Compare Tulip Time in Holland & Belgium with 1 Night in Amsterdam by Avalon Waterways vs Cycling from Amsterdam to Brussels by Exodus Travels
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 9 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 3,858 | $ 2,525 |
| Price Per Day | $ 429 | $ 316 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Flights & Transport | No | No |
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| Meals Included | N/A | All breakfasts are included. There are plenty of treats to be tried during your trip from the Netherlands to Belgium with local specialities including stroopwafels, cheese, moules & frites, luxury praline chocolates, gaufres and beer. |
| Description | Begin your vacation in Holland and Belgium your way with a one-night stay in Amsterdam! Join us for a guided canal cruise through the iconic waterways of this city of the Golden Age. Take free time to explore the colorful streets, galleries, and restaurants here. 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 Nijmegen, the oldest city in the Netherlands. Choose a visit to Arnhem’s WWII Airborne Museum or a bike ride. In Maastricht, tour the old cobblestoned university town. On to Belgium for a sightseeing tour of medieval Namur, then Liège to see the ancient quarters of the “Fiery City.” Explore the city of Antwerp—birthplace of the master painter Peter 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, explore landmark buildings of Town Hall with a collection of cafes and shops on the Lower Town streets. Memories of Holland and Belgium will bloom in your memory for seasons to come! |
Starting in Amsterdam and finishing in Belgium's capital city of Brussels, we recommend adding a few extra nights on to do city breaks in both cities to discover the variety of architecture, historic sites and monuments as well as shopping arcades, parks, gardens, art galleries and museums. Discover why millions visit these two key European cities every year with Amsterdam's famous network of canals (a UNESCO World Heritage site), its infamous red light district and its fabulous squares - Dam, Rembrandtplein and Leidseplein. Brussels is famous for its food, comic strips, the world-famous Manneken Pis statue as well as the Atomium and the amazing Grand Place. As well as the start and finish cities, this linear route is mostly flat cycling and allows you to discover even more Dutch and Belgian treats - for the eyes as well as the tastebuds. Archetypal images of Holland include its windmills and bridges with plenty of windmills in Kinderdijk and bridges in Papendrecht to feast your eyes on as you cycle across Holland's Green Heart. Famous local snacks from Gouda include syrup waffles (or stroopwafels) and cheese. Continuing southwards you'll get to see the Biesbosch National Park, one of Erurope's last remaining freshwater tidal areas, before heading over the border into Belgium where you'll discover the historical cities of Antwerp and Leuven with awe-inspiring architecture and delicious beer and mussels (moules) with Belgian triple-fried chips (frites). For those with a sweet tooth, Belgium's sweet and sugary gaufres (with various toppings) and the luxury pralines and chocolates are well worth trying an assortment.This linear cycling trip takes in the capitals of Holland and Belgium as well as historic cities en route. |
Day 1: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Welcome to Holland. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.
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Day 2: AMSTERDAM (EMBARKATION)
Canals of Colorful Amsterdam
CLASSIC Explore the iconic waterways of Amsterdam on a Guided Canal Cruise past stately homes of Amsterdam’s “Golden Age.” 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.
Later, on board your Avalon Suite Ship®.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NIJMEGEN
(Breakfast,Dinner)
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Day 3: NIJMEGEN. EXCURSION TO ARNHEM
Wildlife, WWII Valor, and Famous Mills
ACTIVE Explore the beautiful landscape of lush fields and blue water on a bike ride through The Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, OR:DISCOVERY Join a Guided Tour of Nijmegen— the oldest town in the Netherlands. Learn how this city was first built more than 2,000 years ago by the Romans and see the archaeological Roman-era ruins in the city that was also damaged in WWII, OR:CLASSIC Join a Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein commemorating the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO MAASTRICH
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 4: MAASTRICHT
Dutch History, School Spirit and an Architectural Feast
Enjoy an early morning sailing to Maastricht.
ACTIVE Maastricht's charm awaits, Follow your Adventure Host for a walk in this lovely town., OR:CLASSIC Discover this vibrant university town with its lovely cathedrals, old houses, historical buildings, and impressively cobblestoned town center.
Later enjoy live entertainment on board.
OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO NAMUR
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 5: NAMUR, BELGIUM
Ancient Architecture and Charming Cafés
ACTIVE Explore Namur's countryside by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
CLASSIC 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.
EVENING/OVERNIGHT CRUISE TO LIÈGE(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 6: LIÈGE
Historic Wonders and Wonderful Waffles
CLASSIC 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
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 7: ANTWERP
A Rubenesque Cathedral in Artful Antwerp
Join your Adventure Host for today’s special activities.
ACTIVE Explore Antwerp by bike with your Adventure Host, OR:CLASSIC 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 CRUISE TO BRUSSELS (Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 8: BRUSSELS
Ancient Landmarks and New Haunts
ACTIVE See Brussel's Aquaculture farm on bike with your Adventure Host, OR:
DISCOVERY See the major highlights of Brussels and join a do-it-yourself chocolate workshop for a fun and interactive experience, OR:CLASSIC 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.The afternoon is free to explore Brussels at your pace.
OVERNIGHT DOCKING IN BRUSSELS
(Breakfast,Lunch,Dinner)
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Day 9: BRUSSELS (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
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Day 1 Arrive in Amsterdam
Marvel at the townhouses along the 17th century canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You could also opt to saunter down the infamous red-light district which attracts millions of curious tourists every year; or enjoy the street performers on friendly Rembrandtplein. Overnight Westcord Fashion Hotel 4*, Amsterdam.
Day 2 Amsterdam to Gouda
Today's route takes you through the Green Heart of Holland, a true cycling paradise, with characteristic peat and polder landscapes, small farming communities and picturesque historical towns such as Oudewater. It was to this place that women who had been accused of witchcraft fled from all over Europe to try to have their innocence proven by weighing. Finish your ride in medieval Gouda, discover this beautifully preserved town centre, visit the Gothic town hall and St. John's church. Stop off at a bakery to buy fresh syrup waffles (Gouda is the hometown of the famous stroopwafels) and pick up some Gouda cheese. Overnight Best Western Plus City 4*, Gouda.
Day 3 Gouda to Papendrecht
From Gouda you'll continue through the Green Heart of Holland to the village of Kinderdijk. Explore the site on which 19 windmills have stood majestically since 1740 and used to drain excess water out of the low-lying polder up into the River Lek. You can even pay one of the mills a visit. Your destination, Papendrecht, is just a ferry crossing away from of one of Holland's oldest towns; Dordrecht, which is completely surrounded by rivers. Beautiful bridges take you across the water into the heart of town with its many monumental buildings around the harbour Overnight Leonardo Hotel 4*, Papendrecht.
Day 4 Papendrecht to Bergen op Zoom
Follow today's route past one of the few remaining freshwater tidal areas in Europe: the Biesbosch National Park. Crossing a one-kilometre-long bridge high above Holland's Diep river, you arrive in the south of the Netherlands. Continue through village after village, with Brabant hospitality enticing you in to stop for a cup of coffee and a big slice of fruit tart. Bergen op Zoom, today's destination, is 800 years old and the town's narrow streets, old squares and hundreds of monuments testify to a rich and dramatic past. Be sure to feast your eyes on Markiezenhof, a late-gothic mansion built by the local noble family in 1485, that now serves as a museum and archive, before you settle down at one of the many pavement cafes. Please note you will only be able to cycle through the Biesbosch park on days when the ferry is running, which is not daily. An alternative route will be provided for days when there is no ferry service. Overnight Grand Hotel De Draak 4*, Bergen op Zoom.
Day 5 Bergen op Zoom to Antwerp
The landscape along today's cycling route is predominantly wooded. On the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, catch your breath in De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide, a lovely cross-border nature reserve. The route takes you along the Scheldekaaien (quays on the River Scheldt) right into the historical heart of Antwerp, Belgium's most important port city and the largest town in Flanders. After seeing the historical centre you might like to venture to the hip and trendy parts of the city: 't Zuid and Het Eilandje. If you've worked up a thirst on your journey, consider a visit to the De Koninck beer brewery. It has been going strong since 1833 and has a new visitors centre welcoming guests wishing to look around and do some tasting. This brewery is best known for its 'bollekes', a type of rounded beer glass. Overnight Park Inn Hotel by Radisson 3*, Antwerp.
Day 6 Antwerp to Leuven
After a short stretch on the banks of the River Scheldt, change course to follow the River Rupel, the shortest river in the country (nearly 10km long). Along the way you'll see abandoned brick works and chimneys as silent witnesses of a tough industrial past. A good place to stop for lunch is the old town of Mechelen, within sight of the church tower of 13th century St. Rombold's cathedral or the Grand Place with its fabulous architecture. Continue along the River Dijle to end your day in the delightful university town of Leuven, where the oldest houses date back to the 14th and 15th centuries. Also visit the early-Gothic church of St. John the Baptist (1304) and the Old Market Square (Oude Markt), nicknamed 'the longest bar counter in the world' due to the enormous number of bars and cafes on the square. Overnight Park Inn Hotel by Radisson 3*, Leuven.
Day 7 Leuven to Brussels
The hills of Belgian Brabant and the expansive Sonian Forest set the scene for today's cycle. There are also train options if you don't feel like cycling into the big city of Brussels. The city's main attraction is the fantastic Grand Place and the nearby little statue of Manneken Pis still draws the crowds although there's plenty more to see. Your visit to Brussels should involve culinary treats such as delicious hot waffles, chocolate, triple-fried frites and beer. You should also enjoy the shopping and culture; you'll be hard-pushed not to want to stay longer. Overnight Courtyard by Marriott 4*, Brussels.
Day 8 Depart Brussels
Depart from Brussels after a hearty breakfast.
