Tulip River Cruise

Upon arrival, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your cruise ship to embark on your 8-day cruise (check-in starts at 4:00 pm). A welcome drink and dinner with a traditional Shanty Choir show awaits you tonight.(D) 

This morning, consider joining an optional city tour of Amsterdam with a canal trip and visit to the flower market. In the afternoon, you can join an optional North Holland excursion. (B,L,D)  Optional City tour of Amsterdam including canal boat tour: Founded as a small fishing village in the late 12th century, Amsterdam became one of the most important ports in the world during the Dutch Golden Age as a result of its innovative developments in trade. Today, the city has one of the largest historic centers in Europe, with about 7,500 registered historic buildings. The street pattern is largely unchanged since the 19th century. The center consists of 90 islands, linked by 400 bridges. On the city tour through the Dutch metropolis, you will see the Royal Palace, numerous canals and the Museum Quarter. Aside from touring Amsterdam by coach, you will also stop and stroll along the flower market. As there is no better way to see the city than cruising on the water, the tour will end by a canal cruise boat trip. Optional North Holland excursion: Take a drive through the Dutch Polder landscape to the old fishing village of Volendam, built on the shore of the former Zuiderzee. The Volendam houses are built very close together, forming the typical neighborhoods of Volendam. Take a stroll through the old village and see people still dressed in traditional costumes. Board your coach and drive out of Volendam and into the countryside to visit a local cheese farm. Here, you will learn how Dutch cheese is made and sample the local product. On your way back to your ship, you will enjoy a short walk through the quaint village of Edam, famous for its cheese. Given its narrow streets, continue through the village on foot and see the Carillon tower, once part of a church that was destroyed in the 19th century. Walk to the cheese weighing house and the Dam with its 18th century town hall.

Arrive in Arnhem at 8:00 am where you can join an optional morning tour to the Airborne Museum Hartenstein. In the afternoon, consider joining an optional half-day city tour of Arnhem including a visit to the open-air museum. Depart for Middelburg at 7:30 pm.(B,L,D)  Optional City tour of Arnhem and open-air museum: Take a drive through the city of Arnhem, known for the World War II battle operation “Market Garden”. Drive past various spots associated with this event and then continue to the Open Air Museum, located in a beautiful wooded park on the outskirts of Arnhem. The museum contains more than 80 historic houses, farmhouses and mills and shows the visitors how ordinary Dutch people lived from 1700 – 1970. Particularly interesting are the varied events and performances during the season, such as traditional bread baking or cheese production. Optional "The Bridge of Arnhem" and visit to the Airborne Museum Hartenstein: Take a drive through the city of Arnhem, known for the World War II battle operation “Market Garden”. In September 1944, the British 1st Airborne Division and the Polish 1st Independent Parachute Brigade were given the task of securing the bridge at Arnhem, captured in the movie “A Bridge too Far”. You will drive past various spots associated with this event. You will then visit the Airborne Museum in Oosterbeek. The Airborne Museum is a historic building. In mid-1944 it was a hotel, but in September that year, it became the headquarters of the British commander-in-chief, Major General Roy Urquhart of the 1st Airborne Division. From here, Urquhart commanded Operation Market Garden – a dramatic battle in which 92 Polish, 1,482 British and more than 1,800 German troops, along with almost 1,000 civilians, lost their lives. You can still feel the tension, the fear and the hardships in the museum.

You will arrive in Middelburg at 12.00 pm where you can join an optional city walk. As an alternative, an optional excursion to the Delta Works and the city of Veere will be offered as well. Depart for Ghent at 6:00 pm.(B,L,D)  Optional Guided tour of the Delta Works and Veere: Disembark and drive to the Delta Works Project located at Neeltje Jans. This is an amazing example of how the Dutch have truly tamed the environment in which they live. Here you will see and learn about the storm surge barrier, part of the Delta Works, a project that was started after the 1953 flood which killed many people and inundated much of the province of Zeeland. The storm surge barrier was the final phase of this project which is considered one of the engineering marvels of the world. Afterwards stop at the lovely town of Veere, once a very prosperous trading port in the Middle Ages due to the wool trade with Scotland. Today Veere is a favourite spot for visitors as it is one of the most picturesque towns in the area. Optional Middelburg walking tour: Middelburg, the capital of the province of Zeeland, is full of monuments. There are about 1,100 large and small monuments which testify to its rich past. The powerful abbey, the impressive town hall and the splendid old warehouses let you relive this past. During the walk, you will be taken past the stately warehouses and impressive monuments of Middelburg, such as the town hall, the abbey and many more.

Arrive in Ghent at 2:00 am. You can join an optional city tour of Ghent in the morning. Consider joining an optional excursion to Bruges, often called the "Venice of the North", in the afternoon. Depart for Antwerp at 7:30 pm.(B,L,D)  Optional City Tour of Ghent: Visit Ghent, one of Belgium’s most attractive cities, with its rich heritage of medieval buildings. You will see the fortress “Gravensteen” which was built in the 12th century by the Count of Flanders after he returned from his crusades. Today, Gravensteen is one of the biggest moated castles within Europe. During the tour you will also walk through the beautiful city center and see the belfry, a medieval bell tower with 54 bells. Additionally, the St. Bavo’s Cathedral, which houses an impressive number of art treasures including the baroque high altar in white, black and red flamed marble, a major work by Rubens, the ‘Calvary Triptych’, tombs of the Ghent bishops, and the world-famous Adoration of the Mystic Lamb painted by Hubert and Jan van Eyck. Optional City Tour of Bruges: After a coach ride, you will reach Bruges. Due to the canal system the city is also known as the “Venice of the North” and is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. The historic marketplace – the center of old Bruges – is cradled by the river Reie and was recognized as cultural world heritage site by UNESCO. As you walk along the maze of winding, cobbled alleys and romantic canals, you will be transported to medieval times. Besides various other sights, the market, the ‘Burg’ (the site of the former Bruges castle and the Basilica of the Holy Blood are especially worth seeing.

Arrive in Antwerp at 5:00 am where you can join an optional city tour. In the afternoon, an optional excursion to Brussels will be offered. Tonight, enjoy a Captain’s Gala Dinner. Depart for Rotterdam at 8:00 pm.(B,L,D)  Optional City tour of Antwerp: Discover Antwerp and with it, one of Europe’s largest ports. Walk through the attractive old center of the city and visit the Onze-Lieve-Vrouwe Cathedral, the largest Gothic church in Belgium. This church contains valuable treasures, such as works by Rubens, wall paintings dating back to the 15th century and many more. However, the church is more than just a museum, it is still an active place of worship. After your visit to the cathedral, enjoy some free time to explore this wonderful city with its lively shopping scene. Optional City Tour of Brussels: After a comfortable coach ride you will reach Brussels, the capital of Belgium. Your tour starts in the verdant Laken area, which boasts landmarks such as the Heysel stadium, Notre Dame of Laken, the famous Atomium and the royal residence. The tour continues through the eastern part of the city, including the Cinquantenaire park with its impressive U-shaped buildings, and the city center with the royal palace, the city park and the palace of justice. To conclude the tour, walk through Europe’s oldest shopping mall before you head back to the ship.

Arrive in Rotterdam at 6:00 am where you can join an optional city tour including a visit to the food hall. As an alternative, an optional excursion to Kinderdijk will be offered as well. In the afternoon, consider joining an optional excursion to the Keukenhof flower gardens. Admire the wonderful displays of tulips, an experience of a lifetime. In the evening, enjoy a scenic cruise around Rotterdam.(B,L,D)  Optional City Tour Rotterdam: Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world, often called the “Gateway to Europe”. During the Second World War the heart of Rotterdam was almost completely destroyed and Rotterdam was gradually rebuilt from the 1950s through the 1970s. Nowadays Rotterdam is famous for its eyecatching skyline with the Erasmus Bridge across the river Maas and modern architecture with cutting-edge buildings by Renzo Piano, Piet Blom, and Rem Koolhaas. Another highlight of your city tour is the visit of the market hall, which is a covered area of the size of a soccer field full of stands for fresh fish, meat, fruit and vegetables and other delicacies. Optional Excursion to Kinderdijk: The Netherlands are famous for its windmills. Today the country still boasts more than 1,000 mills, and the largest concentration can be found near Kinderdijk. No less than 19 sturdy mills were built here around 1740 and they have been well preserved up to the present day.After a short drive from Rotterdam, during this excursion you will see how a windmill works, why they were used and how they have been replaced by modern pump stations. Get a glimpse of the old mills while walking along a private miller’s path and hear the miller explain the workings of the mill to you. Optional Visit to the Keukenhof Flower Gardens: During this excursion you will see one of Europe’s largest garden displays, the Keukenhof Gardens, which is located close of Amsterdam. This park, with its art, royal flair and creative diversity attracts over a million visitors each year. Seven million tulips, narcissi and hyacinths form a colorful carpet of blooms. Round, oval, triangular and rectangular borders line the park’s driveways, making a cheerful ensemble of colors, shapes and scents. Alternating exhibitions, known as parades, bloom in several pavilions. Numerous sculptures also lurk between the flowerbeds, as harmony between art and nature is a major feature of this park.

Disembark from your ship after breakfast. You will be transferred to the train station or airport for your onward journey or flight home.(B)