Compare Tulip Time in Holland & Belgium with 1 Night in Amsterdam by Avalon Waterways vs Country Roads of Belgium, Luxembourg & the Netherlands - Classic Group by Insight Vacations
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 9 days | 12 days |
| Price From | $ 3,858 | $ 3,950 |
| Price Per Day | $ 429 | $ 329 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | River cruise | Small group tour |
| Lodging Level | Standard | Standard |
| Physical Level |
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| Travel Themes |
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N/A |
| Countries Visited | ||
| Cities and Attractions |
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| Flights & Transport | No | Airfare included |
| Activities |
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| Meals Included | N/A | N/A |
| 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! | This 11-day guided tour whisks you through scenic Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands. In Luxembourg, indulge in a farm-to-table feast at the horse-stables-turned-restaurant L'Écurie du Parc, then stroll past the 12th-Century Clervaux Castle after dinner. Climb to the top of the star-shaped Mardasson Monument for a birds-eye view of the fields where the World War II’s Battle of the Bulge was fought. Cruise through Amsterdam’s canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sailing past 16th-Century merchant houses and the iconic Magere Brug — the skinny, white-painted wood bridge over the Amstel River. Later, join a Local Expert at the Rijksmuseum, where you can view Rembrandt's ‘Night Watch’, and see a shoemaker whittle wood into traditional clogs. |
Day 1: AMSTERDAM, HOLLAND
Welcome to Holland. Your day in Amsterdam is free to explore at your leisure.
AMSTERDAM-BIKING.jpg
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)
AMSTERDAM-CANAL-CRUISE.jpg
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)
NIJMEGEN.jpg
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)
MAASTRICHT.jpg
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)
NAMUR.jpg
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)
LIEGE.jpg
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)
ANTWERP-GROTE-MARKT.jpg
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)
BRUSSELS-TOWN-HALL.jpg
Day 9: BRUSSELS (DISEMBARKATION)
Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
(Breakfast)
BRUSSELS-SCENIC.jpg
Day 1: Welcome to Brussels
Airport transfers depart Brussels airport for your centrally-located hotel at 09:00, 11:00 and 14:30. After checking in, the afternoon is yours to relax. At 17:00, join your Travel Director for a visit to the cheeky Manneken Pis statue and stroll leisurely around the Grand Place, voted the most beautiful square in Europe. Your delightful first evening also includes a Welcome Dinner with wine at a local restaurant in the heart of the Old Town, with an opportunity to mingle with your fellow travellers.
NH Collection Brussels Centre.
Dinner with Wine
Day 2: The Battlefield of Waterloo Relaxed Start
Explore Brussels with Insight Choice. Learn about Napoleon’s final defeat at Waterloo or alternatively, join your Local Expert for a walking tour through the streets of Brussels visiting its Chocolate Museum for a private lesson with a master chocolatier. Return to Brussels, where the remainder of the day is at your leisure. Perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit the historic town of Antwerp? In the evening, choose from a selection of hand-picked local restaurants on your Dine-Around Evening.
NH Collection Brussels Centre.
Breakfast
Day 3: Ghent and on to Bruges
In the morning, admire the contrast of the Chinese and Japanese Pavilions and the impressive, metallic spheres of the Atomium.Your journey then crosses the pasture lands of Belgian Flanders to reach Ghent, the City of Flowers, offering a fascinating cultural mix of medieval heritage and modern urban life.With a Local Expert, take a stroll through the historical streets and be mesmerised by the outstanding beauty of its quays, churches and squares. Visit St. Bavo's Cathedral, former home of the Eyck masterpiece, and see the Castle of the Counts.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Bruges.
Breakfast
Day 4: Sightseeing Bruges Relaxed Start
Meet your Local Expert from Bruges for a stroll along cobbled streets, lined with high-gabled houses from the 16th century. Visit the Market Square dominated by the 83-meter medieval bell tower, The Belfry of Bruges. Explore Burg Square with its ornate Gothic town hall and glorious frescoes on the walls of the Holy Blood Chapel. With your free afternoon, perhaps join an Optional Experience to visit the historic town of Ypres? Explore the market square and attend the famous Last Post Ceremony, commemorating the fallen Allied Forces on the surrounding Flanders Fields.
Radisson Blu Hotel, Bruges.
Breakfast
Day 5: Luxembourg
Travel into the French-speaking Walloon region, where picturesque country roads lead you to the late 19th century Scourmont Abbey. The surrounding plateau on which it is built was once considered wild and barren land, but the Trappist monks have toiled for over 100 years to create a successful farm, brewery and cheese plant. Visit the Chimay Experience to learn about the production secrets of Chimay Trappist beers. Your visit concludes with a sample of freshly brewed beer and a taste of golden-crusted cheese. Continue on to the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to arrive at your 18th century château home for two nights. In the evening, you will be served a fresh and delicious Farm-to-Table Dinner at restaurant L'Écurie du Parc. See the 12th century Clervaux Castle illuminated on your stroll after dinner.
Château d'Urspelt (Castle Rooms), Clervaux.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 6: Luxembourg City and Countryside
Your travels continue to Luxembourg City for sightseeing with your Local Expert. Visit the grave of U.S. General George S. Patton, laid to rest alongside the men who fought and died in his great Third Army. Admire the view over the Petrusse Ravine from the Pont Adolphe and stroll through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to see the cathedral and the Palace of the Grand Duke. With the afternoon free for you to explore at your leisure, perhaps join an Optional Experience to the ancient Roman city of Trier, home town of Karl Marx, to explore with a Local Expert?
Château d'Urspelt (Castle Rooms), Clervaux.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 7: Explore Bastogne then on to Rotterdam
Head for Bastogne to visit the Mardasson Monument, a star-shaped memorial dedicated to the U.S. troops who died during Battle of the Bulge in World War II. You may choose to climb to the top for a perspective of what it might have been like during the winter of 1944. Visit the Bastogne War Museum, a fascinating modern and interactive memorial centre highlighting the causes, events and consequences of WWII. Travel through the centre of Belgium as your journey continues to Rotterdam, the world's largest port rebuilt after wartime devastation. During your orientation with your Travel Director, see the impressive market hall and its radical modern design and the Erasmus Bridge.
Inntel Hotels Rotterdam Centre.
Breakfast
Day 8: Delft and The Hague Relaxed Start
Visit one of the manufacturers of original Delft blue pottery before moving on to the Hague, the elegant governmental centre of the Netherlands. See the Binnenhof courtyards where the Parliament is situated and the impressive Peace Palace. Pass through picturesque villages and windmills of the Dutch countryside to Amsterdam for three fabulous nights.
Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.
Breakfast
Day 9: Amsterdam Sightseeing Relaxed Start
Today you explore Amsterdam, a living museum of the 17th century, yet still a vibrant metropolis and port. The best way to see this remarkable city is from the water as you cruise through the canal district, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admire the elegant merchant houses from the 16th and 17th centuries, their facades are a reflection of when trade flourished during Amsterdam's Golden Age. Relax as you pass stunning gables, beautiful churches and the iconic Magere Brug, better known as the Skinny Bridge. Disembark your cruise to wander the city and see the floating flower market, Dam Square and the Royal Palace. The rest of the day is at your leisure. With your free time, perhaps venture out to the Dutch Countryside to the village of Marken?
Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.
Breakfast
Day 10: A True Dutch Delight Relaxed Start
If you choose, you could start the morning by visiting the world's largest flower auction at Aalsmeer? Later, in Amsterdam, visit the newly refurbished Rijksmuseum with a Local Expert, Amsterdam's famed treasure trove of Dutch art, housing Rembrandt's ‘Night Watch.' Journey to the village of Monnikendam, learn the secrets of the Cheese Maker's craft, from milk to the finished product. Then witness a traditional Shoemaker turn a block of wood into clogs. In the evening, join your newfound friends and Travel Director at a beautiful restaurant in Monnikendam to enjoy your Celebration Dinner.
Grand Hotel Amrâth Amsterdam.
Breakfast, Dinner with Wine
Day 11: Depart Amsterdam
Transfers to Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport arrive at 08:00 and 10:00.
Breakfast
