided bike ride along the Rhine River banks of Arnhem. In Maastricht, choose a sightseeing tour of the old cobblestoned university town, or visit a working mill to make your own Limburg pie.

On to Belgium for a sightseeing tour of medieval Namur and free time to browse its ancient architecture, charming cafes, and bookshops. In Liège, see the ancient quarters of the “Fiery City” as well as its romantic streets, steps, and tiny alleyways. Next, you’ll explore the city of Antwerp—birthplace of the master painter Pieter Paul Rubens. Stroll its cobbled lanes amid 16th-century guildhall houses and the cathedral’s stunning altarpiece paintings by the famous artist on your guided tour of the diamond capital. In Brussels, you’ll find landmark buildings of Town Hall with a collection of cafes and shops on the Lower Town streets on your guided tour. Memories of Holland and Belgium will bloom in your memory for seasons to come!
If you’ve dreamed of a view filled with windmills and blooming fields of color in Holland and Belgium, it all comes true on your European river cruise from Amsterdam to Brussels! Cruise on the Rhine River with a visit to Arnhem’s WWII Airborne Museum, and join your ship in Nijmegen and visit the lovely forest setting of ‘s-Hertogenbosch to sample decadent Dutch chocolate desserts. You may alternatively visit a fruit and flower farm to meet with the miller there to hear the history of a 15th-century windmill. A carriage ride takes you through the nearby nature reserve to watch for herons, storks, birds of prey, and wild horses. If you prefer, take a guided bike ride along the Rhine River banks of Arnhem. In Maastricht, choose a sightseeing tour of the old cobblestoned university town, or visit a working mill to make your own Limburg pie.

On to Belgium for a sightseeing tour of medieval Namur and free time to browse its ancient architecture, charming cafes, and bookshops. In Liège, see the ancient quarters of the “Fiery City” as well as its romantic streets, steps, and tiny alleyways. Next, you’ll explore the city of Antwerp—birthplace of the master painter Pieter Paul Rubens. Stroll its cobbled lanes amid 16th-century guildhall houses and the cathedral’s stunning altarpiece paintings by the famous artist on your guided tour of the diamond capital. In Brussels, you’ll find landmark buildings of Town Hall with a collection of cafes and shops on the Lower Town streets on your guided tour. Memories of Holland and Belgium will bloom in your memory for seasons to come!
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Book your cruise with or without flights

Cruise prices are shown without flights included in case you wish to book them separately, or aren't ready to return home when you disembark! Or we can book your flights for you from most UK airports, with overseas transfers and ATOL protection included. The choice is yours!

Book your cruise with or without flights

Itinerary

Avalon has designed included activities with a choice of experiences. We invite you to select the tours, activities, and events that interest you most, so you can experience your cruise your way. There are three types of included shore excursion on every Europe cruise:

Classic

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Active

Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.

Discovery

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

Classic
<p>Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.</p>
Active

Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.

Discovery

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

Day 1 AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION)

  • Meals included:
  • Dinner

Welcome to Holland. Your Suite Ship® is Ready for Boarding.
Flights into Amsterdam must arrive by 2 pm.
Guests must be on board ship by 5 pm.
Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.
During tulip season, you may take a Guided Optional Excursion to Keukenhof gardens—with more than seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths, as well as other bulbs, planted each year. Outside of tulip season, join a Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans to see historic windmills and charming Dutch houses.

EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ARNHEM


Day 2 ARNHEM–NIJMEGEN

  • Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

A Duke’s Forest and a Dutch Treat

Classic

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem, OR:


Active

Embark on energetic excursions to keep you in motion and on the go - from a guided jogging tour of Amsterdam, to biking, paddling, and hiking your way through scenic locales.

Join a Biking Tour on the Hoge Veluwe National Park and admire its diversity of scenery, from dense forests to high sand dune.


Join your ship in Nijmegen and enjoy lunch onboard.

Classic

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Join a Guided Excursion to‘s-Hertogenbosch (meaning the Duke’s Forest). Sample a Bossche Bol—a decadent cream puff covered in Dutch chocolate, OR:


Discovery

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

Visit a windmill and family-operated fruit and flower farm. Hear the history of a 15th century windmill with a local flour miller. Then enjoy a carriage ride through the Ooijipolder nature reserve-home to herons, storks, birds of prey, and wild horses.


Sail out this evening for Venlo while dining on board.

AFTERNOON/EVENING CRUISE TO VENLO


Day 3 MAASTRICHT

  • Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Dutch History, Modern Spirit, and Fresh Pie
Enjoy an early morning sailing to Maastricht.

Classic

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Discover this vibrant university town with its lovely cathedrals, old houses, and buildings, and impressively cobblestoned town center, OR:


Later, enjoy live entertainment on board.

OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NAMUR


Day 4 NAMUR, BELGIUM

  • Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Ancient Architecture and Charming Cafés

Classic

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the picturesque old-town, fortress citadel, and medieval architecture.


Take free time to stroll along Namur’s cobblestone lanes and visit its charming cafés and bookshops. This evening, enjoy live entertainment on board your ship.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN NAMUR


Day 5 LIÈGE

  • Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Historic Wonders and Wonderful Waffles

Classic

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Join a Guided Sightseeing Tour of the “Fiery City” of Liège with its beautiful ancient quarters, peculiar alleys, and romantic streets. Don’t miss sampling authentically sweet Liège Waffles.


EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO ANTWERP


Day 6 ANTWERP

  • Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

A Grand Gothic Cathedral in Artful Antwerp

Classic

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Take a Guided Tour of this sophisticated city to visit the central Grote Markt, lined with 16th-century guildhall houses. You’ll also see the beautiful city hall, the Cathedral of Our Lady with its stunning altarpiece paintings by Rubens.


Enjoy cocktail or coffee aboard your ship as you sail to Brussels this afternoon. Later, enjoy dinner and live entertainment.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS


Day 7 BRUSSELS

  • Meals included:
  • Breakfast
  • Lunch
  • Dinner

Ancient Landmarks and New Finds

Classic

Your local expert is ready to guide you through the history and heritage of local destinations. You’ll marvel at the legends, lore, and spectacular architecture of iconic and historic sites.

Join a Guided Tour of Brussels, see the Town Hall with its landmark buildings and discover the many local bars, cafés and shops of the Lower Town Streets.


Discovery

We’ve found inspiring and interactive activities to speak to your interests - from cooking classes, to painting workshops - to immerse yourself in each culture you explore.

See the major highlights of Brussels and join a do-it-yourself chocolate workshop for a fun and interactive experience.


The afternoon is free to explore Brussels at your pace.

OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS


Day 8 BRUSSELS (DISEMBARKATION)

  • Meals included:
  • Breakfast

Your cruise ends with breakfast this morning.

Questions? Our travel specialists can help with any queries, quotes or special requirements.  Request a callback or email us.

Notes

  • In the event of technical or water level issues, it may be necessary to operate the itinerary by motorcoach or alter the program, including hotel overnight when necessary.
  • Guided Tours, Optional Excursions, activities, sailing and docking schedules may be contingent on weather conditions or other issues outside of our control and could therefore be subject to change at any time.
  • Please check visa requirements with your local consulate(s); responsibility for obtaining visas rests with the traveler.
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