SPECIAL HIGHLIGHTS
Discover picturesque Holland and Belgium in the spring! See the sights in Arnhem, Middelburg, and Rotterdam, as well as Antwerp and Ghent. Enjoy a canal cruise in Amsterdam, take photos of the charming windmills at Kinderdijk, and learn about Holland's complex flood controls at the fascinating Delta Works. Also, explore the quaint fishing village of Volendam; take an excursion to Edam, famous for its cheeses; and drink in the colourful blooming beauty of famous Keukenhof Gardens..

This cruise is also available in reverse, travelling from Amsterdam to Amsterdam (tour code: WAA).

Visited Cities
Amsterdam, Arnhem, Dordrecht, Antwerp, Ghent, Middelburg, Veere, Rotterdam and Volendam

Meals
Breakfast - 7
Lunch - 6
Dinner - 7

Standard Features
CRUISE: Deluxe 7-night cruise from Amsterdam to Amsterdam in an outside stateroom with hotel-style beds (Category E), Services of a professional Cruise Director, Onboard lectures, activities & nightly piano music, Sightseeing with Local Guides, Headsets for all guided shore excursions
AMSTERDAM: Canal cruise
ARNHEM: Guided sightseeing; visit the Airborne Museum Hartenstein and War Cemetery
DORDRECHT: Excursion to Kinderdijk; diamond party on board
ANTWERP: Guided sightseeing
GHENT: Guided sightseeing, visit St. Baaf's Cathedral
MIDDELBURG: Guided sightseeing
VEERE: Orientation; excursion to the Delta Works
ROTTERDAM: Guided sightseeing, visit Keukenhof Gardens
VOLENDAM: Orientation; excursion to Edam
ON BOARD GRATUITIES: All onboard gratuities for the Cruise Director and Crew are included
MEALS: Superb dining with all meals on board daily featuring full breakfast (B), lunch (L), and dinner (D), including a welcome reception, welcome dinner, and Captain's dinner; quality wines from Europe's most famous wine regions with every dinner; one sitting with open seating arrangements
Inside visits as shown in UPPERCASE in the tour description, including admission charges, where applicable

ITINERARY (Amsterdam to Amsterdam)

Day 1: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND (EMBARKATION).
Welcome to Amsterdam! Holland's capital is sophisticated and modern, with a rich and fascinating history. This delightful 700-year-old city with its elegant and classic architecture, cafes, restaurants, and lively marketplace has a distinct ambience. The works of famous Dutch masters can be seen in world-renowned museums such as the Rijksmuseum or the Van Gogh. This afternoon board your river cruise vessel and meet your crew at a WELCOME RECEPTION. (D)

Day 2: ARNHEM - DORDRECHT. EXCURSION TO KINDERDIJK.
One of the major tragedies of World War II was the Battle of Arnhem, featured vividly in the AIRBORNE MUSEUM HARTENSTEIN and the inspiration for the movie A Bridge Too Far. Sitting between two branches of the Rhine, charming Dordrecht inspired many painters in the 17th and 18th centuries. Visit nearby KINDERDIJK with its picturesque row of windmills. A special treat: after dinner on board, enjoy a DIAMOND PARTY. (B,L,D)

Day 3: ANTWERP, BELGIUM.
Antwerp is Belgium's second-largest city and one of the world's most important ancient seaports. Included sightseeing shows you its superb architecture, and the GROTE MARKT with its beautiful city hall and the Church of Our Lady make this city well worth a visit. An optional excursion to nearby Brussels, Belgium's capital and home of the European Union, is available. (B,L,D)

Day 4: GHENT.
In a unique way, Ghent, the "diamond" of Flanders, has managed to preserve its medieval charm and power while keeping up with the times. A Local Guide will proudly point out that the city centre alone is a showcase of medieval Flemish wealth and commercial success, and will take you into ST. BAAF'S CATHEDRAL. From here, an optional excursion to fascinating Bruges, with its criss-crossed canals and charming old patrician houses, is available. (B,L,D)

Day 5: MIDDELBURG, HOLLAND - VEERE - DELTA WORKS.
It is certain that Middelburg was originally built as a stronghold to protect the population of Zeeland from the water and from enemies. Later, it became a prosperous merchant city that spent great wealth on the construction of important buildings such as the town hall. The eye-catching high tower of the town hall dominates the charming town of Veere, which was once an important wool-trading centre. Take your photos before continuing to one of the world's most complex engineering projects, the DELTA WORKS, located nearby. After the flood of 1953, during which more than 1,800 people drowned in one night, the Delta Plan was born to prevent another disaster of this magnitude. The final defence in the battle against the water is the storm flood barrier, almost six miles long and considered a technical miracle. The project took 30 years to complete. (B,L,D)

Day 6: ROTTERDAM. EXCURSION TO KEUKENHOF GARDENS.
Rotterdam is a bustling port city that was levelled by German bombs in WWII. Now, it has a modern, high-tech look and it boasts the world's busiest port. Today's highlight: the gardens of KEUKENHOF near Lisse, which encompass over 70 acres of parkland with lakes, sculpture gardens, greenhouses, and a windmill to explore. Millions of flower bulbs are grown here that present a spectacular display of blooms every year. (B,L,D)

Day 7: AMSTERDAM - VOLENDAM. EXCURSION TO EDAM.
There is no better way to see Amsterdam than by CANAL BOAT, cruising through the elegant grachten lined with stately homes dating back to Amsterdam's "Golden Age". An excursion takes you north of the city to Volendam on the IJsselmeer, a maze of fishermen's houses built on poles and a unique open harbor. The small, timbered church dates back to 1658. Continue to Edam, whose cheese of the same name has become famous worldwide and where cheese markets are still held in the summer months. The old town centre, especially the Kwakelsteeg, still has lovely characteristic Waterland houses. (B,L,D)

Day 8: AMSTERDAM (DISEMBARKATION).
Your holiday ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

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