YOUR ITINERARY

Day 1: Depart USA. Your spring tulip-time cruise/tour to Holland & Belgium begins as you board your overnight flight to Europe.

Day 2: Arrive Amsterdam ( Holland). Welcome to Amsterdam, the delightful Dutch capital. You'll be met at the airport and escorted to the pier where you'll board your deluxe river cruiser, your floating hotel for the next week. The balance of the afternoon is free for independent exploration. You may wish to take a leisurely glass-top boat cruise or stroll on foot along the charming canals, visit the fascinating Van Gogh or Rijksmuseum to view famous Dutch Golden Age paintings and relax in an outdoor cafe. A welcome reception and briefing is followed by dinner.
MS Amadeus Princess River Cruiser. (D)

Day 3: Amsterdam city tour /set sail/ Volendam. After breakfast, a local expert leads you on an included orientation tour to discover the charms and fascinating history of this delightful 800-year-old city. Along the canal-laced city center view elegant classic architecture, splendid historic homes, 16th century merchant houses and charming churches with bell towers. The bustling cafés, restaurants and colorful marketplace are certain to enchant you. Midday depart Amsterdam and set sail into the scenic Dutch countryside. Arrive at the quaint fishing village of Volendam located on the Ijsselmeer River. Volendam is one of the prettiest villages in North Holland and in the early 20th century, was renowned as an artists' retreat, with both Picasso and Renoir spending time here. The town's main street is lined with cafes and shops and many of their staff can be seen wearing traditional costumes. (B,L,D)

Day 4: Arnhem. Arrive to Arnhem around lunch time. Named for the eagles that once lived among the region's forests, Arnhem has long been popular with landscape painters. Sites of interest to be discovered independently include the maze of historic cellars and the Airborne Museum. You may also wish to explore the Open Air Museum, located in a beautiful wooded park on the outskirts of Arnhem. It contains more than 80 historic houses, farmhouses and mills from all over the country. This evening your cruiser sails on. (B,L,D)

Day 5: Middelburg. Around noon the vessel docks in Middelburg, the capital of the Dutch province Zeeland. The city is dotted with ornate historic buildings many of which were damaged World War II but later restored. On an included guided walking tour enjoy the medieval atmosphere of this town and see the imposing abbey and city hall and wonderful facades of old trading houses. You may also join an optional excursion (approx. $85) to view and learn about one of the world's most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works. Over many centuries, the Dutch struggled endlessly against the flood damage caused by rising sea tides. After the devastating flood of 1953, the Delta Plan was conceived and took 30 years to complete. On this optional tour you'll also visit the picturesque village of Veere that was a prosperous trading port in the middle ages. Later this evening set sail towards Belgium. (B,L,D)

Day 6: Ghent (Belgium) /optional Bruges Excursion. This morning dock in medieval Ghent, the capital and largest city of the East Flanders province. Enjoy an included guided walking tour of lovely Ghent, featuring a wealth of contrasting architectural styles including Romanesque, Rococo, High-tech and Timber Frame. View the Castle of the Counts and the unfinished Church of St. Nicholas. Continue to the Cathedral of St. Bavon to view the celebrated 12-paneled Adoration of the Lamb, painted by the Van Eyck brothers. The afternoon is at leisure in Ghent. You may join an optional tour (approx. $50) to charming canal-laced Bruges where you'll view the Lake of Love (Minnewater) and the Beguinage convent and enjoy a walking tour including Our Lady's Church, with the famous Madonna statue by Michelangelo, the Market Square and the Town Hall Square. (B,L,D)

Day 7: Antwerp/optional Brussels Excursion. Today's port of call is Antwerp, Belgium where you'll delight in an included guided tour of this important historical seaport. View Ruben's' House, where the great Flemish painter lived and worked. Visit the Grote Market with its beautiful Town Hall and one of the finest gothic structures in Europe: the Cathedral of Our Lady graced with Ruben's painted masterpieces. The afternoon is free to explore Antwerp's well-preserved old town or join an optional tour to nearby Brussels (approx. $35). This evening the captain hosts a Gala dinner. (B,L,D)

Day 8: Kinderdijk / Keukenhof Gardens / Amsterdam. This morning the ship docks in Kinderdijk, renowned for its large concentration of working windmills. Before lunch continue sailing to Utrecht, where you'll embark on an included guided excursion to the glorious Keukenhof Gardens, world-renowned for the dazzling fields of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. Here, view the lakes, amazing sculpture gardens, greenhouses, and open windmill. Later, a short drive brings you back to Amsterdam where you'll rejoin the ship at the pier. Enjoy final dinner onboard tonight. (B,L,D)

DAY 9: Amsterdam/USA. After breakfast disembark the cruiser and transfer to the airport for your return flight. Your fascinating voyage ends as you arrive New York later today. (B)

YOUR TOUR INCLUDES:

• Round-trip airfare from New York (JFK) via British Airways
  
• Airline fuel surcharge
  
• Cruise port charges
  
• 7-night cruise aboard the deluxe
  MS Amadeus Princess River Cruiser in a category C outside facing cabin with private bath
  
• 20 meals: 7 buffet breakfasts (B), 6 lunches (L), 7 dinners (D)
  
• Free wine with dinners
  
• Comprehensive sightseeing tours and shore excursions as listed in itinerary
  
• Additonal optional tours available for purchase onboard
  
• English-speaking cruise director and tour guides throughout

ABOUT YOUR RIVER BOAT Built in 2006, the MS Amadeus Princess is an elegant deluxe vessel. All 76 cabins are river facing, spacious (about 160sf), well appointed and have private bath with shower. Cabins on the lower deck have a window while those on the main and upper decks have large glass sliding panoramic doors ("French Balcony"). Each cabin is equipped with two beds that can be kept separate or put together as you wish, individually adjustable climate control, TV, safe, minibar and hair dryer. The well kept public areas include a restaurant serving delicious cuisine (free wine served with dinner!), an elegant lounge, a bar, a wellness spa and a panoramic sun-deck. The vessel is Austrian owned and has an experienced international crew. Join us on this cruise-tour for a thoroughly enjoyable experience!