Savor springtime in Holland and Belgium on a cruise/land tour that is sure to leave lasting impressions of colorful tulip fields, canals and numerous windmills. Winding waterways lead you to such well-known cities as Ghent and Antwerp. Your tour begins in Amsterdam, the 700-year old thriving capital of Holland and where you’ll have time to absorb its most important sights on a city tour. Unpack just once on your relaxing 7-night river cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Princess and enjoy excellent cuisine and outstanding service. Explore the quaint town of Edam, known for the delicious cheese that bears its name and later cruise to Arnhem, the location of the favorite summer retreat of the Dutch royal family. From Holland, it’s on to Belgium where your first port of call is Antwerp, best known for diamonds and Peter Paul Rubens. A local expert will make sure you see all the historic sights and still leave time for independent exploration or shopping. Visit Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and where you’ll find the largest concentration of Holland’s windmills. Here, dinner, music and dancing by a local Dutch folklore group are included. Near the end of your tour, see a kaleidoscope of color at the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens where more than seven million tulips and flowers are on exhibit. 

• Unpack once for a relaxing 7-night river cruise of the waterways of Holland and Belgium.
• Visit the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens with its enormous, colorful tulip fields.
• Explore the historic cities of Arnhem, Ghent and medieval Bruges.
• Admire Holland's windmills of Kinderdijk - a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Day 1: Overnight Flight
Savor springtime in Holland and Belgium with a cruise that is sure to leave truly memorable impressions. Admire the colorful glory of the blooming Dutch tulip fields and be astonished by the number of windmills. Winding waterways lead you to such well known Belgian cities as Ghent and Antwerp. Your tulip time cruise begins with an overnight flight to Amsterdam, a city filled with classic architecture, cafes, restaurants and canals.

Day 2: Amsterdam, Netherlands - Board Ship - Tour Begins
Your tour begins today in Amsterdam, the 800-year-old thriving capital of Holland. All aboard as you unpack once for a relaxing 7-night river cruise aboard the MS Amadeus Princess. This brand new ship offers the newest technology, 81 spacious cabins with large windows, panoramic deck, terrace café, panorama salon and bar, fitness center, excellent cuisine and outstanding service. Tonight, a cocktail is served in the Panorama Bar offering you a chance to meet your fellow travelers before a lovely welcome dinner. Enjoy an overnight stay on the ship in Amsterdam. (D)

Day 3: Amsterdam - Volendam - Enkhuizen
After breakfast, absorb Amsterdam's most important sights and diverse architecture on a morning city tour. In celebration of Rembrandt's 400th anniversary, a special stop is made at the world-renowned Rijksmuseum for a tour of the Dutch master painter's famous collection, "The Masterpieces". Mid-day, you cruise to the little fishing town of Volendam, where you can still find fishermen dressed in traditional caps and baggy-legged trousers. Small brick houses with green wooden siding and traditional Dutch doors give this town a unique flair. Next, explore the quaint town of Edam, renowned for the delicious round cheese that bears its name. Later, travel between fields of colorful tulips to the beautifully preserved town of Enkhuizen, a charming port with a rich maritime past and buildings dating back to the 15th century. During dinner, the ship resumes its cruise to the river Ijssel. (B, L, D)

Day 4: Arnhem - Antwerp
Early this morning, you arrive in Arnhem, location of the favorite summer retreat of the Dutch royal family. An optional excursion provides an opportunity to see the town and follow the course of the battle that took place here in September 1944, one of the major tragedies of World War II. Also, in the open-air museum, gain insight into the daily life of Arnhem's people from 1700 to 1970. This afternoon your journey continues through the lovely Dutch scenery into Belgium. (B, L, D)

Day 5: Antwerp, Belgium - Ghent
Today the ship docks in Antwerp, Belgium's second-largest city, boasting beautiful Gothic and Baroque architecture and lively cafes. Antwerp is best known for its diamonds and also as the city of Peter Paul Rubens, who spent the best part of his life here. Join a local expert exploring Antwerp's historical sights including the "Liebfrauenkirche", Belgium's largest Gothic church, the legendary "Brabo" fountains and Rubens' house. The afternoon is at leisure for shopping, independent exploration or an optional excursion to the Belgian capital of Brussels. This evening, your ship sets sail for Ghent. (B, L, D)

Day 6: Ghent - Zierikzee
The Imperial city of Ghent is lined with typical patrician houses in its city center, conveying the splendor of by-gone days. A sightseeing tour includes St. Bavo Cathedral with its world-famous painting of the altar of the citizens of Ghent and the "Belfried" with its bell tower. This afternoon, allow yourself to be transported back into medieval times with a leisurely-paced walking tour of Bruges, one of Europe's most perfectly preserved medieval cities. There is time this evening to explore Ghent on your own, before the ship sails again. (B, L, D)

Day 7: Zierikzee - Dordrecht
Early this morning you arrive in charming Zierikzee. A walk through this interesting little Dutch town includes its preserved medieval center, 14th century city gates, the Gothic "Burgerweershuis", the fish market and the 16th century town jail. Enjoy scenic Dutch landscapes as you cruise to historic Dordrecht, with its 17th century city gate and the Gothic "Grote Kerk" church. Next, visit Kinderdijk, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Here you encounter Holland's largest concentration of windmills, many still operating, and get a revealing glimpse into Holland's age-old battle with the sea. Tonight, after dinner, you will enjoy music and dancing by a local Dutch folklore group. (B, L, D)

Day 8: Dordrecht - Schoonhoven - Utrecht - Amsterdam
A morning stop in Schoonhoven allows you to explore this scenic little town before cruising to charming Utrecht. Visit the world-famous Keukenhof Gardens, spanning more than 70 acres within a beautiful park of tranquil ponds and tree-shaded paths. With more than seven million tulips and other flowers on exhibit, Keukenhof is a kaleidoscope of color in bloom. Your day concludes with a memorable farewell dinner celebrating the end of an unforgettable river cruise through Holland and Belgium. (B, L, D)

Day 9: Amsterdam - Tour Ends
(B)

Unpack once for relaxing 7-night river cruise of the waterways of Holland and Belgium.

*Tour and air prices are lead-in rates from a specific gateway based on twin occupancy and are subject to change. Rates do not include inter-air flights. Please call for triple or child occupancy rates. Tours departing BEFORE 4/30/06 may follow a different itinerary than what is listed here. Please confirm your specific itinerary at the time of booking. For tours that feature a cruise, port taxes are not included in the prices above. Additional tour dates may be available, please call us for information.

9 days, 20 meals
7 Buffet Breakfasts, 6 Lunches, 7 Dinners

Day 1 - Overnight Flight
Day 2 - 8 - MS Amadeus Princess

On some dates alternate hotels may be used

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