Itinerary
- Day 1
Amsterdam
You'll arrive in Amsterdam and check into your hotel. After settling in, you have the day to yourself to wander through the city's shops and cafés at your own pace.
Optional Activities
- Explore shops in Amsterdam
- Explore cafés in Amsterdam
- Day 2
Amsterdam to Nijmegen
This morning starts with a guided canal cruise through Amsterdam's waterways, where you'll see the stately homes from the Golden Age. Later you'll head to Keukenhof gardens to walk through over seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. By evening, you'll board your cruise ship and sail overnight to Nijmegen.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Guided Canal Cruise through Amsterdam
- Guided Excursion to Keukenhof gardens
Landmarks/POIs Keukenhof - Day 3
Nijmegen
You can pick from three options today: bike through the Ooijpolder Nature Reserve, explore Nijmegen (the oldest town in the Netherlands with Roman ruins), or visit the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein about the 1944 WWII Battle of Arnhem. This evening you'll cruise to Antwerp.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike ride through The Ooijpolder Nature Reserve
- Guided Tour of Nijmegen
- Guided Tour of the Airborne Museum of Hartenstein
Optional Activities
- Optional excursions available
Landmarks/POIs Airborne Museum of Hartenstein Ooijpolder Nature Reserve - Day 4
Antwerp
There's a botany and nature lecture while you sail. Then you'll choose between biking through Antwerp, a guided city tour of Grote Markt and the Cathedral of Our Lady to see Rubens paintings, or visiting the Arboretum Kalmthout botanical gardens. Dinner and live entertainment happen before you cruise overnight to Namur.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner and live entertainment)
Included Activities
- Lecture on botany and nature
- Bike exploration of Antwerp
- Guided Tour of Antwerp
- Guided excursion to Arboretum Kalmthout botanical gardens
Landmarks/POIs Grote Markt Cathedral of Our Lady Arboretum Kalmthout - Day 5
Namur
You have three options: bike through Namur's countryside, visit the Jardins D'Annevoie water gardens with French, Italian, and English-inspired designs, or join a guided tour of the old town with its fortress citadel and medieval architecture. You'll cruise to Liège this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike exploration of Namur's countryside
- Visit to Jardins D'Annevoie
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Namur
Landmarks/POIs Jardins D'Annevoie - Day 6
Liège
Choose between the Botanical Garden and Greenhouses with a walking tour of the historical center, or a guided tour of the 'Fiery City' where you can see ancient quarters, narrow alleys, and romantic streets while sampling authentic Liège waffles. You'll sail to Maastricht during dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Botanical Garden and Greenhouses visit
- Walking tour of the historical center of Liège
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Liège
- Sampling of Liège Waffles
Landmarks/POIs Botanical Garden and Greenhouses in Liège - Day 7
Maastricht
Pick from a power walk with your Adventure Host, a ranger-led exploration of the heath landscape and Hoge Kempen National Park, or a guided tour of this university town with its cathedrals, old houses, and cobblestoned center. Live entertainment happens this evening before you cruise to Brussels.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Power walking in Maastricht
- Guided experience in Hoge Kempen National Park
- Visit to Research Center Ecotron
- Guided tour of Maastricht
Landmarks/POIs Hoge Kempen National Park Research Center Ecotron - Day 8
Brussels
A botany and nature lecture happens while sailing. Then choose between biking to Brussels' aquaculture farm, taking a do-it-yourself chocolate workshop, or joining a guided tour of the Town Hall and Lower Town's bars, cafés, and shops.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Lecture on botany and nature
- Bike exploration of Brussels' Aquaculture farm
- Do-it-yourself chocolate workshop
- Guided Tour of Brussels
Landmarks/POIs Town Hall - Day 9
Brussels to Ghent
You'll either visit the Floralia exhibition with spring flowers and the Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden, or spend the day on your own trying Brussels' hearty food and famous beers. Dinner is on board as you sail to Ghent this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner (Dinner on board while sailing to Ghent)
Included Activities
- Visit to Floralia exhibition in Brussels
Optional Activities
- Day at leisure to sample Brussels hearty cuisine and famous beer
Landmarks/POIs Castle of Groot-Bijgaarden - Day 10
Ghent
Choose from biking through Ghent, relaxing in Landscape Park Bulskampveld forest, or a guided tour of 'The Diamond of Flanders' to see St. Bavo's Cathedral with Flemish artwork. There's also an optional full-day excursion to Bruges to explore its canals, cobbled streets, medieval buildings, and 13th-century belfry. Live entertainment happens this evening.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike exploration of Ghent
- Visit to Landscape Park Bulskampveld
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Ghent
- Visit to St. Bavo's Cathedral
Optional Activities
- Full-day Guided Optional Excursion to Bruges
Landmarks/POIs St. Bavo's Cathedral Landscape Park Bulskampveld - Day 11
Ypres to Middelburg
You'll spend time at the In Flanders' Field Museum in Ypres learning about Belgium's invasion, WWI mobilization, and trench warfare. After lunch at the museum's café, you'll visit battlefields, cemeteries, and memorials. The evening includes the nightly Last Post Ceremony under the Menin Gate, with free time for dinner before the ceremony. You'll cruise to Middelburg after.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch at the museum's café), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit to In Flanders' Field Museum in Ypres
- Lunch at the museum's café
- Visit to battlefields, cemeteries, memorials and private collections
- Last Post Ceremony at the Menin Gate
Landmarks/POIs In Flanders' Field Museum Menin Gate - Day 12
Veere
In Middelburg, bike through town or take a guided walk through winding cobblestones and canals to see the 15th century Gothic Town Hall and learn about the spice trade. You'll have lunch on board while cruising to Veere, or bike from Middelburg to Veere yourself. In Veere, choose between hiking in the Domburg area or exploring with a local guide. A botany lecture happens while sailing, then you'll overnight in Kinderdijk.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board while cruising to Veere), Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike exploration of Middelburg
- Guided Walking Tour of Middelburg
- Lunch on board while cruising to Veere
- Hiking experience in the Domburg area
- Bike ride from Middelburg to Veere
- Guided exploration of Veere
- Lecture on botany and nature
Landmarks/POIs Gothic Town Hall - Day 13
Rotterdam - Zaandam
View Kinderdijk's windmills by bike or join a guided tour of the 19 windmills built in 1740 for flood prevention, learning their role in Dutch history. After cruising through Rotterdam harbor, choose from biking Rotterdam, visiting greenhouses in Westland and the Westlands Museum, or a guided tour of Rotterdam's architecture including the Erasmus Bridge. Live entertainment happens before cruising overnight to Zaandam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Bike tour of Kinderdijk windmills
- Guided Tour of Kinderdijk
- Cruise through Rotterdam harbor
- Bike exploration of Rotterdam
- Guided Tour of Westland region greenhouses
- Visit to Westlands Museum
- Guided Sightseeing Tour of Rotterdam
Landmarks/POIs Kinderdijk Windmills Erasmus Bridge Westlands Museum - Day 14
Haarlem - Amsterdam
Start with a half-day guided tour of Keukenhof, the 'Garden of Europe,' across 70 acres with lakes and over seven million tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. Or explore Zaandam independently. You'll cruise to Haarlem this afternoon with lunch on board. In Haarlem, bike to the beach or explore this major flower bulbs district with medieval features and gabled houses. A botany lecture happens while sailing to Amsterdam. Dinner is on board.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Lunch on board while cruising to Haarlem), Dinner (Dinner on board while sailing to Amsterdam)
Included Activities
- Half-day Guided Tour of Keukenhof
- Exploration of Zaandam
- Lunch on board while cruising to Haarlem
- Bike ride to the beach from Haarlem
- Guided tour of Haarlem
- Lecture on botany and nature
- Dinner on board while sailing to Amsterdam
Landmarks/POIs Keukenhof - Day 15
Amsterdam
Choose from a bike tour through Dutch countryside past polders and villages, a guided canal cruise through Amsterdam's waterways with Golden Age homes, or visit Amsterdam's secret gardens behind brick facades. This afternoon you can optionally join a guided excursion to Zaanse Schans or take a culinary tour through Amsterdam.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Included Activities
- Biking Tour through the Dutch countryside
- Guided Canal Cruise through Amsterdam
- Access to Amsterdam's secret gardens
Optional Activities
- Guided Optional Excursion to Zaanse Schans
- Culinary Tour through Amsterdam
Landmarks/POIs Zaanse Schans - Day 16
Amsterdam Departure
Your cruise ends this morning. You'll have breakfast before disembarking in Amsterdam.
- Meals
- Breakfast
