Best of Holland & Belgium By Amawaterways

Day 1

Amsterdam   

   EMBARKATION

Board the ship in Amsterdam for your Best of Holland & Belgium cruise.

Day 2

Amsterdam   

   Amsterdam Canal Cruise

   Scenic cruising out of Amsterdam

Utrecht   

   Walking tour with Museum Speelklok (organ museum) visit

   OR Castle de Haar visit    

   OR Biking tour   

There are 165 canals in Amsterdam, and you’ll get enjoy some of them on your canal cruise. Later in the day, enjoy a scenic cruise through the IJsselmeer to Utrecht, the religious center of the Netherlands since the 8th century and a far-reaching city boasting a medieval old town, canals and a beautiful Gothic cathedral, some of which you may see on your walking tour, which includes a visit to the whimsical collection of automatically playing musical instruments at Museum Speelklok. Alternatively, marvel at the largest castle in Holland, De Haar on a walking or biking tour. Straight out of your fairytale dreams, this castle inspires awe with its turrets, moats and suspension bridges as well as its luxurious interior. (B,L,D)

Day 3

Hellevoetsluis   

   Cruising the Delta

   Zierikzee “Medieval Harbor Town” walking tour

   Delta Works Tour

   OR Haringvlietdam bike tour    

Enjoy a scenic morning cruise through the delta before arriving in Hellevoetsluis, an island metropolis of South Holland. During your tour of this medieval harbor town, you may see enchanting sites such as its iconic working De Hoop windmill and witness the charming wharf houses. Later in the day, you may discover the intriguing history of how the Delta Works, a unique storm surge barrier, came to be while visiting the Flood Museum. More than half of the Netherlands lies below sea level and the Delta Works were built to prevent a recurrence of the 1953 flood disaster. For those who prefer an active adventure, pedal from Hellevoetsluis, with its cobblestone streets and charming harbor, across the Haringvlietdam and back. (B,L,D)

Day 4

Ghent   

   Ghent “Capital of East Flanders” walking tour

   OR Bike tour   

   OR All-day Bruges “Capital of West Flanders” walking tour and Church of Our Lady visit   

   Highlights of Bruges tour

   OR Castle of the Counts of Flanders   

There are several choices of excursions in Ghent, depending on your interests. Stroll through the Capital of East Flanders, learning about its unique history on your walking tour, or pedal through the spellbinding town on a guided bike tour. Alternatively, visit Bruges, one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe, on a full-day excursion that includes the renowned Church of Our Lady, home to the beautiful Carrara marble Madonna and Child sculpture by Michelangelo. If you prefer a shorter excursion in Bruges, visit the town later in the day or spend your afternoon at Ghent’s moated Castle of the Counts, which boasts an eye-catching design as well as a ghoulishly interesting collection of medieval torture devices. (B,L,D)

Day 5

Brussels   

   “Capital of Belgium” tour

   OR Belgian chocolate tasting    

   OR Bike tour   

   Gaasbeek Castle tour

Explore Belgium’s captivating capital on your guided walking tour or pedal through Brussels on a guided bike ride that takes you into Laeken Park where you will see the unique architecture of the Far East Museums as well as the jaw-dropping iron molecule sculpture known as the Atomium. Alternatively, delight your palate with a Belgian chocolate tasting. In the afternoon, visit Gaasbeek Castle, one of the oldest and authentic moated castles in Flanders. (B,L,D)

Day 6

Antwerp   

   “City of Diamonds” walking tour and cathedral visit

   OR Bike tour   

   Belgian beer tour

   OR Flavors of Belgium   

   OR Bike tour   

Explore Belgium’s trendy “City of Diamonds” on a walking tour where you’ll see Antwerp’s Steen Castle, Grote Market and Brabo Fountain, along with the UNESCO-designated Cathedral of Our Lady. Active travelers may prefer instead to bike through Antwerp. Later in the day, beer enthusiasts will appreciate a tasting of the local brew while foodies may prefer our excursion to sample some of Belgium’s culinary delights such as its fresh and fluffy waffles. An afternoon bike tour is also available for those who prefer to get their heart beating later in the day, and it includes an opportunity to visit the Red Star Line Museum, highlighting the historic shipping line responsible for transporting three million immigrants to America. (B,L,D)

Day 7

Dordrecht   

   “Holland’s Oldest City” walking tour

   OR Rotterdam tour and Delfshaven   

   OR Gorinchem excursion   

   OR Bike tour   

   Kinderdijk UNESCO Windmills

   OR Kinderdijk bike tour

Established in 1220, Holland’s oldest city was virtually destroyed by a devastating flood in the 15th century that essentially created the city’s wetlands. Learn more about Dordrecht’s fascinating history on your walking tour, or visit Rotterdam, the “Gateway to Europe,” as well as Delfshaven, where, on August 1, 1620, the Pilgrim fathers departed on their epic journey aboard the Speedwell. Stopping in Southampton, many then boarded the Mayflower and concluded their journey at Plymouth Rock in Massachusetts. If you prefer to venture off the beaten path, head to the smaller town of Gorinchem with its picturesque Old Town or go on an architectural bike tour through Rotterdam. In the afternoon, venture to 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. You may also pedal past the windmills from the seat of a bike. (B,L,D)

Day 8

Amsterdam   

   DISEMBARKATION

Disembark your ship and bid farewell to Amsterdam as you prepare for your return flight home. (B)

Ships:

AmaCerto: https://www.amawaterways.com/ships/amacerto-river-cruise-ship

AmaLucia: https://www.amawaterways.com/ships/amalucia-river-cruise-ship

AmaPrima: https://www.amawaterways.com/ships/amaprima-river-cruise-ship

AmaSerena: https://www.amawaterways.com/ships/amaserena-river-cruise-ship