Discover the beauty and history of the Dutch and Belgian waterways in the spring. Admire the spectacular tulip carpets in Keukenhof Gardens. Visit the lush green countryside of Kinderdijk, home to the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, and experience Amsterdam’s distinctive architecture and vibrant nightlife. A wonderful opportunity to admire the great medieval cities of Antwerp and Ghent and to delve into the cultural traditions of the friendly Dutch and Flemish people awaits you.
Day 1 – Depart Home
Board your overnight flight to Amsterdam. Your R&J Tour Director is there to assist you throughout your entire trip.
Day 2 – Arrive in Amsterdam, Holland
Welcome to Amsterdam, a modern city with a rich and fascinating 700-year old history. After getting settled in, you’re off on a half day excursion to the city of Haarlem for a fascinating tour of this charming, medieval city. Tonight a Welcome Dinner is planned.
Hotel – Crowne Plaza Amsterdam South (2 Nights)
Included Meals: Dinner
Day 3 – Amsterdam
After a full breakfast at the hotel, you’ll be ready for a day of exploring to two of Holland’s most iconic cities! Visit the capital city of the province of South Holland, The Hague, where the highlights will be going to the Escher Museum at the Lange Voorhout Palace and visiting the courtyard area of the impressive Binnenhof, built along the Hofvijver Lake. Next you’ll head to Delft, known for its historic town centre with canals and its blue & white pottery. Stop at the Koninklijke Porceleyne Fles (aka: Royal Delft), the only remaining earthenware factory of the original 32 factories in Delft. It is known for its Delftware production, which has been active for more than 350 years, without interruption – remarkable!
Included Meals: Breakfast
Day 4 – Embarkation
Another hot breakfast is served at the hotel before departing for the port where the AmaSonata awaits. The ship has prepared a special Welcome Dinner onboard this evening.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Ship: AmaSonata
Day 5 – Amsterdam – Volendam – Edam
After breakfast, enjoy a scenic morning cruise through the historic harbor and canals of Amsterdam. See the beautiful homes that line the water, the fabled Skinny Bridge, and the famous house where Anne Frank spent years in hiding during World War II. Later, enjoy a panoramic city tour that includes a windmill and other iconic landmarks. Return to the ship for lunch while you cruise the Ijsselmeer towards Volendam. Enjoy a late afternoon tour of Volendam Harbor and see the fishing fleet and fish auction building. Continue by motor coach to Edam, a picturesque town with a rich historic past. You will have a walking tour of the Old Quarter’s beautiful houses, canals, bridges and churches, including one of the largest in Holland, the Grote Kerk (Great Church).
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6 – Arnhem – Nijmegen
Arrive in beautiful Arnhem early this morning and choose from two tours today. Your first option is to see the monument commemorating the Battle of Arnhem Bridge made famous by the classic film “A Bridge Too Far.” You’ll also visit the Airborne Museum and learn more about the Battle of Arnhem, one of the major campaigns of World War II. Your second choice is a tour of the most stunning royal residence in Holland, Het Loo Palace, with lavishly furnished rooms and meticulously sculpted gardens. After your tour, return to the ship for lunch and cruise to Nijmegen for some free time. Enjoy scenic cruising this evening as you sail through the Netherlands en route to Belgium.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 7 – Antwerp, Belgium
This morning, enjoy a walking tour of Antwerp and see Antwerp Castle, Grote Market, Brabo Fountain and the city’s superb architecture. Alternatively, visit the Rubens House, former home and studio of Peter Paul Rubens, the famous 17th century Flemish Baroque painter. You will also visit the Antwerp Cathedral, which houses two of Rubens’ most important works, The Elevation of the Cross and The Descent from the Cross. The afternoon is free to explore Antwerp on your own. Alternatively, take an optional excursion to nearby Brussels, the capital of Belgium and site of NATO headquarters. After dinner, your ship departs for Ghent.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8 – Ghent
After breakfast, take a guided walking tour of Ghent, which includes such highlights as the Belfry Hall, the Koornlei, the Graslei and the Castle of the Counts. This afternoon you may take an optional excursion to Bruges, one of Europe’s most perfectly preserved medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Early this evening, cruise through the Dutch region of Zeeland, home to one of the world’s most complex engineering projects, the Delta Works, which took more than 30 years to complete.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 – Willemstad, The Netherlands – Kinderdijk – Schoonhoven
This morning we will stop in the charming 400-year old town of Willemstad for a walking tour and special organ recital at the oldest Protestant church in the Netherlands. In the afternoon, you will visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Kinderdijk, a lovely village renowned for having the country’s greatest concentration of windmills, all dating from the 18th century. Tonight the ship cruises to Schoonhoven, where we will moor overnight.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 – Amsterdam – Keukenhof – Amsterdam
We arrive in Amsterdam today. Admire the spectacular display of millions of flowering tulips during your morning excursion to the famous 70-acre Keukenhof Gardens. In the afternoon, enjoy an excursion to delightful Zaanse Schans, a small historic village just outside of Amsterdam. The ship moors overnight in Amsterdam.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 11 – Disembarkation – Depart Amsterdam to Home
Disembark the ship and prepare for your homeward flight.
Included Meals: Breakfast
PLEASE CALL FOR CABIN AVAILABILITY & PRICING OR CLICK “DOWNLOAD PDF” ON THE RIGHT COLUMN.
Travel Bucks
Deposit Due
Passport Needed
Tour Pace
Price Includes
Roundtrip airfare from MSP including all baggage fees, taxes & surcharges, Port Charges, 23 Meals, all activities as stated in brochure, Hotels, AmaSonata Cruise. PLEASE CALL FOR PRICING!
04/26/2015 05/06/2015
Tour Map
Tour Highlights
2 Nights in Amsterdam
Exploring Haarlem, The Hague, & Delft
7 nights deluxe cruise through the
Netherlands & Belgium in the spring,
traveling roundtrip from Amsterdam
Life enriching tours and excursions daily with
personal headset included
Complimentary Wi-Fi access on board
Terry bathrobes and white-on-white plush bedding
in all staterooms
Fine dining with all meals included during your cruise
Unlimited red & white wines from Europe’s great
wine regions, beer & soft drinks with every lunch
and dinner on board
Bottled water in every stateroom replenished daily
Cocktail Reception, Welcome Dinner & Captain’s Gala Dinner
Special highlights including lectures, cooking demonstration,
onboard music performances and piano music
Bicycles to explore on your own & guided bicycle tours
All English language on board in a non-smoking environment (smoking permitted only on the Sun Deck)
