Celebrate spring in the Netherlands and Belgium when the Keukenhof Gardens and Floralia come alive. Experience the whimsical Kinderdijk windmills and the art of Michelangelo. Discover the timeless traditions of Delft porcelain and revel in the medieval architectural treasures of Bruges, Middelburg and Ghent. Throughout your journey indulge in Belgian chocolates, warm waffles and delicious cheeses—all while savoring the storybook atmosphere of the region.
Celebrate spring in the Netherlands and Belgium when the Keukenhof Gardens and Floralia come alive. Experience the iconic sites of Amsterdam, the whimsical Kinderdijk windmills and the art of Rubens and Michelangelo. Discover the timeless traditions of Delft porcelain and revel in the medieval architectural treasures of Bruges, Middelburg and Ghent. Throughout your journey indulge in Belgian chocolates, warm waffles and delicious cheeses—all while savoring the storybook atmosphere of the region.
On our river cruises, you will enjoy an extensive lineup of included tours. In many cases, you will have a choice of excursions, such as standard tours, bike tours, hikes and Special Interest Tours. We always include a large variety of activities so that you can choose how you want to explore. No matter your preference, your days will be full of discovery and wonder.
Day 1 | Amsterdam | EMBARKATION |
|
Embark your ship in Amsterdam for your 7-night cruise. (D)
Day 2 | Amsterdam | The IJsselmeer scenic cruising |
|
| Hoorn | Tulips and bulb fields with lunch |
|
| | OR Dutch countryside bike tour |
|
Enjoy a scenic cruise through the IJsselmeer to Hoorn, where you have a choice of four excursions. Visit a family-run tulip farm with over one million tulips, each in different phases of growth and in many species and colors. For those seeking to travel back in time, you can go on a walking tour in Hoorn or visit the Zuiderzee Museum, providing insight into the maritime culture and history of the lively Zuiderzee region. And for more active adventurers, go for a guided bike ride through the Dutch countryside. (B,L,D)
Day 3 | Delta | Scenic cruising |
|
| Middelburg | Middelburg walking tour |
|
After enjoying a scenic cruise through the Delta, you can explore medieval Middelburg, which was the second largest trading city of the Dutch East India Company. Or, if you feel like exploring the city on two wheels, a guided bike ride is the perfect choice. Alternatively, you may discover the intriguing history of how the Delta Works, a unique storm surge barrier, came to be while visiting the Flood Museum. More than half of the Netherlands lies below sea level and the Delta Works were built to prevent a recurrence of the 1953 flood disaster. (B,L,D)
Day 4 | Ghent | Full-day Bruges and Church of Our Lady* |
|
| | OR Highlights of Bruges and Ghent Ghent |
|
| | OR Ghent walking tour and free time |
|
| | OR Belgian chocolate workshop |
|
There are several choices of excursions, depending on your interests. Go on a full-day excursion to Bruges, which includes a visit to the Church of Our Lady, home to the beautiful Carrara marble Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo. For those who wish to discover two medieval cities, Bruges and Ghent, you’ll wish to go on a highlights tour. Visit Bruges, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and then admire Ghent’s canal-side architecture and some of its famous sights, including the Castle of the Counts and Ghent Cathedral. Those more inclined to learn about the art of Belgian chocolate making can join a master chocolatier as he shares his insights. And for those who wish to enjoy more free time, join a walking tour of Ghent, followed by leisure time. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 5 | Antwerp | Walking tour and Cathedral visit |
|
| | Belgian chocolate, beer and waffle tasting |
|
Explore this trendy city on a walking tour where you’ll see Antwerp’s Steen Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain, along with the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady. For a more active exploration of the area, join a guided bike tour. Later in the afternoon, you have a choice of two excursions. Foodies will want to go on a culinary tour to indulge in chocolate, waffles and beer. Flower lovers and gardeners can roam through the Floralia, an annual spring flower show featuring approximately one million bulbs that are hand-planted each year by the castle staff. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Rotterdam | Rotterdam walking tour and Tastes of Rotterdam |
|
| | OR “Pilgrim Fathers” walking tour |
|
| | OR Rotterdam architectural bike tour |
|
| | OR “The Best of Delft” excursion |
|
| | Kinderdijk UNESCO Windmills with private windmill |
|
During the morning, you can go on a walking tour of Rotterdam, nicknamed the "Gateway to Europe,” and taste local specialties. Or visit Delfshaven, where, on August 1, 1620, the Pilgrim fathers departed on their epic journey aboard the Speedwell. Stopping in Southampton, many then boarded the Mayflower and concluded their journey at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. Alternatively, go on an excursion to Delft, known as the home of the painter Johannes Vermeer, Delft Blue earthenware and the Royal House. While here, you’ll visit the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum. If you prefer a more active adventure, then go on a bike ride through Rotterdam and past some of its famous landmarks and architecture. In the afternoon, venture to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. Visit a private windmill via electric boat. You may also pedal past the windmills from the seat of a bike. (B,L,D)
Day 7 | Amsterdam | Keukenhof Gardens excursion |
|
One of the most impressive public gardens in the world, Keukenhof**, presents a spectacular display of millions of flowering tulips spread out over 70 acres. Spend time ambling through this legendary garden, open only nine weeks a year and sometimes referred to as the "Garden of Europe." Later in the day, admire Amsterdam’s historic harbor and canals, where you’ll see beautiful homes lining the water and the fabled Skinny Bridge. (B,L,D)
**Note: Included on most departures; An alternative tour will operate on sailings that visit Amsterdam outside of Keukenhof’s open dates.
Day 8 | Amsterdam | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. (B)
Day 1 | Amsterdam | Hotel check-in |
|
Arrive in Amsterdam and check into your hotel.
Day 2 | Amsterdam | Walking tour |
|
Follow your guide through the charming capital of the Netherlands, with its iconic meandering canals, bridges and distinctive architecture. (B)
Day 3 | Amsterdam | Haarlem canal cruise |
|
Enjoy an enchanting cruise along the canal in Haarlem outside of Amsterdam, passing historic architecture, bridges and even a windmill iconic of the region. Later in the day, transfer to your ship. (B,D)
Day 4 | Amsterdam | The IJsselmeer scenic cruising |
|
| Hoorn | Tulips and bulb fields with lunch |
|
| | OR Dutch countryside bike tour |
|
Enjoy a scenic cruise through the IJsselmeer to Hoorn, where you have a choice of four excursions. Visit a family-run tulip farm with over one million tulips, each in different phases of growth and in many species and colors. For those seeking to travel back in time, you can go on a walking tour in Hoorn or visit the Zuiderzee Museum, providing insight into the maritime culture and history of the lively Zuiderzee region. And for more active adventurers, go for a guided bike ride through the Dutch countryside. (B,L,D)
Day 5 | Delta | Scenic cruising |
|
| Middelburg | Middelburg walking tour |
|
After enjoying a scenic cruise through the Delta, you can explore medieval Middelburg, which was the second largest trading city of the Dutch East India Company. Or, if you feel like exploring the city on two wheels, a guided bike ride is the perfect choice. Alternatively, you may discover the intriguing history of how the Delta Works, a unique storm surge barrier, came to be while visiting the Flood Museum. More than half of the Netherlands lies below sea level and the Delta Works were built to prevent a recurrence of the 1953 flood disaster. (B,L,D)
Day 6 | Ghent | Full-day Bruges and Church of Our Lady* |
|
| | OR Highlights of Bruges and Ghent Ghent |
|
| | OR Ghent walking tour and free time |
|
| | OR Belgian chocolate workshop |
|
There are several choices of excursions, depending on your interests. Go on a full-day excursion to Bruges, which includes a visit to the Church of Our Lady, home to the beautiful Carrara marble Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo. For those who wish to discover two medieval cities, Bruges and Ghent, you’ll wish to go on a highlights tour. Visit Bruges, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe and then admire Ghent’s canal-side architecture and some of its famous sights, including the Castle of the Counts and Ghent Cathedral. Those more inclined to learn about the art of Belgian chocolate making can join a master chocolatier as he shares his insights. And for those who wish to enjoy more free time, join a walking tour of Ghent, followed by leisure time. (B,L,D)
*Not combinable with other tours on this day.
Day 7 | Antwerp | Walking tour and Cathedral visit |
|
| | Belgian chocolate, beer and waffle tasting |
|
Explore this trendy city on a walking tour where you’ll see Antwerp’s Steen Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain, along with the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady. For a more active exploration of the area, join a guided bike tour. Later in the afternoon, you have a choice of two excursions. Foodies will want to go on a culinary tour to indulge in chocolate, waffles and beer. Flower lovers and gardeners can roam through the Floralia, an annual spring flower show featuring approximately one million bulbs that are hand-planted each year by the castle staff. (B,L,D)
Day 8 | Rotterdam | Rotterdam walking tour and Tastes of Rotterdam |
|
| | OR “Pilgrim Fathers” walking tour |
|
| | OR Rotterdam architectural bike tour |
|
| | OR “The Best of Delft” excursion |
|
| | Kinderdijk UNESCO Windmills with private windmill |
|
During the morning, you can go on a walking tour of Rotterdam, nicknamed the "Gateway to Europe,” and taste local specialties. Or visit Delfshaven, where, on August 1, 1620, the Pilgrim fathers departed on their epic journey aboard the Speedwell. Stopping in Southampton, many then boarded the Mayflower and concluded their journey at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. Alternatively, go on an excursion to Delft, known as the home of the painter Johannes Vermeer, Delft Blue earthenware and the Royal House. While here, you’ll visit the Royal Delft Porcelain Factory and Museum. If you prefer a more active adventure, then go on a bike ride through Rotterdam and past some of its famous landmarks and architecture. In the afternoon, venture to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. Visit a private windmill via electric boat. You may also pedal past the windmills from the seat of a bike. (B,L,D)
Day 9 | Amsterdam | Keukenhof Gardens excursion |
|
One of the most impressive public gardens in the world, Keukenhof**, presents a spectacular display of millions of flowering tulips spread out over 70 acres. Spend time ambling through this legendary garden, open only nine weeks a year and sometimes referred to as the "Garden of Europe." Later in the day, admire Amsterdam’s historic harbor and canals, where you’ll see beautiful homes lining the water and the fabled Skinny Bridge. (B,L,D)
**Note: Included on most departures; An alternative tour will operate on sailings that visit Amsterdam outside of Keukenhof’s open dates.
Day 10 | Amsterdam | DISEMBARKATION |
|
Disembark the ship and prepare for your flight home. (B)